Iruna Online VRMMORPG

And Then, We Had A New Friend

«Scorched Tunnels», a dungeon area that looks like inside an inactive volcano. It's so hot here that it depleted my HP by one or two-point within a few seconds as an area effect. Right now, we're at the entrance only but on my map, I noticed a few more area warps that are probably leading to it's lower floors. It made me wonder how deep is this place and what's in the deepest part of this place.

"Here", Ero' voice called back my attention to him. Those words caught me unguarded because my attention is fixated actually on our surroundings.

"Huh? Eh? Here?", I muttered while blinking my eyes in disbelief as he sat on a rock verifying his words.

"Yup, just stay here", he nodded with a smile before looking away and pointing at the red turtle mobs that are not too far from us.

"STAY??! It's so hot here that it affects my Health Points!", I groaned in myself but didn't dare to say it aloud.

Well, I trust Ero knows better than I am. He's the one who will fight and I'm just an EXP leecher here so I shouldn't complain.

I sat beside him and noticed my funny HP bar dropping one or two points but it also regained in an instant since I was sitting. When he confirmed that I'm safe in my place, he started to ready himself especially his broadsword.

"Avoid them. They're hard", then he stood up and glimpse at me for a second before running to attack the most nearby mob.

What he's talking about is the level 49, «Flame Rockers». If I will describe them, they're like big turtles with hot red crystals growing on their shells.

"Yeah, obviously", I murmured with a sigh as I squint my eyes to observe how slow it takes for Ero to finish one mob.

Since I'm just sitting nearby the entrance, I saw how other players' avatars appeared and disappeared there every time the entered the warp area.

"Hi!", Aouko passed beside me before going to Ero's side.

"Hello", I greeted again and Ero just quietly nods at him.

Aouko cast some ice spears on the Rockers which made it easier for them to be defeated.

"Kira, why you won't come with us?", he called and waved at me after a while.

"No, she's still weak", it's Ero who immediately responded.

"Yeah, I'm still weak. Both of you so strong", I said in a sarcastic tone. "Especially Aouko!"

"I'm not strong yet, Aouko stronger", he simply denied.

"Just you see, when I became stronger too, I won't need your help anymore and instead it will be me who will help you".

"It's just a level, I'm also still weak", Aouko replied. Yes, it's true, it's just a number. What matters is how you play your character.

Ero and Aouko continued to kill some more Rockers while they talk to each other. I got bored watching them so when I saw they attacked a Flame Rocker nearby me, I pulled my bow and released a shot.

"Eek!", I almost got the mob's aggro but luckily, Aouko landed a clean strike which finished the Flame Rocker.

Ero and I sighed in relief while Aouko just gave a slight laugh.

"Come on, Kira. I'll protect you", he invited me to join them in grinding the Rockers instead of just being an EXP leech.

"No, she'll stay there", it's Ero who replied to him.

"Ugh", I secretly groan again.

Sure I think it's just fine since Aouko is a mage and he can heal me if I died. But I wonder why Ero still don't want me to join them.