[Level 15 Required for Entry]
[Elite Dungeon (4-Person Party Recommended)]
[Orc King’s Cave]
The first Elite Dungeon faced by users starting Astria Online, the ‘Orc King’s Cave’. Users learn the basics of party play here, divide roles, and understand the fundamentals of battling Named Enemies.
“Hmm.”
I stared at the cave with a big opening in the cliff at the edge of the Orc Forest, momentarily lost in thought.
This is where Lee Seulbi and Rain’s new adventure began. I was starting to feel the joy of Astria Online.
And then, I experienced my first death.
Well, since I have a faint memory of my past life, strictly speaking, it might not be my first death, right?
It’s just one death for someone, but how many times have I died? If I count the deaths I experienced with 100% synchronization in-game, I’ve probably died a lot.
I realize anew that my life seems to be quite cheap. In this world, a thousand years ago, if I hadn’t met any companions, a half-witted hero like me might have died young. Back then, I only had one life.
My old body has become useless.
If Sister Chris knew I was thinking this way, she’d be sad, but at least in battle, I’ve become a body that can’t be used.
However, I’ve gained a new body in this world I’ve returned to. Adapting to the ‘system’ in a way different from the power I’ve accumulated, it has been inconvenient to learn from the beginning.
Still, I’ve adapted to this body and reached a level where I can confront demons. I believe I’ve grown a lot mentally as well.
At this point, I could lead the young heroes who came to protect this world.
While I was lost in thought, reflecting on the past.
Whispering.
A crowd of newbies and a few high-level users began to gather in front of the ‘Orc King’s Cave’.
Hurry!
I was startled and quickly hid behind a rock.
It’s not because I’m a coward, or scared of the newbies. It’s just that they keep sticking around and are a bit annoying.
“Already?”
The server opened not even half a day ago, and they reached level 15?
Of course, the environment is much different from when I leveled up in the past. There are cheap doping and food items that help with growth, and beginners’ support benefits are available. Everyone will easily skip this newbie phase in about a day.
I shook my head while glancing at the newbies, filled with anticipation for their first Elite Dungeon.
Still, I think it used to take 2-3 days to reach the first Elite Dungeon when the server first opened.
“Sigh, back in my day…”
While I was hiding behind the rock, thinking to myself, the newbies started forming parties.
“We need a Fighter, Spirit Caller, Onmyoji! Looking for a Ranger or a Paladin! Wizards are also okay!”
“Let’s play as a swordsman!”
I giggled, watching the groups of newbies that included minors.
“It would be easier to promote through regional messages.”
Well, in my rookie days, I used to recruit parties like that in front of dungeons.
I opened the chat interface and activated the regional messages.
[Quick Bus for Beginners! 5 Gold per run! 1:1 farming assistance!]
[We’re running a newbie education party. Experienced bus driver of level 50 and raid dungeon veterans available.]
The first message I noticed was from the experienced players advertising their bus service.
So this is what Puuquilquil meant about bus services for newbies.
Since ‘Abyssal Tree’ is a weekly dungeon, most level 50 users have probably moved on to the expansion area to continue their quests. It’s not a very profitable time for bus services. They probably think they’re helping newbies while earning a little pocket money.
I saw high-level users leading newbies into the dungeon as if conducting a field trip.
‘Orc King’s Cave’.
This is ultimately a low-level Elite Dungeon that players will pass through quickly. Weapons are plentiful at the auction house, and as long as they quickly farm accessories, they can move on.
Most of the newbies who joined today are younger students, yet they still brought a bit of bus money. They seem eager to skip low-level areas and farm in high-level dungeons.
While many newbies used the bus, some wanted to challenge the first Elite Dungeon party play with users of the same level.
I couldn’t help but nod in approval, wiping my nose.
“Now’s the time to have fun.”
I logged out briefly for a simple meal and logged back in.
The safety filter still loomed before my eyes.
“When will they normalize this?”
It feels like I won’t be able to do anything until it disappears.
Just as I was silently watching the newbies in front of the Orc King’s Cave, something caught my eye.
“Eek.”
One girl, clutching her chest and breathing heavily in a corner.
She was a bit smaller than me, with short light brown hair. The girl’s big green eyes were filled with a mix of surprise and fear.
She was the cute swordswoman who was bravely fighting against an Orc Paladin.
Why was she scared?
The girl held not the ‘Orc King’s weapon’ that is cheap at the auction house, nor the ‘Orc Paladin’s sword’ she could have obtained by defeating a field boss.
Still, she must have gained some gold by defeating mobs. Is she the type who likes to save money?
As I quietly observed her from behind the rock, the girl vigorously shook her head and bit her lips. The fear in her green eyes was replaced by determination.
And she wandered toward the entrance of the Orc King’s Cave, the instance dungeon.
But… alone?
“Hey, wait a minute!”
I quickly emerged from behind the rock and grabbed the collar of the girl about to enter the dungeon.
“Eek!?”
She squirmed in surprise as I felt her movements. The girl was struggling to break free from my grip.
“It’s okay! I’m not a bad sister!”
I assured the startled girl while awkwardly scratching my face.
But why on earth was she trying to enter an Elite Dungeon alone?
“Education party?”
“Yes. Hehe, high-level users teach newbies like this.”
The girl tilted her head in confusion.
My gaze towards her was filled with intrigue, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Her voice is too cute!
Her bright green eyes are lovely, and her round face still plump with baby fat is adorable too.
Her movements are just so precious.
Skip skip.
I was walking with the girl through Area 1 of the Elite Dungeon, ‘Orc King’s Cave’.
Since we formed a party, I could see the girl’s nickname.
[Level 15 Swordswoman ‘Nagi’]
“Your nickname is Nagi, huh?”
“Yes. What about you, Sister Drizzle…?”
Nagi replied softly, reading my name that appeared on the party interface.
“You can just call me Rain.”
“Rain Sister.”
Nagi chirped in her cute voice, calling me sister.
“Ugh!”
I clutched my chest.
Sister, huh?
Hearing that from a girl smaller than me has such a powerful impact.
Sister Chris always had nice things said to her; how unfair.
“But hey, were you exploring the Elite Dungeon alone?”
“In this game, can’t I do it alone…?”
“Well, not really, but this is an Elite Dungeon. The entrance says it’s recommended for a 4-person party.”
“But it’s just a recommendation.”
I stood there speechless.
As Nagi said, the Elite Dungeon was not ‘a 4-person party dungeon’, but ‘a 4-person party recommended dungeon’.
There is indeed a path that can be cleared alone even at the appropriate level.
This girl seems to have a similar mindset as mine.
“Then… you’ve been doing it alone until now?”
She nodded.
Could this be what Sister Chris felt when she looked at me?
Even though I’ve done it all, I can’t help but marvel at the audacity of a newbie.
Even if I consider myself an irregular, Nagi would be a normal user. It wouldn’t be easy at all.
Could she clear this dungeon alone?
At first, I thought I would just guide her while taking down the enemies, but…
“Alright.”
My plan changed.
I decided to support the girl in her challenge.
“I’ll just guide you from behind. Do you want to try it alone?”
Nagi’s face lit up.
“Yes!”
[1 Named Enemy]
[Level 16 Orc Fighter]
[HP 9,209 / 10,500 (88%)]
Bang!
“Ahhh!”
Boom.
“Nagi! What did I tell you to do when the counter comes out!?”
“De… Damage Cut!”
Nagi, hit in the stomach by a low kick, rolled a bit but quickly got back on her feet. Since she was a low level, her HP must have fluctuated significantly.
Nagi quickly started learning the Orc Fighter’s patterns. As expected from the swordswoman newbie I had my eye on; her adaptation speed was impressive.
But her reaction after being hit in the stomach seemed a bit strange.
The expression on Nagi’s face turned to one of pain.
For a minor user, the synchronization rate can’t be much higher than the late 10% range.
It shouldn’t be that painful.
Of course, if it were me with a 100% synchronization rate, it wouldn’t just hurt; I would immediately pass out and be ejected from the game. It’s strange that I can tolerate 100% pain but still, Nagi seemed to have a significantly high synchronization rate.
“Oof!”
Nagi lifted her sword again, glaring at the Orc Fighter rushing towards her. Her gaze was tinged with fear.
Clang!
I quickly jumped in to block the Orc Fighter’s gauntlet and pulled Nagi into my arms, escaping the combat area.
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