Ren stood in the bustling Valoria marketplace, surrounded by the hum of early-game chatter. Players haggled for gear, recruited for dungeon runs, and debated tactics for leveling. Among them, his growing team stood out—not because of flashy gear or high levels, but because of the precision with which they moved.
Kael and Lysa flanked him, their bond solidified after the success of the Silver Depths. Other players had taken notice, and Ren's reputation was spreading. But to take on the powerful guilds forming in the Bronze Peaks, he needed more than just two companions.
He opened his system panel and reviewed his growing team.
---
Team Panel: Black Veil
1. Ren Karsten
Race: Aetherborn (Hidden)
Class: Voidwalker (Hidden)
Level: 6
Primary Stats: Dexterity 14, Intelligence 9
Notable Skills:
Shadow Bind: Immobilizes a target and drains health.
Ethereal Step: Grants brief invisibility and increased movement speed.
Void Rift: AoE void energy explosion (120% INT scaling).
---
2. Kael Farrow
Race: Human
Class: Arcane Archer
Level: 5
Primary Stats: Dexterity 18, Intelligence 8
Notable Skills:
Arcane Arrow: Magic-infused shot that deals bonus damage based on INT.
Snipe: Precision attack that deals critical damage if the target is unaware.
Volley: Fires multiple arrows in a wide spread.
---
3. Lysa Mordane
Race: Elf
Class: Shadow Dancer
Level: 5
Primary Stats: Dexterity 20, Luck 10
Notable Skills:
Backstab: Deals triple damage when attacking from behind.
Shadowstep: Teleports behind an enemy for an instant critical hit.
Dagger Flurry: A quick series of strikes, dealing massive damage over time.
---
4. Arlen Vorthas (New recruit)
Race: Half-Elf
Class: Elementalist
Level: 6
Primary Stats: Intelligence 20, Wisdom 15
Notable Skills:
Fireball: AoE fire damage spell.
Frost Nova: Freezes nearby enemies, slowing their movements.
Lightning Surge: Channels a continuous bolt of lightning at a single target.
---
5. Gron Thalgar (New recruit)
Race: Orc
Class: Iron Vanguard
Level: 7
Primary Stats: Strength 22, Endurance 18
Notable Skills:
Shield Bash: Stuns an enemy and interrupts abilities.
Unyielding Will: Temporarily negates incoming damage.
War Cry: Boosts allies' attack and defense within a radius.
---
New Recruits: Arlen and Gron
Ren knew that a successful guild needed balance. Kael and Lysa were excellent for DPS and mobility, but they lacked a tank and AoE firepower. Arlen and Gron were the perfect additions.
Arlen had been a rising star in Ren's previous timeline, known for his devastating AoE magic and tactical brilliance. He was already earning a reputation as a standout Elementalist in Valoria, though he had yet to join a guild.
Gron, on the other hand, was a dependable Iron Vanguard Ren remembered from his old days. Despite his rough and gruff demeanor, Gron was a master of battlefield control and an unshakable presence in any fight.
Ren found them both near the city's combat training grounds, where players often sparred to practice their skills. Gron's massive frame towered over the surrounding players, his shield and mace gleaming as he barked orders at a smaller group.
"Again! Your formation is sloppy!" he roared at a group of low-level warriors struggling to hold their ground against training dummies.
Nearby, Arlen stood with arms crossed, lazily conjuring small orbs of fire and ice in his hands as he watched the chaos.
Ren approached the two of them. "Gron. Arlen. I've got an offer for you."
Gron turned, his tusked face twisting into a scowl. "Who are you? And why should I care?"
Arlen smirked. "He's the one who cleared the Silver Depths with those two," he said, nodding toward Lysa and Kael. "The whole city's been talking about it."
Ren inclined his head. "I'm putting together a team. A real one. Not a group of mercs out for quick cash or crafters hiding behind the strong."
"And why should I join your little party?" Gron asked, folding his arms.
"Because you'll get to be part of the guild that dominates the Bronze Peaks," Ren said. "We're taking the Drakeforge Keep dungeon next."
At the mention of the dungeon, Gron's scowl disappeared, replaced by a look of interest. "Drakeforge, huh? That place is crawling with mid-tier Drakes and Earth Elementals. No one's even cleared it yet."
"Exactly," Ren said. "But with your defense and Arlen's AoE, we can pull it off."
Arlen chuckled. "And what's your role, Ren? You don't exactly scream 'tank.'"
"I'll keep the enemies locked down and control the fight," Ren replied confidently. "You just focus on dealing damage."
Arlen and Gron exchanged glances.
"All right," Arlen said. "I'm in. I could use some real challenges."
Gron grunted. "Fine. But if you get us killed, I'm breaking that scrawny sword of yours."
Ren grinned. "Deal."
---
The Mission: Drakeforge Keep
With the Black Veil's core team assembled, Ren led them toward the Bronze Peaks, a treacherous mountainous zone filled with hostile mobs and contested territories. Their target was Drakeforge Keep, a sprawling dungeon deep within the peaks, known for its high-level mobs and valuable loot.
---
Dungeon Overview: Drakeforge Keep
1. Drakeforge Whelp (Level 8):
EXP Given: 250 EXP
Health: 300
Strength: 12
Special Ability: Flame Breath – A cone of fire that deals AoE damage.
Weakness: Vulnerable to frost damage.
2. Earth Elemental (Level 9):
EXP Given: 300 EXP
Health: 400
Strength: 15
Endurance: 20
Special Ability: Rock Wall – Temporarily blocks ranged attacks.
Weakness: Magic bypasses its armor.
3. Forge Drake (Level 12 - Mini-Boss):
EXP Given: 1,000 EXP
Health: 1,000
Strength: 20
Special Abilities:
Molten Bite: High-damage melee attack that applies a burning debuff.
Lava Surge: Creates pools of lava across the battlefield.
Weakness: Its chest scales glow before a surge attack, signaling a brief window for critical hits.
---
The Battle
The Black Veil entered the first chamber of Drakeforge Keep, immediately facing a pack of Drakeforge Whelps. The creatures snarled and unleashed waves of flame, forcing the team to scatter.
"Arlen, Frost Nova!" Ren shouted.
Arlen slammed his staff into the ground, unleashing a burst of frost that froze the Whelps in place.
"Kael, focus the far left!" Ren barked. "Lysa, flank the right. Gron, hold the center!"
Kael's arrows pierced through the frozen Whelps, while Lysa darted in and out of the fray, striking critical blows. Gron planted himself in the center, his shield absorbing the brunt of the fire attacks.
By the time the chamber was clear, the team stood victorious.
> +250 EXP (x5)
Level Up!
---
As they pressed deeper into the dungeon, Ren couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. His team was strong, coordinated, and capable of handling the challenges ahead.
"This is just the start," he thought, glancing at his teammates. "By the time the gods descend, we'll be ready for them."