The woman's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her amber eyes. Disappointment? Annoyance?
"A pity," she said. "You could have served something greater than yourselves. But perhaps you're simply not ready for such work." She waved her hand dismissively. "Leave me. I have no use for the righteous."
RaidKing looked stunned. "Dude, what the hell? Did you just turn down 5,000 gold?"
"I'm not starting my playthrough by massacring refugees, even fake ones," Max said firmly. "That corruption penalty would screw us over. Light-aligned factions probably have better long-term content anyway."
"But—"
"Trust me. If this is a demon lord questline, there'll be other ways to engage with it later. Ways that don't paint us as baby-killers from level 4."
RaidKing sighed heavily but nodded. "Alright, fine. You're the research expert. But if we miss out on some legendary weapon, I'm blaming you."
They left the mysterious woman to her shadows and headed back to the main tavern area. The bard's music had shifted to something more romantic, and several players were actually dancing.
"So what now?" RaidKing asked. "We just wasted time on that."
Max pulled up the quest board interface. "We find something that actually gives decent rewards without requiring us to be psychopaths. Look—here. [Missing Shipment] quest. Rank D, probably has a dungeon attached, and the description mentions bandits, not innocent civilians."
[QUEST: MISSING SHIPMENT]
Rank: D
Level Requirement: 4+
Party Size: 2-4 recommended
Description: Merchant Gorin's supply caravan was attacked three days ago on the eastern trade route. Investigate the ambush site and recover the stolen goods. Bandits were last seen heading toward the Hollow Caves.
Rewards: 800 Gold, Random Equipment Drop, Merchant Guild Reputation +100
"Hollow Caves," RaidKing read. "Sounds like a dungeon. I'm in."
They accepted the quest and headed for the east gate. The transition from city to wilderness was seamless—no loading screens, no obvious boundaries. One moment they were walking on cobblestone streets, the next on a dirt road that passed through grasslands.
Other players were scattered across the landscape, fighting mobs, gathering resources, or traveling between locations. Max spotted a group of five taking on what looked like a mini-boss—a massive wolf made of living crystal.
[Crystal Alpha – Level 7 Elite]
HP: 3,500/3,500
"Should we help them?" Max asked.
"Nah, they've got it. Plus, we've got our own quest." RaidKing pulled his greatsword from his back. The weapon gleamed in the sunlight, easily six feet long. "Ready to clear a dungeon?"
Max drew his rusty shortsword. It looked pathetic compared to RaidKing's weapon, but it would have to do. "Let's do this."
They followed the quest marker east for about ten minutes, the landscape gradually growing rockier and more desolate. The trade route was marked by old wagon wheel tracks, and eventually they reached the ambush site.
Burned wood, scattered supplies, and bloodstains—clearly the work of bandits. But more importantly, a cave entrance welcomed in the nearby cliff face, with tracks leading directly into it.
[DUNGEON DISCOVERED: HOLLOW CAVES]
Difficulty: Rank D
Recommended Level: 4-6
Party Size: 2-4
Warning: Death in dungeons results in equipment durability loss and respawn outside the dungeon
"You ready?" RaidKing asked, rolling his shoulders.
"Yeah. Stay alert—we don't know the mechanics yet."
They entered the cave, and immediately the temperature dropped. The entrance tunnel was narrow, forcing them to walk in a single line.
After about fifty feet, the tunnel opened into a larger chamber. And they weren't alone.
[Bandit Scout – Level 5] x3
[Bandit Warrior – Level 6] x2
Five enemies. The scouts wore leather armor and carried daggers, while the warriors had heavier gear and axes. All five turned toward the entrance as Max and RaidKing entered.
"Intruders!" one of the warriors shouted. "Kill them!"
"I'll tank!" RaidKing bellowed, charging forward with his greatsword raised. "You DPS!"
Max followed, keeping his distance. He deliberately avoided summoning the Shadow Echo—didn't want to reveal his class yet, even to a friend. Instead, he focused on pure swordplay.
RaidKing crashed into the group like a battering ram, his greatsword cleaving through the air. The first scout tried to dodge but wasn't fast enough.
CRITICAL HIT!
-180 HP!
[Bandit Scout: 20/200 HP]
The scout staggered, and RaidKing followed up with a horizontal slash that finished him.
[Bandit Scout Defeated!]
But the other enemies swarmed. Two scouts flanked RaidKing while the warriors engaged from the front. Daggers and axes rained down on him.
-45 HP!
-38 HP!
-52 HP!
[RaidKing47: 265/400 HP]
"A little help!" RaidKing shouted.
Max rushed in, targeting one of the scouts attacking from behind. His rusty shortsword might be weak, but accuracy mattered more than raw damage. He aimed for weak points—joints, exposed neck, anywhere armor didn't cover.
-35 HP!
-42 HP!
[Bandit Scout: 123/200 HP]
The scout spun toward him, dagger flashing. Max parried—the clash of metal on metal sending vibrations up his arm—and attacked, his blade catching the scout's shoulder.
-38 HP!
[Bandit Scout: 85/200 HP]
Meanwhile, RaidKing activated a skill. His body glowed red, and he roared—an actual, bone-shaking roar that echoed through the cave.
[BERSERKER RAGE ACTIVATED]
+50% Damage, -20% Defense, Duration: 30 seconds
His next attack was devastating. The greatsword came down in an overhead chop that split one of the bandit warriors nearly in half.
CRITICAL HIT!
-340 HP!
[Bandit Warrior Defeated!]
Max pressed his advantage on the wounded scout, unleashing a flurry of quick strikes. The scout tried to backpedal, but Max was faster, his blade finding gaps in the leather armor.
-40 HP!
-45 HP!
[Bandit Scout Defeated!]
Three down, two to go.
The remaining scout and warrior realized they were outmatched and tried to retreat deeper into the cave. But RaidKing, still in Berserker Rage, wasn't having it. He charged after them with frightening speed.
"Don't let them alert others!" Max called out, sprinting behind.