Traveling through the game world, starting out as a third-rate villain

Once we got the dungeon fragments, we were ready to leave the first stage.

'The second phase will be even more difficult to deal with,' I thought.

As we approached the barrier, we saw that it had been lifted. This was because the fragment of the dungeon that provided the energy had fallen into our hands.

"From now on, we will encounter different types of monsters and the environment will change. Stay alert and obey my every command."

Unlike the first stage, Anya's voice this time was more serious, because she knew that in this environment, arrogance would become extremely dangerous.

"Got it, Captain," Ethan said first.

"Understood, Captain." The others followed his lead.

"very good."

As we went deeper into the dungeon, the environment began to change.

There was an eerie, swirling fog in the air that obscured our vision, and each step felt like a step into the unknown.

'Now is the second stage.'

Looking at the thick fog that enveloped our view, I recalled the content of Stage 2. This is where Fred escaped by taking advantage of the fog and stole the dungeon fragment while everyone was fighting the boss.

However, this thick fog is not only disorienting, but also makes people feel uncomfortable.

'It has sensory-numbing properties.'

The mist makes people feel sleepy when they breathe it in. It clings to the skin, leaving a wet and sticky feeling that is both uncomfortable and itchy.

'Sure enough, it's a good idea to bring anti-sleeping pills and purification potions.' I thought, looking at our 'healer'.

"Alright, everyone," Anya's voice broke the oppressive silence, "we're entering Phase 2 now. This fog will be a challenge, but we can't let it get in our way. Stay close and stay alert."

Anya turned to me, a look of anticipation on her face. "Morse, can you see anything through this fog?"

I squinted, trying to see through the thick fog. "It's not very clear, Captain."

Of course, this was a lie. With my [keen eyes], I could see much more clearly than anyone else, but I needed to reassure Fred. So, I didn't reveal too much.

She nodded, frowning. "Then your archery skills may not be very useful."

"Not as effective as before, but I can find my target," I replied, staring into the thick fog. The normal sight distance is five meters, so using a bow and arrow in this situation is not ideal.

"Morse, didn't you use a dagger as your main weapon before?" Just then, Ethan interrupted and said exactly what I expected.

"Yes. I can use a dagger, too."

Hearing this, Anya nodded.

"Okay, listen up, everyone. We can't rely on our eyesight like before in this fog, so we have to rely on our other senses. Morse, you have to stay alert, be alert to any unusual sounds, and use your dagger to protect Fred. Emily, Harry, be ready to respond to any sounds you hear. Your weapons are relatively short, so you need to stay behind. Faye and Ethan, you stand behind me. Due to our limited range of movement, we can't move around at will and lose formation. The two of you will provide damage from behind me. Fred, start using your buff skills now. Do you understand?"

Everyone responded in unison, saying "I understand". After confirming the formation and strategy, everyone quickly took their positions, their senses became sharper, and they were ready for the next challenge.

'It's the same as in the game.'

In the game, Anya did the same formation, but if anything, it was Emily who was behind me protecting Fred.

Squeak

The eerie silence was suddenly broken by a piercing scream, which echoed in the fog.

It sent a chill down my spine, and I instinctively pulled the dagger out of my space ring and got ready.

"It's a forest monster."

I immediately remembered the monster's name and characteristics and prepared myself for the battle.

"Prepare to meet the enemy." Anya's voice was firm, reminding us to be prepared.

As if responding to her warning, the fog began to swirl and change as if it possessed evil wisdom.

Whoosh! Squeak!

Several figures suddenly emerged from the thick fog, fast and agile humanoid monsters. They jumped out of the fog like ghosts.

Whoosh

Without warning, one of the creatures lunged at me, seemingly appearing out of thin air, its claws reaching for my neck.

when

I blocked its attack and felt the force of its blow. Obviously, my weak body was insufficient from the beginning.

Whoosh

I infused the moonlight magic into the dagger, and I could feel my body becoming lighter. My dagger skills were improved thanks to the guidance of Senior Sister Maya.

Whoosh

I stepped forward and swung my other dagger at the monster, slicing it through its chest.

“Gah!”

The monster screamed, but I had no time to waste.

Whoosh

I dodged the next flurry of claw strikes and got into position.

"Dagger Technique - Thorns."

Chop! Stab! Chop!

Using the skills I learned, I attacked accurately, aiming at the monster's weak points. In just one second, I attacked three times in a row.

Bang!

Then the monster fell to the ground.

However, this is not the end. More monsters appeared and surrounded us.

Squeak! Squeak!

With the forest monsters approaching from all directions, I knew I had to protect Fred and the others. Most of the pressure was already on the front, so I had a relatively easy time on my side.

"Anya is really good at leading a team." She used her skills to attract the monsters that were about to attack from the rear, and thanks to her, the number of monsters I faced was relatively small.

My role in this fight was pretty clear, using my agility and skill to fend off attacks and keep enemies at bay while making sure the team stayed together.

Whoosh

I moved quickly, using every part of my body to engage in fierce battle with the forest monster.

Their movements can seem swift and unpredictable, but I have learned to recognize their attack patterns.

'The game is indeed different from reality.'

Even though they try to create a scary atmosphere, games still can't compare to reality.

Hack, dodge, and block.

With these three working together, I can attack and defend at the same time.

However, it was at this point that I realized Emily was about to make a common mistake.

"Tsk... the mist has affected her."

She had begun to drift away from the group as her senses gradually dulled. Fred's negative effects and the influence of the fog might have made it more difficult for her to determine her location.

Bang!

I threw a small rock over her head and yelled, "Emily, stay close to Fred! Don't go too far."

clang!

"What?"

Realizing she had gone too far, Emily immediately looked around and retreated.

"Thank you," she said as she continued to fight the monster.

“Tsk.”

Even though the battle was still going on, I could still hear Fred making a 'tsk' sound nearby.

......

"Everyone okay?"

After our first encounter with the forest monsters, we've fought five more waves, and while objectively the fights weren't too tough, the constant fatigue of our team members wasn't a good sign.

This is not physical fatigue, but mental fatigue.

"Captain, did you notice anything wrong?" Ethan asked, looking at the team members, and he seemed to finally realize the influence of the fog. "I feel that the battle is much more difficult than it should be."

"What do you mean? We are in the second stage now, it is normal for the monsters to become stronger." Faye said with dissatisfaction in her tone. She obviously wanted to leave here as soon as possible.

Ethan's observation made the air heavy, and everyone exchanged worried glances. In the foggy stage, everyone finally realized that something seemed to be wrong. Faye's dissatisfaction turned into concern, and the tension in the team gradually increased.

"No, it's not just the monsters. I find it harder and harder to move my body," Ethan continued, his voice tinged with uneasiness. "Haven't you noticed? Sometimes I forget where I am and feel like I'm getting lost in this fog. The sounds are starting to confuse me, too, as if something is interfering with my senses."

"Sure enough, Ethan is just like in the game."

The reason why Fred didn't get everything he wanted from the dungeon was because of Ethan's suspicion. Finally, after a bunch of memories, he realized that Fred was the root of the problem.

Anya, being a careful captain, began to examine her senses. She checked her hands and inhaled the mist, frowning and thinking hard. "Sure enough, now that you mention it, I think my sense of smell is also disturbed."

When Anya raised her hand to signal us to stop, we all gathered around her, quietly waiting for her instructions.

"Well..." she began.

"It's the mist," I interrupted. There was no point in wasting time. "I've been observing for a while. Every time I breathe in the mist, I feel myself getting weaker and weaker. I don't know exactly why, but there must be something in the mist."

Ethan chimed in again, confirming my 'suspicion'. "I feel the same way. The fog is the only thing that's always there."

Anya nodded thoughtfully. "Then this must be the hypnotic mist. Now everything makes sense."

She turned her attention to Fred, who looked a little flustered. "Fred, use the Purify skill on everyone here."

"Ok...ok," Fred stammered, his hands shaking slightly as he began to work on the purification magic.

The mist around us seemed to react, swirling and churning as if it had life. Fred's magic penetrated the mist, and a wave of purification swept over us.

Gradually, we feel less sleepy and disoriented. Our senses return and our bodies become more mobile.

But I know it's only temporary. The reason those evil followers disguise themselves as healers is that they can temporarily disrupt people's senses and make them feel temporarily comfortable.

They are healers, but they also have the ability to disguise their demonic abilities as healing.

Boom!

My rapidly beating heart proved it. This phenomenon occurs whenever demonic energy approaches, and it seems that Fred is using his skills.

I injected the potion into my arm and confirmed it. The wound I had inflicted just now was actually still there, although it disappeared briefly after Fred used his skill.

'He's finally starting to show his cards.'

Thinking that the Boss monster was coming, I looked at our captain.

"Let's go."

Following Anya's order, everyone started moving forward, and soon we arrived at the Boss monster's lair.

A huge rotten tree with a boss monster lying under it.

"Prepare for battle."