Terms
Silence lingered around the table.
The regional map remained spread before them, Aster's finger resting calmly upon the Temple of the Ashen Guardian.
No one spoke.
The recommendation alone was enough to make even experienced players hesitate.
Ironwall scratched the back of his head before letting out a long sigh.
"...This is insane."
Starveil nodded in agreement.
"It really is."
"One mistake in a Regional Dungeon, and we'll all lose a level."
Lifebloom lowered her eyes toward the map.
"We don't even know what monsters are inside..."
"...or the boss."
Another long silence followed.
Finally...
Cole broke it.
She looked at the three guild members with a determined expression.
"If we're going to build a guild, we have to take risks."
"And..."
She glanced at Aster.
"I trust his judgment."
Ironwall laughed helplessly.
"...When our vice captain says it like that, how can I refuse?"
Starveil raised both hands.
"I'll follow."
Lifebloom smiled gently.
"I agree as well."
One after another...
The three accepted.
The party's destination had been decided.
Temple of the Ashen Guardian
---
Aster nodded.
"There is one more condition."
The four immediately looked toward him.
"If I lead this expedition, my information remains confidential."
Cole blinked.
"...Meaning?"
"My in-game name, my level, my skills, my equipment. Everything you see inside the dungeon, stays inside the dungeon."
"No one speaks of it."
"No guild member."
"No friend."
"No forum."
"No one."
His calm voice carried undeniable firmness.
"I prefer remaining unknown."
Cole understood immediately. Without hesitation, she nodded.
"I accept."
She then turned toward her three companions.
This time, her expression became unusually serious.
"I want your word."
"Not as guild members."
"But as teammates."
"What we witness inside that dungeon, never leaves this party."
"If anyone breaks that trust, they'll also lose mine."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Ironwall's relaxed smile disappeared.
He nodded solemnly.
"You have my word."
Starveil adjusted his robes before speaking.
"I won't tell anyone."
Lifebloom placed a hand over her chest.
"I promise."
Aster quietly observed them. Their responses had come too naturally. The seriousness in Cole's eyes couldn't be faked. He considered asking. But chose not to.
Everyone carried their own stories. If they wished to tell him, they would. If not, he had no interest in forcing the matter.
---
"Then..."
Aster spoke again.
"The last thing." "Loot distribution."
The four immediately became attentive. In most temporary parties this was where disagreements usually began.
Aster calmly explained.
"We'll use contribution-based distribution."
"No rolling."
"No first come, first served."
"The rules are simple."
He raised one finger.
"First."
"Coins and ordinary monster materials are divided equally among everyone after the dungeon is cleared."
A second finger.
"Second."
"Common and Uncommon equipment goes to the teammate who can make the best immediate use of it."
"If no one needs it, it will be sold. The profits are divided equally."
"Third."
"Rare-grade equipment, accessories, skill books, or unique materials. The party will discuss them on the spot. The person who benefits the most from the item receives priority."
"If multiple members need the same item, we decide unanimously. No fighting, no hidden resentment."
Finally...
He raised a fourth finger.
"Boss-exclusive items."
"If a class-specific item drops, it automatically belongs to the matching class."
"No objections."
The four listened quietly. The rules were surprisingly straightforward. Ironwall was the first to nod.
"Fair."
Starveil smiled.
"It prevents unnecessary arguments."
Lifebloom agreed as well.
"I like it."
The discussion came to an end. Everyone had accepted Aster's conditions. No one would reveal his identity. No one would disclose his level. No one would speak of the skills they witnessed inside the dungeon.
The loot distribution had also been agreed upon. With everything settled, Aster opened his party interface. One by one, invitations appeared before the four players.
Party Invitation
Accept?
YES / NO
Without hesitation, all four selected YES.
A soft chime echoed.
---
Party Successfully Formed
Party Leader:
Aster
Members:
• Cole
• Ironwall
• Starveil
• Lifebloom
---
The instant the party was established, their party interface automatically synchronized.
Unlike ordinary inspection, party members could view one another's basic information. Each of them instinctively opened the panel.
Then...
Silence.
Cole's eyes widened. Ironwall froze. Starveil nearly dropped his staff. Even the ever-calm Lifebloom covered her mouth in disbelief.
Displayed before them was Aster's information.
---
Aster
Level: 18 (48%)
HP: 2,450 / 2,450
MP: 520 / 520
Class: Hidden
---
"..."
No one spoke.
Level Eighteen?
Ironwall looked as though his mind had stopped working.
"...That..."
"...has to be a mistake."
Starveil repeatedly rubbed his eyes before checking again.
"...Level eighteen?"
"The number isn't changing..."
Lifebloom quietly whispered,
"The current Rank One in Mistvale is only Level Fifteen."
Cole herself stood frozen. She had guessed Aster was strong. Very strong.
Perhaps Level Sixteen. Maybe even Seventeen. But, level Eighteen. He was nearly three levels ahead of the strongest publicly known player in the entire region.
Even more unbelievable, is his class information remained completely hidden.
Aster looked at their stunned expressions.
"Any problems?"
The four simultaneously shook their heads.
"...None."
Aster nodded once.
"Good."
"Then let's move."
Without another word, he walked toward the northern gate. The others hurriedly followed. None of them spoke during the journey.
The silence wasn't awkward. It was disbelief.
Each of them occasionally glanced toward Aster's back. They finally understood...
Why he had insisted on keeping his level confidential. If news spread that someone had already reached Level Eighteen, the entire Mistvale Region would descend into chaos.
---
Several minutes later...
The towering entrance of the Temple of the Ashen Guardian appeared before them. Ancient stone pillars stood on both sides of the massive gate.
Weathered carvings depicted forgotten guardians wielding enormous swords and shields.
An oppressive aura lingered in the air. Even before entering, they could already feel the pressure.
Just as they were about to approach---
Cole's communication crystal suddenly vibrated.
She glanced at the caller. Her expression changed.
"...It's him."
She accepted the call. A young man's voice immediately echoed from the crystal.
"So?"
"Have you decided?"
"I'll only lead your guild through the Regional Dungeon if my conditions are accepted."
"You'll hand me leadership for today's operation."
"All valuable drops belong to me."
"And after the clear, you publicly announce that I'm your guild's official instructor."
Cole remained silent for a moment.
Then calmly answered,
"...I'm sorry."
"We've already found someone to lead us."
The other side immediately fell silent.
"...What?"
"We already have a leader."
"So, we can't agree to your demands."
The voice instantly turned cold.
"...You'll regret this. You think some random player can replace me?"
"When your guild fails, don't come asking for my help. And forget about any future cooperation."
The communication crystal abruptly disconnected.
Cole lowered her hand and sighed.
"...That could've gone better."
Ironwall frowned.
"He was never planning to help us for free."
Starveil shook his head.
"He wanted to use us to build his own reputation."
Lifebloom remained quiet.
Aster simply looked at Cole.
"Finished?"
She smiled awkwardly.
"...Finished."
Aster turned toward the massive stone gate.
"Then let's begin."
Without another word, he walked forward. The four immediately followed. As Aster's hand touched the ancient entrance—
Golden runes spread across the enormous doors.
The temple trembled. The gates slowly opened.
A clear system notification echoed within all five players' minds.
---
Regional Dungeon Entered
Temple of the Ashen Guardian
Difficulty: Normal
Party Members:
5 / 5
Mission:
Conquer the Temple.
Defeat the Guardian.
Survive.
---
As the ancient gates fully opened...
A cold wind carrying the scent of ash drifted from the darkness beyond.
Their first Regional Dungeon had officially begun.