Isolde glanced at her party. Only five of them stood together, while their leader was still off recruiting a sixth member.
They were all strangers to her—except for Dolly. She had known Dolly since childhood, having been classmates year after year.
But even then, they had never been close. Their relationship barely went beyond the level of casual acquaintances.
It was Dolly who had invited Isolde to join after they'd run into each other earlier. Together, they planned to challenge Thunder Cave. Both of them were among the few who had managed to raise all their ATP stats into the double digits.
Their leader, Buck—a guy with bead-like black hair and prominent front teeth—was busy recruiting other players who also claimed to have two-digit ATP.
To confirm whether they were telling the truth, the system allowed party members or friends to view each other's ATP upon request—provided the other person gave their approval.
Isolde was feeling good at the moment. Everything was going smoothly so far. She completed quests after quests and grinded until all her ATP reached two digits and she hadn't died. Not once.
She had a good feeling about clearing the Thunder Cave. Some players within her group had already entered the cave though not deep since they'd run out of HP and MP before reaching the Boss's room.
Isolde believed it was because those players didn't have enough members. At most, everyone formed groups of three since not many knew about the opening of COVENANT, so the scarcity of players.
And some weren't that good at using their skills, and they lacked initiative and decision-making skills when facing an opponent.
But now . . . they have four damage dealers and two healers. Against a newbie cave, Isolde thought it was enough.
Isolde smiled to herself. Maybe their group would get firstblood. And whatever items and treasures they'll acquire inside would surely boost them to the top, and they would gain an enormous advantage over the others.
She nodded to herself with a slight smile on her lips.
"Hello."
Isolde's gaze shifted to a man standing just a few inches shorter than her. His coarse black hair was trimmed shorter at the back, giving him a sharp, clean look. His features were striking, and his cool, indifferent eyes carried a quiet pull that drew people in the longer they looked. He was undeniably handsome, his aloof aura only adding to his appeal.
"Hello." Isolde nodded. "If you want to join the group, then you're asking the wrong person." She was not cold. She was direct to the point and hated wasting time.
Isolde pointed in Buck's direction, who was busy asking players for their ATP. "That man is the one who is organizing this escapade and the leader of this group."
Ren's indifferent expression didn't waver. Isolde was exactly as he remembered—someone who despised small talk and wasn't afraid to speak her mind or act on impulse. It was clear from their first encounter in his past life, when she had challenged her entire party to a PvP match simply because she was enraged by their cowardly actions.
"My name's Ren, and I don't want to join a group that I know will be wiped out in the Thunder Cave."
That caught Isolde's attention; she turned to Ren with a serious look. If he was joking or trying to get her attention because of her family name—like so many others—she'd personally slap him left and right for wasting her time.
Isolde crossed her arms and looked down at Ren through her thick lashes. "And what made you say that?"
If he didn't provide a thorough explanation that would satisfy her, then she would surely teach him a lesson for ruining her mood.
Ren didn't mind Isolde's hostility. He knew her to be short-tempered and easily pissed off.
"First of all, assuming Thunder Cave is a newbie dungeon just because it's near this village is a grave mistake," Ren said flatly. His tone carried weight as he continued, "What made you think that storming that cave with only six members and two-digit ATP would be enough to clear it?"
Isolde opened her mouth to retort, but Ren cut her off.
"Was it because the roaming beasts inside are low-level and easy to solo? Or is it simply ignorance—your lack of information about the Boss—that blinds you to the true horrors lurking in COVENANT's dungeons?"
"Wha . . ." Isolde was rattled because the stranger had a point. She cleared her throat and stood her stance with a straight back. "And what made you believe that it wouldn't be cleared with just six players? Have you met the Boss?
Isolde placed a hand over her tilted hips. "Based on what you said, it seemed like you know the Boss of Thunder Cave. Are you a beta tester? Or are you a poser who didn't want us to get firstblood at clearing the dungeon?"
This was why Ren didn't want Leonel to butt in. If a player were set on going, then he wouldn't see reason until he suffered defeat.
But Ren had already prepared for this outcome. He would try his best to persuade Isolde, and after that . . . it was entirely up to her.
Ren's brow rose. "Are you an idiot?"
"Huh?"
"Do you know what Boss is waiting for you in Thunder Cave?"
Isolde raised her chin. ". . . No. But we have four damage dealers and two healers."
"Do you have a tank?"
Isolde's eyelid twitch. "No."
"Then your healers and mages are the first to die. They'd be targeted left and right and couldn't support anyone when they're mostly fleeing and defending for their lives.
Isolde's mood plummeted thoroughly, and she snapped, "Why are you telling me this exactly? What could you gain from telling me all this? This was the first time that we encountered each other. Except maybe that you don't want us to clear the dungeon because of some . . . unknown reasons. Your opinion doesn't matter here."
Ren chuckled. "Suit yourself . . . but don't say I didn't warn you."
Isolde tilted her head to the side. Was this his plan all along? Asking her to be friends because of her last name? Could he be like everyone else who only got close to her because of her family's influence?
"Decline if you want," said Ren, "But retrieve it later from your logs if you find out that I was telling the truth."
And before Isolde could open her mouth, Ren turned and waved his hand goodbye.
"If you see a large golden door with intricate carvings, don't enter at all cost."
". . ."
Isolde watched Ren log out. His body dispersed in tiny white particles, and the last thing she saw was the smirk on his lips.
". . ."
How . . . infuriating.
She then pressed
She was about to press delete when her finger stopped midway.
There was something from the way he moved and talked that gave off confidence, like he was so sure of what he was saying.
Was he a Beta Tester then?
But why help her?
What could he possibly gain?
Except for her family, Isolde couldn't think of another reason.
She knew that she wasn't beautiful like Dolly. People would often forget her face the moment they looked away. The only thing they remembered were her last name.
Isolde wasn't a naive idiot. She didn't believe for a second that Ren was telling her all that out from the goodness of his heart.
Everyone and everything was a competition.
". . ."
Isolde's eyes rounded when she thought of something.
Could it be . . .
Isolde's cheeks puffed red, and the hard lines on her face cracked into a flustered expression.
Could it be that . . . he likes me?