[Entry Level: 15]
[Elite Dungeon (Recommended for 4-Player Parties)]
[Orc King’s Cave]
The first elite dungeon players face in *Astria Online*, *Orc King’s Cave*. This is where players learn the basics of party play, divide roles, and understand the fundamentals of named boss fights.
"Hmm."
I stood at the edge of the Orc Forest, staring at the large cave carved into the cliffside, reminiscing for a moment.
It was here that a new adventure began for Isulbi and Rain. It was here that I truly started experiencing the joys of *Astria Online*.
And it was here that I experienced my first death.
Well, technically, it wasn’t my *first* death since I have faint memories from my previous life. But it was the first in this world.
Considering how many times I’ve died since then, it's clear that my life holds little value, at least in-game. If we count the 100% synchronization deaths I experienced here, then I've died plenty.
Reflecting on it now, my life’s worth seems rather cheap. If I hadn’t met my comrades back then, I’d probably have died young, as an inexperienced warrior in my early teens, with just one life to live.
My old body is long gone.
If Chris knew what I was thinking, she'd probably be sad. But that body had long since become useless in battle.
Fortunately, I found a new body when I returned to this world. Though adapting to the 'system' was inconvenient—learning everything from scratch in a new way, distinct from the powers I had accumulated in my old body—I've adjusted to it now.
Now, I've reached a level where I can stand against the demon kind. Mentally, I think I've grown a lot as well.
I’m confident that I can lead the young heroes who’ve come to protect this world.
While I was lost in thought, reflecting on the past, a crowd began to gather in front of *Orc King’s Cave*—mostly newbies and a few higher-level players.
Hurried footsteps.
Startled, I quickly hid behind a nearby rock.
It’s not because I’m shy or scared of the newbies. It’s because they keep pestering me, and it’s getting annoying.
"Already?"
It's been less than half a day since the servers opened, and they’ve already reached level 15?
Of course, the environment is different from when I first leveled up. There are plenty of cheap doping items and food that help with growth, and beginners get lots of support. It’s likely that these newbies will clear this low-level zone in just a day.
I peeked out at the excited newbies, preparing for their first elite dungeon, and shook my head in disbelief.
Still, back in the day, it took at least two or three days to reach the first elite dungeon.
“Ah, back in my day...”
As I sat behind the rock reminiscing, I watched as the newbies began forming parties.
"Fighter, Spirit Mage, Yin Yang Master here! Looking for a Ranger or Warrior! Wizards welcome too!"
"Swordsman available!"
Watching the group of mostly young players, I couldn’t help but laugh.
"Wouldn't it be easier to advertise in the region chat?"
Then again, during my newbie days, we used to gather in front of dungeons and form parties like this too.
Curious, I opened the chat interface and enabled the region messages.
[Quick bus service for beginners! 5 gold per run! 1:1 farming assistance available!]
[Running newbie training parties. Pre-expansion max level 50, experienced raid leader bus available.]
The first thing that caught my eye were the advertisements from veteran players offering bus services.
This must be what *PuuKkilKkil* from the Skada raid was talking about—offering bus rides to newbies for some quick gold.
Since *The Abyssal Tree* is a weekly dungeon and most of the level 50 players have moved on to the expansion quests, it’s not the best time to make money through regular bus services. But I guess these veterans thought they could earn some pocket change while helping the newbies.
Like teachers on a field trip, high-level players were guiding newbies into the dungeon.
*Orc King’s Cave*.
It’s just a low-level elite dungeon that players quickly pass through. Weapons are flooding the auction house, so all the newbies really need to do is farm some accessories and move on.
Most of the newbies entering the game today were younger students, but they still had enough gold for a quick bus run. They seemed intent on skipping through the lower-level zones to start farming in higher-level dungeons.
Of course, while many were opting for bus services, there were still plenty of newbies eager to tackle their first elite dungeon party play with others at their level.
I wiped my nose, feeling a bit sentimental, and nodded approvingly.
"They’re at such a fun stage."
---
I logged out briefly for a quick meal and then logged back in.
The Safety Filter was still in place in front of my eyes.
"When will they fix this?"
I felt like I couldn’t do anything until it was gone.
As I stood around *Orc King’s Cave* watching the newbies, I spotted something odd.
"Hee..."
A small girl was clutching her chest, breathing heavily as she hid in a corner.
She was smaller than me, with bright brown hair cut into a bob. Her large green eyes were filled with a mix of fear and surprise.
It was the cute swordswoman who had bravely fought the *Orc Warrior* earlier.
What scared her?
In her hand was neither a cheaply bought *Orc King’s weapon* from the auction house nor the *Orc Warrior’s sword* obtained from the field boss.
Despite the fact that she could’ve earned some gold from killing monsters, was she the type to save her money?
As I quietly watched her from behind a rock, the girl shook her head firmly, bit her lip, and renewed the resolve in her green eyes.
She then began walking toward the entrance of *Orc King’s Cave*.
Alone?
"Wait, wait!"
I quickly emerged from behind the rock and grabbed the hem of her clothes just as she was about to enter the dungeon.
"Heek!?"
She struggled in surprise, trying to shake free from my grip.
"No, no! I'm not a bad person!"
I scratched my head, trying to calm the startled girl.
But seriously, why was she trying to enter the elite dungeon alone?
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---
"Training party?"
"Yup. Hehe, high-level players help newbies like this."
The girl tilted her head in confusion.
I couldn’t stop smiling as I looked at her.
Her voice was so cute!
Her bright green eyes were so big and round, and her chubby, youthful face was just adorable.
Her tiny, delicate movements were just too cute.
Step by step.
We walked together through the first zone of the elite dungeon, *Orc King’s Cave*.
Since we were in a party, I could now see her nickname.
[Level 15 Swordswoman 'Nagi']
"So, your nickname is Nagi."
"Yes. And your name is Drizz...?"
Nagi mumbled as she read my nickname displayed on the party interface.
"You can call me Rain."
"Rain... unnie."
Her soft voice called me *unnie*, making my heart skip a beat.
"Ugh!"
I clutched my chest.
*Unnie*.
Hearing that word from a child smaller than me was too much for my heart.
Chris, you've been hoarding all the good words for yourself this whole time!
"So, were you planning to clear the elite dungeon alone?"
"Is it bad to play solo in this game...?"
"Well, not exactly, but this is an elite dungeon. Didn't you see the sign recommending a 4-player party?"
"It’s only a recommendation."
I stood there, speechless.
She was right.
Elite dungeons aren't technically “4-player dungeons.” They’re just *recommended* for a party of four.
There are ways to clear them solo, even at the appropriate level.
This girl had a mindset similar to mine.
"So, have you been playing solo this whole time?"
Nod, nod.
Is this how Chris unnie felt when she looked at me?
Even though I’d done the same thing, I was still surprised to see a bold newbie like this.
I might be an irregular case, but Nagi seemed like a regular player. It wouldn’t be easy for her.
Could she really clear this dungeon alone?
At first, I thought I'd just show her the boss patterns, kill them quickly, and let her farm her accessories and move on.
But now...
"Alright."
My plan had changed.
I decided to support her challenge.
"I'll guide you from behind. Do you want to try soloing?"
Nagi's face lit up.
"Yes!"
---
[First Named Boss]
[Level 16 Orc Fighter]
[HP: 9,209 / 10,500 (88%)]
*Boom!*
"Kyaa!"
*Thud.*
"Nagi! What did I tell you to do when a counterattack comes?"
"Cu... Cut the damage!"
After being knocked down by the *Orc Fighter’s* punch, Nagi quickly scrambled to her feet. At her level, her HP had likely taken a significant hit.
Nagi was quickly learning the boss's attack patterns. As I suspected, she had a remarkable ability to adapt for a newbie swordswoman.
But something seemed off about her reaction after taking that punch.
Her face was twisted in pain.
For a minor player, even with high synchronization, she shouldn’t be feeling this much pain.
Of course, at 100% synchronization, like me, a punch like that would be unbearable. I’d likely lose
consciousness and be forcibly ejected from the game. Bearing the pain with 100% sync is abnormal, but Nagi’s sync rate must be quite high.
"Ugh!"
Raising her sword once again, Nagi braced herself as the *Orc Fighter* charged at her. Her eyes reflected both fear and determination.
*Clang!*
I rushed forward, blocking the orc’s gauntlet, and pulled Nagi out of the combat zone, holding her close.
______________________
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