That evening, with little else to do, Broken decided to log out for the night. After all, they'd be staying in this place for several days.
The next morning, Broken and Aerin enjoyed breakfast in the comfort of their room. A team of elf servants entered. They presented an array of delightful dishes-quite a departure from the vegetarian fare usually associated with the Fae.
The at dishes, in particular, boasted a unique and tantalizing flavor that delighted their taste buds.
As they finished their al, Yuna, a female elf, entered the room. She bowed respectfully before addressing them.
"Ms. Aerin," Yuna began in a warm tone, "I have delivered your request to Master Zeno."
"Thank you, Yuna," Aerin replied. "What was my uncle's response?"
"Master Zeno has stated that you are welco to explore the cave," Yuna explained. "He said this is your ho, and you may do as you please. However, he added that two Knights would accompany you."
"Knights? Do you think there are any monsters in the cave? Broken and I are only planning to mine Mithril, so we can manage if it's safe."
Yuna bowed gracefully. "I'm sorry, Ms. Aerin," she said. "Master Zeno didn't provide any details. He only instructed to ensure that two Knights would accompany you."
"Alright, that works," Aerin said brightly. Then, turning to Broken, she added, "What do you think, Broken?"
Broken hesitated. The idea didn't sit well with him, especially since he had noticed that the Elven Knights were relatively high-level. They'd likely be more of a hindrance than a help, not to ntion the unnecessary supervision.
What puzzled him further was why the Elves insisted on sending escorts if they had already assured him there were no monsters in the cave.
"Yes, sure," he said finally. "I don't think it's a problem."
In the early afternoon, the journey began. As Broken had guessed, the two knights accompanying them turned out to be Level 249 and 251.
He couldn't help but scowl in frustration. Their levels were far too high, and their attributes were just as impressive, making them an intimidating presence.
The knights followed silently behind, their stoic deanor doing little to ease Broken's irritation. Thankfully, the journey wasn't long. After about an hour of walking through the forest, they arrived at the cave they sought.
The cave's entrance was nestled in a wide, open area surrounded by towering, moss-covered rocks. It was tall and spacious, large enough for several people to enter at once.
Aerin turned to Broken with an expectant smile. "So, are you all set, Broken?"
"Yes, of course," he replied.
He retrieved his Legendary-grade Bedrock Breaker Pickaxe and slung it onto his back using his Crossforge Harness.
Afterward, he took out a crystal lamp.
As they ventured further, the daylight faded, replaced by the steady, glowing light from the crystal lamp. The sound of their footsteps reverberated through the cave.
"Pawpaw," Broken whispered softly, "could you please keep watch at the entrance for ?"
***
At the headquarters of Golden Age Company, the CEO, Marco, was seated in his sleek office chair, his gaze fixed on the massive screen dominating the room.
The scene unfolding on the monitor was captivating, showing Broken's in-ga actions with sharp clarity.
"I know Broken is supposed to visit this area with Princess Alora," Marco said. "But could it be that his actions will also trigger the major event tied to the Forest Elves?"
One of his employees, standing nearby, chid in. "Sir, based on the data we've gathered, Broken isn't prepared for that kind of escalation yet. If it happens too fast, he won't be able to handle it. And if things spiral out of control, the Dissidia Kingdom could face massive disruption."
Marco leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he mulled over the implications. After a mont, a wide grin spread across his face.
"No, that's the beauty of this ga," he said. "The players shape the story. They contribute to every twist and turn, every event that unfolds. Though," he added with a chuckle, "I won't deny I ddled a bit during the Deadbay attack."
He glanced at the employee. "This ga is designed to have a long lifespan. With all the world-building and endless content, players should have decades of exploration ahead. But if Broken keeps scooping up all the most valuable resources, it might not last as long as we'd hoped."
"Do you see that as a bad sign, sir?" the employee asked.
"For investors and sponsors, yes," Marco replied. "They're banking on this ga running strong for decades."
He clicked his tongue. "Giving him the Sloth Blessing was the biggest-and only-mistake the ga have made. That kind of power throws the balance out of whack."
Marco inhaled deeply, organizing his thoughts before addressing the situation. "So, with his current condition, will Broken trigger the event?"
"21%," the AI responded.
Marco bolted upright in his chair. Every employee braced themselves as Marco's sharp gaze scanned the screen.
"Princess Alora is one of the Forest Elves," Marco muttered. "Surely, Broken wouldn't be reckless enough to make them his enemies. He wouldn't, right? Does he think that far
ahead?"
The AI responded, "He will. rcy is not his defining trait. Anyone who crosses him is quickly labeled as an enemy."
One of Marco's staff mbers spoke up. "We need to find a way to get him to relax a bit."
"What if we offer him a free vacation?"
"Maybe sothing to take his mind off things-a world tour, perhaps. What do young n his age even enjoy these days?"
The employees exchanged uneasy glances before one hesitantly suggested, "Well, he doesn't have a girlfriend. Maybe we could... distract him with a beautiful woman?"
Another employee imdiately shook their head. "That's absurd. He's already surrounded by stunning won, both in and out of the ga."
Before Marco could respond, the room's attention snapped back to the screen as a voice
echoed in the ga.
"Broken!" Pawpaw's voice rang out. "The entrance to the cave has been abruptly blocked by a
powerful force."
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