Party or Bust
“We have to form a party?”
The Sea Cave Dungeon requires a minimum party of 2 players to enter.
“Yeah. The Sea Cave Dungeon is one of those that demands at least a two-man party to even step inside.”
“A party, huh... Just to check, do pets or homunculi count as party members?”
“Nah. Players only.”
“Figured as much. What a dirty extrovert game. What are us hardcore introverts supposed to do?”
“Is it really that bad to team up and clear a dungeon...?”
“Anyway, this is awkward as hell.”
Carpe had figured that eventually, he'd have no choice but to party up with other players. He just hadn't expected it to happen now.
“Tina's the issue here.”
“Yeah, that's a valid concern. Goes with the territory of the Magic King's storyline.”
Right now, Carpe was walking a path completely opposite to every other player.
It wasn't just because he'd scored an irregular 0-star Patron Spirit or snagged a Mythic class.
Magic King.
The title given to Dretsch, the first emperor who unified the continent 800 years ago and founded the empire of Arkram.
But that mighty empire and its Magic King ultimately fell to an invasion by some unknown force.
An event known as the False God War.
The kicker? The False Gods who invaded Arkram turned out to be none other than Patron Spirits—the players' supposed allies.
In the most extreme take, Carpe was technically at odds with every single player.
“Wait, saying it out loud makes it ridiculous. Enemies with all users? What kind of job is this?”
“With great power comes great responsibility. Haven't you heard? Besides, other players probably don't even know the Magic King exists. What's there to worry about?”
“Sure for me, but Tina's the problem. She fought in that war 800 years ago firsthand.”
Any random player's Patron Spirit might recognize her and slap a “Kill that thing!” quest on them.
“Just stash her in the Room and only summon when needed. Problem solved.”
“Tch... If it comes to it, yeah. But let's ask first.”
Carpe moved to a secluded spot and summoned Tina from his Room.
“You called for me, my lord?”
Carpe gave her a quick rundown of the situation.
Luckily, Cheonma had already briefed her last night on the current era dominated by Patron Spirits, so it didn't take long.
“I understand the circumstances perfectly, my lord. To cut to the chase: your worries are unfounded.”
According to her, she and the other six dolls were created toward the very end of the False God War.
Plus, the eight of them—including the Magic King—had operated as a guerrilla unit, striking deep into enemy territory. Hardly any False Gods would remember her.
“Even the one I encountered in my sealed chamber didn't recognize me. Likely only a tiny handful of 9-star elites among them would.”
“9-star tier? You fought 9-star Patron Spirits? Impressive.”
Carpe's genuine admiration made Tina blush faintly as she bowed her head.
“My apologies. Due to my long imprisonment, I no longer possess the power I once had.”
“You were plenty strong for someone who's lost it all.”
He still couldn't forget her swordsmanship overwhelming that menacing Patron Spirit.
But Tina shook her head.
“That was the result of burning through every last drop of mana lingering faintly in my soul stone. It's all gone now.”
“Oh?”
Come to think of it, he hadn't properly checked her stats yet.
Carpe opened her status window.
The Magic King's first homunculus, crafted with utmost care. Once an unrivaled knight, she has lost her power and armament due to the ravages of time.
Radiant Learning 8★ – Lv. Master
• Rapid growth in place of lost power.
• 2x EXP gain (cannot exceed player's level).
• Greatly increased chance for exclusive skills from skill packs.
“Tch. Was hoping to leech some rides on Tina from here on out, but no dice.”
“There you go with the guilty conscience again. She went toe-to-toe with 9-stars in her prime, right? Implementing that fully would make her level 400+, which is busted.”
“Fair point. Most old-school RPGs start companions at level 1 anyway.”
He remembered plenty from classic RPGs.
Especially when a powerhouse villain joined your party mid-story!
That thrill of “Finally, time to use this beast,” crushed by them joining at level 1... The letdown. He'd yielded every last hit just to grind them up.
“What era is this? Clinging to such outdated mechanics.”
Deep down, Carpe hadn't seriously expected a free ride either.
...He was just a little bummed confirming it visually.
“It may take time to regain my strength... but please wait. I will return stronger than ever and cut down all who stand against you, my lord.”
“Got it. I believe in you. So, bottom line: partying with others is fine?”
“Yes. But if you're still uneasy, I can change my appearance.”
“Huh? You can do that?”
In lieu of answering, Tina slowly closed her eyes.
Fwoosh!
A brief flash, and her form suddenly shrank dramatically.
“Wh-what? Where'd you go?”
“Over here, my lord!”
“Huh?”
“Down here!”
Carpe looked down to see a pint-sized Tina—exactly like the chibi doll from the coffin, about three-heads-tall and utterly adorable.
“Th-that form?”
“Non-combat mode. HP and MP recovery is 3x faster than combat mode...”
“Perfect!”
Carpe gingerly scooped her up.
“Hold on.”
He whipped open the custom shop, snagged a plain robe (1,200 won, no stats), and draped it over her.
Then, carefully tucked her into the chest pocket.
Eyed it roughly, but luckily, it fit just right.
“How's that? Comfy?”
“...A bit stuffy, my lord.”
Only her face peeked out over the pocket edge as she continued.
“This is ridiculous? I can walk in non-combat mode too.”
“No way. No way. Those stubby legs? You'd never keep up.”
“I can run!”
“Burn all your energy before the fight? You'll exhaust yourself just following.”
Shoulder or head perch? No way he could handle the stares.
Tina grumbled for excuses but soon sighed in defeat.
“...I cannot deny the efficiency. I leave it to you.”
“Good call. Smart thinking.”
Carpe had zero interest in figures before, but today? He was hooked.
Following Cheonma's guidance, Carpe arrived at the Sea Cave.
True to its fame as Ruana's landmark, the entrance swarmed with players.
“LFG for cave quest—healer!”
“Thief? Eh, pass... Sorry, DPS slot filled.”
“15 gold taxi—comfy ride. First two, deal!”
“Me!”
“Yep, thanks. You too, thief—no time waste, c'mon over.”
“Ugh... Why do thieves always get shafted? I wanna party too.”
The usual LFG chaos.
Carpe scanned it briefly, then approached a girl NPC standing off to the side.
Known to RaSe users as “Ruana's Angel” or “Ruana's Demon.”
“Whoa! 5-star from the angel's skill pack!”
“Argh, 2-star! Demon brat!”
Joy and despair intertwined.
Ruana's famed “Sea Cave Quest”—where crowds wept and cheered—started with her.
“Messenger of the gods! Help me out!”
Approaching triggered her yellow exclamation mark to vanish as she spoke to Carpe.
“My precious pendant got swept away by the waves into the cave. I can't lose it...”
Classic lost item fetch quest. RPG staple.
“Will you find it for me? I'll give you my treasured skill cards!”
“Sure, I'll do it.”
“Really? Thank you! But it's dangerous inside—you can't go alone. Take another messenger with you!”
“...Can't I go solo?”
“No! Adults say it's super dangerous. Go alone, no cards for you.”
“Sigh. Fine, got it.”
The Girl's Request
“Bossy kid.”
“Devs nudging solos to try partying. So, time to recruit?”
“One sec first.”
Before LFG, Carpe headed to the entrance and placed his hand on it.
As expected.
Carpe eyed the alert and murmured softly.
“Unlock.”
Hoping it'd bypass the restriction.
But no dice.
“Nope.”
“Hm. Nice try, but no go. Not a total master key, huh.”
“Guess Unlock doesn't work on dungeon entries.”
“Maybe just this one. Test others later.”
No activation notice. Party-hunting it was.
“Sigh. No choice.”
The thought of diving into that recruitment wave already exhausted him.
“Make my own party?”
“Or hit a super crowded spot. Easier to blend in and leech.”
“Hmm.”
“How 'bout this? Grab randos, enter, then PK 'em quick. Dungeon's tough without teamwork, but you don't care.”
“You're no Cheonma—you're a demon.”
“I agree, my lord. Servants of the False Gods must not be spared.”
“...Am I the only sane one here?”
Tempting, but he shook his head.
Carpe wasn't the type to mass-PK just to stay low-profile.
“Whatever, just need someone taciturn.”
Skill didn't matter—he could solo fine, per Cheonma.
Ideal: Silent type, zero chit-chat, quest done, bye.
“Wonder if one's around.”
That's when it happened.
A player approached Carpe mid-ponder.
“Seeking a companion, Tado Tusin?”