"What?", Polou was the first to speak.
Clearly they hadn't expected this sudden shift in their dungeon attempt. Rather Akiol would have preferred if it wasn't the case either, but since it was his fault the hidden event got out of hand he had to clean up his own mess.
This was something he didn't fully grasp, an oversight he didn't account for. With the newly obtained information Akiol now understood why the Guidehands usually had their helping efforts have a player one Stage above the entry requirement. At first Akiol felt this was just a proper usage of resources, after all a one Stage gap was significant enough to provide plenty of help.
He did not predict that surpassing this one Stage gap would bring a different sort of trouble.
So Akiol apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen."
"What exactly happened?", Green Pea Tea was still wrestling with what he experienced.
"A sort of punishment for those of significant higher power entering such a low level dungeon. I didn't realize it was going to turn out like this."
"Significant higher power? What level are you?", Pi asked.
"Third Step.", Akiol answered.
"""Third Step?!""", Polou, Green Pea Tea, and Pi all exclaimed.
Saladly fell into thought as he came to a realization, "Despite James moving through the enemies, I never had to heal him."
The next wave started and several scorpions began to rise through the sand. They took a few steps forward before falling apart into several cleanly sliced pieces. Akiol continued, "I'm under the impression that the rare event of the large sand worm is the result of a First Step helping lower level players. A sort of punishment is enacted to challenge the First Step player and to also eliminate those who are being carried. Since I'm Third Step the worms increased in number. If I didn't act in time many of you would have already been swallowed."
Flying creatures moved over the hill and rapidly fell to the ground with their wings severed.
"So why keep your strength quiet?", Saladly shook his head in confusion.
"I wasn't going to reveal it.", Akiol spread his hands helplessly, "I simply planned to assist in some dungeons over time and build up a bit of a reputation."
"You're trying to become a Guidehand?", Polou came to a realization.
Understanding quickly spread across the ragtag party. It made sense now!
Although this wasn't actually the case Akiol decided to use it for now, "Of sorts, I felt that by revealing I'm Third Step it would sully the reputation I'm trying to build. I'm not trying to flaunt, I'm just trying to help. It seems that I can't do this with low level dungeons however."
Smaller sand worms burst out of the sand to spit acid, but the moment their bodies broke the surface of the sand they were split in half.
"Why not join the Guidehands directly? They'd be happy to accept anyone of Third Step, I've heard demand for such players is really high.", Pi pointed out.
"Reputation is important to me.", Akiol provided a broad excuse to allow the others to draw their own conclusions.
Of course this was half lie half truth. Akiol didn't mind helping players clear dungeons, but it wasn't to join the Guidehands. Rather it was just to gain the ability to see many Skills!
"So in the end I ask you don't spread the truth of this matter. I don't wish to spread word about me being Third Step.", Akiol requested truthfully.
"I mean you're basically carrying us in the dungeon, it'd be hard for anyone to believe us anyway so. . . Sure, I don't mind keeping quiet.", Polou was first to accept.
This rapidly followed as the others agreed. Akiol was quite pleased with their kindness. Strangely enough he found that the west players were mostly kind to each other, happily exchanging information and agreeing to a few requests. Was this sort of mindset due to the generosity of the Guidehands?
More importantly, why couldn't they expend such efforts towards the NPCs?
The final wave of the Desert Sand Extravaganza was rapidly finished off by Akiol. Combining the idea of {Photon Cutting Slash} and mana application he was moving his hand about during the conversation to cut down the incoming waves. Since they weren't even First Stage enemies Akiol didn't need to draw Stars to complete this.
As the rewards were given upon dungeon completion Akiol silently reached into his cloak and dispelled the items that were forcefully given to him. Handing them out to the others he smiled, "A thank you gift for keeping my secret."
As the dungeon came to a close their visions warped and they found themselves back at the entrance. Immediately they turned to speak to Akiol, but found he already disappeared. For a moment they considered if their fifth member was even real. If not for the abundance of rewards they were given perhaps they would've considered it a super hidden event in the dungeon.
In the distance Akiol sighed. This was another obstacle in his goal. To think what he presumed to be a simple goal to have would become so convoluted. Now he was forced to do Second Stage and Third Stage dungeons in order to not inconvenience casual dungeon teams. Third Stage was basically impossible considering the very few amount of Third Stage players, so that left him with Second Stage.
How inconvenient! His previous research was null and void now, he only barely looked at Second Stage dungeons and their respective information since he believed he had to slowly increase his reputation to be apart of the more talented groups. The above average players would naturally have access to more bizarre Skills, thus increasing his sample pool of Skills to study from.
Now it seems he'd have to take a different route. It was very unlikely he'd be able to squeeze through in some Second Stage groups. From what he could tell most players at that Stage were either part of some sort of organization, or already had a group they leveled together with from the beginning.
Compared to the central continent where players were a bit more individualistic--mostly due to Dot's influence--the sort of unity the west continent's players had was proving to be an obstacle.
Akiol massaged the bridge of his nose, this was going to take a long while!
~ ~ ~
Tilia raised an eyebrow at the sight she saw. Having thoroughly studied about mage equipment and their respective resources she prepared to start her journey to actually obtain these resources. So she invited Kan'na along to provide some insight as a mage, but now seeing Kan'na in person she felt a strange subconscious feel.
"What is all this?", Tilia asked.
"Hmm? Oh right, sorry.", Kan'na snapped her fingers and the feeling shattered.
Waving a hand in front of her own face Tilia caused her eyes to shift their focus a bit before saying, "This doesn't answer my question."
"I've become a Goddess of Mana. Part of being part of Godhood is this sort of influence I have on the residents of this world. From my experiments players a bit more resistant to it, and NPCs are barely resistant towards it. Granted I haven't tried it much on Third Stage NPCs. . ."
Tilia held a hand up to slow the rant Kan'na was spewing. Taking in the information for a second Tilia finally nodded, "I see, so a Goddess. Akiol is off mastering some sort of incredible power, Wrock is in seclusion and who knows how he's going to turn out at the end of it, Jarvis is tapping into forbidden powers, Yielya is finally ascending to Third Stage and we already know how dramatic her healing is. Am I being left behind?"
"You're about to get a custom set of Third Stage gear. As far as I'm concerned a Defender's might increases several fold from the quality of their gear. So once your set is complete. . . you definitely won't be leaving us behind."
"So it would seem.", Tilia stifled her sigh.
During their conversation Kan'na was reading upon the notes and ideas Tilia wrote during her studies. Although Kan'na was lacking in understanding regarding specific material, she understood some of the concepts with her vast knowledge of mana. Snapping the notebook shut Kan'na provided her opinion, "Excellently done. It's given me some insight on what I should do next. So what was the other thing you needed?"
"Your help finding Kayne."
"The King? You mentioned he went missing. . .", Kan'na frowned, "Is it not something the Kingdom handled?"
"I thought they would by now, but the Forums have created a public post about places searched for the reward of finding Kayne. Since so much time had passed they've risen the reward and more players are getting involved."
"You want the reward?"
"In sorts, one of the resources I desire is mostly in control of the Kingdoms. Since I don't wish to steal it I figured by saving Kayne I could request the right to purchase some. Also it's Kayne, he's helped us a bit in the past. There's a ton of missing NPCs now."
"Then you need my expertise in magic in this regard.", Kan'na filled the rest of the information herself.
"That I do."
"I wonder just how much this material is going to cost. Alright, let's start back at the beginning. To Kayne's Castle."
Without a word Kan'na snapped her fingers and the two teleported away.