Alex, still logged into The Infinite Quest as Void, reclined in his chair, staring at his ever-growing stash of gold in the game's inventory screen. Over the past week, his efforts had paid off immensely—both in-game and in the real world. His VTube channel had gained traction, with more players flocking to his walkthroughs and tips. Though his face was blurred and his voice modulated, Void's name was starting to spread within the game as someone who knew the inner workings of The Infinite Quest better than most.
As Alex checked his inbox, he noticed several new messages from players seeking help with difficult quests or asking for information about rare items. Some of the messages even offered gold or other valuable in-game rewards in exchange for his services.
"People are already starting to rely on me," Alex murmured, smiling to himself. "This is exactly what I wanted."
He leaned forward, scrolling through the messages. One in particular caught his eye.
From: WraithLord95
Subject: Need help with a high-level quest—paying well
Alex opened the message and skimmed through it. The player, who seemed to be a few levels higher than him, was requesting guidance for a dungeon called The Depths of Gralmoor. It was an endgame dungeon, notorious for its difficult bosses and complex puzzle mechanics. The player claimed to have attempted it multiple times with his guild but had failed each time.
"I'm only level one, but if they're willing to pay…" Alex trailed off, thinking. If he could guide a high-level guild through a dungeon like that, it would put Void's name on the map for good.
He quickly typed a response.
To: WraithLord95
Sure, I can help with Gralmoor. I've got the info you need to get through it, but my services won't be cheap. 200 gold for the full strategy guide, or 500 if you want me to guide you in real time through the dungeon.
After hitting send, Alex logged out of the game and leaned back, rubbing his eyes. He'd spent hours online without a break. His real-world body was exhausted, but his mind was still racing. The money he had earned both in the game and through his VTube channel had given him a taste of success, and he wanted more.
-----
The next morning, Alex was surprised to find a response from WraithLord95 in his inbox. The player had agreed to pay 500 gold for a live guide through the dungeon.
"Looks like it's time to step things up," Alex muttered, logging back into the game.
Once online, Alex prepared for the challenge. Despite being a low-level player, he had the advantage of knowing the game inside out, and Gralmoor was no exception. He had read about its mechanics on a few underground forums and had even watched videos of high-level players running it. More importantly, Alex knew a few tricks that weren't widely publicized, giving him the edge needed to help the guild through.
Before heading out, he quickly checked his inventory, equipping the Nightbane Cloak and the Cursed Dagger from his last adventure. Although he didn't plan on fighting much, these items would help him if things got tricky.
He was soon teleported to the dungeon's entrance, where WraithLord95 and the rest of his guild waited. They were a group of five, all much higher-leveled than Alex, and their equipment gleamed with the sheen of rare and powerful items.
"Void, right?" WraithLord95 asked, his avatar's glowing eyes narrowing at Alex's appearance. "I expected you to be… higher level."
Alex smirked behind his avatar's hooded face. "Don't let appearances fool you. I know this dungeon inside out. You paid for a guide, and I'll make sure you get through it."
The other guild members exchanged glances but said nothing.
"Fine," WraithLord95 said. "Let's get started."
The group moved into the dungeon's dark, narrow corridors, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. Alex led the way, despite his lower level. The weight of responsibility pressed on him—this wasn't just about proving himself as a guide. If he succeeded, his reputation would soar, and with it, his wealth.
The first room of Gralmoor was deceptively simple, a wide chamber filled with columns of crumbling stone. But Alex knew better. He gestured for the group to stop.
"This room is full of pressure plates that trigger traps," Alex explained. "You'll want to stick to the path I take. Step anywhere else, and the room fills with poison gas."
"Poison gas?" one of the guild members muttered. "We've been here before, but we didn't know about the traps."
"That's why I'm here," Alex replied. "Follow me, and we'll get through this without a hitch."
He carefully navigated the room, hopping from one stone tile to another. The guild members followed closely behind, none daring to deviate from his path. Sure enough, they reached the other side of the room without setting off any traps.
"First puzzle down," Alex said, smirking. "Next is the real challenge—the first boss."
-----
The group descended deeper into the dungeon, eventually reaching the lair of the Gralmoor Golem, the first major boss. The creature was a massive stone figure with glowing runes etched into its body, towering over the group as it slept in the center of the chamber.
Alex signaled for the group to stop. "The Golem is tough. It hits hard and has a lot of health. But it's slow, and there's a trick to beating it that most players miss."
"Go on," WraithLord95 said, crossing his arms.
Alex pointed to the glowing runes on the Golem's back. "Those runes are the key. They control its defenses. There are two switches hidden on the side walls of the room. If we hit those, it'll deactivate the runes for a short period, leaving the Golem vulnerable."
One of the guild members frowned. "We didn't see any switches before."
"That's because they're hidden behind false walls," Alex said, grinning. "I told you, I know this dungeon inside out."
The group quickly split up as per Alex's instructions. Two of the guild members took positions by the walls, ready to hit the hidden switches, while the others prepared to engage the Golem.
As the Golem stirred to life, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground, Alex remained in the shadows, watching the fight unfold. The guild members attacked in sync, dodging the Golem's powerful swings while whittling down its health. At the right moment, Alex signaled the players by the switches, and the runes on the Golem's back flickered and went dark.
"Now!" Alex shouted. "Hit it with everything you've got!"
The group unleashed their most powerful abilities, tearing through the Golem's defenses. With the runes deactivated, the creature's health plummeted, and within minutes, it crumbled into a pile of rubble.
WraithLord95 wiped the sweat from his brow. "That… was way easier than before. I didn't think we'd beat it that fast."
"Like I said," Alex replied, "it's all about knowing the tricks."
-----
The rest of the dungeon proceeded similarly, with Alex guiding the guild through each puzzle, trap, and boss encounter. By the end of the run, WraithLord95 and his team had cleared the dungeon with far less effort than they had expected. And true to his word, WraithLord95 paid Alex the 500 gold once they exited.
"You really do know your stuff," WraithLord95 said, giving Alex a nod of respect. "We'll definitely be hiring you again for future runs."
"Glad I could help," Alex replied, already thinking about the possibilities.
As Alex logged off for the day, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The gold he had earned was only part of the reward—the real prize was the growing network of players now recognizing Void as a top-tier guide. His VTube channel was gaining more views, and his wealth, both in-game and out, was steadily increasing.
But Alex knew this was just the beginning. There were countless dungeons, quests, and opportunities in The Infinite Quest, and with each new adventure, his influence would grow. Soon, he wouldn't just be another player—he'd be a force to be reckoned with.
And no one would ever know who was really behind the hood of Void.
.
.