Infinite Realm

North district, Black Rock City.

Black Rock City was often referred to as a border city as it was one of the few cities charged with defending the borders of the kingdoms from both monsters and alien invaders. As a result, the city was developed more like a fortress than a regular city. However, with the unearthing of ores in Kiro mountains as well as another mountain range, alongside the discovery of abundant low-level resources in Stone Creek Forest and Letion Plains, Black Rock city began styling itself as a merchant stop, becoming more open and resourceful while boasting of impressive economic strength. Nonetheless, it still didn't forget its roots as a defence city.

Similar to the partitioning done at the town level, Black Rock City was divided into 5 districts. Due to their proximity to the kingdom's border, the North and West districts housed the city's two major barracks. The South district, which leads deeper into the kingdom, served as the financial heart of the city, being the headquarters of most merchant companies that operated here as well as the site of the city's largest market. The East district was a bit similar to the South but lower in significance and magnitude.

A party of 8 individuals, all garbed in black cloaks, were currently making their way to a hospital in the North district. Since the North district -just like the West district- was home to the city's military forces as well as being the closest part of the city exposed to danger, a hospital was erected at the spot, ready to provide immediate services to the military in case of an attack.

Also, most of the levelling maps above level 10 could easily be accessed from the North gate. As a result of that, most players made the North district their home with only a few of the production-type lifestyle classes and merchants moving to the East district. So with the arrival of the players into the city, the North district had become more lively.

The 8 individuals currently making their way to the hospital were Sato's team of seven alongside Layla Arnhaunt. While the seven of them walked on their own, Sato carried Layla on his back. As for why they all wore black cloaks, it was to avoid unnecessary attention from the populace.

Luckily for them, the hospital wasn't built so far from the North gate and it only took the team a 15-minute carriage ride to get to it.

Despite the technological time period of Infinite Realm being in the middle ages but with more fantasy and magic, the organization, custom, and operation of the facilities within were more suited to the modern age. Due to the fact that Layla's case was an emergency, Sato was able to go through the usual steps for admittance and Layla received priority treatment right away.

"So what next?" Fudo asked immediately after Sato left the ward.

"We still have a dungeon to complete. Don't tell me that you want to leave it be?" Sato raised an eyebrow.

"Haha. Why would I want to give up halfway? When are we leaving?" Fudo immediately got pumped up.

"I've been waiting for you to make that call. Can't wait to beat that freaking Kraken to death." Yato flexed his muscles.

While it was true that losing the race to the first completion had dropped the morale of the team a bit, it still didn't diminish the team's fervor and desire in completing the dungeon [Temple of Vasiliás]. Considering it was the first dungeon unlocked in the entire game, the rewards would definitely be more enticing than the others. Added to the fact that the monsters were much stronger than the ones in the other dungeons, the quality of the rewards upon completion would surely be on an entirely different level.

"What preparations do we have to make?" Unlike the overly enthusiastic duo, Seiichi was more calm and realistic. He knew that they couldn't just rush towards the dungeon without care.

"Apart from the usual resource prep, we need an extra hand." Sato said.

"An extra hand?" 

"What do you think is our team's greatest weakness in raiding dungeons, when compared to guild teams?" Sato suddenly asked.

"We are weaker than them both in terms of levels and actual skill." Lu Zhen stated.

"Our teamwork still needs a bit more working on when compared to them." Fudo shared his thoughts.

Though they had been working on their coordination in field battles and dungeon raids, it still couldn't be compared to that of the other guild teams. When one considers the fact that the players in those professional raid teams have worked together for months, it would be absurd to think that Seven Star Glory would reach such heights in mere hours.

"All the points you guys mentioned are correct but when considering dungeon raids, it's not exactly so." Sato shook his head.

"Then…"

"We lack a healer." Seiichi abruptly spoke up. 

"Correct." Sato smiled.

It wasn't hard for someone of Seiichi's intellect to figure that out especially since Sato had already mentioned searching for an extra hand.

"A healer?" Yato glanced at Sato curiously. 

While the lack of a healer was a problem, he didn't think it was their greatest one in dungeon raids. After all, they had already come this far without one.

As if seeing through his doubts, Sato explained, "HP potions do solve the issue but it's only temporary. They have long cool-downs and continuous usage in battle reduces its efficacy. Also, it takes a bit of time to take the potion and for it to take effect. Though it might seem small, even a millisecond difference could change the tides of a battle. As for Katsuo, while he does have a few healing skills, he takes the role of the MT which is one that requires a lot of focus. So, he can't spare his concentration on the rest of us. 

"Having a healer would solve all these problems and we would be able to fight without worry."

"That's true." Yato reluctantly admitted.

"But then how do we find one?" Katsuo asked.

Apart from Lu Zhen and Xue Yan, who they met along the way, Seven Star Glory was a team made up of close friends. This made it possible for there to be less differences and arguments in the team since everyone already knew each other prior to the team's formation. Adding more 'foreigners' would go against that, after all, just like a club, a team had less strict regulations when compared to a guild.

"Natsuo's playing Cleric but he's still at the town stage." Seiichi sighed.

"Then we need to recruit, even if it's just a temporary aid." Sato said.

.  .  .

.  .  .

.  .  .

At the entrance of Maldora Canyon…

*Step* *Step*

A bloody figure wobbly made its way towards the exit with one arm gripping the other tightly.

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