chapter 168 mocking

Raven stood at the dungeon entrance, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The area around him was packed with players—some forming teams for Hard Mode, others still struggling with Normal Mode, but everyone had their own goals.

Yet, when he spoke—

"Need one more player for Hell Mode."

—the noise of the crowd didn't die down.

It got louder.

At first, no one took him seriously. Most players were too busy coordinating their own groups to pay attention. But then, someone noticed his level.

[System Display: Raven - Level 1]

And that was when the ridicule began.

The Doubters Speak

A nearby swordsman blinked at the party interface, then laughed. "Yo, check this out—a Level 1 is trying to run Hell Mode."

His friend, a shield user, turned and snorted. "What? Dude probably doesn't even have full gear yet."

Another player, a robed magician, leaned over to check. "Maybe he's a noob who doesn't know what he's doing?"

"No way, no one's that dumb. Probably a troll."

And just like that, people started piling on.

The Crowd Joins In

A group of archers chuckled among themselves. "Yo, I bet he thinks this is one of those MMOs where you can leech XP by standing in the back."

Another tank scoffed. "Or he thinks he's some anime protagonist who's gonna 'prove the power of skill over levels.'"

A rogue whistled. "Maybe he bought a carry service and got scammed? Now he's hoping someone will take pity on him."

More and more players turned to look at him, laughing, mocking, and shaking their heads.

Some were even genuinely frustrated.

A well-armored warrior, clearly someone who had struggled through Hard Mode, frowned. "Damn noobs. This is why we can't have nice things. People like this waste raid slots."

A cleric rolled their eyes. "I hate these wannabe pros who think they're special. Just because the game isn't level-locked doesn't mean skill alone will carry you through Hell Mode."

A rogue muttered, "Watch, he's gonna get wrecked at the entrance."

And yet—Raven didn't react.

The Team's Reactions

Liz smirked, watching the reactions. "Wow. They're really losing their minds over this."

Ana grinned. "It's fun watching them talk big when they have no clue."

Daniel, arms crossed, let out a breath. "They don't get it. Not yet."

Mist Low, of course, enjoyed the scene the most. He placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "Ah, such raw, unfiltered ignorance. It's almost inspiring."

Raven, still standing there, completely ignored the noise.

Despite the jeers, taunts, and mocking laughter, no one stepped forward.

Not a single player was willing to join Raven's Hell Mode run.

The crowd continued their jokes, some players even making exaggerated gestures as if they were writing a tragedy script about his doomed dungeon attempt.

But among the sea of ridicule and arrogance, there was one person—just one—watching with interest.

A Shadow in the Crowd

Unlike the others, this player didn't laugh.

They didn't sneer.

They didn't comment.

They just stood there, silently observing.

Hidden beneath a dark hood, their face wasn't visible, but their body language was relaxed—almost too casual. As if they were simply enjoying the show rather than judging.

They weren't looking at Raven's level.

They weren't looking at the mocking crowd.

They were looking at Raven himself.

The way he stood, unshaken.

The way he ignored the noise.

The way he smirked, as if he already knew the outcome.

This wasn't the stance of a desperate noob.

It was the stance of someone who was waiting.

Not for help.

Not for pity.

But for the right moment.

The hooded figure's lips curled into an amused grin.

"…Interesting."

The jeers and laughter showed no signs of stopping.

If anything, they got worse.

Even after Raven stood his ground, ignoring the crowd, their amusement only grew.

"Holy crap, this guy's serious!"

"Damn, a Level 1 thinking he can clear Hell Mode?"

"Is he trying to speedrun death?"

"Maybe he thinks Hell Mode is a tutorial?"

A nearby archer grinned. "Yo, imagine if he actually makes it past the first wave."

His friend snorted. "Not happening. Five silvers says he dies before the first boss."

"Ten says he doesn't even make it to the first boss."

A rogue added, "Twenty if he doesn't survive the first mob spawn."

More and more bets piled up, while players pointed and laughed at Raven's still-calm expression.

He didn't react.

Didn't flinch.

Didn't move.

Liz chuckled. "Damn, they really don't get it."

Ana grinned. "I love watching idiots dig their own graves."

Daniel, arms crossed, sighed. "They won't be laughing for long."

And then—

A New Power Enters the Scene

A hush fell over the players.

Not because they'd suddenly realized their mistake.

Not because they stopped underestimating Raven.

But because new figures arrived.

And nobody wanted to mess with them.

The air changed.

Armored footsteps echoed.

A line of players, all wearing the same uniform crest, marched forward in perfect sync. Their armor gleamed, their weapons were polished and deadly, and they carried themselves like they owned the battlefield.

They did.

Because this was Rainbow Solutions.

And leading them—a figure that made even the boldest players step back—

Elder Mirsha.

She was scammed by frost eye and brainless girl but still didn't know all the loot the rainbow solutions are earning going to frost eye place.

When the rainbow solutions arrived all are silent.