MMORPG: I was BUGGED-Chapter 321: Sylvan’s Discipline

A heavy tension descended upon the group as Sylvan pressed on, his voice resonating with the authority befitting a young master.

"As the leader of this group, I can’t let you go on without punishing you," Sylvan declared, emphasizing his point by crossing his arms.

Seraphim blinked, and a palpable tension gripped the others. The adventure hadn’t even started, yet the atmosphere within the group was already fraught with strain.

’It looks like this won’t be a walk in the park,’ Xin mused, sensing that challenges might arise sooner than expected.

"Uhm, Sir Sylvan, since Seraphim is already here, can you let this one slide, just for this time?" Ignis implored, adopting a posture of prayer as if begging the young master for leniency.

However, Sylvan remained unyielding. "No. If you don’t punish people for being late, they will do it again. Listen here, I don’t care if you’re a top player or whatnot. If you’re not going to be professional about this escapade, then you can just leave the group right here, and we’ll find someone who would."

The stern declaration hung in the air, thickening the tension within the group.

Xin exchanged glances with the others, sensing that the dynamics of their adventure had taken an unexpected turn.

A heavy tension descended, casting a pall over the group, and a collective hesitation prevailed as no one dared to intervene, fearing they might exacerbate the situation.

Finally, Seraphim broke the silence and offered an apology. "I’m sorry for being late. To make up for it, I won’t take any items or drops today."

Mouths gaped at her declaration, as foregoing a share of the loot was a significant gesture. Most players wouldn’t agree to such terms and might opt to leave in protest.

The gaming community was known for its pride, and apologies were a rare sight.

However, Seraphim’s amiable and professional approach seemed to set her apart.

Sylvan nodded in acknowledgment, grunting, "Good that we’re clear on that. If there’s no rule, then there’s no order and discipline. I don’t want ragtag vagabonds in my group. Let’s go."

A sigh of relief escaped Ignis, who managed a forced laugh in Seraphim’s direction. "D-don’t worry about Sylvan. It’s not personal."

Seraphim chuckled, responding, "No hard feelings. It’s my fault anyway."

Observing the exchange, Xin leaned towards Victor, whispering in his ear, "He seemed okay." He was talking about Sylvan, of course.

Victor nodded in agreement. "He’s alright, just frank and strict. A lot of players don’t like him because of his attitude. But like I said, don’t take anything he says to heart."

Xin found himself surprised by the realization that the young master possessed more discipline than he had initially thought.

Sylvan, too, defied stereotypes, proving that not all individuals with wealth were snotty brats.

Eventually, the group entered the interior of the Lost Forest. It unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry of nature, weaving together an intricate mosaic of flora and fauna.

Towering trees stood sentinel, their branches intertwining to form a verdant canopy that filtered the sunlight into a soft, dappled glow.

The sheer expanse of the forest created an awe-inspiring and mysterious atmosphere.

Sunlight filtered through the foliage above, creating a gentle luminescence that cast enchanting patterns on moss-covered rocks and fallen branches scattered beneath the canopy.

A babbling brook meandered through the heart of the forest, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the lush greenery that surrounded it.

The gentle murmur of the stream harmonized with the rustle of leaves, creating a soothing melody that resonated through the woodland.

The air carried a fragrance of earth, pine, and the subtle sweetness of blooming wildflowers, enveloping the adventurers in a symphony of natural scents.

As the group ventured more into the forest, they encountered scattered clusters of players, each absorbed in their quest to locate the elusive Golden Tail Kitsune.

These groups were like fleeting shadows, and none wanted to engage the others this early in time.

Some players moved with stealth, their avatars blending seamlessly with the surroundings as they navigated through the undergrowth.

Others, armed with weapons and armor, marched boldly, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of the mythical creature.

The air hummed with a collective anticipation, and occasional calls and whispers echoed through the forest as players communicated and shared information.

"Look at how many players are here," Luna remarked with a hint of concern. "There are only eight of us. I wonder if we’ll even make it to the Golden Tail Kitsune."

"Stop being so negative," Ignis advised, attempting to maintain an optimistic tone.

"There’s a minimum of five players and a maximum of ten players to enter this forest," Drakoon explained. "So, I think we’re on par if there are any players going against us."

Luna grumbled, "Yeah, but don’t forget that there might be more than one group in here with the same affiliation. If that happens, then we’re at a disadvantage."

While they engaged in conversation up front, Xin pondered that this might be a common scenario for most guilds.

Comprising numerous players, it was easy for them to form two to three groups to search in the forest. They could easily call for backup if any issues arose.

"Are there saving points here?" Xin inquired.

Victor nodded in confirmation. "Yeah. This forest is vast, so there are save crystals located in the map. Sylvan managed to acquire a copy of the map online, but it isn’t complete."

It was reassuring to know that there were saving points, allowing them to save their progress. This meant they wouldn’t have to start over if they met an unfortunate demise. Instead, they could choose to revive at their latest saving point.

"That’s the only good news here," Drakoon chuckled. "If we ever get killed, we’ll be resurrected near the crystal." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Just make sure to save," Luna reminded, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their progress.

"Let’s just avoid those players for now," Victor suggested. "We don’t have time to deal with them."

"But what if they decide to make it harder for us?" Xin questioned, voicing a valid concern.

Victor’s eyes narrowed to slits. "Then we just have to eliminate the competition."