The players’ hands-on ability was truly superb.
Merely four days following the release of alpha version 0.3, they used the official website forum to organize parties and prepare to challenge the dungeon. Victor had made sure to provide the essential information, like the map as well as the game lore that players were known to enjoy theorizing over. For instance, they knew that the dungeon was a nest inside a large cave and was the former home of the arachnids that invaded the academy.
To that end, they planned to bring plenty of supplies to secure the cave’s surroundings. The distance between the pseudo dungeon and the academy wasn’t that far; it was about five kilometers to the north of the Thornwood Flower field. Thanks to the magic tool sold at the blacksmith workshop, they were able to safely traverse the magical forest filled with supernatural phenomena.
At the moment, more than two dozen players had advanced to Initiate Attunement. Not every Initiate Attunement player participated in this dungeon, however. As a matter of fact, it was the combination of the five players from the very first batch and a team made up of roughly two parties from those with high mana aptitudes who organized on the forum.
While the role of the commander naturally fell to Zero, Storm, in spite of not having reached Initiate Attunement, was chosen as the strategist of the operation for his insight and expertise in the game. Nonetheless, he did not disappoint, as he quickly formulated a comprehensive battle plan.
The plan in question was drafted in a private group that Victor had made a long time ago, allowing him to be privy to its contents. After reading through, he was nothing short of impressed. He was confident that, as long as there was no accident, this plan would lead to a successful clearing of the dungeon, but only time would tell the end result.
In addition to these developments, the northern wall of the academy had also reached completion, which gave twenty progression value points as the reward. However, Victor had no intention of stopping there. Construction on the remaining three walls, encompassing the east, south, and west sides of the academy, had already commenced. With more and more players being able to cast {Earth Weaver}, the pace of the construction was expected to accelerate significantly.
Resting his chin in his hand while leaning over his desk, Victor activated his Shadowlink Mark to check the academy’s progression numerically.
Academy Name: Sanctum of Interdimensional Magi
Headmaster: Victor Asteriscus
Academy Points: 390
Academy Grade: Level 2
Total Acolytes: 134/250
Progression Value: 130/250
Because the player with the Crimson Mystic Giant bloodline required a unique meditation technique, he had to spend 100 AP to purchase the first three levels of “Crimson Morph.” Naturally, he wasn’t going to just freely hand it out willy-nilly. So, amidst the envious gaze of the other players, he called her to his office to be given a special task. By the way, her player ID was “ButterflyWingsAreDelicious” — a surprisingly “harmless” username despite her size and look…
For each level of the “Crimson Morph” meditation technique, Victor charged Butterfly a hefty fee of one thousand merit points, which could be paid on credit when she accrued sufficient points. While this would put her at a disadvantage compared to other players, as a Bloodline Magus, she would make up for it with superior strength and durability, which should allow her to accumulate merit points at an accelerated rate. Victor considered this a fair and balanced approach.
That aside, what mattered most to Victor was his own meditation progress.
Victor Asteriscus
HP: 100%
MP: 255/255
Power Rank: Third-stage Initiate Attunement
Elemental Affinity: Cosmo (95%) | Anemo (82%) | Pyro (57%)
Mana Aptitude: Inferior bright grade
Meditation Technique: Myriad Elements Method (third level, 99%)
Status: Healthy
Strength: (25)
Agility: (25)
Vitality: (25)
Magical Power: (35)
Infused Mana (total): (231 → 255)
Spell Repertoire: {Blink Step}, {Spatial Mirage}, {Slicing Wind}, {Zephyr Dash}, {Tempest Burst}, {Wind Guard}, {Flame Whip}, {Flame Dart}, {Ember Shield}, {Heat Wave}, {Demonic Eye}
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
“Ugh… I really need that last push for the breakthrough.” As he let out that soliloquy, Victor slumped in his chair, a deep sigh escaping his lips.
Ninety-nine percent. No matter what he did, he couldn’t break through that one bottleneck without a trigger like a high-rank meditation technique. It was similar to how those protagonists in novels would need to stumble upon fortuitous encounters to ascend to higher realms.
“If finding a substitute high-rank meditation technique is not an option, why not try browsing the System shop for an elixir? You might stumble upon something unexpectedly beneficial,” Lizbeth advised, her eyes twinkling.
Victor perked up at the idea. Although the System shop didn’t sell rare potions and elixirs, it did have expensive but useful ones. He recalled seeing a particular elixir that could help with his breakthrough, so he immediately activated his Shadowlink Mark to browse.
“This…” Victor could feel a grin creeping up in his mouth when the item descriptions flickered across his screen. “Yes, with this, I should be able to take that final step.”
***
Storm magnified the holographic map projected from his Shadowlink Mark and drew a cross at the cave entrance with his finger. He then explained his strategy once again with a steady voice:
“We’ve thoroughly scouted the area and come to the conclusion that the nest of the Lesser Hiveborne Arachnids has only one entry point. Tactically, our plan requires at least five players to serve as tanks at the front. They will use the earthen wall as a barrier, effectively blocking the cave entrance. The remaining ten or so players will be split into two groups. The first group will utilize spears, thrusting them through the gaps in the earthen wall, while the second group will be ready with spells to handle any spiders that manage to bypass our defenses or in case the situation escalates.”
Seeing that the players were watching him seriously, he continued, “Once the spellcasters have depleted their mana, they should swap roles with the spearmen, and we’ll continue this rotation. Our goal is to persist until no more spiders emerge from the cave. If anyone gets injured, fall back immediately to the healers stationed at the rear. Without their queen, these insects are not tactically intelligent; they’ll rely on swarming tactics. So, if we cooperate well, it should be no problem.”
Concluding his briefing, Storm declared, “Let’s execute the plan this way!”
He had gathered all the players participating in the expedition not far from the mouth of the cave. Thanks to the expensive magic tool worth two thousand merit points, they were able to traverse the forest safely. Since merit points couldn’t be transferred between players, it was agreed that the one who had financed the magic tool would be given a larger share of the rewards from clearing the dungeon.
Other than this expenditure, the group was also equipped with the best and newest weapons they could get their hands on. The spears, for example, were made of steel that was specifically crafted none other than by the new blacksmith NPC, which cost 250 merit points for one. For added protection, the five players who took the role of tanks were also equipped with high-quality iron shields priced at two hundred merit points each.
It was a steep price, but the expense was worth it.
Upon arrival, they set up a simple encampment as well as some barriers right outside the cave without alerting the inhabitants inside. These obstacles were mainly designed to provide a strategic advantage in case the enemies broke through the first line of defense.
As they approached the cave’s entrance, some players piled up firewood a few meters inside. Those with Geo elemental affinity cast the {Earth Weaver} spell, creating an earthen wall that nearly spanned the entire entrance. To support this temporary barrier, a wooden fortification was constructed to support the earthen wall. Storm oversaw the players as they worked on the structure—it took a whole hour to complete.
These arachnids were magical beasts, and the players had experienced what they were capable of firsthand during the invasion of the academy. One of the players who had the {Demonic Eye} spell had scouted ahead and revealed that these spiders ranged in size from as small as a fist to as large as a human. Same old, same old.
“Then, let’s commence this operation,” Zero stated.
“Everyone, get ready. I’m going to lure them out!” As Prominence said that, he confidently pulled out an incendiary weapon that resembled a Molotov cocktail from his belt, lit it by manipulating Pyro elemental particles, and hurled it deep into the cave.
This weapon was a new invention of Aphrodite’s, made from a mix of alcohol and the flammable liquid. This chemical mixture worked as effectively as a traditional Molotov cocktail made from gasoline that he named “Aphrodite fire.” Unfortunately, the inventor himself had little interest in joining the operation in favor of creating gunpowder.
The bottle shattered with a crisp sound upon impact, and flames erupted instantaneously. However, instead of drawing out the spiders immediately, the fire caught onto a pile of firewood inside, generating thick smoke that billowed into the cave. Their intention wasn’t to incinerate the entire nest, as they aimed to harvest spider silk and eggs. Destroying everything inside would render this entire operation pointless.
It took about fifteen minutes before the first signs of movement echoed from within the cave.
“Incoming!” someone shouted in alert.
Through the narrow gap, the monstrous spiders could be seen skittering along the walls and ceiling, skillfully avoiding the flames. They shot toward the earthen wall with alarming speed. Then, they slammed into it headfirst, causing the wooden fortification supporting the barrier to creak and groan repeatedly.
At that moment, the two forces clashed with full intensity!
