Eventually, Lira's group made it into another hall that was illuminated by torches, and in this room, two monsters awaited.

"D-don't tell me . . . do you think it's that dwarf and elven ghost pair again?" a player stuttered.

"Or worse. That couple, joker and bunny?" another interjected.

"Relax . . ." Lira smirked. "It's an undead Orc and a . . ."

Lira paused and squinted her eyes. Upon closer inspection, the kid beside the Orc seemed very familiar.

His hair was black as night like his skin, and some strands were of violet hue. It wasn't something she had seen before, but it was awfully . . . familiar to her.

She couldn't make out his eyes because of his goggles and stitches on his dark skin, preventing her from recognizing the boy.

". . . a monster boy?" Lira continued and wasn't bothered one bit.

"Let's quickly kill them and proceed to the next area." she chortled.

To meet up with Ragnar in the tunnel, Roz hurried towards the Panic Room. There was a shortcut there that would transport him into the said area.

It was a small room and had an animal skin rug on the floor. In the far corner, a small open chest with treasures glinted in gold.

It was a trap, of course.

If the players stepped on the rug in the center of the room, the ceiling would collapse, or the walls would close in with no escape, killing players in one blow.

Roz ignored the chest and quickly went into the rug. Upon removing it, there was a small wooden door that allowed the players to escape into the tunnel.

The escape route was so small that only one person could fit in at a time.

Roz opened the door and stumbled upon the darkness below. His embarrassment of keeping Ragnar waiting for him weighed on his mind more than the fear of what was waiting for him once he jumped into that hole.

His fear was reduced when he slid down into the tunnel like he was inside a slide.

When the area illuminated, he found himself in a large hall lit by torches, and at one end, Ragnar's standing figure stood straight. His eyes were closed, and his arms were folded, making it look like he was asleep.

"Sorry I made you wait," said Roz.

Ragnar opened his eyes and stared at Roz. The height and build difference was really something. It made Ragnar look taller and Roz even shorter.

"It's no trouble. This place had nothing anyway."

Roz roamed his eyes. "Have you already checked it?"

Ragnar nodded and changed the topic. "What did the doctor talk to you about?"

Of course, they'd be curious. Roz thought. "Nothing much. She . . . she made me like her."

Ragnar was intrigued. "Like her? You mean like a mad scientist?"

"Only like a novice mad scientist."

"So you can create monsters now?"

"Pretty much."

"That's cool."

". . ." Roz didn't comment, and the conversation ended with that.

In the first place, Roz didn't know how to hold a conversation, while Ragnar wasn't chatty to begin with.

To pass the time, Roz read Ren's message to him. He now had a class, all thanks to him and Leonel, so he would like to make it up to them.

However, Ren's message to him made up his mind that he would join World Conqueror, no matter what. Not out of obligation or his debt with Leonel, it was simply because he wanted to.

From the bottom of his heart, he wanted to repay Ren and the others, especially Leonel. Without him, there was no way that he would be here right now.

[While it is said that the heavens reward the diligent, those who work hard are not always rewarded. I have truly seen such matters too many times.

I used to be like you, thinking that working hard and playing fair would lead to success and happiness. It doesn't. Playing fair is a joke invented by successful and rich people to keep the rest of us poor.

So don't go thinking that you owe us anything. You don't. Grab every opportunity before you, and climb the ladder using your own strength. In the end, that's all that matters.]

After reading Ren's message to him, Roz only felt more determined to join World Conqueror.

His thoughts were disrupted when they heard voices coming from the archways opposite them.

Finally, some players had arrived!

"Let's get this done and over with and move on to the next server. I've had enough of the monsters here." Ragnar stretched his neck and swung his arms back and forth.

Roz didn't comment. He was ready to create his first monster when he paused, stunned.

Just meters from him stood the woman who made his life miserable and a living hell. From all the groups that they could possibly face, how come she was brought to him?

Was fate playing tricks on them?

Or was this Karma finally at hand, waiting to be claimed in the form of his revenge?

Whatever that was, Roz wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. He would kill Lira even if it was the last thing he did!

Anger set Roz's heart ablaze as he locked his piercing gaze on Lira. "That girl is mine. You can take care of the rest."

Ragnar merely shot Roz a glance before saying, "Alright. More for me then." He didn't know why the kid looked so angry all of a sudden but it was not in his nature to pry.

Maybe they had a history? Something Ragnar missed since he didn't watch live streamers or celebrity news nor trending gossips about a popular streamer cried because some kid stole her table.

"Let's quickly kill them and proceed to the next area," Lira shouted at the others.

Roz's lips rose in a smirk. Proceed to the next area, she said. He stifled a laugh.

There was no next area. This place would be her grave.

A crackle of electricity enveloped Roz's body as he gave rise to his first monster creation.