28 Chapter 28 (2/2)
”You're going to have to wait a little longer on your tractor.” Rue was laughing as they both turned their focus on Z's group, who were casually walking through the dungeon, apparently unworried about his mobs, as they should be. His mobs were level 9, and he had upgraded them to be quite fierce. However, Z's group were all level 12, and the full set of demonic farmer gear gave them a 50% increase in damage to demonic farm animals, and a 50% damage reduction from them.
With a complete set, they also gained a buff strikingly similar to birds of a feather, meaning the group was currently buffing themselves quite nicely. James had decreased the drop rate of the set pieces when he realized how strong the full set could be, but Z's group had the money to buy pieces from other players.
Many parties still struggled against them, and he was gaining a steady stream of experience. The third day, the number of players trying to enter his dungeon greatly increased, so a lot of people's leveling seemed to slow. However, Z's group was always entering as soon as they could, and James had noticed they appeared to be paying other players to jump in the line that had formed for players waiting to enter the dungeon. It seemed Z and the others knew money talked, and that a lot of the casuals were more than willing to give up their chance in the dungeon for easy money.
James had overhead from a few groups that there was already a full-blown gambling hall in town, as well as quite the fast-growing skills market. One of the hottest commodities was apparently a whiskey player made from his demonic wheat, they were calling it fireball whiskey, and it seemed people were paying v coin to get their hands on the demonic wheat.
”Alright guys, one more time, and we should hit level 13.” Z was addressing the group as they headed through the floor, easily cutting down mobs. At level 10, the group had gained new skills, and Z and Elm were able to launch up to three arrows at a time now. On top of that, Faust had seemed to gain an ability that allowed him to have magic missiles float around him, seeking enemies on their own whenever they got too close.
”Not bad for the first night of immersion.” Oak chuckled as a sacrificial lamb detonated, creating a chain reaction that destroyed all the dickens around it. James had upgraded his lambs even more, so there were even more explosions per sacrificial lamb death. There was also delayed explosions, so that healers could get caught unsuspecting as they went to heal their friends.
”My lambs are so baaaaaaaad.” James chuckled tiredly to himself as he saw the second set of explosions go off.
”You're getting delusional from a lack of sleep.” Rue was shaking her head as the group continued, their eyes set on Old Man Jenkins. The boss now stood 12 foot in height, and his horns curled out in an impressive, terrifying manor. His pitchfork had also been upgraded, with the prongs having barbs now, and a constant ring of flames around them.
”Oy, you ready for a good spanking?” Oak called out to Old Man Jenkins, and the boss turned, eyes narrowing. A set of wings sprouted from behind his shoulders, spreading wide. James had been having a lot of fun upgrading his boss.
”I didn't know you swung that way Oak. You know what comes after the spanking.” Z had his arrows knocked, though he and Elm were both moving far away from Oak. The warrior broke out in laughter, as he raised his shield, a new shield he had gotten at level 10 that gave him +10 to his defense.
”Eh, I'm tired man. My jokes are getting a bit stale.”
”We're all getting tired.” Med Ic had his hand around his neck, where a simple holy charm sat. It seemed people in town had begun utilizing Dicken claws to create voodoo-esq charms. Apparently, they could work as holy charms for priests and clerics, who knew.
”Well, you guys knew we would be going full force in the game. Can't stay on top if we rest. Sleep is for the weak after all.” James groaned at Z's statement, along with the rest of the group.
”You're lucky we've made enough that we don't have to work in the real world, otherwise this would really suck.” The group was all nodding. ”I'm just going to pass out all day man. I feel sorry for anyone that has work or school when they wake up.”
”Me too.” James grumbled. He was going to have such a hard time at school when he woke. Hopefully he could keep himself awake checking out the reddit on the game. He was interested in seeing what players thought of the first night of the game. He also still had to look up Monty Python.
”How much time do they have?” James was watching as the group prepared to face off against Old Man Jenkins. Thanks to his upgrades, his boss was a lot more formidable, which made sense considering he was level 14. With the boss mob research boosting his stats by 2%, and James upgrade points, Old Man Jenkins had a bunch of new abilities, and greatly increased stats.
”Ten minutes till the seventh day ends, and the adventurers will be returned to their respective areas for the last hour of immersion.” Rue had informed James that DCO would not allow adventurers to take part during the first and last hour of immersion, meaning they were limited to 7 of their 9 hours of immersion in the game. This way, players that got on late, or got up early, wouldn't miss out. It also allowed for players to wrap up anything they needed to in immersion, as well as decompress, relax, and prepare for the next day. It also allowed the dungeon core to work on the dungeon without any players fighting mobs or being instanced. James could appreciate that, though he was certain he was going to use the next 24 hours to sleep. He was exhausted.
”They should be able to get this.” The last time they fought against Old Man Jenkins, the group had actually wipe, giving James a huge boost in experience. They had fought him near the corn field and missed a group of dickens and swiners as they approached the group. Mid fight the swiners had rushed towards the group, and in the confusion, the dickens had taken flight. They dropped their gren-eggs, which James had upgraded to have a poisonous cloud effect to them, onto the group, leaving behind a green cloud. That cloud, James had found, combined with the swiner debuff, quickly weakening the group and resulting in their death. It had also earned James an Achievement called Green Eggs and Ham. The developers probably though they were so funny.
”Alright, well let's see how they do.”