Re: Evolution Online Chapter 74 - Free Loader?

Chapter 74 - Free Loader?

When the group arrived at the 'Moon Lake' dungeon area of the forest, the entire place was crowded with people. Various players were shouting loudly as if they were selling their wares.
"Open party for moon lake. Looking for Level 20 players and higher."
"Healer Required! Level 18 minimum. Everyone else is Level 20"
"Tank Required! Level 15 and above ok. Must have dragon roar skill!"
Level 15 to Level 22 players were everywhere and many were grouping together to form parties to enter the dungeon.
While the Level 15 ones were looking to be carried, the Level 22 ones were discussing raptly, coming up with various ideas to break records.
Even the group of Korean players currently walking along with Liam were discussing about the same thing.
However, Liam had no such intentions, at least until the Level 50 dungeons opened up.
When a record was set in the higher level dungeons, there would be a sizeable reward that included precious raw materials.
And this could be looted every time a record was broken and set. In the past, this was one of the favorite methods of the top guilds to farm precious materials.
They used these to craft powerful weapons and in turn used the weapons to break the record again.
But below Level 50, the dungeons were pretty much useless. At most, they were a tool of publicity for guilds to establish themselves.
And Liam did not have any such plans at the moment.
Establishing, managing and expanding a guild would take a considerable amount of his time, time that could be better spent on other things.
Moreover, a certain amount of strength and power was required to command a guild. He hadn't obtained that just yet.
"Bro, isn't another mage better for the run?" Goo Sunho scratched his head awkwardly and tried his luck again.
But Liam shook his head. "I am also a mage. So a thief is better."
"Mage ah… weren't you using a sword?" Goo Sunho was left confused and all he could see was the dirty thief grinning back at him.
Seeing that the two of them were about to go at it again, the tank intervened and gave the poor rejected mage a stare preventing him from saying anything any more.
"Kim Hyun. Goo Sunho. That's enough. Group is already settled. Let's start now. Is everybody ready?" His words were like the final nail that sealed the coffin.
The other guy could only sigh and watch everyone walk away disappearing into the crowd.
Multiple groups could enter the dungeon at the same time, but they wouldn't interfere with each other's run.
So after a couple of people walked in before them, this group as well entered the dungeon portal that was a mass of swirling black energy.
As soon as they touched it, they were instantly teleported to the inside of the dungeon and they found themselves standing on the deserted streets of a rickety abandoned village.
It was night time and a chilly wind swept past everyone further enhancing the ominous atmosphere that was prevalent.
At first, everyone waited for Liam to give some sort of specific instructions but he was just silently standing as if he was waiting for the run to start.
After hesitating, Shin Soo, the tank, quickly began talking. He was not sure if everyone, particularly Liam was aware of the mechanics of the dungeon.
Just because he was a skilled player, it didn't mean that he had to have prior knowledge of this specific dungeon. So he gave him the benefit of doubt.
"So in this dungeon… there will be several mirages of the moon lake. We need to go to each of these mirages and essentially find out where the real moon lake is."
The complete dungeon guide wasn't available online yet, but there were still some forums and threads talking about the various mobs.
Shin Soo elaborated on whatever was available online adding on his own theories but all throughout it looked like the expert was not paying him any attention.
This clearly defeated the whole purpose of his attempt as except for Liam they had all researched about the place together so there was no point continuing with the explanations.
Smiling helplessly the tank waved his hand, signaling that he was going to start and dashed ahead the next second.
As soon as they took a step forward, a gust of wind blew and three wailing white specters immediately emerged out of thin air.
[Provocate] Shin Soo was a bulky person and he was playing a warrior tank holding a shield in one hand and a hammer in the other hand.
As soon as he attracted the attention of the three ghosts, the mage started casting fireballs and the thief rushed ahead with his dagger.
Even the healer started chanting spells to cover the tank's health, preventing it from plummeting unexpectedly.
Damage numbers began floating atop the specters one after the other. Their shrill wailing was especially hard to hear, so everyone subconsciously tried to finish the fight as soon as possible.
They had almost forgotten about the expert who had come along with them.
Only when the fight was going somewhat slow for the first mob at the entrance of the dungeon, something felt awkward and out of place and the tank realized that a member was missing!
Huh? He turned around to look for Liam and saw that he was still standing at the entrance and doing something in the system interface without having taken a single step forward.
[Block] He yelled out his next skill in anger and continued tanking the remaining two specters with his teeth grinding together indignantly.
It was fine if this person did not do anything exceptional and defy their expectations but the least he could do was come forward and fight?
Did he expect to be carried through the dungeon?! Did they look like fools and buffoons in his eyes?!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and just when he was about to completely lose it and shout at the other person, irrespective of the consequences… a notification popped up!