Damien stumbled back, narrowly avoiding a blade that whistled past his face. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his heart pounded in his chest as the ground shook beneath him. He had no idea how long he had been fighting, but he was certain of one thing—he wasn't ready for this.

An armored, gorilla-like beast, towering over him with glowing red eyes, roared in his direction, its massive sword raised for a killing blow. Damien dove to the side just in time, hitting the ground hard. His health bar flashed red in the corner of his vision, dangerously low.

"Come on, come on!" he muttered, scrambling to his feet. His mind raced. How had things spiraled out of control so quickly?Moments ago—or was it weeks?—he had been exploring this world, marveling at the beauty of Gaea. Now, he was locked in a life-or-death battle he hadn't signed up for.

But there was no time to dwell on that now. He gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the sword in his hand, the weight of it unfamiliar, but necessary. The beast roared again, charging toward him. Damien planted his feet, ready for the impact, hoping—no, praying—that his next move wouldn't be his last.

Focusing his eyes on the monster, the usual blue label appeared above its head on his UI: Silverback Gladiator. The name glowed for a second before fading, leaving just the creature before him—a hulking mass of armor, fur, and fury.

The beast lunged, swinging its sword in a wide arc. Damien barely managed to parry the blow, the force of the strike sending shockwaves through his arms. His health bar blinked red again—18 HP left. One more hit like that, and it was game over. Literally. He evaded, providing distance between him and the beast.

There was no one around to aid him, for he'd been soloing the Beginner Dungeon all the way up to its 14th floor, out of 15 floors. All he had to rely on were his own battle instincts, and maybe luck.

Damien had the nagging feeling that his lackluster gear—a suit of Uncommon Light Armor and an Uncommon Broadsword—might be the reason he was struggling. It wasn't exactly endgame material. Nevertheless, he still had to try. The Silverback wasn't going to let him off easy just because he was underleveled.

With a quick swipe of his finger in the air, he opened his inventory. It was a simple, no-nonsense layout: a set number of slots that players could fill at a time—one armor set, two weapons, three gadgets, and four consumables. His eyes landed on a flask icon in the consumable slots, and he pressed it without hesitation.

A Health Potion materialized in his grip. He knocked it back like a shot, the warm liquid coursing through his body. His HP shot up to 43.

Not great, but better than flirting with death at 18.

Damien flexed his fingers around the hilt of his broadsword, feeling the familiar weight of it in his hand. One more floor to go after this, he reminded himself. Just one more floor and it's all worth it.

The Silverback Gladiator wasn't waiting around. With a deafening roar, it raised its massive blade high, ready to bring it down in a devastating blow. Damien braced himself.

This was it. Time to finish it—or be finished.

The Silverback Gladiator's blade came crashing down, aiming to cleave Damien in two. With a surge of adrenaline, he rolled to the side, barely dodging the attack. The blade slammed into the stone floor, cracking the ground beneath it.

43 HP. One wrong move and it's over.

Damien gritted his teeth, sweat rolling down his brow. He needed an opening, a chance to strike while the beast was off-balance. His broadsword felt heavier with every swing, the weight of exhaustion creeping in, but there was no time for hesitation.

The Silverback yanked its sword free from the ground and snarled, lunging at Damien with surprising speed for its size. Damien raised his sword just in time to parry the blow, sparks flying as steel clashed against steel. His arms shook from the impact, the force nearly overwhelming.

No choice. He had to go on the offensive.

Damien dashed forward, closing the gap between them. With a grunt, he swung his broadsword upward, aiming for the Gladiator's exposed side. The blade connected with a satisfying thunk, leaving a deep gash in the creature's flesh. It howled in pain, staggering back.

Damien's emerald green eyes narrowed. Now's my chance.

He pressed the attack, slashing again—this time at the creature's leg. The Silverback dropped to one knee, momentarily stunned.

His heart pounded in his chest. One final hit. That's all it would take.

He raised his sword above his head, ready to deliver the finishing blow—when the Silverback's eyes snapped open, its hand shooting out to grab Damien by the throat.

Before he could react, he was lifted into the air, his sword falling from his grip. The Silverback's grip tightened around his neck, his HP ticking down rapidly.

43… 30… 18… 10…

Damien's vision blurred. His hands clawed at the beast's arm, desperate for air. He had seconds, maybe less. His mind raced for a solution. Anything.

And then, it hit him.

Gadget.

With what little strength he had left, he opened his inventory and selected his last gadget—a Smoke Bomb. It materialized in his hand, and he slammed it into the Silverback's face.

A cloud of thick, black smoke exploded in all directions. The Silverback roared in confusion, loosening its grip just enough for Damien to slip free. He hit the ground hard, gasping for air.

His HP blinked at 5.

But he was alive.

Coughing through the smoke, Damien crawled to his sword, gripping it tightly. The Silverback was thrashing wildly, blinded by the smoke.

This was it. One last shot.

With a battle cry, Damien charged, driving his sword straight into the Gladiator's heart. The beast let out one final, anguished roar before collapsing in a bloody heap, its HP draining to zero.

Victory.

Damien fell to his knees, panting. His HP was at 5, but the Silverback Gladiator was dead.

He'd done it.

One more floor to go.

A moment of silence followed, broken only by the faint, triumphant chime of victory.

As the gladiator's massive form disintegrated into pixels, a glowing crystal emerged from the remains. It hovered gently above the ground, pulsing with a soft, ominous light. Damien's eyes widened in anticipation.The crystal was a deep, swirling shade of red, shimmering with flecks of gold.

"You have acquired a Crimson Glory Crystal!" the system announced. "Rarity: Epic"

Damien approached the crystal and interacted with it. As his hand touched the glowing gem, it dissolved into a stream of light, seamlessly integrating into his inventory. The system displayed a notification:

"Crimson Glory Crystal (Epic) added to your inventory."

"Value: High"

"Effect: Can be used for crafting epic gear or trading for valuable items."

Damien slumped against the cold stone wall of the dungeon, catching his breath. His heart was still hammering from the battle, and his body ached from the strain. He checked his inventory again—his potions were gone, gadgets used up, and his armor was on the verge of breaking. Not exactly the ideal setup for tackling the fifteenth and final floor.

I barely survived this fight. He closed his eyes for a second, running a hand through his messy, brown hair. How the hell am I going to take down the final boss?

The faint sound of dripping water echoed through the narrow hallway leading to the last chamber. He could feel the boss waiting for him just beyond those massive stone doors. His UI displayed the objective in the corner of his vision: Defeat the 15th Floor Boss.

"Yeah, easier said than done," Damien muttered under his breath, forcing himself back to his feet.

With no potions left, his HP stuck at 5 and his gear falling apart, he had only two choices: go back and farm more supplies or push forward and risk everything.

Damien opened his Main HUD, the rotating model of his avatar appearing on the right. The profile displayed him in the standard newbie gear: a rugged leather tunic and pants, topped with a basic sword that looked almost comically small in his hand. His brown hair was swept stylishly to the side, and his striking emerald eyes gave him a look of quiet resolve, making him seem ready for any adventure that came his way.

His health flashed ominously low:

- Health: 5/1600

- Strength: 65

- Dexterity: 48

- Intelligence: 35

- Stamina: 82

Above his avatar, the 8 quick inventory slots were still empty.

On the left, the list of options awaited:

- Inventory

- Quests

- Friends

He closed the window, swiping two fingers downward.

Damien sighed, gripping his broadsword tightly. I'm not stupid. I'll come back stronger.

He took a deep breath, sheathed his sword at his side, then turned around, heading back through the dungeon. He'd clear it another day—preferably when he wasn't one hit away from death.

The winding stairs and maze-like halls of the dungeon seemed much less threatening on the way out. After what felt like an eternity of battling his way through endless monsters, Damien finally stepped out into the light, the towering gates of the dungeon shutting behind him with a loud clang.

The familiar sight of Fort Keller greeted him in the distance, one of the beginner towns nestled between lush green hills. Smoke curled from the chimneys, and the sound of hammering echoed from the blacksmith's forge. It wasn't much, but it was home—for now.

His feet dragged as he trudged along the dirt path leading to the town gates. The guards nodded at him as he passed, but Damien didn't have the energy to respond. His mind was already planning his next move. He'd restock, maybe pick up a few quests to grind some Drop Crystals, and come back with better gear.

A soft chime echoed in his ears, and a message blinked into the corner of his vision.

You are becoming a better survivalist (+3%).

Your battle endurance has increased (+1%).

Your experience as a solo adventurer is recognized. Future solo expeditions will grant bonuses.

The words felt more like personal encouragement than rigid game feedback, a quiet nod to his battle instincts. His hard-fought battle, even though he'd chosen to retreat, wasn't wasted. Traits like Survivalist and Battle Endurance were tied directly to how well he managed under pressure—surviving with low health, making smart choices about when to fight or flee. He felt a bit of pride knowing that even though he had turned back, his instincts in battle were sharpening.

The game didn't explicitly tell him to grind out these traits, but the notifications helped him realize his style of play was shaping his character, one small step at a time.

Damien stepped into the bustling Adventurer's Guild, the air thick with the smell of old leather and the hum of chatter from other players and NPCs alike. The place was lively, filled with adventurers bartering, boasting, and exchanging loot from their quests.

He approached the front counter, where a sleek, futuristic terminal was set up to handle transactions. Behind the screen stood a lady dressed in simple but official-looking attire, a nametag reading Mira. Without a word, Damien swiped through his inventory with a flick of his hand, selecting the Crimson Glory Crystal he'd claimed from the Silverback Gladiator. The gem materialized in his palm, glistening with an eerie crimson hue.

He slid it across the counter beneath the transparent screen. Mira took it, her eyes flicking briefly with recognition of its value.

Mira tapped a button on her console, and a notification pinged in Damien's interface: +2,500 Gold Credits.

The Crimson Glory Crystal in her hand flickered, dissolving into pixels. Damien watched as his balance updated instantly in the corner of his vision, reflecting his new total of Gold Credits. He smirked, satisfied with the deal, and turned away from the counter, blending into the crowd of adventurers.

Damien glanced at his updated balance and grinned. 2,500 Gold Credits wasn't bad for a single run in the Beginner Dungeon.

Now, it was time to upgrade his gear.

He made his way down the bustling market street, the heart of Fort Keller. Stalls were set up on both sides, hawking potions, enchanted weapons, and armor that shimmered with magical runes. Merchants called out to passing adventurers, offering deals on everything from rare gemstones to beast hides.

His goal was simple—better armor and a stronger sword. His current Uncommon gear had gotten him this far, but if he was going to survive the higher-level dungeons, he'd need more than luck.

Damien's eyes landed on a shop tucked away in a quieter alley, its sign reading "Ironclad Armaments." It wasn't flashy like some of the other shops, but a small crowd of players were coming out, looking satisfied. That was enough for him.

As he stepped inside, the scent of oiled leather and freshly forged steel hit him. The shop was dimly lit, but that only made the weapons on display stand out even more. Rows of gleaming swords, shields, and sets of armor lined the walls.

"Looking to upgrade?" A gruff voice spoke from behind the counter, where a burly NPC blacksmith wiped his hands on a rag. "We've got the best gear in Fort Keller, guaranteed."

Damien nodded, stepping up to the counter. "Show me what you've got."

The blacksmith gave a curt nod, then flicked his hand toward the display wall. A glowing menu appeared in front of Damien, showcasing a variety of gear. The selection was extensive, with each item ranked by rarity, and stats displayed clearly beside them.

Damien's eyes immediately caught a sword glowing faintly in the menu.

Steelbane Broadsword

- Rarity: Rare

- +20 Attack

- +5% Critical Hit Chance

- Special Effect: "Cleave" (Deals 50% extra damage to armored enemies)

Price: 1,500 Gold Credits

He grinned. This would be a massive upgrade from his current Uncommon broadsword. Scrolling further down, his attention shifted to a set of armor that matched the sword's rarity.

Titan's Light Armor

- Rarity: Rare

- +15 Defense

- +10 Agility

- Special Effect: "Evasion" (Increases dodge rate by 8%)

Price: 1,000 Gold Credits

The total cost would leave him with only a few hundred credits, but the trade-off was well worth it. He tapped on both items, selecting them for purchase. As soon as he confirmed the transaction, the Gold Credits in his inventory decreased, but he didn't mind.

The items materialized in his hands. Damien eyed the Steelbane Broadsword—a dark, curved blade with glowing blue runes and a wolf-shaped pommel. His Titan's Light Armor gleamed silver, sleek with gold trim, and moved with him, lightweight but sturdy.

"Good choice," the blacksmith grunted, folding his arms. "That gear'll keep you alive longer than whatever you were wearin' before."

"Appreciate it," Damien said with a nod, equipping the armor and strapping the broadsword to his side. He felt faster, lighter, and more powerful already.

He exited the shop and made his way back into the bustling streets of Fort Keller, feeling a surge of excitement.

I should go out and forage for potion ingredients.

He still needed to stock up after that last dungeon run. Besides, a little extra crafting never hurt anyone—especially if it meant saving money on health potions.

Damien left Fort Keller and hit the open plains of Arnenia, a wide plateau stretching before him. In the distance, the path led into a dense, sprawling rainforest. With a determined stride, he ventured into the wilderness, ready for whatever lay ahead.

Damien plunged into the rainforest, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora. As he moved, glowing, blue labels appeared above plants and creatures: Herb of Vitality, Frostleaf, Spirit Moss. He eagerly plucked the vibrant herbs and fungi, each item shimmering as he collected them.

His HUD buzzed with updates:

Herbalism Mastery: +5%

Resourcefulness: +3%

Botany Expertise: +7%

Suddenly, the forest rustled and a small, green Forest Imp emerged, its (Uncommon) label glowing brightly. Damien readied his weapon, and with a quick swipe, defeated the creature. It left behind a shimmering green crystal.

Damien reached out and touched the crystal floating above the wild grass. As he made contact, it dissolved into shimmering pixels, vanishing into his inventory. Verdant Veil Crystal (Uncommon) blinked briefly on his UI.

He nodded to himself, knowing the colors well by now. Drop Crystals came in two color varieties for each rarity. Clear or white marked the most basic, Common crystals. Blue and green indicated Uncommon finds, while Rare crystals gleamed red orange. For the truly valuable, Epic crystals shone in deep purple or gold, and the elusive Legendary crystals? They were either pitch-black or kaleidoscopic, radiating rainbow light like a prize from the gods.

The Verdant Veil wasn't the rarest, so it wouldn't do much good as crafting ingredients, but it would fetch a decent price.

Damien's eyes scanned the horizon, his instinct honed by weeks of playing.

It's been about three months since I first logged in.

Three months since they trapped us in this world.

It seems like there's no way out.

It'd be great if I could just get some answers. There's still so little we know about Gaea, just as a player base. People are scared to try to progress through the game because it's not just digital lives on the line anymore -- our real lives our at stake here.

With only a small percentage of the 200,000 players on the front lines, roughly only 8,000 of us, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering has been slow as well.

In fact...

I may be the only person who knows the location of the Beginner Dungeon's final boss.

If I could map out the layout of the dungeon...

Damien shook off the thought of the dungeon and returned to his task. He opened his inventory, scanning through the ingredients he had just foraged. Selecting the herb and the vial of water he had collected earlier, a simple "Combine," option appeared on the screen.

Potion Crafting: Combine ingredients?

He tapped the button, watching as the two items shimmered, then merged together. A small red flask materialized in his hand: a Basic Healing Potion.

Crafted: Basic Healing Potion

It was a straightforward system, but oddly satisfying.

I need a full stack.

He selected the herbs from his inventory, tapped "Combine," and watched as the potions materialized one after another.

Crafted: Basic Healing Potion x5

"Nice," he muttered.

As Damien finished crafting potions, the sounds of battle crackled through the trees—clashing swords, roars, and shouts. He glanced in the direction of the commotion, his curiosity sparking.

Damien burst through the brush into a sunlit clearing. There, three players battled a colossal beast: a creature with the head of a rooster, eagle wings and talons, and a lizard's tail. The monster's screech echoed as it swiped its talons, its size making every attack a thunderous spectacle.

The players were a dynamic trio: a Human female with a gleaming longsword, a Human male swinging a mace, and a bear, a Beastman, clad in shining silver armor, hefting a massive battle axe. Together, they struck at the beast each time it swooped down, their coordinated attacks a ballet of steel and ferocity.

Damien watched intently as the battle raged on, his green eyes shimmering. The Human female, her short brown hair whipping around her face, soared through the air in a stunning, anime-worthy leap. High in the air, she twirled gracefully, her Uncommon Knight's armor glinting in the sunlight.

With a swift, fluid motion, she spun, her longsword arcing through the air in a dazzling blur of steel. As she landed, she struck the giant bird creature with a powerful, downward slash, sending a shockwave of energy rippling through the beast's feathers.

Damn, she's good, Damien thought.

The Human male, with wavy, blonde hair and blue eyes, darted left, narrowly dodging a swipe from the giant bird's talons. He swung his mace with a grunt, striking the beast's flank. His red cape fluttered as he spun around, deflecting a retaliatory beak strike with his shield. Each heavy, unrefined blow landed with a resounding thud, his muscles straining with effort.

The Beastman, clad in Rare Heavy Armor, charged forward with a roar. He swung his battle axe in a wide arc, crashing it into the bird's leg, sending feathers flying. As the creature reared back, he ducked under a sweeping wing attack, spinning out of the way and bringing his axe down again in a powerful overhead strike, his armor clanking with each step.

Damien watched as the battle intensified. The giant bird screeched in fury, its wings flapping wildly and sending gusts of wind through the clearing.

The Dire Bird roared, its eyes glowing with fury as it prepared to unleash its special attack. With a sudden, powerful flap of its wings, it summoned a swirling vortex of wind. The air whirled violently, forming two massive tornadoes that spiraled around it. As the Dire Bird continued to flap its wings, the tornadoes grew stronger, their ferocious winds tearing through the grass and tossing debris into the air. The players struggled to maintain their footing as the tornadoes closed in, forcing them to dodge and run wildly to avoid being swept up in the chaos.

In perfect sync, the Beastmen and the mace wielder slammed their weapons into the Dire Bird's legs. The combined force sent the beast staggering, its whirlwind attack collapsing into disordered gusts. With a pained screech, the Dire Bird was driven back, its once fearsome wings flapping erratically as it struggled to stay upright.

The bird, now enraged and disoriented, unleashed a storm of flapping wings and sharp talons, pushing the players back. They were on the brink of being overwhelmed, their coordinated attacks faltering under the sheer force of the beast.

Damien's heart pounded. The scene before him was chaotic, with each player fighting desperately. He had the potions he'd crafted, and he could see that they were on the edge of defeat. Stepping in could mean the difference between victory and defeat. He glanced at his inventory, the healing potions within it. A decision loomed—should he jump into the fray and risk his own safety, or stay on the sidelines and hope for the best?

The bird, visibly frustrated, soared high into the sky, evading their relentless attacks. It circled menacingly above before diving toward the girl, targeting her with deadly intent.

She barely had time to react as the bird's talons raked across her armor, sending her skidding across the ground in a graceless tumble, her form bouncing roughly over the grass.

The Beastman roared, "Cass!" His eyes blazed with fury as he glared at the bird. With a primal shout, he charged forward, his heavy armor clanking loudly with each step. As the bird swooped in for another attack, the Beastman swung his battle axe in a wide arc,

The Beastman's axe struck the bird's rooster head with a resounding crack. The impact sent the creature crashing to the ground, its massive body sliding across the dirt. Feathers exploded into the air as the beast lay stunned, struggling to rise. The Beastman stood over it, his chest heaving with exertion, ready to deliver the final blow.

"All together now!" the bear roared, rallying his allies. Just as they prepared to strike, the creature's lizard tail lashed out, sending them crashing in different directions. They lay sprawled on the ground, struggling to regain their footing.

Enough standing around. They need help.

Damien sprinted forward, drawing his sword and holding it out horizontally as he closed in on the beast. As he neared, a blue label materialized above the beast's head, reading, "Dire Bird," accompanied by three HP meters. The party had managed to deplete only the first bar of its health so far.

As Damien charged into the fray, his Trait System kicked in. The screen flashed with updates:

- Trait Progression:

Combat Tactics: +5%

Team Coordination: +3%

Situational Awareness: +4%

Damien lunged at the Dire Bird, his Steelbane Broadsword slicing through the air. The bird, momentimarily caught off guard, flapped its wings furiously, trying to evade the attack. Damien's blade connected with the creature's flank, sending it reeling. The HP meter above the Dire Bird's head flickered as the health bar dipped slightly.

With a screech, the Dire Bird retaliated, whipping its tail. Damien ducked under the sweeping tail, rolling to his feet. He glanced back to see the bear and the girl struggling to rise. The Human guy, still on his feet, swung his mace wildly, trying to draw the bird's attention. The Dire Bird's beady eyes shifted toward him, but Damien's aggressive advance kept it distracted.

The Dire Bird charged again, it's talons outstretched. Damien side-stepped, narrowly avoiding the deadly claws, and slashed upward. The sword cut through the bird's feather's, causing it to screech in pain. The beast twisted mid-air, its sharp beak snapping inches from Damien's face.

The girl, clutching her side but determined, staggered to her feet. "We need to finish this!" she shouted, her voice strained but fierce. The bear, now back on his feet, hefted his battle axe wit renewed vigor.

Damien kept his eyes locked on the Dire Bird, its frantic flapping sending gusts of wind that nearly knocked him off his feet. He ducked under a sweeping wing and narrowly avoided the beast's whipping tail. The Dire Bird was down to its last HP bar.

"Don't let its wild behavior knock you off balance!" the bear warrior bellowed, swinging his axe with renewed determination. "Keep attacking!"

The crimson stains of the Dire Bird's blood painted the grass a vivid red. With a desperate screech, the Dire Bird launched itself into the sky, its once-agile movements now sluggish and clumsy.

"It's trying to escape!" Damien shouted, gritting his teeth as he sprinted toward the beast. The bird's battered form struggled to gain altitude, its wings flapping weakly. With a final surge of effort, Damien lunged forward, aiming to prevent its escape.

Suddenly, a colossal creature with gleaming black feathers swooped in from the sky. It crashed into the Dire Bird with a powerful, forceful strike. A new label flashed in Damien's view: Night Hawk.

The two monsters tumbled through the air, their bodies colliding in a flurry of feathers and talons. They crashed yards away, sending a massive explosion of dust and grass into the air. The battlefield erupted into chaos as the two beasts grappled and clawed at each other, momentarily halting their struggle against Damien and the others.

Damien and the others watched in stunned silence as the Night Hawk savagely tore into the Dire Bird. The black-feathered predator lunged with its razor-sharp beak, slicing through the Dire Bird's flesh. Talons raked its opponent, shredding feathers and flesh alike.

The Dire Bird flapped its wings frantically, but the Night Hawk's relentless assault left it no chance. With a final, deafening screech, the Dire Bird's body went limp, falling to the ground in a defeated heap. The Night Hawk stood over its vanquished foe, victorious and unyielding, its chest heaving as it let out a triumphant cry.

Damien surveyed his battered companions, their faces etched with fatigue.

They definitely don't look like they're up for another fight, he thought.

"Let's get out of here," Damien urged. The group quickly packed up and hurried back toward Fort Keller.

Back at the Adventurer's Guild, the four slumped into their seats, exhausted.

"I can't believe that Night Hawk stole our kill," Cass grumbled, frustration evident in her voice. "We fought so hard, and for what?"

Grizz, the Beastman, crossed his muscular, furry arms. "It wasn't pointless. In this game, nothing's a waste. We still make progress."

Cass sighed, resting her chin on her palm. "I know. Our Traits are still developing, so we're growing stronger…"

"But we're definitely not richer," Tyson, the blonde, muttered with a frown. "We couldn't even swipe the Drop Crystal before we left."

Damien shrugged. "Every experience matters. We don't know much about this world – Gaea – but the more we learn, the better we'll survive—and maybe get closer to finding a way out."

Cass's expression remained somber. "Yeah…"

The table fell into a contemplative silence.

Damien broke the silence. "So, are you guys a party, or...?"

Cass nodded. "Yes, we're a party. We knew each other IRL before logging into Gearsword. We all joined on launch day and have stuck together ever since."

Grizz added, "And I see you're a solo player. That's a risky way to go."

Damien shrugged. "It pays."

Tyson chimed in, "I can tell. That armor alone must be worth around 1500 credits. I've seen it before."

"Actually, it was only a thousand." Damien smirked, flicking his wavy, brown hair.

Cass suppressed a giggle, and she and Damien exchanged a curious look. Damien could swear he saw a spark in her eyes that he hadn't noticed before.

"You're quite skilled. We'd be happy to have you join our party, uh…" Grizz faltered.

"Damien," he supplied.

Grizz grinned, his fangs showing. "Yes, Damien. We'd be happy to have you."

Cass smiled, her brown eyes shining. "We could use another sword."

Tyson nodded. "Yeah, and the more we progress, the harder it's going to get. So the more, the merrier."

Damien smirked. "I guess that settles it then."

A ping echoed as Damien received the notification: You have joined the party with Cass, Grizz, and Tyson. Their names and HP values appeared at the top left of his screen.

The system prompted: Would you like to send your new party members a friend request?

Damien selected Yes. He watched as Cass, Grizz, and Tyson tapped the accept buttons on their floating windows.

A notification appeared: You are now friends with Cass, Grizz, and Tyson.