More Than One

Time quickly passed into a new day.

That morning, Wang Zhifan woke early in his rental house. After washing up and having a little breakfast, he made his preparations, opened his Player Panel, and entered a dungeon.

Players like him, who ran dungeons every day, were actually a minority in this world. After all, not everyone was willing to put their life to the test once a day.

Wang Zhifan was so proactive about dungeon runs mainly because the positive feedback he got from them was strong. Before every run, he would wonder what useful reward he could choose that day. Basically, as soon as he woke up each morning, he unconsciously started thinking about dungeon runs and had no interest in doing anything else.

After a brief mental haze, Wang Zhifan, who had been lying on the bed in his rental house, quickly vanished. Along with his two teammates, he appeared in a mountainous area.

Looking around, he saw hills covered in weeds and shrubs on every side. Before him and his two teammates stood a dark mountain cave that drew the eye.

Dungeon Objective: Kill the Black Bear (Lv3) dwelling in the cave ahead.

"Everyone, let's start by sharing our levels and classes so we can figure out how to work together. I'll go first. I'm Lv3, a Mage."

One of Wang Zhifan's teammates seemed particularly outgoing and talkative. Before the dungeon objective prompt before their eyes had even faded, he had already begun the discussion.

"My suggestion is that we back away first. Discussing things here could draw the monster out."

Rather than answering his question directly, Wang Zhifan lowered his voice and made that suggestion first.

But his cautious approach did not win the man's agreement. The man waved a hand and raised his brows, speaking carelessly. "Brother, it's only an Lv3 monster. No need to get so nervous! Don't worry. As long as I'm here, I guarantee we'll clear this dungeon in no time."

As he spoke, the talkative Mage Youth raised the staff in his hand, which was patterned with red markings, to show his two teammates.

"To be honest, this staff of mine is a Fine Grade treasure. It can greatly boost the power of the Fireball I've mastered, and my Fireball is already Lv3. It's not on the same level as those Lv1 or Lv2 Fireballs. Forget Lv3 monsters—even Lv4 or Lv5 ones are no problem!"

The Mage Youth spoke with extreme confidence, declaring that his strength was entirely reliable. Wang Zhifan neither agreed nor disagreed, while their other teammate—a chubby girl holding a Revolver—immediately looked at the confident Mage Youth with shining eyes and flattered him.

"Then we'll be relying on you this dungeon, Big Brother. I'm only an Lv1 Newbie gunner, so I might not be much help in a moment."

The slightly plump Female Gunner looked humble. Clearly, she had taken the Mage Youth before her as someone to cling to.

"It's nothing. Later, just fire a couple of shots whenever you want. Or you can stand to the side and gain some experience. That's fine too."

After casually replying to the Female Gunner, the Mage Youth looked toward Wang Zhifan, who had already backed several meters away.

Wang Zhifan knew he was asking him, so he replied from where he stood.

"Warrior, Lv2."

Anyone could tell from the long blade in his hand that he belonged to the Warrior Class. It was just that this Mage teammate enjoyed putting pressure on people.

"A Warrior? I don't see that class very often."

Once the Mage Youth heard Wang Zhifan's answer, he nodded casually, then began issuing orders like a leader.

"Warrior Brother, later you'll be responsible for drawing the bear out of the cave. The gunner girl and I will wait outside. The moment it comes out, we'll kill it instantly."

His tone was just as confident, as though he would not allow Wang Zhifan to refuse.

But Wang Zhifan did not like being forced by others. He had always done things at his own pace.

"Sorry, that plan is too dangerous. I refuse to go in alone."

Wang Zhifan shook his head without much thought.

Seeing that the Long-Blade Youth before him actually refused to give him face, the Mage Youth's expression immediately darkened. He said to Wang Zhifan, "Why are you so cowardly? You're a Warrior, yet you don't even dare enter a cave alone? Are you even a man?"

He was clearly trying to provoke Wang Zhifan's pride. Most young people fell for that sort of thing, but to his surprise, the Long-Blade Youth before him remained calm even after being mocked.

"I already said it. Going in alone is too dangerous. I suggest we don't enter carelessly. This is a matter of strategy, not whether someone is a man or not. If you think you're so capable, then you can try going in alone."

With both his tone and expression calm, Wang Zhifan threw the Mage Youth's mockery right back at him.

"Tch. So what if I go in alone? You're a Warrior, yet you won't pull the monster and keep making excuses. Cowardice is cowardice. Don't shamelessly refuse to admit it."

After responding disdainfully to Wang Zhifan, the Mage Youth turned and walked into the cave before them. He really did go in alone to draw the monster.

"Not bad."

Wang Zhifan did not look down on the man's decisiveness. Instead, he felt that the man's actions matched his words, though his behavior might have lacked some consideration.

Watching the Mage Youth inside the dark cave wave his staff and create a floating fireball for light as he continued deeper within, the chubby Female Gunner outside hesitated. She did not know whose side to support now—whether to stay outside and wait for the Mage Youth to display his might, or take some risk and enter to help him while securing herself a powerful backer.

Wang Zhifan noticed his teammate's hesitation and said, "I advise you not to go in. Just wait out here."

After hearing him, the chubby Female Gunner immediately gave him a puzzled look. She probably did not understand why Wang Zhifan was so certain that entering the cave had been a mistake for the Mage Youth.

"You might not know what it means when a dungeon with an Lv3 player and an Lv2 player only has Lv3 monsters."

Wang Zhifan continued explaining in an even tone.

"Generally speaking, that can only mean there's more than one Lv3 monster. So you understand what the consequences of going in carelessly would be, right? He'd better be able to kill multiple monsters in succession. Otherwise, whether he can even get back out will be a serious question."

As soon as Wang Zhifan finished speaking, the Newbie Female Gunner's expression changed. She might not have understood why Wang Zhifan could conclude that there was more than one monster in the cave from that alone, but she clearly understood that when the expected opponent changed from one to two or even more, the difficulty of the fight increased exponentially.