William paused thoughtfully before turning to the captain with a question. "What level are you at?"
The captain blinked, taken aback for a moment by the sudden inquiry. After a brief pause, he answered honestly, "I'm at level 1, just one experience point away from hitting level 2."
Seeing William's curiosity, the captain elaborated on his situation. "I tried teaming up with other players before, forming a small group of four or five people. At first, it seemed like a good idea, more people meant more safety."
He sighed, his expression reflecting the frustration from those past attempts. "But it didn't take long for us to realize that the larger the group, the slower our progress. We just weren't gaining experience fast enough."
"Why's that?" William asked, intrigued.
"Well, it turns out," the captain continued, "that when you're in a group of more than three, the experience gets split too thin. It's fine if you're all actively contributing, but in larger groups, some players end up missing out entirely, especially if they don't get any assists during combat."
The captain leaned in slightly, as if sharing a well-known but rarely spoken truth. "In fact, this isn't a secret. Pretty much everyone in Iron Mine Village knows about it. The more people around, the faster you learn these 'optimal' strategies. Two-player teams work best, maybe three at the most, if everyone pulls their weight."
William nodded, absorbing the information. It seemed that this captain's experience was likely the norm for most players around here. Maybe a few had managed to climb the ranks faster, but it couldn't be by much. After all, it was only the third day of the Sequence game's internal testing.
"Most players are still at level 1 or 2," William mused aloud. "There might be a rare few who've adapted quicker and gotten lucky, but they're the exceptions, right?"
The captain nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The health system restricts us to being online for just eight hours a day, so it's not like anyone can grind levels all day. And it's not just about time. You spend ages running across the map, searching for the right creatures to fight. Magical creatures are rare, and even when you do find one, it's not guaranteed to be the right level."
"Low-level monsters don't give you much experience," William interjected, completing the thought, "and high-level ones are risky. Plus, most players barely know anything about the monsters they're facing."
"Exactly!" The captain exclaimed, relieved someone else understood. "That's the problem. Everyone's out there fighting blind, and the first time you run into an unfamiliar creature, there's a good chance you'll end up dead. The pros call it 'first-sight kills.' And on top of that, we're all under-equipped. One mistake and you're done."
It became clear to William why the captain had left his previous group. The internal conflicts over upgrades and experience must have reached a boiling point. And now, here the captain was, looking for a more reliable partner.
"You seem like a solid player," the captain ventured, clearly hoping William might join him. "What do you think?"
William gave a small, apologetic smile. "I'm actually a bit higher level than you, so I'm afraid it wouldn't work out."
The captain's face showed confusion, so William explained further. "In this game, if we teamed up, you wouldn't be able to gain any meaningful experience unless we balanced the damage perfectly. And even then, it's not a guarantee. The system distributes experience based on various combat factors, how much damage you deal, how much you assist, environmental factors. It's complicated."
The captain looked disappointed but understanding. "So, you're saying I wouldn't level up if we fought together?"
"Not unless I injured the monsters and let you finish them off," William said, still wearing that apologetic expression. "That way, you'd get the experience, but…" He paused, as if weighing his words carefully. "I'm not really looking to babysit someone through the game. No offense, but I'm trying to level up myself, and there's no real reason for me to help someone else out like that."
The captain nodded slowly, accepting the reality. "I understand. It's a tricky game, isn't it?"
"It is," William agreed. "But that's what makes it interesting."
The captain wasn't particularly surprised by William's response. At this stage of the game, very few players could afford even basic leather armor, let alone more advanced gear. Higher-level players were rare, but not unheard of.
"Hey, brother, are you level 3 yet?" the captain asked, his tone tentative.
In his experience, level 2 players were usually friendly enough, but once someone hit level 3, they often grew distant, unwilling to team up with lower-level players. It was a delicate line to tread.
William merely shook his head, offering no further explanation.
The captain's eyes widened with surprise. "Wait... are you level 4?"
His mind reeled. This wasn't just a fellow player; this was clearly someone at the top of the food chain. Someone beyond his reach.
William offered a small smile, modest but genuine. "I've just been lucky," he said, though it was far from empty humility.
In reality, William had already reached level 5. He knew exactly how he had achieved it, and luck was no small part of it. The key to his rapid advancement had been the high-quality slingshot he had found. Without it, he would have been taking the same risks as everyone else, hunting down monsters, scraping for experience.
He hadn't even encountered other players in Moonlight Village, which meant he'd had an uninterrupted run at leveling up. His progress had been smooth; far smoother than it should've been for someone new to the game. In retrospect, the slingshot had been a stroke of fortune, a rare piece of equipment that made all the difference.
Reflecting on it now, William realized how careless he'd been with the three magic stones he had used earlier. If he had known then what he knew now, he could have used them far more effectively. But hindsight is always clearer, and some lessons are only learned through trial and error.
Still, even with his level and talent bonuses, he hadn't yet unlocked the full potential of the slingshot. He couldn't pull the string to its maximum tension, always feeling like something was missing. Despite that, the shots he fired were already as powerful as those from a small-caliber pistol. It was hard to imagine what it would be like once he mastered it fully.
The slingshot had belonged to Little Red Riding Hood, or at least to the version of her that existed in this game world. From what William gathered, she had been far from ordinary, her physical strength must have been off the charts as a child, or else there would have been no point in crafting such a powerful "toy." After all, she wasn't just a witch; she had werewolf blood in her veins. Who knew what level she was in this world?
Meanwhile, the captain stood there, visibly shocked. In Iron Mine Village, there were dozens of players, and most were hovering around level 2, with the highest known players barely reaching level 3. And now here stood William, a level 5 player in their midst. The captain felt the weight of his own inadequacy. He knew, without a doubt, that teaming up with someone like William would only drag the man down. He'd become a burden, an anchor holding back a rising star.
Recognizing the gap between them, the captain didn't press further. With a respectful nod, he said, "I won't keep you, brother. You've got your leveling to focus on. I wish you the best of luck. Maybe we'll cross paths again someday."
There was no point in begging or pestering someone who had already politely declined. Better to leave on good terms and perhaps, down the road, their paths would align again. It wasn't every day you had the chance to meet a high-level player, and maintaining a good relationship might pay off later.
William smiled and nodded, bidding the captain farewell. This encounter hadn't been without its advantages, at least now, he had a clearer picture of the situation in Iron Mine Village.
As the captain walked away, William turned his thoughts back to the challenges ahead. His luck had served him well so far, but in this game, fortune was fickle. The real test was still to come.
Things were not quite as William had expected. He had assumed that most of the players in Iron Mine Village would be around levels 2 or 3, but to his surprise, most of them were still struggling to even reach level 2.
Then again, considering the internal testing phase had only been running for a few days, it made sense. In fact, it was impressive that players had figured out so much of the game's mechanics this quickly. They were still in the early stages of exploration and discovery, and given time, they'd catch up.
William made his way toward the village's scarecrow, curious to see if it offered any guidance like the one in Moonlight Village. To his disappointment, this scarecrow was the complete opposite. Unlike the enigmatic yet helpful figure back in Moonlight, the Iron Mine scarecrow was mute, as lively as a vegetable. It didn't speak, didn't move, just stood there, a silent sentinel.
Without any direction, players here were left to fend for themselves, navigating the mysteries of the world through trial and error.
William wandered around the village, observing the residents as they went about their daily routines. But whenever they saw him, their faces twisted into expressions of indifference, some even bordering on annoyance. He tried initiating conversation a few times, but each attempt was met with cold hostility. The villagers clearly saw him as an outsider, someone who didn't belong.
This kind of treatment was a stark contrast to his experience in Moonlight Village, where the locals were much friendlier. There, they welcomed players with open arms, or at least with a degree of tolerance. Here, though, it seemed the residents were fed up, likely tired of players constantly running around, asking questions, and disrupting their lives.
William couldn't blame them. After all, the players were explorers by nature, poking and prodding at every corner of the game to uncover its secrets. That kind of curiosity, while essential for mastering the game's rules, probably wore thin for the villagers who had to deal with them day in and day out.
Deciding not to waste any more time, William purchased a torch and some flint, preparing himself for his next destination: the abandoned mine. On his way there, he crossed paths with several other players, but no one stopped to chat. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry, their faces focused, driven by their own quests and goals. The camaraderie he had hoped for was absent; it was every player for themselves.
The villages around the kingdom formed its outer defenses, marking the boundary between civilization and the wilderness. In the more populated areas, there were few magical creatures, and even the roads were relatively safe. But the further William ventured from the village, the wilder and more desolate the landscape became. There were fewer people, and the environment grew harsher with every step.
In the distance, a dense forest loomed, cloaked in thick, swirling fog. It was ominous and mysterious, drawing his attention despite the dangers it seemed to promise.
[Map Tip: You passed through the Misty Forest]
[Misty Forest: A mysterious forest shrouded in fog. It is said that a witch lives deep within, but no one has ever seen her. Those who enter the Misty Forest never return.]
The warning was clear, but it only piqued William's interest further. He made a mental note to return here later, there would likely be valuable opportunities hidden within the dangers of that fog. For now, though, his focus remained on the abandoned mine.
[Map Tip: You have arrived at the abandoned mine]
[Abandoned Mine: Once a prosperous village, the mine's dark secret has cast a shadow over the area. The evil hidden deep within still lingers, influencing the magical creatures that live in and around the mine.]
The eerie atmosphere around the mine was palpable. The air felt thicker here, as though the darkness of the mine was trying to reach out and pull him in. William knew this was where things would start to get tricky.
At the crossroads between the Misty Forest and the mine, there was supposed to be a magical grocery store. However, the vastness of both areas made finding anything specific a challenge. There was no clear path, and the sheer size of the landscape made the task feel daunting.
Even the village guard had warned him that the journey would be fraught with danger. It wasn't something to take lightly, and William was smart enough to heed that advice.
"Better to listen to good advice and live to fight another day," William thought, deciding it would be wiser to level up a bit more before diving headfirst into the unknown.
The Misty Forest, dangerous as it was, might be just the place to help him grow stronger. But for now, he would proceed cautiously, knowing that recklessness could end his journey far sooner than he intended.
Don't be misled by the ominous warnings on the map, those words, while intimidating, are somewhat exaggerated.
As the captain had explained earlier, the Misty Forest was indeed wrapped in fog and filled with low-level magical creatures. It was rich in natural resources, making it a great spot for players to level up safely, as long as they didn't venture too deep into its heart. The forest's edges were teeming with manageable monsters, and players could grind there with relatively little risk.
But William, ever the strategist, had chosen a different path: the abandoned mine.
Seven or eight players had already met their end in that dark, cursed place. The monsters lurking in its depths were far too powerful for the current player base, most of whom were still struggling at low levels. The danger level was far too high for casual exploration. But for William, who was stronger than most, the mine seemed like the perfect challenge.
According to the scattered bits of information players had gathered, there were rumors of hidden quests or secret rewards buried within the mine. A treasure trove for those brave, or foolish, enough to delve into it. And in this game, being a step ahead of the rest meant everything. The opportunity to gain a real edge was tempting for any player looking to outpace the competition.
William understood that everyone was still feeling their way through the game world, searching for the best strategies and unlocking its many mysteries. He wasn't about to shy away from a challenge, especially not when it promised rewards that could set him far ahead.
When he reached the entrance to the abandoned mine, the scene was eerie. The trees around the area were withered, their skeletal branches reaching out like claws. The ground was littered with dead leaves, the air thick with the sense of a curse that had long since settled over the place. No signs of life, only the hollow silence of decay.
As William approached, two players were just emerging from the mine, their torches casting flickering light on their faces. They were clearly frustrated.
"This place is a waste of time," one of them muttered, shaking her head. "We should've gone to the Misty Forest. It's way safer."
Her companion, a bit more optimistic, sighed. "We came here to try our luck. What if we find some treasure or kill a rare monster? We'd rack up experience points and leave everyone else in the dust."
"But so many people have died here already! Who knows what's lurking in there?"
"Don't be a coward," the other shot back. "We agreed to come here, and now you're backing out before we've even faced a single monster."
As they continued to bicker, William approached them. The two players turned to look at him, their torches illuminating his figure. He heard one of them murmur, "This place isn't good for leveling. The Misty Forest is much safer."
William smiled politely, but said nothing. Instead, he quietly lit his torch, the flames casting a warm glow against the cold, dead landscape. Without hesitation, he walked past them, heading straight into the mine's yawning darkness.
As he disappeared into the depths, the more skeptical of the two players scoffed. "Why did you even bother warning him? He's probably just trying his luck, like us. Doesn't even have a teammate. He'll give up soon enough."
Her companion watched William's fading figure and shrugged. "Maybe he's an expert."
"Expert?" the other player scoffed again. "We came here with a group of five, and only two of us made it back out! What's he gonna do on his own?"
"Well, we're here trying our luck too, aren't we?"
"It's not the same!" she snapped. "There's two of us. And besides, you were the one who chickened out halfway down. Now all the treasure in the mine has probably been snatched up by someone else, all because you couldn't handle it!"
"Treasure? This place is an iron ore vein! There's no gold or treasure here, only monsters. And for the record, I told you we should've left earlier. You were the one who bolted first!"
Their voices faded as they continued to argue, walking away from the mine and back toward the village, each blaming the other for their failed attempt.
Meanwhile, William ventured deeper into the abandoned mine, his torchlight flickering against the cold stone walls. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional drip of water echoing through the dark tunnels. He knew that danger lurked ahead, but he wasn't here to play it safe.
The mine was a place for those willing to take risks, and William intended to uncover whatever secrets it held, no matter the cost.