Chapter 36: Dungeon (10)
Once the boss and the other ice zombies dissolved into particles, everyone felt relieved at finally getting some rest. Despite it being a game world, their exhaustion was akin to what people experience in reality; the strain on their avatars was intense, so it was only natural that the team felt drained.
They were so worn out that all but Blake sank to the ground. Wiping sweat from their brows, they exchanged glances and broke into laughter.
"Hehe! That was so fun!"
"Yeah, we took care of that minotaur!"
"You saw how well I fought, right? I survived till the end!"
"You were amazing… definitely our best tank!"
"The boss is just a snack now that we have this much experience!"
Only Blake didn't join in. He was focused on the white mantle—a drop he hadn't expected but was glad to receive. It served as the second key to the dungeon. Whether or not he'd ever return to this mansion, at least he had the option to revisit The Eternal Winter Graveyard someday.
He disliked how the mantle appeared in his hands instead of entering his inventory automatically, but there was no changing it now.
Ignoring his teammates had become difficult. If he hadn't tuned out their excited chatter, he might've actually thrown up. Unfortunately, Silver Dash stood up and headed his way.
He couldn't peel his eyes off the mantle, which looked like a sweep of freshly fallen snow or a pristine Milky Way. Just draping it over someone's shoulders would make them appear heroic.
"Grats on looting this item, Superbia!" Silver Dash said, beaming. "All I got were a few silver coins and a skill stone. But skill stones are rare in the tutorial zone, so that's awesome! I wonder what grade your mantle is. Also, remember—"
"I'll save this for later," Blake cut him off before he could finish.
Hearing him gush about loot and tutorial zones made Blake cringe. It wasn't that he despised weaker players—people could enjoy the game in various ways, not just by fighting or tackling dungeons. He simply suspected these players had rushed through the tutorial and jumped into a dungeon as soon as they could. That struck him as irritating.
Appearing puzzled, Silver Dash gazed at Blake, then quickly composed himself, nodded, and returned to his friends.
Out of Blake's earshot, Silver Dash muttered, "He didn't tell me anything."
"You should've thanked him! He kinda carried us," the mage said. "I think he wants us to thank him and give him props, even though any of us could've done the same if we had time. Anyway, we're not done yet!"
"Yeah, we'll get another chance to talk to him later," Silver Dash agreed.
Their other three companions just shook their heads and sighed.
In truth, Blake didn't expect gratitude. Giving orders came naturally to him, though he loathed having to spoon-feed them the obvious. He would've preferred if they simply listened and followed his directions.
As the mage had said, though, the dungeon run was far from over. Everyone needed to restore their stats and move on before the minotaur or more ice zombies respawned. The likelihood of that happening was anyone's guess.
The five friends popped their potions, which often acted as a lifeline for players during battle or quick breaks. In most tutorial zones, these potions were easy to earn, making them the go-to remedy. Some players, however, had begun searching for alternatives since they hated chugging potions.
Shortly after, they felt refreshed and ready to confront the next boss.
"I'm not going first," Silver Dash declared.
He hung back, preferring to be the last one through the mansion's entrance. The minotaur's charge still haunted him.
"You sure talk big for someone who lost so many teeth," Scarlet Tornado teased.
Silver Dash growled, "My HP is back, and so are my teeth!"
Ignoring their banter, the tank took a step forward. Having been the second party member nearly wiped out by the minotaur, he couldn't shake his fear. Inch by inch, he crept into the mansion.
Lining up behind him, the rest of the team followed suit. Despite the thick layer of ice covering much of the interior, the mansion looked remarkably elegant—only the floor remained unscathed, made of well-polished wood tough enough that even the minotaur's massive frame hadn't left a mark.
The lobby was so spacious that they could spread out into their standard formation. Blake scanned the area, noticing portraits in frames trimmed with fur. Layers of ice obscured the glass, but he glimpsed the mansion's owners and their swords. Even the women bore blades, looking like they mastered swordsmanship. One particular sheath caught his attention.
Just then, another set of ornate doors swung open…
"A MINOTAUR!" Silver Dash shouted.
…yet nothing stood there.
It seemed to be an invitation to the boss room.
Blake and Beatrix sneered behind their masks.