Hotpot has been taken to prison!
This news instantly spread like a storm. A few seconds later images appeared. Bleary Mirage, Silver Blade, Radiant Shield, and Balm, unconscious, carried by guards, directly across the city. There were players at the side trying to free them, but Verinam was like an insurmountable wall and quickly these players were forced to join Hotpot.
The global chat, even external forums, were immediately excited. Some people gloated, there jealously prompting them to write some nasty words, but most people were either amused or indignant. Groups formed clamouring to free their heroes. Hotpot didn't deserve such treatment!
Liam and his friends didn't know what was going on outside. As prisoners, their perception was cut off. They were unable to access the chat. They groggily woke up, not knowing what was going on. Balm even suffered a small panic attack. Although it was a game, falling unconscious and waking up in an unfamiliar environment was a terrible thing to go through. Who knows, this might even affect their real brains. No one could guarantee that no matter what happens in the game, their real bodies would be safe.
"Whe… where are we?! Get us out! I… so dark!"
Balm's voice was shaky, her breath heavy. Instantly, voice of concern reached her. Silver Blade's hand caressed her shoulder while Radiant Shield patted her back.
"Don't worry. It's ok. Everything is alright."
"Just consider it as a momentary status effect."
"There is no danger. Deep breaths. Deep… breath. Inhale. Exhale."
Balm nodded instinctively, following her friends' advice. Thanks to their consolation she managed to calm down after a while. After closing her eyes once and opening them again, she already felt much better.
"Thanks guys."
"No problem."
The others smiled and withdrew their hands. But Balm suddenly made an unexpectedly bold move. Her hand moved in a flash, grabbing Radiant Shield's hand. The tank froze, his mind blank.
Although he and Balm have been getting closer over the last few weeks, a lack of experience left him with many open questions. He never really considered proactively tackling the issue, just going with the flow. Who would have expected Balm to suddenly make a move? It came completely out of the blue. Couldn't she have sent some prior notice?
Silver Blade and Liam were taken aback. They looked at each other and chuckled lightly, tacitly deciding not to comment. There was nothing to see here. Just continue with the quest!
Suddenly Balm turned shy, feeling that she had been a bit impulsive. However, she did not let go of that warm hand. But her eyes didn't dare to turn towards Radiant Shield, instead scanning her surroundings.
The friends had truly been thrown into prison. However, compared to the cell occupied by Cantar's student Autumn, this one was much better. They had a comfortable bed, clean water, and some light. The cell's walls were made from solid stone except for one wall consisting of thick iron bars. Looking through the bars, they could see a long corridor made from dark wood, appearing quite comfortable considering this was a prison.
"Strange. This doesn't look as… despairing… as I thought."
Balm's voice sounded much more composed as she distracted herself. Suddenly her ear twitch as other voices could be heard.
"Newcomers?"
"Haa, poor souls."
"Will this never end?"
"I wonder how my daughter is doing… Is she living well?"
Lamenting voices, sighing, and sobbing. The friends instantly got a bad feeling. Silver Blade tried to communicate with them, but a bang suddenly echoed through the corridor, and everyone fell silent.
"Great. What should we do now? Do we have to wait until our sentence is over?"
Just as Silver Blade questioned her friends, there was an update to the quest.
"What? Asking us to escape? How?"
"I never thought we would land in prison…"
"This is ridiculous! I am a hero! I don't deserve to rot here!"
Radiant Shield sounded indignant, puffing out his chest. The others couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ok, but really. How do we get out now?", asked Silver Blade. Liam was prepared to explain but Balm was faster:
"Hehe, you should read up more about some of the famous players, Silver."
"What has that got to do with our situation?", inquired a puzzled Silver Blade.
"Well, do names like ThreeShadows, WhiteKey, or Black Rat ring a bell?"
"Hmm. I know about Black Rat. We encountered him before, right?"
"Yes! All three of them are famous thief players. They are pros with a high [Steal] skill. However, even they can't avoid being caught from time to time. Naturally they ended up in prison more than once. And if you would follow their exploits, you would know that in front of an experienced thief, no prison is perfectly secure."
"That's good to hear. But unfortunately, we don't have a thief with us."
"But that doesn't mean that we can't escape by ourselves. Actually, if we contact WhiteKey through the forums, he could even help us break out. That guy has been caught so often that he switched businesses and now offers a service to free others from jail…"
"This doesn't make one confident about his abilities…", murmured Radiant Shield, prompting Balm to shrug her shoulders.
"...anyways, what I'm saying is: Escaping from jail isn't that hard. We just need to find our own way. Perhaps the other prisoners can help us. Or perhaps there is a weak spot in the wall."
The others nodded thoughtfully. After all, they were still in a game. If the quest asked them to escape from the cell, there should be a way to do so.
"Let's look around."
Silver Blade's suggestion was accepted. Balm let go of Radiant Shield's hand and everyone studied the cell. Soon, a few discoveries were made.
First, magic was entirely restricted. There was not a trace of mana. Second, guards were placed at the far ends of the corridor. When trying to communicate with prisoners, the guards would make a noise, and everyone shut up. However, whispering was barely possible.
Third, they had access to their inventories but drawing weapons was impossible. Fourth, there was an old rusty sword hidden behind the bed with a special effect of extra damage against objects. Fifth, one of the metal bars, as well as a certain spot on the rear wall, was considerably weaker than the rest.
"See, I knew it. Looking closely, this cell is actually riddled with holes.", stated Balm with a bright smile. At this moment heavy footsteps could suddenly be heard. A guard stopped in front of the cell.
"Still laughing?! Hehe. Just wait until you've been here for a few days. Won't be laughing then!"
"My apologies, mister guard. I think there is a misunderstanding. We were sent here to find a criminal, ordered by the respected guardian Therim Riverbell. We even have a token as proof. Perhaps, you might consider letting us out? You would surely receive the praise and reward you deserve, becoming a hero of the order faction."
Silver Blade reacted to the guard's mocking words with a bright smile, trying to use her charisma. Perhaps the guard could be swayed.
However, the sleazy guard's expression instantly turned peculiar. He looked Silver Blade up and down, an ugly grin on his lips:
"Well, pretty lady. I don't know about becoming a hero. But I am sure we could come to an agreement. Why don't we discuss it over a cup of good wine back in my room?"
Instantly everyone was taken aback. Balm and Radiant Shield openly showed their disgust. Meanwhile Liam's eyes pierced the guard. If looks could kill the man's heart would probably explode on the spot.
"Haha, what's with those eyes? Angry? Hahaha, pretty lady think about it. My offer won't stand forever!"
The guard laughed brightly, his mood excellent. Actually, seducing the lecherous guard, getting him to open the door, and then overwhelming him was a valid tactic. However, Silver Blade was clearly not the type to employ it. She only watched the man with a disgusted expression as the guard continued making his rounds.
Liam's eyes still pierced the guard's back. Suddenly he noticed something. Since the guard was wearing a chainmail, everyone would think the ringing accompanying his every step came from the armour. But looking closely one might realize that it actually originated from a set of keys dangling from the guard's belt.
Liam's brows rose slightly.
"Ew. I want to punch that guy's face!", exclaimed Balm.
"How dare he talk to a lady like that?"
Balm and Radiant Shield were indignant, eager to teach the guard some manners.
"Come, come. We need to get out now. Let's beat that guard up!"
"I agree. How should we do it? Cut through that faulty metal bar?"
"Wait!", said Liam suddenly, causing everyone to look at him strangely.
"What do you want to do?"
"Let's wait. Wait for that guy to come again…"
"Well, if you say so…"
Everyone could tell that Liam was suppressing anger. It was rare to see him like this. The friends shrugged their shoulders and decided to follow the expert's will.