Wind Cave Dungeon
Wind Cave Dungeon.
Just three months ago, it was a hunting ground every beginner had to pass through, and blacksmith Zeke's "Wind Essence" quest was considered essential for the Ruana region.
The main monsters there, wind spirits, gave 1.2 to 1.3 times more experience than other same-level mobs, and their drops were pretty decent too.
But above all, the real draw was the chance for "one-shot" kills.
-Truth is, for a hunting spot to get popular, drops matter more than EXP. EXP you can just grind out by killing a few extra mobs if you put in the time.
But items? Not so much.
To get specific gear, you had to hunt specific monsters or do quests.
And if that specific gear outperformed same-level equipment?
Wind Cave was exactly that case.
"Hmm. So what's this specific item?"
-Wind spirits drop "wind-infused gear" at a super low rate.
Individually, the pieces weren't anything special.
In fact, they were slightly inferior to other rare-grade gear at the same level.
But the true value of the Wind gear only shone when you collected multiple pieces.
Commonly known as the "Wind Set."
It was none other than a precious set item.
"Whoa, that's actually pretty good."
But with that "very low" drop rate, bad luck could mean grinding till graduation level without a single piece.
Collect Wind Essence and bring it to blacksmith Zeke, and you could pick one Wind Set piece.
Of course, Wind Essence had a low drop rate too, so it meant serious grinding.
Still, it was a "fixed price" path to gear through effort alone, even if luck sucked.
"Yeah. Pretty user-friendly dungeon for RaSe."
Except for one thing: it was an open dungeon.
Every game has greedy bastards. They weren't gonna leave a sweet spot like this alone.
Honey pots always attract flies.
Carpe accepted the quest and stepped out of the forge.
Then he logged into RaSe IpVen and searched for "Wind Cave" posts.
"Whoa. This is no joke."
Anyone in the know already knew, and posts were overflowing.
Most were rants about the current controlling guild, KD.
Skimming the posts, Carpe got the gist.
The control started three months ago.
A mid-tier guild suddenly seized Wind Cave and started killing everyone nearby.
But their reign didn't last.
About a week later, users with grudges banded together, formed a new guild, and kicked them out.
People cheered.
Justice had smitten the evildoers—who wouldn't cheer?
But it was short-lived.
The alliance formed to break the control started enforcing their own.
The excuse was ridiculous.
"We worked hard to break the control— you just watched."
"Those who tried first deserve the rewards."
Protests against their honey-pot monopoly were met with mass player kills.
Kick out one control guild, a stronger one takes over.
"Human greed knows no bounds, and history repeats..."
The guild that ousted them started controlling too, got ousted, and the cycle continued.
Until KD Guild broke the infinite chain.
A month ago, they crushed the controllers and moved in—insanely strong.
Guilds rushed to push them out, even alliances formed, but KD was an iron wall.
They smashed every challenger, solidifying control.
This crazy guild even passed gear to new recruits when veterans leveled up and left, maintaining power levels.
Right now, KD was an unbreakable wall, and Wind Set prices were skyrocketing.
The "national school uniform set" was now a luxury for the rich.
All in just three months.
"These kinds of groups are in every game. Games should just be for fun. Tsk tsk."
"Doesn't sit right with me."
It was just like reality.
Scumbags clawing for every advantage, weak always victims.
Some play games to escape that... but even games turn real.
As a fun-seeker, Carpe found it grating.
"Fun-seeker trait: loves shitting on other people's parties."
Especially bad guys' parties.
"As expected, bro's got a hot heart."
"Indeed, my liege. The hounds of prestige—nay, those anti-chivalric scum trampling the weak—deserve no mercy!"
"Nah, it's not that deep..."
Truth was, Carpe wasn't some justice zealot.
Not a hero of righteousness. He avoided hassle when possible.
His only reason for Wind Cave?
"Gives tons of EXP, right? Best spot for my current level."
"Then we're going. Who are you to block my leveling?!"
Carpe's goal: pure leveling!
Just a little payback for messing with it.
"That them?"
Out Ruana's north gate, 30 minutes north through the wasteland, the massive cave entrance appeared as the wilds ended.
Guarding it: about ten guys.
A fresh gray corpse faded before them.
"Right place."
They rummaged the spot, cackling.
"Ah, this guy's a brokeass too. Why are they all poor?"
"'Cause they're poor, they come here. Rich buy at auction—why grind?"
"True. No good loot, boring as hell. Hurry up and—huh? Who're you?"
The leader reacted as Carpe approached.
Skinhead with a greatsword.
"Hey, this is no-entry zone. Don't wanna see blood? Scram."
"No entry? Why?"
"Sigh. Still newbies like this? RaSe must be peak game—tons flooding in clueless."
Shing.
Skinhead drew his greatsword from his back, aiming at Carpe.
"One more time: fuck off. Turn now, I might let you."
"Whoa, Rakan, what's up? Swinging first thing."
"Girlfriend's birthday today. No need for blood on a good day?"
"Kekeke. Crazy fuck. Just killed one and bullshitting."
"Oh yeah? Kekeke."
They all burst laughing; Carpe smiled along.
"Really wanna go in. Heard great leveling here."
"Leveling? Kekeke. Total psycho. Fine, if you insist—pay admission."
"Admission?"
"Yeah... say, 10k gold? Pay up, we'll escort proper! Kekeke."
10k gold could buy a full five-piece Wind Set at auction.
Basically, "no way in."
"Don't have 10k. Oh well."
"Fine, special mercy—scram qui—hey, what the fuck?!"
"Just walking? 10k guide's too pricey. Next time. Touring solo this go."
"...Ha. This fucker's done."
Rakan realized he was being mocked, face red.
"You asked for it. Die!"
Whoosh!
Rakan swung his greatsword at Carpe's head, fast.
Hero-grade greatsword, +8 enhanced masterpiece.
Strength warrior, most stats in STR. Confident it'd cleave the rat in one.
But.
Clang!
"...Huh?"
Rakan's swing stopped cold—in Carpe's hand.
You have received a preemptive strike from another player.
You are now entering combat with KD Guild members.
Legitimate self-defense established due to preemptive strike. No PK penalty for defeating KD Guild members.
"Right back at ya. You asked for it."
"This fucker dares—"
Thwack!
Rakan's words cut off.
Carpe's fist flew—one punch decapitated him.
"..."
Stunned KD members gaped as Carpe beckoned with a finger.
"Wanna live? Pay 10k gold. Then you're safe."
"Crazy fuck, kill him!"
"Call the insiders! Ranker second-timer!"
The war with KD began.