9. Learn about the world with Ms. Hive

Falusha, being the starter town, was a large but relatively unremarkable place. It lacked the unique features of more advanced cities, as it served as the entry point for most players. The city offered standard amenities and structures commonly found in other places, but its greatest advantage lay in the nearly non-existent likelihood of monsters infiltrating its streets.

"Four years!?" Hive exclaimed. "No way. I don't believe you."

Harvey had shared the story of his time in the labyrinth with her. Reluctantly, he opened up to a friend about the challenges he faced. However, even though he disclosed information about Elizabeth, he consciously omitted the details about Harlow and Arla.

"The world's greatest gamer strikes again. I'm not sure I would have been able to survive a year in that hell-hole, especially not if I lost a signif—" Hive halted herself, realizing her unintentional lack of emotional sensitivity. "Sorry."

"No, it's fine. I've gotten over it... actually, I haven't, but there's something I'd like your help with," Harvey paused, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket.

"The list of ingredients for your special sword?"

"A unique weapon— but yes, a list of materials." Harvey looked at the note, Drake's handwriting was the real-life equivalent of pouring paint on a canvas while blindfolded. "Nope." Harvey handed the paper over to Hive and she took it from him.

"A core from a Marsh Dragon, four Golem seals, a blumrose petal and the wing of a Great Night." Hive handed the note back to Harvey. "Nope,"

She can read that?

"Nope? As in you won't help me?"

"We have a higher chance of finding a perfectly sculptured diamond ring in the ocean than we do finding a Blumrose Petal." Hive made a gesture with her arms as they continued walking. "And then, don't get me started on the Core of a Marsh Dragon. Those things are crazier than my Aunt Debra."

"I should be able to get all the materials alone, I just need you to tell me where to look."

"Of course you can, you're Hajun the condemned!" Hive giggled softly. "I'm just joking, I'll help you out. Only because I want to learn all your gaming secrets."

"Thanks."

"But before that, are you sure there's nothing else you want or need to know?" Hive stopped and Harvey who trailed behind her did as well.

"Hmm. I want to know about the faction that has the city on lockdown."

"The faction that has Falusha shaking in its boots," Hive began walking and so did Harvey. "How did you hear about their existence?"

"What do you mean?"

"You were in the labyrinth for four years? And the takeover of Falusha happened two years ago." Hive questioned.

"When I came out, I met an NPC that told me all about it."

"I see," Hive pointed at a tower in the distance. "That's where the king of the city resides or resided rather, he's dead now. So there goes the location of the faction member."

"Why?"

"Why did he kill the king?" Hive pondered. "I dunno, probably a minor dispute about who's the better artist between Taylor and Ariana."

"..."

Hive observed Harvey's serious expression, realizing he was genuinely concerned. "Well, from what I've heard – and it's just rumors – the faction is searching for something, some kind of weapon that could potentially control the world."

"Control? So the only way out of this hell hole is completing the game?"

"Probably, I doubt that's what they're going for though."

"How?" Harvey inquired as they passed under a bridge, surrounded by humans seeking shelter, coughing while wrapped in blankets.

Society was crumbling, and though he didn't yet grasp the entire extent of the economy, the fact that he paid one million to Drake for the lightweight equipment he bought spoke volumes.

"I think they want this world for themselves, a world they can control. If they're ever leaving the game, they're coming back with more players somehow," Hive explained her thought process as they emerged from the bridge.

"You really think that?"

"It's just my theory, I've clashed with a faction member before and let's just say I'm one of the lucky ones."

"Even you couldn't beat them?" Harvey looked at his hands, clutching them into a fist. Was his current ability enough or was there still a large power gap?

"Poor things," Hive muttered.

"Who?"

"The bridge dwellers, with Falusha on lockdown and equipment costing a fortune, they can't venture into labyrinths, and neither can they leave the city. Eventually, they'll end up—"

"Why doesn't everyone come together to kill the faction member?" Harvey asked and Hive glanced back at him.

"He's heavily guarded and formidable, he wouldn't have been able to assassinate the king otherwise," Hive remarked, casually placing her hands behind her head. "Besides, if I can't handle one on my own, it'll require an exceptional fighter to take him down."

"Do you think I'll be able to?" Harvey asked and Hive continued walking, not reacting to his question.

"Who knows you might and you might not be able to, it won't be a breeze though that's for sure... So what else do you want to know?"

"Where can we get the stuff on the list?"

"About the city dimwit."

"Oh."

Their interaction during the tournament back on Earth had been short, but even in those brief moments, Harvey could sense that Hive played the role of a big sister to everyone she met, even complete strangers like him.

"Hmm," Harvey mused as they strolled through the streets, observing various places and things. "Oh, what's that?"

"That's the guild," Hive explained. "If Falusha wasn't on lockdown right now, it would be open and players would be able to go on missions.

"And that?" Harvey pointed toward his left.

"A trading center, it's how most of the players have been surviving. Trading their starter equipment for food or money, doesn't help that the economy fell through the floor though."

"Oh... what about that?"

"Oh it's a slave store, you can purchase slaved NPCs to join your party. You said an NPC explained the situation of the city to you right? There's a high chance it was from there." She explained.

"Oh, what about that then?" Harvey quickly changed topics.

"That's an entertainment district."

"And that was my last question."

Hive laughed softly as she stopped to stretch, "You want to get a Marsh Dragon Core?"

"Yeah, where do we get one?"

"On the outskirts of the city but before we head there, there's something important I need to tell you," Hive said, turning toward Harvey, her expression more serious than he had ever seen before.

"What..." Harvey answered cautiously.

"We're lost."