Meanwhile in the market square of Haligrad.

 

A man wearing heavy plate armour is currently walking towards the adventurer’s guild accompanied by a large group of players. His tall and imposing figure is adorned with a face hiding a hint of contempt for those around him.

 

[[System Announcement: The Raid Party led by Immortal Warrior Astaria is the first group to kill a Raid Boss. All party members have been awarded the unique title: Raid Pioneer]]

[[System Announcement: The Raid Party led by Immortal Warrior Astaria is the first group to kill the Mutated Goblin Raid Boss: Square Jaw. All party members have been awarded the unique title: Slayer of Square Jaw]]

[[System Announcement: The Raid Party led by Immortal Warrior Astaria is the first group to kill a Raid Boss with no deaths. All party members have been awarded the unique title: Stalwart Warrior]]

 

The man stops in his tracks seeing the announcements, gritting his teeth with an audible noise.

“What the fuck, how can players beat raid bosses within 2 days?”

Hearing the man speak, one of the players wearing leather armour with a bow slung over his back also comments. His face holds an expression of surprise and disdain.

“Yeah, this twat must be using some kind of hack or exploit.”

A skinny player wearing a robe also comments. His expression remains neutral as he speaks.

“I don’t think that is the case to be honest, I saw online that some people tried to hack into the game’s servers and the game's internal files but got absolutely nowhere. The security on this game is beyond insane.”

With a growl, the man in plate mail spins around to face the group behind him.

“Whether they used questionable means or not, the fact is that they are ahead of the rest of us, and that’s unacceptable. Ripper, go find out who this group is. Deadshot, go find out about this boss and how we can kill it. Lucian, go recruit more high level players.”

Hearing this, a short cloaked man, the leather clad archer, and the skinny man with a robe all give their affirmation and run off in different directions.

“Astaria huh, you better join us or I’m going to make your fucking life hell.”

 

 

Meanwhile on the other side of the market square inside an inn with a sign featuring a bear standing on its back legs hanging outside its front door, a number of casual players are enjoying the tavern's drinks while chatting.

Suddenly the players burst into an uproar as consecutive announcements appear in their vision.

A man with bulky muscles and a beard sits up straight,

“Oh my god, someone has completed a raid already!”

At the same time, a player who has chosen to become an Elf also shouts out.

“Seriously, that’s insane.”

An overweight dwarven player heavily puts down his mug of ale as he tries to clear the confused expression off his face.

“Wait, what are raid bosses?”

The elven player looks over as he starts to explain.

“Raid bosses are extremely tough enemies that require a large number of players to kill. I assume however that since new players killed it, it is likely quite weak compared to others, maybe like a tutorial raid.”

Hearing this explanation, the bulky player comments.

“Aren’t raids supposed to be hard though?”

Nodding to confirm, the elven player explains what he is thinking with his arms crossed.

“Yes, definitely. I imagine that the raid boss was still quite strong. It was probably a guild that had beaten it.”

The bulky player shakes his head as he leans his back against the chair.

“A guild? I guess that’s plausible. However, I guess it would have to be led by one of those professional players. The group leader's name was Astaria, right?”

The elven player nods his head as the other nearby players all lean in listening to the conversation of the three at the table.

“Yes, that’s correct, although I don’t recognise any professional player that goes by that name. However, it might be someone we know but under a different name.”

Hearing the players suddenly getting all excited, the barmaid, Anna, walks over.

“Oh, what’s this commotion going on here?”

Seeing Anna walk up, the elven player slightly turns his chair so he can talk to the barmaid that has shown an interest in their conversation.

“Ah, well you see, us players got a message that one of us has managed to take down some big raid boss called Square Jaw.”

Hearing this, Anna opens her eyes wide.

“Someone finally took down that goblin?! He is notorious around this area, and because he is so strong the kingdom does not do anything about him.”

Shaking her head, Anna continues to explain the situation.

“Since the kingdom does not want to waste lives trying to kill it alongside the issue that it revives within a month to lead the goblins again, trade has been continuously hindered. Just last week the goblins attacked a carriage that was carrying goods for this inn.”

With a nod of understanding, the elven player goes to reflexively push his glasses up before realising that he is not wearing any.

“I see, I guess it’s a good thing for the kingdom that us players are about now, we don’t need to worry about getting killed, not to mention it’s the kind of activity lots of players enjoy.”

Hearing the strange term, Anna asks a question.

“What do you mean by player? Is that another name you use instead of Immortal Warriors?”

Hearing Anna's question, the dwarven player re-joins the conversation with a look of confusion on his face.

“What’s an Immortal Warrior?”

Seeing his dwarven friend confused, the elven player sighs as he explains.

“Dude, did you seriously not look at the basic information about the game? The setting is that the Players descend into the world as the gods Immortal Warriors.”

Hearing this, the dwarven player lets out a hum in understanding, bringing his ale mug back to his mouth while Anna asks another question.

“I was a little confused by some of the things you said, but it’s good to know you guys are Immortal Warriors. I met one earlier called Astaria, she was a kind girl and gave me a very good impression of you Warriors.”

Hearing this, all the player's conversations immediately stop as they all turn to look at Anna.

“W-what, did I say something wrong?”

Hearing Anna’s stammering the elven player immediately exclaims.

“Wait, you met this Astaria?! She is the one who lead the raid party that killed Square Jaw!”

Clasping her hands over her mouth, Anna gasps.

“No way, that pretty little thing went and fought that horrible brute! Do you know if she is alright?!”

With a face filled with shock at Anna’s instant change in tone, the bulky player answers with a thoughtful face.

“I don’t actually know her, but one of the announcements said that she had managed to kill Square Jaw without anyone in her party dying, so I assume she is alright. Besides, since she is like us it’s not something you need to worry about. We don’t feel pain all that much.

With a pause of hesitation, the elven player asked a question.

“Would it be rude for us to ask about Astaria?”

Resting a hand over her heart, Anna lets out a sigh hearing that Astaria is fine, before standing a little taller as she speaks.

“That’s fine, I don’t mind. She came and stayed here last night, guided by one of the guards. She was barely able to stand, completely tired and covered in blood.”

Realising that she had said something that may be misinterpreted, she hurriedly waves her hands as she tries to clear up what she had said.

“You see it was because she had apparently killed a bunch of goblins yesterday, and she was apparently alone. Anyway, apart from being strong, she was a very kind girl. Very pretty too I might add, I can’t help but want to look out for her.”

Putting her hands on her hips Anna leans forward in quite a menacing posture as she looks down at the drunk players.

“But don’t get any funny ideas, or I will set Jorn over there on you. Immortal or not, I won’t tolerate any harassment to that girl.”

Hearing Anna’s words, Jorn stammers behind the bar.

“W-what? Oh! *Ahem*. Yes, it is exactly as my wife says.”

Glancing between the two, the dwarven player couldn’t help but laugh and make a comment.

“Damn, I can’t believe that you’re acting like Astaria’s mother. And Jorn, don’t worry, I feel your pain, I’m a whipped husband as well. I’m making the most of being able to get drunk here in this world to avoid my wife’s wrath!”

Hearing this both the local NPC’s and players burst into laughter, easing the slight tension from Anna’s warning.

Throughout Haligrad, similar conversations occur as the players heatedly discuss the new person who is now on four consecutive server announcements after completing a challenging raid.