Less than 2 hourster. Naturally, it''s In-game hours.


    West of Riverdale Town and South East of ck Mountain Town was the the level 0 map Stone Creek forest. Though it was called a level 0 map, it didn''t mean that all the monsters here were level 0. The rating of a resource map was based on the weakest monsters present and also the rmended level for yers. A level 0 map would now mean a map where the lowest level of a monster would be 0 and also yers at level 0 would have a chance to live. If it was a level 5 map, it would mean that the lowest level of a monster would be level 5 and yers aren''t rmended to go there unless they are at least level 5.


    As a level 0 map, the Stone Creek forest was the previous number one levelling zone and resource map for yers. It was estimated that the highest level of a monster there would be level 5. After the event at Gnorka, most yers had already levelled up a lot; with the average of Riverdale Town yers being level 4 and 5 while the experts were at level 6. Because of this, Stone Creek forest barely had any appeal to them but they still went there or rather went through it. The reason? Because the entrance to the level 5 map, ck Grill''s Cave, was located within Stone Creek forest.


    ck Grill''s Cave could be said to be a map within a map. At the South West end of Stone Creek forest was a huge mountain. The entrance to ck Grill''s Cave was specifically within this mountain. Previously, only a few yers ventured into this cave but with the sudden surge in levels for the Riverdale Town yers, most of them headed this way. Some yers from ck Mountain Town also came here but this was limited to a few; after all not every Town was like Riverdale Town that suddenly had arge scale even that led to it''s yers levelling up quickly.


    Even though ck Grill''s Cave was located on the body of the mountain, the trip isn''t such an easy one as some might think it''s a stroll in the garden. It should be recalled that this mountain was within Stone Creek Forest and this very forest is home to various monsters. Sato and Fudo had to battle monsters on their way to the mountain, and also raised their guards against yer-killers. As a result of this, the two who were both infinitesimally close to level 8, finally reached it after a short period of ying monsters.


    "In under 24 hours ofunch, we are almost at level 10. We should be the highest levelled yers already right?" Fudo had a smile hung on his lips.


    "Wipe that smug off your face. We are still low levelled beings so we aren''t really strong." Sato replied. He could still remember the scene of the battle between the Riverdale Trio and that Emissary. The power they had could easily destroy mountains much less yers at their level.


    Sato continued "It''s quite easy to gain levels now but it will be a lot harderter. If you like, you can keep on enjoying the feeling of being a level 8."


    "Tch. You always know how to ruin someone''s mood." Fudo was replied grumpily.


    "By the way, we should be high levelled already. You sure we would find any good monsters at ck Grill''s cave? It should be a level 5 map but I doubt we could easily find a level 8 or above monsters."


    Sato then replied "ck Grill''s Cave is a level 5 resource map. ording to the pattern of things, the highest levelled creature there should be a level 8 or maybe a 9. It''s true that there wouldn''t be a lot of those but there will still be a few level 6s and 7s. We can still level up with those."


    To level up, one needs to defeat monsters and gain the required amount of experience. But if a level 5 yer was to grind level 1 monsters that wouldn''t be fair. In other to prevent yers from preying on the weak, Infinite Realm had a special feature added. yers couldn''t gain experience from monsters that are far weaker than them. The level difference was set to two. In other words, yers can still gain experience from monsters two levels weaker than them. The developers however, announced that this will only be so for yers under level 10. After level 10, the level difference would be set at 1 because a qualitative change urs at that level; both for yers and monsters. Otherwise, level 10 yers would have been beating the hell out of every level 8 monster. Even with this, the experience points gained differs. If a level 5 yer were to fight a level 5 monster, he would gain more experience points than a level 6 yer would. A level 6 yer would also gain more experience than when a level 7 yer fights the exact same level 5 monster. The good thing however is that if a level 4 yer fights the same monster, he would gain more experience points than the other 3.


    "If the experience isn''t good enough, we will go elsewhere then. There aren''t only two resource map avable."


    Sato and Fudo were currently in front of the mountain that held the entrance to the cave. The cave was a few metres up the mountain but it wasn''t so difficult climb the mountain as it wasn''t that steep. A few steps ahead of them were a few yers who had the same idea as them and wanted to level up here rather than celebrating back in town like the others.


    "Damn. At this rate most of Riverdale''s yers would get to the city before others." Fudo sighed.


    "Yeah but is there a problem with it? "


    "Yes. I wanted to meet new people from other towns, you know, and possibly find a soulmate. That +18 feature is godly and I n on getting it soon." Fudo said seriously.


    Sato simply smiled at Fudo''s reply andmented "First all, I''m pretty sure you don''t know everyone in Riverdale yet and I doubt anyone would want to mate with you fat pig."


    Fudo suddenly stopped walking and tightened his fists. He red at Sato and looked as if he would explode soon.


    "You want to fight huh? You wanna get beat by this Lord eh?!"


    While Fudo was kicking up a fuss, amotion took ce a few metres in front, right at the entrance of the cave.


    "Move out. Get out of the way!"


    A yer ran out from the cave while screaming at the others in front of him. Part of his armour was damaged and he only had a sword in hand and it looked like he would have at anyone who blocked his path.


    "What''s up with him?"


    "Don''t you know? High level maps like this are ces for children. He pretty much got scared and shit his pants. Hahaha."


    " I don''t think that''s all though. From his reaction, I think he''s at least a level 4."


    "Oh? Then he might have either encountered a high level monster or some dark yers."


    "Dark yers huh? I guess you''re right."


    Some of the yers discussed about the guy''s miserable appearance and his reaction before putting it all behind and still heading to their destination.


    "Dark yers? Why would they be here?"


    Sato and Fudo were confused about the result of some of the discussions they overheard.


    "If it was a high level monster that dealt with him that badly, it would have made more sense than dark yers."


    "Let''s go. We''ll ask the others at the top."


    Ignoring the unprecedented event for now, the duo walked up the mountain to reach the cave. The journey wasn''t so difficult as there weren''t a lot of monsters on the mountain. Even the few that they encountered were easily defeated was both Sato and Fudo were already level 8, surpassing all the monsters in Stone Creek Forest.


    In under 2 minutes, they both reached the Cave entrance. The mouth of the cave was quite big reaching a height of up to 12 metres and a width of at least 9 metres. By the side of the entrance, a few yers stood by waiting for yers to partner up with them. Each yer valued their lives and although most of them were at least level 5, they didn''t n on charging recklessly into the cave; after all, ck Grill''s Cave was a level 5 map and this meant that it was crawling with a tons of level 5 monsters and even a few level 6s.


    "Looking for a mage, he must be at least level 6 and not have any association with the water element."


    "Looking for a level 6 MT. He must be very good at attracting aggro and have a high amount of HP and Defense."


    "Looking for a mage. He or she must be an elementalist and not of the water branch. Fire type elementalists are well favored."


    Looking at the somewhat gingerly atmosphere, Sato and Fudo were quite impressed after all they never expected to see a lot of level 5 yers here.


    "It looked like a lot of people benefited from that event."


    "Yeah. By the way, what''s with all the prejudice against water ss elementalists?" Fudo asked. Mages were well favored in any party irrespective of the element they pledged to but here in ck Grill''s Cave, this motion didn''t seem to be so true.


    "Seems like you''re new here?" A lone yer walked up to the duo. He had ck hair and ck eyes and seemed like an easy-going andid-back person.


    "Yeah." Fudo replied.


    "I see. Then let me break it down for you. ck Grill''s Cave is home to a lot of earthen ss monsters of which the rock golems have the highest poption here. The water element could barely damage this folks after all, Earth beats water[1]. The golems have high defense especially against physical attack so mages are the main damage dealers. Because of that, water type elementalists are usually left out and give the cold shoulder. As for fire elementalists," He then looked at Fudo. "They are weed with open arms."


    "Hehe." Fudo simply chuckled in response.


    "By the way, a few minutes ago a guy ran out in fear. Do you know what that was about?" Sato decided to ask.


    "Hmm? A few minutes ago? Ah, yes. He should have been hunted by dark yers."


    Seeing that he didn''t continue, Fudo asked "Why?"


    "You don''t know...oh, look at me, I forgot you guys are new. Well, monsters aren''t the only thing one should be careful about. To tell you the truth, they aren''t the most dangerous factor here but rather yers. To be specific, dark yers. Dark yers make their living through hunting other yers but recently some of the big guilds from the neighbouring towns decided to team up and hunt them back. Subsequently, the dark yers had to retreat and their destination became ck Grill''s Cave.


    "The cave system is quiteplex so it makes for a good hideout. Also the monsters are quite high levelled for yers and so yers have to be cautious and can''t rampage around. This gives the dark yers the opportunity to not only hide from their enemies but also harass other yers."


    The nature of dark yers made it such that they found joy in harassing and attacking other yers. In the end, they made a blunder and attacked a yer they shouldn''t have. Though it was just a party of dark yers that did this, the power behind the yer they attacked retaliated aggressively, gathering a few other forces to team up with them and wipe out the dark yers. Other guilds saw this as an opportunity to "purify" the towns under them and so joined up in the fun. The dark yers were both few in number and weak in power and so, only had the option to withdraw from the fight and retreat to a ''safe zone''. They chose a few high level maps, where yers can''t move around easily, as their base of operations. ck Grill''s Cave was one such base thanks to it''splex nature and powerful monsters.


    Nheless, the fact that the dark yers retreated didn''t mean that they stopped their harassment. They only limited it to the surroundings of the map and killed most of the yers that dared to venture in. Despite knowing the risk, yers still visited these ces as they were the only possible locations to level up at their levels.


    "Wow. Who knew the dark yers had it rough?" Fudo sighed though it was a fake one.


    "Everyone has it rough. At the end of the day, it''s thew of the jungle that matters most." The yer replied.


    "Ok then. Thank you for your help." Sato replied before he moved away with Fudo towards the gate.


    "...hey wait a minute!"


    "What?" Sato looked at him with a nk face.


    "It''s just the two of you guys that are heading in right? Why don''t I follow you in?" The lone yer said with a timid voice.


    "No thanks." Sato replied and turned around.


    "Come on! I have been in there a couple of times. I can help you to find your way in and out. ck Grill''s Cave is somewhat simr to abyrinth. Getting lost won''t be fun. Who knows even, me following you could be like a duck carrying a leek?"[2]


    Sato stopped after hearing what he had said. Though hisst statement was kinda shameless, this yer had a point in his words. In all honesty, Sato barely knew a thing about ck Grill''s Cave and going in just like that could cost him. A wise man once said that Information is power. In the scenario where Sato and Fudo were to go in there without knowing a thing, they could either get lost or step into a high level monster''s zone. Even though there''s a saying that goes "If you eat poison, you have to swallow the whole te"[3], Sato wasn''t inclined to eating poison if he can avoid it.


    "...fine." After hesitating for awhile andparing the advantages and disadvantages, Sato decided to let him join them.


    "Alrighty then. You guys should have a party system set up already right? Add me in.. My name is Lu Zhen."