Lesser Silk Spitter's Carapace

The first enemies we came across was a group of four adolescent giant spiders at level fifty. Like the natural tanks they were, they only took twice as much damage from my Spirit Slashes as the Berserker Officer had but that also meant the rest of my main attacks were twice as effective. After that brief experiment, the team was once again divided to target a spider on either side of the room while I maintained the other two.

Since our familiars were left behind, this was much easier said than done. Hermes and neither his nor Oleander's tree dragon were around to deal damage or tank. This meant Go had to fight for himself while Oleander and Ivana shared the other spider. However, as a precaution Oleander would used her heal both times it was available during the fight.

At fifty mana per cast at its current level with her abilities, this was nearly a wasted one hundred mana. However, Go kind of did need all the support her could get when facing and enemy with four frontal reaching weapons and the potential for a heavily toxic bite. This automatically kept him on the defensive, dealing basic damage to the legs he defended against.

When it took the four of us just over two minutes to deal with as many spiders, I could understand why I had not yet received a notification for the spider boss' death. Therefore, since we were the assisting team, I called our familiars back from harvesting. As it turned out, the familiars really did make up no less than half of our offensive power, especially the over-leveled elite monster named Hermes.

After making it passed three more groups of these adolescent spiders we came to a heavily webbed doorway. This was probably the exit to the spider boss's chamber and, like everywhere else, would have to but cut through. However, even through the dense webbing we could clearly hear the sounds of spells and shouting as well as the general din and clatter of weaponry.

"360 Geist!" I call out as I attack the webbed doorway, easily ripping through the multiple layers of dense webbing with numerous ethereal misty blades.

[Acquired Dense Web x14]

Once the webbing fell away it was to reveal a room in which the others and their familiars were fighting a true sized gigantula as well as two 'Superior Giantula' that were as big as adolescents. The main boss was only down to around sixty percent of its health while the others were below half but the rest of my team and familiars had them surrounded. Stonewall was going head-to-head with the boss while everyone else focused on the minions or just painted the entire group in magic.

"We have the stealth position, unleash a full physical ranged volley on the boss and then unload your spells," I inform the others. "This is their fight so we won't run in and engage, but we can still lighten the load for them." Then I drew my Galvanized Elder Bokuto from my pocket.

Next, as the others readied their own ranged weapons, I led the attack by throwing the sword from over my head as if it were an ax. With an Air Cannon exploding right behind it to double its speed and force.

Almost twenty points overall dropped from the main spider's health bar and actually confused its aggro, making the spider turn its body toward us. Taking the aggro back, Stonewall used his Shield Bash to stagger the spider that was even bigger than he was. Then I led my team in unloading magical attacks.

Roughly a minute later, the fight was over and we received the same notifications for first Easy Mode boss clear and a bunch of experience that brought me one third away from level thirty-three. Stonewall, though, got the bonus experience for landing the final hit. Then Stonewall received the max amount of every loot the boss dropped, which was mostly stuff like 'Lesser Silk Spitter's Carapace'.

The accessory that this boss offered, though, was a Spinneret Pendant that gave the wearer the ability to cast webs like a spider several times a day. An accessory like this was already as good as or better than Quick Quake for immobilizing groups of enemies and it was only the Easy Mode reward. In harder modes, it probably allowed you to produce more webs a day as well as increase magic stats by more than three apiece.

Looking at my character page, I simply stare at the end of the experience gauge where it shows '/5600' for how much experience was required to reach level thirty-three. Thirty-four would required fifty-eight-hundred and thirty-five would need a full six thousand experience. At the same rate, level forty needed seven thousand, forty-five required eight, but level fifty jumped right to ten thousand.

Level fifty was the last level revealed in the company's basic guides, showing the general theme of how experience requirements grew. Of course there was sure to be another bottleneck right around the corner in which the experience requirement suddenly jumped to multiple tens of thousands. However, my team was already facing some enemies that gave out triple digit experience.

However, the estimates originally project by players was problematic. We were supposed to be entering the triple digit experience gains with monsters in the thirties. Maybe the type of monster helps determine the experience, like with the sun eagle?

It was while contemplating these misguided or misguiding online reports about the game that I traveled through the hallway with Hermes using 360 Edge and Flying Guillotine to quickly harvest webs. The others helped a little but it was simply easier for us. Our jump heights and maneuverability buffs were simply that much higher than theirs.

Once we got back to the next T where the enemies became pairs of berserkers with pairs of spiders, we took a rest to check on our equipment while our mages and myself used transmutation to perform light armor repairs. While it was possible to fully restore a piece of armor with alchemy, it would only work once and the next times would lower durability. After these runs we would have to make proper repairs by replacing weaving and other possible parts to conserve durability.

With the entire team back together again even these groups of the strongest enemies so far introduced did not last for more than a minute or two apiece. While I was somewhat satisfied with the speed of our progress I had to remind myself that we were still in the Easy Mode of a higher leveled dungeon than what we were used to.

The general theme for early dungeons was that minimal numbers and levels will be present in the Easy Mode while levels would go up in Normal and then numbers would rise in Difficult. For Hard mode, though, all of the mobs became elites. Once we actually entered Normal mode with raised levels, these groups would take about one-and-a-half minutes per mob.

After doing some quick math once we reached the end of the hall passed the groups of heavy mobs I realize that we had been here for a little over half an hour. It was taking us more than half an hour to complete an estimated level forty or forty-five dungeon. None of us were even level thirty-five yet.

"We may have to cop out and just repeat Normal Mode for the rest of our entries," I decide while making estimates on the experience and loot values of enemies in the next mode. "We can just close entry to the dungeon to anyone else until we've secured all the loots and achievements first. We're also on a mission so we can't just up and commit, you know?"

"We've all already leveled up at least once," Go agrees.

"Our equipment is the main issue," Oleander sighs. "Even L- Hack has had some trouble even though he's only using one weapon. These mobs in EASY have fourth and fifth tier defenses and attacks while our weapons are third tier. And, no matter how amazing our armor is for its grade, the materials are still lower in grade than the monsters we're fighting. We're using D grade at best while these guys have been B at times. If this is a dungeon with enemies at Winter Wood level…"

She had a point. As much as I had wanted to keep my sword and equipment basic for the most part to prove my strength and skill against the game, Having a sword that had an attack rating in the thirties was finally dragging me down

With a Strength of over one hundred and forty points to add over seventy damage to my attacks, I could hit an enemy for over a hundred damage give or take a dozen or so based on their defenses. Because I was an evasive fighter my armor was fine… except against bosses. Now, though, I not only knew that boss's skills but also stole one of them.

"We have materials and some equipment as well as magic," Papi points out to Oleander. "As well as your, Merch's, and Hack's crafting skills. Let's just set up a forge and produce some new weapons just for the dungeon. Later, when we can make proper replacements for our main gear, we can sell the weapons we make here to make our money back."

Shaking my head while looking down the opened wall at the end of the tunnel to find a short hallway with two groups of enemies, I say, "We would still have to wait to clear hardcore mode once we have a proper clan. The party and clan name may be the same, but the achievement will only count to us individually instead of counting toward an entire clan. We'll need clan achievements for clan buffs, you know."

Frowning at me, now, Papi asks, "Didn't you say we should wait until after the currency exchange to start the clan when the currency changes? That means we'll have to wait til at least the end of the weak to do Hardcore! Aren't we trying to rush for reputation and stats right now because you're at the top of the rankings? Are we really going backwards right now?!

"You know what they say, one step forward is two steps back," I reply with a smirk, ignoring the fact that I had just shredded the context and purpose of the phrase's meaning. "We're making omelets, Papi, what do you do when you're breaking eggs? I mean, when you're making omelets?"

"I don't even know why I'm here sometimes," Papi sighs, just giving up and starting down the hall. "Whatever we're doing, let's just get it over with and move on. That friggin' cape of resistance better be worth it."

"Mantle of Aegis, but yeah I feel the same," I reply while winking at Go and Lil nearby before following Papi into the next hall. "At least that friggin' cape brought us to this dungeon that we no own, right? Kinda paid for itself, already. I mean, we have enough Dense Web to build a base with."

"We have a base," Oleander points out while everyone follows Papi's lead to let him relieve some stress.. "Either at the lodge or at the grove, we have bases."

Keeping up with Papi from behind and to the left, I gesture for Hermes to take up the opposite position as we near the first group and Papi uses one of his cooled buffs.

"We can't use the grove," I say while taking up a passive turret-like position just sweeping Spirit Blades left and right while Hermes watches Papi's back as he rushed into the fight. "The grove belongs to a giant introvert, you really think he wants an entire clan working around him?"

Stonewall caught up with Papi a few seconds later, slamming his shield around sideways to knock two berserker down with easy, saying, "But the golem made the building, all that land, and he put in a driveway that faces the highway! Plus, if we open up this dungeon… that's just asking for trouble through all the traffic in the region. If we don't have a presence there, the grove will be cut down and farmed by monochromatic assholes."

"That's what the Delai family is for," I argue as my mana finally winds down by a third before the first group of berserkers were overwhelmed and we moved on to the group of spiders at the back. "We can set up an outpost there and we'll have to take care of it at first but once everything is settled they'll be able to keep a task force there to guard the grove and oversee dungeon operations. NPCs can use the dungeons as well, remember? If players want to use our dungeon, they'll fuck off from our grove!"

"Magic," Papi calls out, signaling for an artillery volley of magical skills that drop the entire group of spiders almost down to half health. Then he rushed in like before and I returned to being a passive turret that was only worth half of my true damage. Considering this damage ignored defense and the strong point of these spiders were their defenses, though, my attacks still did around three percent of damage that swiftly stacks through multiple bodies.

[+80XP]

When the last spider fell the once again blank wall at the end of the tunnel began reacting but instead of opening it simply formed a large stone door. These smooth masonry slabs were connected in the middle by a broad dark bronze bar on which were etched numerous rows of glowing glyphs and symbols. Then, Papi asks, "Who still has a buff to use? Six minutes until my second is ready."

"We used ours for the last boss fight," Lil complains while frowning with her cheeks puffed out a little. "I have fourteen minutes left and Agnes probably has just as long"

"I have about as long as Papi," Oleander points out, trying to be helpful. Then, grinning wickedly, she looks at me and says, "Don't you belong to a goddess? Say a prayer for us, oh great leader."

"He's a warrior, craftsman, mage, not even human anymore, and a psychic," Papi seems to complain quietly. "Now you're asking him to take even our jobs from us?"

[You're more of a chosen one than a priest or paladin, do chosen ones get buffs?]

"Usually they get a passive party buff like the training and experience thing your title gives me," I confirm, earning surprised looks from the others. "It also depends on the particular person, like what kind it is if they get one at all because it may or may not suit their methods and so on."

[I see]

"Are you talking Melpomene right now?" Papi asks me tiredly, glaring at Oleander who was looking anywhere but at the current acting team leader.

[Acquired Skill: Divine Intervention]

[+50XP]

"Yeah, sorry," I reply, unable to look at him as well and turning around to read my notification.

[Divine Intervention LV MAX: When all hope seems lost and you find yourself on your last leg, look toward the heavens for the chance at salvation. Simply by voicing the words, 'help me, Melpomene, you're my only hope' you're beloved goddess will bestow a random blessing upon you and your party. Can be used once every hour]

[Acquired Unique Title: Melpomene's Chosen Champion]

[+500XP]

[Melpomene's Chosen Champion: Legendary. Passive. As one of the few mortals to catch the eyes of one or more gods, you have been acknowledged as Melpomene's Chosen Champion after receiving her blessing to bless others with her power. As further proof of her undeniable favor for you, +5 to all stats and +5% Loot/XP to you and your party. While wearing this title, the cool time for yours and the blessings of others in your party are reduced by half and you even bear some of Her authority. +50 Imperial Reputation]

[Acquired Unique Title: Classless Paladin]

[+500]

[Title Upgrade: Classless Oracle]

[Your right to the Classless Paladin title was revoked by: Melpomene]

[Acquired Unique Title: Classless Oracle]

[+1000XP]

[Classless Oracle: Legendary. Passive. As the first classless player to bear the authority of a god, you have been recognized as the Classless Oracle because your will may represent a divine's will just like the advanced paladin class. Thanks to the divine power carried by your soul, all stats are raised by 5, MVSPD is increased by 10%, you and those not considered your enemies are passively healed 5 HP/MP every three seconds in your presence, and you now have Curse Immunity. Undead of any kind now fear you. +100 Imperial Reputation]

"Please don't be mad, it's not even my fault this time," I say as I walk over to a nearby wall and just start banging my head on it for five damage a smack. "I was asked a question and I answered based on fantasy knowledge, it's Oleander's fault it happened. I don't want everyone to keep being mad at me."

"How bad is it?" Go asks after walking up and smacking me in the back of the head so that the next hit did ten damage and I was forced to stop.

"Two titles worth ten stats points, passive team buffs, and one-fifty world reputation," I reply tiredly while the others come up and pat my head to try and console me. "I even got a random blessing skill, but the invocation is… embarrassing. It's a total rip-off, literally."

"Cast the buff and I'll forgive you," Papi says with a short bark of a laugh.

[Do it with feeling]

Glaring at the prompt that appeared after Papi tried to provoke me, I just sigh tiredly before dropping to my knees clutching my hands together against my chest and crying out, "Help me, Melpomene, you're me only hope!"

[All stats and parameters have been raised raised by 10% for 1hr]

[Agility has temporarily exceeded 200. Will experience appropriate perks]

"Holy shit!" Papi exclaims after receiving the notification from my buff. "That's not fair! How come your buff is so strong?!"

"Because I did it with feeling," I reply with a shrug, while walking over to the door and touching the magic bar locking the boss room door. "Now, let's get this over with."

*