Second World

Queen Magenta was clearly unhappy that Jack still dared to mouth back at her. She said heatedly, ”If we fail because of you, not only will White Scarfs pay for the coins. Our Wicker Witches experts will also be hunting you down, as a punishment for you wasting our time.”

”I will join the hunt for free,” Warpath added with a wicked grin.

”Can we not fight among ourselves?” Silverwing said with annoyance. ”The other group was already about to enter.”

They turned and saw Scarface, Red Death, and Manager Steelhand leading seven other players walking towards the dungeon entrance. Blackjack was also among them. One by one they disappeared into the portal. Its liquid-looking surface produced ripples each time a person passed through the portal.

From the grim expression that Silverwing and Queen Magenta exhibited, Jack could saw their worry. The players that had went into the dungeon were well-known experts, especially Red Death, Scarface, and Blackjack. From the Corporate United side, he had not fought any of them, but he had heard about them from his past VR games. Especially Supervisor Killmonger, he was a young man below twenty of age, but he had gained great fame from the last popular VR fighting game.

”We should get ready,” Silverwing said to the others.

Queen Magenta was clearly concerned about the other group as well as she no longer continued with her bickering. She sent out orders to her group to prepare for entering the dungeon as well.

Silverwing approached Jack and asked, ”are you ready?”

”Yes, but I wouldnʼt expect much cooperation from their side,” Jack said as he indicated to the Wicked Witches people.

”Donʼt worry about them,” Silverwing said. ”We have agreed on a formation where they would be the vanguard while we covered the rear and side. So we will cover our own area, there would not be much need for cooperation.”

”Really? Why do they want to be vanguard? They will suffer the brunt of monster attack then, wonʼt they?” Jack asked.

”They want to get higher rankings,” Sinreaper answered. ”From our past few skirmishes into the dungeon, we could deduce that each monster kill contributes to the ranking points.”

”I see, no wonder they were willing,” Jack chuckled. ”But then wouldnʼt it be bad for your team if they got the high rankings?”

”It might, at first,” Sinreaper said. ”But since our several dives into the dungeon, not once did we reach the boss. From the info in the library, we will need to kill the boss in order to clear the dungeon. Our hypothesis is that the boss will provide more points to the ranking compared to killing the minions. We will let them exhaust their strength to clear the minions while we preserve our strength to go against the Boss. This way we will score higher in the ranking.”

”Itʼs a bet then,” Jack said.

”Itʼs an educated bet,” Sinreaper replied as he adjusted his glasses.

”All right, I donʼt mind either way. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

”You can just lay low at the back at the start,” Silverwing said. ”When we reach the boss, I hope you can do your best to deal as much damage as possible.”

”All right,” Jack nodded. ”But I think you should be preparing to hear some more critics from that granny again when she sees me slacking at the back.”

”Donʼt worry about her,” Silverwing said again.

”By the way, here are the potions you requested,” he handed Jack five bottles of Basic Healing Potions.

”Thank you, I will pay you the coins for these.”

”Nonsense,” silverwing waved him off. ”you are helping us in this dungeon, the least we can do is provide you some support items.”

Jack nodded his gratitude and accepted the potions.

”I have to arrange the rest of my people first before we enter the dungeon. You can relax here while waiting,” Silverwing said, then he walked away with Sinreaper.

When Silverwing was out of earshot from Jack, he asked Sinreaper, ”Can you see his level now?”

Sinreaper shook his head. ”Actually, not only that I still cannot see his level, this time I cannot even see anything, including his name.”

”How is that possible?” Silverwing was astounded.

Sinreaper shook his head again. ”I donʼt know,” he said. ”He probably wears something that masked his information.”

”That guy is full of surprises,” Silverwing said as he took a glance at Jack. ”I really think that inviting him for this dungeon is the right call.”

”I agree,” Sinreaper said.

”Are you guys ready?” Selena asked from a distance not long after. The others from the Wicked Witches had gathered near the dungeon entrance.

Silverwing looked around, then asked Bluedaze, ”Still no news from Grimclaw?”

Bluedaze shook her head.

”Damn! Where the hell is he?” Silverwing cursed. ”No choice then, Honeycomb, you come with us.”

The woman called Honeycomb nodded. They then walked over to the large silvery portal that was the dungeon entrance. When they arrived, Queen Magenta scanned over the group and immediately complained, ”are you kidding me? Where is Grimclaw? Are you telling me you are leaving your strongest member behind? Are you really being serious about clearing this dungeon?”

”I apologize, he is indisposed at this moment,” Silverwing replied. ”Donʼt worry, Honeycomb here is also a capable Fighter.”

Queen Magenta gave an ugly expression as she said, ”that girl? Are you kidding? Never heard of her before. First a useless nobody, now another nobody. It will be a miracle if we clear the dungeon.”

”At least we will get 3 gold coins,” Warpath commented from the side.

Queen Magenta felt much better after hearing it. They were about to enter before Jack called out, ”wait!”

Queen Magenta glared at him, ”what now? Are you going to offer another bet?”

”Sort of,” Jack said with a grin. ”we all know you are all interested in the first clear item, but what about the Boss loots? How are you planning to distribute them?”

”Certainly none of your share,” Queen Magenta replied mockingly.

Silverwing was more reasonable, ”what do you propose?”

”There will be ranking right? I propose the player with the highest ranking had first priority to pick the loots.”

”Hahaha,” Warpath laughed. ”You are talking as if you are sure that you will be the highest ranking. Was that lucky coincidence during the tutorial period had caused your head to grow too big? That you canʼt even differentiate between reality and fantasy? You are not even gonna survive until the Boss!”

”Mister Warpathʼs words is exactly what is in my mind as well,” Queen Magenta added.

”Well, if that is true. Then what are you both afraid of?” Jack countered.

”Who is afraid?” Warpath shot back.

”So, we all agree with my proposition? First rank gets the priority?”

Warpath and Queen Magenta looked at each other. They were not afraid that the boss loots would be taken by Jack. They were just annoyed to agree to an idea that came out from him.

”I think that arrangement is quite reasonable,” Silverwing gave his opinion, then added, ”unless of course if your side is not confident to get the highest ranking.”

”Who is not confident!?” Both Warpath and Queen Magenta said at the same time.

”Fine, we will distribute the loots based on ranking,” Queen Magenta said finally. ”Are we done? Letʼs enter already!”

She then turned and walked right into the silvery portal. Warpath, Selena and another level 13 female Ranger entered after. Jeanny looked back at Jack and said to him before entering, ”good luck, letʼs cooperate inside.”

”At least there is one who is friendly,” Sinreaper commented to Jack with a smile.

”Before we enter. Here, I have a meal that boost stats for everyone,” Jack said as he took out the Chicken Soups he had prepared before.

”How much stat does it boost?” Silverwing asked.

”10% for every stat.”

”Then you better eat ours, here, for everyone,” Silverwing said as he took out five pieces of chicken wing and offered to everyone.

”So, you have also have prepared stat-enhancing foods?” Jack said as he received the chicken wing.

”Of course, I was just about to share them when you offer yours first. Iʼm sure those of Wicked Witches group had also eaten a meal that gave them a buff before they entered.”

😉