"He fucking did that with a staff? That's cool!" one player murmured as the crowd started buzzing about David's actions.
Jason gritted his teeth before glaring at Robin, knowing they had suffered a massive hit to their reputation today. The only way to get it back was to defeat Sarah and David in the challenge and then mock them in front of everyone.
At the current stage of the game, there were not many mages. This was because of the rise of popularity of the melee classes, as well as the shitty system set in place for a mage.
"Mages are technically useless in the early game. They rely on mana, and they fizz out after 3-4 spells. A bad mage is the worst thing you can have in a dungeon raid, where you need to have prolonged battles. When combined with the fact that mage NPC's are assholes, the only mage players that exist are those that want to fulfill their fantasy of speaking 'avada kedavra' only to realise it isnt a real spell", David thought.
"I am fine with the deal", Jason muttered, trying to put up his strong front.
Sarah looked at David before glancing back towards her party members to see what they had to say.
"If you are fine with it, Sarah, then we are as well", said the short girl, and the others agreed.
"We have a deal, Jason.", Sarah agreed.
"Good! Let's get to it then!" David smiled, sending Sarah a party invite, which she accepted. "Let me introduce you to my team members", Sarah said as three players walked and stood behind her.
"I am Erina, and I am the Healer", said the short girl. "He is Erik, and he is a Rogue", Erina said, looking at a young tall man with gauntlets. "And this one is Joy, he is a Melee", she said, as David glanced at the player holding a shield.
"They didn't reveal their classes easily, so it might be an experienced party", David thought.
Sarah described David the basic roles of every party member. The party focussed on Sarah being its main damage dealer, with Erik provided him backup, and Joy used his skills to gain attention of the monster and tank the hits.
"Sarah said Erina is just a basic healer, but given these guys dont have any long range damage dealer in their party, she might have a few attacks in her arsenal", David thought.
"If we want to win, I will lead you guys. Is that alright with you ?" he asked. Still, suddenly, the expression on Erina and the other party members changed, "No. we don't need your leadership", Erina said.
David looked at Sarah, "Can you trust me?" he said, trying to muster up the biggest smile he could make.
Sarah smiled back.
"YES!" David thought he had succeeded.
"No. I can lead my party well enough", Sarah replied coldly.
"damnit. Isn't she supposed to be the cold-hearted sword user who would be impressed by my skills?" David thought. What David didn't realise was that he wasn't precisely a protagonist.
He glanced over to Jason's side. Every player in that party wore a shiny piece of armour and held a weapon that suited their job. "I know their fighting styles. Ain't no way we are going to lose", he thought, and looked over to Sarah and her party, "thought I might have to take matters into my own hands". He didn't want to take any chances against Jason and his party.
"Even though Jason and his party are shitty humans and outright scumbags, they were some of the best players on Earth in the future. I can't be lax. Plus, if I could get that item, kekekeke."
"Are you sure we can trust him?" Erina asked Sarah as the two looked at David, who was grinning like a crazy person.
* * *
David was practising swings with his staff while the two teams were preparing for the dungeon. At that moment, his system rang, and he checked it to see that it was a DM from Tom.
LadyKiller420: Sorry for the delay. Got distracted by a quest.
LadyKiller420: A white-haired hottie is standing right ahead. Approaching target. Wish me luck, comrade.
LadyKiller420: Damnit! She got a pesky little bodyguard. Aborting Mission
David quickly turned around and noticed that Erina was chasing after Tom.
"Hey, hey, Friendly fire", David shouted as he dashed in front of Erina, stopping her from pursuing Tom.
"That pervert is your friend?" Erina asked, glaring at David.
"What did he do?" David asked while he glanced at Tom, who was trying to catch his breath.
"He was glaring at my chest", Erina muttered.
David glared at Tom now, "There is nothing to look at! Even I got more material than that!"
Suddenly, David received another DM, and he checked it out. There were two, one from Sarah and the other from Tom, but both the messages said the same thing.
"Don't look behind?"
David had formed a habit of doing the opposite of what he was told to do, and he knew it would come back to bite him someday. Unfortunately, today was one of those days.
-slap-
A few moments later,
"At least heal me now, ya bitch!" David shouted, glaring at Erina, who was sipping on some juice.
"I won't!" Erina replied.
"So, you got into some challenge with Jason? And will you have to delete your account if you lose it? And in return, you will just take one item from his party?" Tom asked David.
"How does this make sense. What if he has nothing useful for you?"
"Dont worry, I know that I can beat Jason. What about you? Where is your party that was supposed to come", David asked Tom.
"They are here.", Tom muttered, glancing towards his right side. "They just dont like to interact much. Plus they are nerds, like you"
"What are you collecting nerds or something?", David glared. "Plus I am not even a nerd anymore"
"They might be useful in the future", Tom replied.
"If only you knew the future, Tom", David thought as he glanced towards one of Jason's teammates. "I will steal your entire future very soon, kekekkeekkeke."
"There you go with that weird laugh of yours", said Tom.
"I am sorry, i cant control it!" replied David.
"Anyway, let's get this show on the road", David smirked as he and Sarah's team prepared to clear the dungeon. Jason and his team stood next to them, ready to enter simultaneously. The one who clears it first will get the first clear achievement and hence be declared the winner.
The teams picked up the 'Nightmare Difficulty' and walked through the gate.
[ You have entered the Dungeon 'Fang Caverns'. Difficulty is set to Nightmare]