Prisoners of VR

"What...do...you...want...Woof?" At the Dungeon Boss uttering his name, Rahu almost broke into laughter. He promptly controlled himself to ensure he didn't break out of character and calmly stared while spiking the killing intent he exuded.

The Monkeys in his vicinity were unable to endure it anymore as they retreated to farther trees, leaving behind the Dungeon Boss to face Rahu alone.

"What do you think of this?" Rahu threw an Invoker Crystal to the Dungeon Boss, smiling as he watched it catch in a hurry.

The Invoker Crystal contained the Wood Nail Skill. It was a Moderate Grade Skill, on the same level as the Dungeon Boss's Invoker Crystal. Bamboo Spike jutted out of the ground while Wood Nail pierced the ground.

The Dungeon Boss inspected the Invoker Crystal, asking after observing its stats, "Where did you get this?"

"Do you want it or not?" Rahu asked curtly. To avoid the Dungeon Boss thinking too much about it, he used his killing intent to pressure it.

The previous time he fought the Dungeon Boss, it was his decisive victory. Moreover, prior to its death, the Dungeon Boss had touched him and seen his terrifying stats. It became aware that even ten of it wouldn't be his match.

Therefore, fighting him wouldn't be wise. It was why it hadn't dared to kill him. Even though a swarming tactic would be enough to kill Rahu, too many of its brethren would die. Even though they would revive, the Dungeon Boss didn't wish to see their suffering.

It had been a couple of days since the game started. Very few Monkeys lost their life following that. As compared to before when both the Monkeys and the Elven Race users killed each other, this could almost be termed peaceful.

The Dungeon Boss was drunk on peace. Moreover, it was averse to fighting against monsters like Rahu. It was the reason it hadn't decided on invading Larkrood Village. Had Rahu not installed the game to give the Dungeon Boss a taste of peace, it would have invaded their village already.

'This is a Moderate Grade Skill.' The Dungeon Boss thought as its eyes shone. It stared at Rahu and asked, "What do you need in return?"

Its question was an acknowledgement of the Invoker Crystal's usefulness. It brought a smile to Rahu's face. 'As I suspected, they are useful for the other races here.'

Worldcraft was created to evolve the minds of humanity. But, as a wise man once said, 'Humanity progresses the fastest when its existence is threatened.'

History was the best example. The number of innovations that sparked into existence during the two world wars was immense. Even though these inventions were created for the purpose of war, right as the war ended, the various inventions were transformed for civilian betterment.

When one side unleashed chemical warfare, the opposing side created medicinal countermeasures to counteract the chemicals. And when the latter too retaliated with chemical warfare, the former advanced their medical research to treat their affected soldiers.

The purpose was messed up, intended to up each other, but the results derived from it caused technology to advance at a rapid pace. That was what one called the 'Need of the Hour.'

Similarly, if there was no threat to humanity in Worldcraft, their growth would slow down. Only when their territory grows large enough would a conflict happens.

But with seven Realms, each spanning the surface area of Earth, no war on the scale of a world war would erupt for at least a couple of centuries. Therefore, conflict has to be localised.

And that appeared in the form of Dungeons, especially from the intelligent Dungeon Races that were able to observe, learn, and grow through interaction with the users.

Considering how Invoker Crystals formed the core of Worldcraft's power system, there ought to exist a method through which the Dungeon Races could gain an advantage through the Invoker Crystals of other races.

Rahu's thoughts ended here. As a result, he probed the Dungeon Boss. He wasn't sure of the reason, but its response meant there existed tangible benefits.

"I need two things from you." Saying so, Rahu threw the fist-sized bamboo container to the Dungeon Boss. When it opened the container and saw the various Invoker Crystals within, he continued, "First, I need you to store these for me and guarantee their safety. For every ten Invoker Crystals I store in your care, I'll pay you an Invoker Crystal."

"When I need them, you'll bring them to me. Otherwise, you'll store them deep in the forest, away from the Elven Race." He said and observed the Dungeon Boss turning silent.

It stared at the Invoker Crystal in its hand, realising the benefit of this deal. A ten percent tax on Invoker Crystals. All it would need to do is store them safely. With its power as the Dungeon Boss, that was guaranteed.

As long as it gives a command, none of the Monkeys from the Dungeon will dare disobey. Moreover, thanks to the sport, none of the users dared to venture into the forest. If they did, the Monkeys could concentrate their attacks on the select few invaders and dispatch them to reality swiftly.

Therefore, Rahu's proposition was to the Dungeon Boss's advantage, very much so that it wondered if he had a hidden agenda, asking curtly, "What's the second thing?"

"Your life," Rahu said, watching the Dungeon Boss become alert as he continued calmly, "I'll kill you nine times. But after that,"

He said in all seriousness, "I'll protect you."

The Dungeon Boss stared at him in confusion and suspicion, allowing him to conclude, 'It seems they aren't aware of the condition necessary for me to gain ownership of this Dungeon.'

Just as he didn't know of the advantages Invoker Crystals presented to the Monkeys, they too didn't know about the Quests the users received. As a result, both sides could scheme against each other.

"Nine times?" The Dungeon Boss frowned, "Why?"

"You see that game?" He pointed toward the cliff wall, "I plan to make another just like that."

"That will only profit you..." The Dungeon Boss hadn't even finished its sentence when Rahu laughed.

He then raised a finger and pointed at the Invoker Crystal in its hand, "It'll be a fight. If anyone wishes to challenge you, they'll have to present you with a Moderate Grade Invoker Crystal. If you win, you'll get that Invoker Crystal. If you lose, the challenger will get yours."

"You'll gain more experience in fighting us and can profit on the side."

'He is dangerous, but these crystals will benefit my race. We can give birth to more Elites and possibly Mid-Bosses too.' Thinking as such, the Dungeon Boss nodded, "Alright. But if there's any suspicious action from you, we'll invade."

"Your wish," Rahu waved his hand and walked away, "I'll begin preparations then."

He soon arrived before the crowd that was watching the game and thought, 'With this, I have created a safe to store my Invoker Crystals. I can also legally kill the Dungeon Boss nine times. With this, I have certified my route to ownership of Larkrood Village.'

'To protect my goods, the Dungeon Boss will remain deeper in the forest. So, even if another DOVA Agent arrives here as an Elven Race user, they won't get the chance to target it.' Rahu was content with this arrangement.

Once he finishes gathering all six Invoker Crystals of his need, he could begin training with them to increase their Quality level and raise his fighting prowess. Thanks to Synchronised Reality, he could bring that to reality, a trump card that he could use in times of necessity.

"Did it succeed?" Trot approached him.

"For now," Rahu nodded and asked, "How long will you remain here?"

"I do feel tired, so I'll take a nap in reality." Trot said and looked around, noticing another user anchoring the game in place of Lace, "It seems Lace has logged out already. We'll take turns logging in to see the progress of things."

"What about your work?" Rahu asked.

"That..." Trot coughed awkwardly, "I'm jobless. My parents created some assets in my name, so I'm getting enough money through rent."

"That means you have enough time to play here." Nodding as such, he patted Trot, "If anything happens, send a message to my number. Also, remember to return to reality after every ten hours here. That way, your brain won't be damaged from extender VR use."

"Alright, I'll keep note." Trot nodded. He wasn't even concerned Rahu would monopolise the Invoker Crystals they had gathered. In their short interaction, he judged Rahu to not place much value on Invoker Crystals beyond his equipping needs.

He didn't even bat an eye when Trot picked Invoker Crystals for Lace and his two other friends from the pile. It was why Trot could trust Rahu, one reinforced by the sheer strength in character and ability that Rahu displayed.

"I'll return to work then. I will only be able to log in tomorrow." Rahu said, shook hands with Trot, and logged out.

Staring at the spot where Rahu stood before, Trot observed the status screen that was displayed when they shook hands, sighing as he shook his head at the sheer absurdity of Rahu's stats, "It seems I have befriended a real elite of society."

"He's a DOVA Agent."