The journey through the dungeons was satisfying to say the least. But there could not clear all the elites. Being hypervigilant all the time saps your energy. Not the type where an apple or two would clear some of it.
So one of the reasons why the dungeons were not clear was due to this. The main one was still that the players didn't have enough high level weapons and stuff. As a player who played not for fun but for cash, Artha tended to gloss over few stuffs. And like a miracle he would remember those same stuff it will bring the money.
Just consider the way he held the mini auction. "Grab onto to your purses, ladies and gentlemen! This auction will be doozy. I just grabbed the nicest things from this elite."
"Come on dog! You just said it was a sword, a cape and pants few moments ago."
"Yeah! As soon as you start the auction, they somehow turn into nicest things! How is it possible?"
Jack being a wise *ss he was cracked up and said, " It is possible if he is selling the d*mned thing."
This got all the team members cracked up. Artha's deep reverence towards money was well known.
"All the items have repair counter. Does that answer the question?" Artha replied calmly. He then showed the stats of the items. They were indeed nice. So how did these things become simple when he got them? Selective amnesia?
Anyway, the loots were getting better. All of them had swapped most of the items they had and got few spares too. Artha didn't buy anything. Apart from the staff he was forcefully offered at beginning of the dungeon raid. No one cared. One less competition in bidding.
The end was anti-climactic though. They did not enter dungeon sections with two elites. When most of them felt they could not hold on, they just decided to give up. And came to beginning of the dungeon. Then they walked away in different directions.
Artha checked the time. Hmm. Can run with only one guild. Whom to choose. Lovely ladies or friendly guys? Lovely ladies it is. The chances of extending the co- operative field clearance was less likely with them.
And he would be running around the elites. The level of the maps and difficulty would be more. Better to get the extra benefits first. So he toiled there. Trying to get last hits as much as possible. When he had to reset and recover, he gathered, collected. And he understood importance of continuous back ups and service. The elites didn't collect items. Their job description didn't include that. The tag alongs did it. So, Artha joined that group to collect, go to other side to fight monsters. Today's map was new. Lots of new things to gather. Lots of different monster parts.
But still he had to return back to village. He had collected good items. But the regular business beckoned. As he was now completely recognised by alliance of guilds (initially created to open the dungeons, but not dissolved yet), he didn't mind handing over potions near the inn. Kidding. It was done in the bar. Then, Edgeless Sword came.
Artha rubbed his hands in anticipation. This transaction was proper trade. So they would handover extras they had at hand- that's basically everything that was not part of tasks and he would trade with them using the items they want. If they want more, oh it would be done next and would be considered part of investment.
It was a good thing that dungeon loots were good today. And he had brought out every sample of the items he had as he had no idea what these bunch of players wanted.
It turns out every Indie team wants similar things.
Artha had a wonderful time. To Edgeless Sword, this was pain in the *ss, but this beat the second place. The second place was to find customers for his goods and buy things he need from others. He prefered practicing to yapping with other players.
"Oh, just wanted to know. If it feels awkward, don't answer." Artha started after the deed were complete. And you know right away that the next question is going to be awkward as heck.
"Go on!"
"Which size gift crates are you people buying?"
"I can't answer that. I signed an agreement. So technically I am not buying for myself, so whatever my client pays, that's what I'll buy."
"Fair enough. Please send the requirements of your team as soon as possible. It takes time for me to collect and gather items.
This close to buying crates, there would just buy bare necessities. The wish list would be a lot lot bigger though. The chances are everyone would buy highest level ( to their budget) gift crates. Money is money. The greediness inherent in every human would rise it's ugly head far too often within the game. After all, it's a game.
Then a quick hop into the inn room. Artha had to rearrange few things a bit but he carried all the relevant things back down and did another round of the village. The NPCs were in good mood. Not many blessed immortals had come on to disturb them. Even the mentors, the stingiest of all when it comes to issuing tasks, gave tasks like it was free for all.
Artha didn't have any specific ideas. He didn't have enough time to do dungeon dive. He could team up with some one to clear the monsters in the field. He really needed to get a side job to fill up the time.
All the talks among players was about gift crates. Should they buy it? Yes, of course. Will they buy it? Obviously. But which quality or type of crate are you going to buy? Hmmm. Should we go broke to buy bid ones or be modest and go for middle ones. If no one buys it, we can use it ourselves if it's a middle size crate. Nah, bro! I trust my instinct. I'm goona go get a big *ss crate for myself.
The discussions were on and on. So much that Artha decided to take solace in one of the least populated maps - level 0 to level 2 maps.