“Team meeting,” Sasha groaned. “I don’t know if we improved in that run because we had our ass kicked with the multipliers. I didn’t get to see what happened, and I was gone. What even was that?”
Zen could tell they were frustrated even if Akiko and Oritha said nothing. Nothing was more irritating than not understanding the cause of failure. Sadly, they might have to do another run with Zen’s new strategy so he could analyse how the last phase worked. Knowing that it was an illusion wasn’t enough. He needed solid statistics about the attack patterns.Zen would have prepared a flask of calming tea if he knew they would be this tense after the dive. Too bad there wasn’t anything in this room he could use to prepare drinks or snacks.Cutting straight to the point, Zen presented his findings. The gargoyle boss had predictable attack patterns if they used the soul lamps as indicators. However, the monster wasUnlike his other party members, Liu Feng understood what Zen wanted to do after only one explanation. The Seer had to cut his workout session short after receiving Zen’s message. At first, he was annoyed by the interruption. However, he quickly became amused by the killing machines’ confusion.“He explained it rather well,” the blind man chuckled. “This is probably the difference between a pawn and a general. Have you never done reconnaissance missions before?”Almost too quickly, Akiko defended herself. Even if most of her orders revolved around elimination, she was trained to complete all sorts of tasks.“I know how to scout, gather information, eliminate targets, buy time and act as a decoy, among other more specialised skills. What are you getting at?”The barbed tone did not go unnoticed as Sasha inched towards Zen for moral support. Unlike the two highly dangerous individuals in the room, she knew nothing outs
Zen had yet to learn how they managed it. After what felt like ten years of his lifespan, his party members finally understood their assignment.“Remember,” Zen reminded once more before they dived. “It’s ok if we can’t defeat the boss in one run. It can take many runs to collect enough data before completing a level.”The girls left, not wanting to comment on Zen’s sense of time in games. Only Liu Feng remained with Zen. He wasn’t going to sleep on the same bed as those girls. Why would he do that when he had a perfectly adorable pillow here?Without standing on ceremony, Liu Feng helped himself to Zen’s thighs, making the gamer squirm in surprise at the extra weight on his legs. The blind man looked like a very dangerous but comfortable cat. Feeling tempted, Zen poked the Seer’s defenceless cheek and giggled.“Are we all in yet?” Oritha called from the video call, and Zen cringed. He forgot
The news spread quickly throughout the guild while Zen remained blissfully unaware in his room. He was in high spirits documenting the latest findings from floor nineteen.Liu Feng returned to his room to hear Zen’s giggling. Curious, the blind man walked over.“What are you doing?” he asked.Surprised that his roommate was back already, Zen grinned. Earlier, he sent the game guide to everyone in the guild. Although only some have seen it, he was already receiving requests for more guides on other floors.“I think my schedule will be fully booked in the future,” he told Liu Feng honestly. “They are requesting detailed game guides on the levels they are stuck at.”Flicking his hair in disdain, Liu Feng searched for his clothes and replied coldly.“Tell them we can send someone to carry them. Don’t waste your time on floors we have already conquered. You should reserve your energy for the event. I hear
Ironically, Zen was the last to show up at the mushroom maiden’s meadow, even if he was the coordinator.“Sorry, I’m late!”Sasha and Oritha were busy bullying mushrooms nearby, but Akiko and Liu Feng chose to chill in the meadow, enjoying the peaceful music. It was rare to have a peaceful zone dedicated to positive buffs. Although they had no idea why such a place existed, everyone was eager to learn about the secret dungeon only their party could access.“No, you’re five minutes early. We were curious, so we decided to come earlier. He needed a guide,” Akiko explained.That made sense. The girls had already been here before but not his sworn brother. Zen should have thought about it. He forgot to include the location. Thankfully, everything worked out.Zen spent too much time reviewing the dungeon recordings that other parties sent him that he almost missed the appointment. Knowing what to expect on the upper floor
The first boss to appear in the dungeon was on Sasha and Oritha’s side. Unlike them, Akiko took her time strolling over as she was slightly curious about the bosses appearing on their side.Like other boss dungeons, there was a special animation as the boss spawned. Sasha got ready at once, distancing herself from the white smoke that clouded everything.Oritha coughed. She knew this smell even if they did not have it in the academy. It was nostalgic, but not in a good way.The strong tobacco smell engulfed the dungeon, and Sasha donned the mushroom mask. It might not be helpful against the smoke, but it helped her virtual lungs breathe a little easier.In the other tunnel, Akiko paused. Despite her lack of expression, anyone could tell that she was stalling her progress on purpose. Her focus was solely on the new boss, calculating her odds of dealing with it in future dungeon farming sessions.While Oritha and Sasha prepared for battle, Zen narr
“Shit!” Sasha winced, watching Akiko battle the new boss. “She’s worse than the gargoyle.”Beside the sniper, Oritha silently agreed. Although Akiko was swift, the boss could fly and spin at inhuman speed. Both assassins thanked the dungeon RNG that this was not their opponent. Luck must be on their side because it wasn’t their turn to become meat ribbons.The new mushroom boss wore a wide-brimmed purple hat with a gorgeous purple veil covering most of her body. Veiled Violet’s choice of weapon was that razor fabric obscuring her beauty. She was the embodiment of deadly grace that Oritha did not do well with. When faced with the beautiful porcelain doll-like assassin, not even Sasha knew who would draw the first blood. They were both dressed and poised to kill.Akiko learned the hard way when she collided head-on and suffered critical damage. Thankfully, the beautiful assassin boss did not know how to change her trajectory mid
Which genius decided to introduce rat tunnels into mausoleums?Zen wanted to bury himself in the ground when Liu Feng bridal carried him. Even with bad physical abilities, there should be a limit to how useless someone could be.Playing the helpless damsel in distress should be the easiest role. However, Zen flopped around too much, making it difficult for Liu Feng to find his balance while escaping. It was probably a minor annoyance to the powerful long-haired man, but Zen still felt terrible.“I thought you said Mandy’s dungeon will be at the end of the forked paths?” Liu Feng teased when he noticed Zen trying his best to contain the flailing limbs only to get himself into an awkward position on his shoulder.Hiding his face, Zen apologised meekly. His hands left Liu Feng’s waist, much to the blind man’s relief.“I misinterpreted…”Wordlessly, Liu Feng continued to run from the mad zombie wi
Unlike the peaceful family politics in Veiled Violet’s dungeon, Zen found himself waddling in Gloomie Shroomie’s dungeon. The theme suited her personality draped in dull colours with everything ruined. Water went everywhere, and nothing was dry.Drip! Drip!Zen’s boots were soaked, but more importantly, the water wouldn’t stop rising. He received an invitation card to Gloomie Shroomie’s Deathday Party, and there was no option to decline. Seeing someone throwing a party for their death was odd, but Zen preferred that to lonely ghosts who haunted others.The only problem he had was with his role at this pity party.[Welcome to Gloomie’s Deathday Party! Help Gloomie enjoy this party to her fullest so her soul may rest in piece(s). Your first task is clean the room!]Looking around, Zen tried locating all fourteen ribbon strips according to the quest requirement. Gathering the tangled and soggy ribbons, Zen observed the