Re: Evolution Online

Along with the rest of the group, Lan Deming and Lan Fen hurried over the tar roads, which were pretty much wilderness at this point. More than the monsters, it looked as if the trees and wild plants had taken over the entire world.

Their settlement was located near the dungeon, so it was very convenient for them to travel to and from the dungeon every single day and just like usual, they arrived at the dungeon in about an hour.

They would have arrived sooner if only they could actually use a car or a bus for transporting everyone. Or, for that matter, a magic beast that possessed the ability to fly. Several people thought to themselves.

After seeing the white fox that could fly, this desire was deeply imprinted in many people's hearts though no one had the guts to say it out loud.

While some fantasized about the white fox, others' minds were on the new neighbours who had decided to move in next to them. Engrossed deeply in these kinds of thoughts, the group arrived at the dungeon, travelling in silence, unlike their usual loud banter and discussions.

And just as they reached the green-coloured dungeon portal, they received another shock. Their new neighbours had already assembled outside the dungeon or rather sort of set up a camp.

Well, it was not as much of a shock as it was an awkward meeting. When they moved close by, it was already abundantly clear that this was going to happen, and these people were also going to use the dungeon. They had also announced it loudly.

What they did not expect to see was these many people in front of the dungeon. There had to be at least forty to fifty men and women. Some of them were even middle-aged. One lady specifically was very old, so old she could be their dead grandmother.

And yet they were all planning to run the dungeon? Weren't they taking things too casually?

Not just that, but the entire group was behaving in an extremely relaxed manner. They were roasting meat, drinking beer, eating snacks and sitting around and chatting with each other as if they had nothing to worry about.

It looked as if some tourists had come here for a picnic!

The groups stared at each other and exchanged awkward glances, neither knowing how to address the other. Alex was the first one to break the ice as she got up and jogged over to Lan Deming.

"Hello again! I hope we are not making too much noise." She laughed, followed by a few chuckles from the rest of the group. Rey mumbled something loudly from where he was sitting, but his mouth was stuffed full, so no one was able to hear him.

"I think he means… are you hungry?"

"Ahem. No. No. Thank you." Lan Deming swallowed and quickly answered. It was clearly a lie because the roasted meat smelled so good. They had also eaten some of it, so they knew the taste beforehand. Nevertheless, he shook his head like a gentleman.

Seeing the big size of the group, he couldn't help but wonder how they were consuming such a precious item so freely. All fifty of them got to eat this nutritional food?

"Don't be too polite. You should take some while it is being offered. I insist." Alex laughed.

"Maybe after we finish the dungeon run." Lan Deming awkwardly refused again.

While they were talking, some members of the group started getting up, and a team entered the dungeon wordlessly.

"You don't run the dungeon together?" Lan Deming asked in shock. When he saw the huge number, he assumed that they would all enter together as a single team.

Only that made sense, but now about six to seven people stepped in, and he knew for a fact that this was the first time they were going into this dungeon. Were they not afraid?

"Oh. They will be fine." Alex brushed aside his concerned question. "By the way, that reminds me. We also should be getting in soon." She waved to the guy and the rest of the group and walked back over to their camp.

"Get up. Let's go." She whistled.

Another team stood up, and this time as well, there were only ten people. They, too, then stepped in through the dungeon portal without any pomp and show.

This was followed by three other teams, and every single one of them entered the dungeon without any sign of fear or hesitation on their faces.

Lan Deming, Lan Fen and the rest watched this scene in awe, their eyes widening every time the portal flared up, and a team entered. A scene like this was eye-opening for them.

Most of their group consisted of normal common folks who were too weak for this world. However, all these fifty people were battle ready!

They all looked at each other dumbly. Even for them, going inside the dungeon was a life and death trial. They only dared to do it because Lan Deming and Lan Fen were present with them, and the duo were more powerful than all of them put together.

But these people… they didn't seem to care about the dangers of the dungeon all that much. What the hell? Just what were their levels?

Seeing the general mood of the group, Lan Deming loudly cleared his throat. "Don't think too much. They also probably have powerful fighters in their group. Let's keep our focus and do our job."

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the twenty or so people collectively entered the dungeon, with Lan Deming and Lan Fen taking the lead.

Once inside the dungeon, all the teams that entered separately were in separate instances, so they were all unable to see each other.

A couple of hours passed by in silence, where only the dungeon portal glowed brightly amidst the wilderness. Soon the first team stepped out of the dungeon.

Coincidentally, it was Lan Deming's team. Everyone looked very tired and worn out. Some of them even had injuries, but there were no casualties.

"Shall we return back to the community, sir?" One of the men asked Deming tiredly. However, the brother and sister pair were in shock. They were busy looking around as if they were hoping to find someone.

"Do you think maybe they are already on their way back?" Lan Fen furrowed her brows.

Lan Deming shook his head. There were absolutely no signs of disturbance at all. This could only mean one thing. "No. I think they are still in the dungeon." He answered with a rueful smile.

They had entered the dungeon last, and technically they should also be the last to step out but judging from everything around them, it looked like they were the first to step out.

This was not a race, and it did not matter who walked out first, but the thing was, this clearly showed the difference in strength between the two groups.

Even with Lan Deming and Lan Fen present, the two who were touted as geniuses, their team still couldn't measure up to the others. Not even one of the five teams.

"Let's take a break first and then start the return trip." Lan Deming spoke after a minute of silence. He really wanted to see just how long these people would be able to hold on inside the dungeon. Just what was the difference between them?

However, this turned out to be a bad decision. Another couple of hours passed, and it looked like no one was coming out any time soon. Were they planning on completing the whole dungeon on the same run?

Lan Deming sighed. He then tiredly stood up and waved his hand at the rest of the group. There was no point in waiting here any longer. "Let's head back." He said, and the group quickly started clearing out.

Everyone was hungry and starving, so the return trip was a lot faster than usual, even though they were dead tired. The group arrived back at the settlement in silence, each thinking of their own burden.

"Ok. We will again meet back here tomorrow at the break of dawn." Lan Deming announced loudly. Everyone nodded, and the group was about to disperse.

But suddenly, Lan Deming froze in his tracks. Lan Fen also turned to look at him at the same time. Their faces were full of dread as they both could instinctively feel it. There was someone else here!

Lan Deming immediately withdrew his daggers, and Lan Fen created an ice spear from her magic. But before either of them could do anything else, a sweet melodious voice giggled.

The sound of the laughter loudly rang, echoing in all directions. "My sweet, sweet blood bags. You are finally here. Slurp." In the dark of the night, a pair of crimson eyes lit up brightly.

Who was this? What was going on? Everyone couldn't help but shiver at this ominous presence as a chill crawled up their spines. They subconsciously took a step back.