The boulder was at least fifteen feet across. Its length was roughly two and a half times the height of a grown man.
Something that thick, jammed in the cave mouth, looked impossible to break with human strength alone. Yet Ace smirked and strode up to it.
Right now a normal human couldn’t crack it. In a few days the first rankers would have the power and skills to smash rocks . The boulder also served as a perfect shield, so busting it now would just waste that defense.
Ace pulled a small pouch from his pocket and loosened its drawstring. He swept silver powder across the rock face.
Seconds later a wide, hand-shaped outline appeared. He set his palm on the mark, and it shrank to fit his hand perfectly.
[You have found a key to the Bank Grotto.]
[You have become the owner of the Bank Grotto (Safe Zone).]
[You can open the boulder and close it with your will alone.]
"What’d you do, Don Capo?"
"I’ve claimed this safe zone. Found its peephole with Eagle-Eye Powder from Pawn’s Starter Kit. It shows hidden hints."
"Oh, I see! As expected of Don Capo!"
Ace willed the boulder open. He then eyed the Bank Grotto.
He had heard it was the best beginner safe zone on Gravehaven Isle. Rumor said the grotto held many challenges tied to the isle’s lore, which would help the gang advance their quest.
One quest says we gotta crush Black Umi’s first wave. More waves will follow, and every clear grants class rewards: extra Eagle-Eye Powder for me and items from your Starter Packs for you.
But forget the loot for now. Our packs are stuffed. First we clean this safe zone.
[Your ownership of the Bank Grotto has been threatened.]
[You have received a new quest related to the Bank Grotto.]
[Objective: Kill the intruder.]
[Reward: Ownership of the Bank Grotto will return to you.]
Most of the time this "intruder" quest teaches fresh rankers how safe-zone claims work. If a monster lingers inside, its presence disrupts ownership and locks the zone’s facilities.
Now I can only open and close the boulder. Camping inside with that thing would be suicide.
Ace whispered, "We need to clear the monster inside. It’s probably a few grades above the Black Umi." He motioned for Chaewon to look.
She crept closer and peered in, her purple eyes widening. "All red."
"It’s a light shade... but still red," she murmured.
Ace nodded. When she stepped back, he closed the boulder and faced the others. "There’s a dangerous monster inside. We gear up, rest, then enter before night falls."
"Is that the only way?" Chaewon asked.
The red glow weighed on her; red meant one of them could die. She wanted to believe there was an easier zone somewhere else.
"I won’t force anyone," Ace said.
He said nothing else. His posture showed he would fight the monster even alone. He would not give up a safe zone so rare in either life.
I only need a solid plan.
Silence hung until the first group stepped forward. Alex led them, his voice for the group.
"We’ll follow you, Don Capo! You need rank-seven’s shield!" Alex roared with a grin.
"And my heals!" Mercer added.
Others nodded and clenched their fists, ready to face the unknown. One by one the rest joined until only Chaewon remained. Their eyes settled on her; Ace looked away.
"Look at me. Don’t go cold on me now," she said, forcing him to meet her gaze. "I’m in. Just don’t charge in blind. Plan first. You can do that, right, Ace?"
Chaewon turned to the gang. "Follow Ace’s plan. We’re going in by our own choice. Even if it looks hopeless, trust him. Absolutely!"
"Understood!" the Don Capo Gang chorused.
Ace blinked in surprise at her words.
She turned back and smiled. "Whatever happens, don’t let casualties weigh on you. We chose this."
Her promise echoed from the first life. She always said she fought for herself. Yet on her deathbed she regretted not spending more simple days with him.
Ace’s heart ached at the memory.
But when he and the others stepped into the Bank Grotto, the monster’s cold aura slammed into him. It chilled his emotions yet pumped him up for the fight.