Chapter 39

"Are you saying I need to form a party?"

-Yes. The Sea Cave Dungeon requires a party of at least two players to enter.

"Party... Just to be sure, do pets or homunculi count as party members?"

-No. Only players.

"I thought so. This game is so cliquey. How is someone who's really shy supposed to play?"

-Is it really that bad to clear dungeons with a party...

"Anyway, it's really awkward."

I thought there would inevitably be situations where I'd have to form a party with other players, but I didn't expect it to be now.

"It's Tina who's the problem."

-That is a bit worrying. Given the story of the Magician King.

Right now, Carpe is taking a completely opposite path from other players.

This isn't just because he obtained the irregular 0-star background or the Mythic class.

Magician King (魔道王).

This refers to the first emperor Dretsch, who unified the continent 800 years ago and founded the empire 'Arkham.'

However, this great empire Arkham and the Magician King ultimately fell due to an invasion by an unknown force.

This was the event known as the 'Pseudo-God War.'

The problem is that the pseudo-gods who invaded Arkham are the 'backgrounds' that can assist players.

If we think about it extremely, Carpe could be considered an enemy to all players.

"Isn't that ridiculous? To be an enemy to all players? What kind of job is this?"

-Great power comes with great responsibility. Don't you know? And other players might not even know the Magician King exists, so what's there to worry about.

"That's true for me, but Tina is the problem. She was a direct participant in the war 800 years ago."

There's a chance that another player's background might recognize Tina and give a quest to 'kill that guy.'

-Just keep her in the room and summon her when needed. That's the answer.

"Hmm... I guess I'll have to do that if there's no other way. Let me ask her first."

Carpe moved to a less crowded place and summoned Tina from the room.

"Did you call me, my lord?"

Carpe briefly explained the current situation.

Fortunately, the previous night, the Centaur had already explained the current era where backgrounds are prevalent, so it didn't take much time.

"Indeed, I understand the situation. To conclude, there's no need to worry unnecessarily."

According to her, she and the other seven dolls were created in the late stages of the Pseudo-God War.

And with the Magician King, a total of eight of them acted as guerrillas to secretly infiltrate the enemy's heart, so very few pseudo-gods would remember her.

"Actually, the pseudo-god I met where I was sealed didn't recognize me. Probably only a few pseudo-gods with 9-star status would recognize me."

"9-star status? You fought a 9-star background. That's impressive."

When Carpe genuinely praised her, Tina blushed slightly and bowed her head.

"I apologize. Due to being sealed for a long time, I no longer possess the power I once had."

"You're still incredibly strong, though."

The sword skills that overwhelmed the menacing background are still vivid in his memory.

However, Tina shook her head.

"The power I displayed then was the result of using all the mana faintly remaining in the soul stone. Now, even that is gone."

"Is that so?"

Come to think of it, he hadn't thoroughly checked Tina's information yet.

Carpe opened the status window.

Ding.

[Ancient Homunculus]

[Name: Tistania of Radiance (光輝)]

[Level: 1]

[Rank: Epic]

[Type: Homunculus, Knight]

[Personality: Loyal]

[The first homunculus created by the Magician King with great effort. Once a powerful knight with no equal, but has lost her strength and equipment due to the passage of time.]

[Skills]

Radiance's Learning Method 8-star – Lv. Master

- Loses all power but grows quickly.

- Experience gain doubled (cannot exceed player's level).

- Significantly increased chance of obtaining exclusive skills when opening a skill pack.

As she said, her level was 1, and she only had one skill.

"Hmm. I thought I could ride the Tina bus, but it seems that's not possible."

-Another unrealistic expectation. She fought a 9-star background in her prime? If that were implemented, she'd be over level 400, which is absurd.

"True. In most RPGs, it's standard to level up new allies from level 1."

In old RPGs, this format was common.

Especially when a powerful villain character joined the party during the story!

The disappointment when a character you were excited to use joined the team at level 1... He remembered painstakingly leveling them up.

"To think they'd use such an old-fashioned method in this era."

Actually, Carpe didn't really believe such a freebie was possible.

...But it was a bit disappointing to see it with his own eyes.

"It will take some time... no, a little time, but please wait. I will become stronger and cut down all those who stand in your way, my lord."

"Alright. I'll trust you. Anyway, the conclusion is that it's fine to form a party with others, right?"

"Yes. However, if you feel uneasy, I can change my appearance."

"Huh? Is that possible?"

In response to Carpe's question, Tina closed her eyes slowly.

Poof!

Suddenly, she vanished in a short flash of light.

"What, what? Where did she go?"

"Over here, my lord!"

"Huh?"

"Down here!"

When Carpe looked down, there was a smaller Tina standing there.

Not just smaller, but about the same size as the doll he saw in the coffin, a cute 3/4-sized doll.

"That, that appearance?"

"Non-combat mode. In this mode, HP and MP recovery speed are tripled compared to combat mode..."

"Great!"

Carpe carefully picked up Tina.

"Just a moment."

Carpe quickly opened the custom shop and found a suitable robe (1,200 won, no abilities) and put it on her.

Then, he carefully placed her in the pocket on the left side of his chest.

It was roughly the right size, fortunately.

"How's this? Is it okay?"

"...It's a bit stuffy, my lord."

Tina, with only her face peeking out of the pocket, continued.

"What is this? I can still walk in non-combat mode."

"No, no. No way. How can you keep up with those short legs?"

"I can run!"

"Use up all your strength before we even fight? You'll exhaust yourself just trying to keep up."

He couldn't just put her on his shoulder or head either.

In that case, he couldn't bear the stares from others.

Tina struggled to come up with another excuse but eventually gave up and sighed deeply.

"...I can't deny it's an efficient method. Please allow it."

"Alright, alright. Good thinking."

Carpe, who usually had no interest in figures, felt his interest skyrocket from that day on.

* * *

Following the Centaur's guidance, Carpe arrived at the Sea Cave.

As befitting a landmark of Luana, the entrance to the cave was crowded with people.

"Looking for a healer for the cave quest!"

"Thief? Thief is... Sorry, the damage dealer spots are already filled."

"15 gold, I'm the best. I'll treat you well. First two to trade, please!"

"Me!"

"Thank you. Thief, don't waste your time, come over here."

"Ugh... Why do thieves get treated like this? I want to join a party too."

It was the usual scene of party recruitment.

After observing for a bit, Carpe approached a girl standing a little away from the cave.

A girl NPC known to Lase players as 'Luana's Angel' or 'Luana's Devil.'

"Wow! I got a 5-star from the skill pack the angel gave me!"

"Ugh, 2-star! What a devilish brat!"

A place of both joy and despair.

The famous 'Sea Cave Quest' of Luana, where people cry and laugh, starts with this girl.

"Divine Messenger! Please help me."

As Carpe approached, the yellow exclamation mark above her head disappeared, and she spoke to him.

"My precious pendant was swept away by the waves into the cave. I can't lose it..."

The dialogue alone gave him a sense of what the quest would be.

Finding lost items is one of the classic quests in RPGs.

"Can you find my pendant for me? I'll give you a precious card I've collected."

"Sure, I'll do it."

"Really? Thank you. But this place is dangerous, so you can't go alone. You must go with another messenger!"

"...I can't go alone?"

"No! The adults said it's very dangerous. If you go alone, I won't give you the card."

"Ah. Alright, I understand."

[You have accepted the quest 'The Girl's Request.']

"Such a straightforward kid."

-This is probably the developers' intention to get you to experience party play, not just solo play. So, are you going to look for a party member now?

"Wait a moment."

Before looking for a party member, Carpe walked up to the cave entrance.

When he placed his hand on the cave entrance, a notification window appeared.

[Do you want to enter the Rare Dungeon 'Sea Cave'?]