Lord Of The Lost

The captain was brimming with excitement. His energy was infectious, and it was clear that he thrived in the game's chaotic environment. A natural at building relationships, he'd quickly formed a team early on to level up efficiently and ensure their collective safety. But, like so many groups, cracks began to form.

Arguments over how to split experience points started to bubble up, turning the once-cohesive unit into a divided mess. It wasn't long before the captain made the tough call to leave. He figured it would be better to find teammates who aligned with his goals and style.

Now, having pushed his way up to level 5, the captain stood as proof of his decision. Others, like Jack, were also climbing the ranks; Jack was on the verge of hitting level 4. What made Jack's progress so remarkable was that they were carrying a heavier burden than most.

They'd been hit with a death penalty and had been offline for three days following the internal test, leaving them trailing behind the more active players. For Jack to almost catch up now was no small feat.

As the captain shared the latest updates, the excitement in his voice was impossible to miss. He informed us that three or four players would be reaching level 6 in Iron Mine Village today. Considering the game had only been live for a short time, this was a blistering pace. Still, no one had broken through the threshold to level 7. And there was a reason for that.

To jump from level 6 to level 7, a staggering 80 experience points were required. That might not sound like much, but when you're in a party, experience is split equally. Two level 6 players would need to gather 160 points together, and it wasn't as simple as slashing through low-level monsters. Those creatures offered scraps of experience, not nearly enough to make a dent.

On the flip side, taking on monsters above their level was a gamble. While it provided a slight boost in experience, it wasn't nearly worth the risks.

The danger was real. Monsters that were higher-level didn't just hit harderm, they were often terrifying creatures with magical skills far beyond what players could handle. The last time someone tried it, William, one of the top players, had come out of a battle with both of his weapons and two pieces of leather armor completely destroyed.

If those items were converted into real-world currency, the loss would have been in the millions. Ten million, to be exact.

"How does anyone expect to kill monsters of the same level without taking damage?" the captain muttered in disbelief. "What do they think we are, Lancelot?"

The comparison to Lancelot, the legendary hero known for his impossible strength, wasn't lost on anyone. The monsters in this game weren't just beasts. Many of them had magical abilities that made even the strongest players quake in their boots. Right now, all the players were pretty much helpless. No skills. No decent weapons.

They were relying on stones, sticks, or crude, homemade tools to survive each encounter. And every injury was a problem. Healing wasn't cheap. Bandages, for example, cost 50 copper coins.

And the price didn't just stop there. On the game's forum, people were selling bundles of bandages for over 30,000 Dollars. It was the kind of expense that only the wealthiest players could afford.

So, when word started to spread that there was already a level 8 player lurking around Iron Mine Village, the players were stunned. How was that even possible? Was there a bug in this frustrating, glitch-ridden game?

The captain remained quiet when this subject came up. He had his suspicions but wasn't willing to fan the flames of speculation just yet. He knew that while most players struggled to level up, some were willing to take massive risks. He leveled fast because he pushed himself harder than most and took on challenges others wouldn't dare face.

But not everyone had the guts or the strategy, to take on a boss alone at level 8.

William, for instance, had fought a demon dog; a boss that was as fierce as a werewolf. Demon dogs were known to be small boss templates, but they were still leagues above the elite monsters most players were struggling with. No one could imagine fighting something that powerful without a proper plan and a mountain of luck. Yet, some players seemed to be doing just that.

The race to the top of the leaderboard was only getting fiercer, and the players in Iron Mine Village were just beginning to realize how steep the climb was going to be.

The passive abilities of the Demon's Son were no joke. With 10 points of Constitution that could jump to 12 in darkness, plus the added resistance, it was clear why anyone with this lineage would feel confident. The Demon's blood came with perks that weren't easy to overlook. Just by glancing at these enhancements, it became obvious how powerful the racial talent bonuses of the Demonic Path were.

The hybrid werewolves had similar boosts. While their bonuses focused more on attack power and defense, they were just as potent. Unfortunately, that boost was something most players, including the captain, could no longer access.

William smirked, his eyes glinting with a knowing look. "So, you're headed to the abandoned mine?"

The two had crossed paths on the winding road that led into the wilderness, where the mine lay hidden beneath a cloak of mystery and danger.

"Yes, brother," the captain nodded, his voice filled with determination. "You just came back from there, right? Got any advice for me?"

He explained his reasoning, why he thought the mine held promise. In the early days of the game, plenty of players had dreamed of striking it big by clearing out the abandoned mines. But none had succeeded. The Misty Forest, on the other hand, was crawling with leveling points, and players had become so familiar with the area that hunting monsters there was becoming second nature.

The trek from the Misty Forest to the mine took almost an hour, a journey that was a challenge on its own. And even after making it there, players had to adjust to a whole new set of monsters, not to mention the different terrain. The dark, twisting corridors of the mine were nothing like the open expanse of the forest. You needed torches just to see in front of you.

Without them, you'd be in complete darkness, and the monsters would have the upper hand, attacking from the shadows where you wouldn't even know what hit you.

But the captain had a different plan in mind. He was going to take Jack with him to the mine, hoping to gain an edge over the other players. It was a bold move; one that required both guts and careful strategy.

William's expression turned curious, almost amused. He cocked an eyebrow and said, "If I were you, I'd turn around."

"Wait, what?" The captain blinked, caught completely off guard.

With a sly smile, William casually scratched his face with the nail of his little finger. "I've already cleared out the monsters there."

"Seriously?" The captain's jaw dropped.

He had reached level 5 and had been feeling good about his chances. He'd bought the necessary torches, thinking the mine would be his chance to get ahead of everyone else. But now, after running into William, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under him. He hadn't even gotten there yet, and William had already beaten him to it, blocking the road without saying a word.

"So, I made this trip for nothing?" the captain asked, deflated.

William tilted his head slightly, his tone almost playful. "Yep. You might want to try again in a few days."

"Wait, can the monsters respawn?" The captain was even more confused now.

William nodded. "They will. Not in most places, but the mine's different. It'll refresh."

Despite William clearing out the mine, there was still a lingering trace of demonic power. The place wouldn't stay empty for long. The mine worked like a living, breathing thing, the demonic energy ebbing and flowing like the tide. It wouldn't be long before wild creatures wandered back in and transformed into new, demonized monsters.

The captain stood there, processing everything. He had planned on using the mine to leap ahead of the competition, but now it seemed he would have to wait. William had already swept through, leaving him no choice but to turn back. But at least there was hope that, soon enough, the mine would fill with new dangers, and new opportunities for leveling up.

"Guess I'll have to be patient," the captain muttered to himself, casting one last glance toward the path that led to the abandoned mine before slowly heading back the way he came.

The demonized creatures in the abandoned mine were fueled by the power of darkness, growing stronger at a frightening pace. However, William knew that, as the players continued to level up, the mine dungeon would eventually become less relevant, a relic of the past. The challenge wouldn't last forever.

"Make sure to tell the players in Iron Mine Village something important," William said firmly, his expression serious. "A demon died in that mine, torn apart, yes, but there's still a chance it could resurrect. They need to stop playing around and focus on leveling up. Gaining experience is what matters most right now."

The captain nodded but couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you coming back to Iron Mine Village with us?"

William shook his head. "No, I have a different destination. I'm heading to Moonlight Village."

With that, the three parted ways. As William turned and began his journey, the captain and Jack watched him go, wondering what awaited him at this new location.

As William walked the winding path toward Moonlight Village, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the land. Soon enough, a map notification appeared in front of him:

'You have arrived at Moonlight Village.'

The first thing that caught his eye were the vast, golden wheat fields stretching out before him, cultivated by the village farmers. Amidst the crops stood a crooked scarecrow, slanted awkwardly to one side.

"Are you a thief or a dark magician?" The scarecrow's creaky voice suddenly broke the silence, its straw body swaying slightly in the breeze.

William smiled, a soft chuckle escaping him. "It's me. I'm back."

The scarecrow shifted, rustling in its post. "Why am I crooked again?" it grumbled, as if it had a mind of its own.

William stepped forward and straightened the scarecrow with both hands. "You always seem to end up like this," he remarked, laughing softly.

The scarecrow, always chatty, kept on talking. "Don't you think the world looks more interesting from a slanted perspective? Everything's a little tilted, a little different. Oh, and look at you! You've grown stronger. This world is so full of wonders!"

William shook his head, amused. He could already tell that the scarecrow had been doing its job well; no bird would dare come near the field with this constant chattering going on. The wheat was pristine, untouched.

"Where's your hat?" William asked, noticing that the scarecrow's top hat was missing. Before he'd left, he'd bought the scarecrow that hat as a sort of gift. It hadn't cared, of course, but William felt like it gave the scarecrow a bit of style, a sense of ritual, something fitting for its duties.

The scarecrow let out a dramatic sigh. "That cursed wind from the Black Forest blew through Moonlight Village and carried my hat away. You know how it is; I'm just a scarecrow, stuck in the ground, helpless to chase after it as it soared off into the sky."

The scarecrow continued to ramble on, but William was already grinning. "Don't worry. I'll get you another one, and this time, I'll tie it down so it won't blow away."

Moonlight Village had a small tailor shop, and the prices for simple items like hats weren't too high. As with most border towns, living costs were fairly low, especially for the basic necessities.

Just as William was about to head into the village proper, the scarecrow called out to him again. "Wait! One more thing. After you left, a new adventurer showed up here in Moonlight Village. Where is he now, you ask? Over at Crow Ridge, I think.

Poor lad... he has no idea what he's up against with those black crows."

William paused, tilting his head thoughtfully. A new adventurer? That had to mean another beta tester. Moonlight Village, perched at the very edge of the wilderness, was an isolated place; almost like a blade thrust deep into the unknown. It was the farthest outpost of the already remote Border Town. Hardly anyone came here.

In fact, William knew there shouldn't be many players who started in Moonlight Village. Two was too few, but maybe that's why this adventurer had ventured to Crow Ridge, not knowing how dangerous it could be.

With a sigh, William set off toward the village, knowing he'd likely have to help this new player soon enough.