"Seems like, despite the handicap I provided them, they were unable to defeat the Nian. And here I thought I could hope for a miracle fight but perhaps I am overestimating them a little too much. I guess when it comes to them, they err on the side of caution as compared to the brash young Pandawans. But at least they are alive in all one piece." Jin mumbled as he checked on the progress of other groups besides the Elder Trio.
Some had already completed a few side quests and tried to advance by fighting Nian. While he also saw Bu Dong and a few other Pandawans coming in a little later for the dungeon instance, he believed the Elder Pandarens could be able to catch up.
"User should have known that the Nian Boss cannot be defeated with brute force alone. The System has collected adequate data to ensure that the final Boss would pose a sufficient challenge based on the cultivators' grade. Unlike the previous dungeon instances, the System finally achieved a formula that takes into consideration the offensive and defensive capabilities of the cultivators." The System stated.
"I understand that you might have sufficient data on repeating customers like but how can you do that for newcomers? How can you know it will end up useful instead of detrimental if you do not have information on them?" Jin queried.
"This new formula takes into account both old and new customers. It may be possible for anomalies to appear, like the one User caused, but the System is able to detect and change the Monster's ability to suit them." The System replied with confidence.
"So you mean to say that there will be no heroes in this dungeon supplier store?" Jin sniggered at the System's reply.
"Never! For the System is forever monitoring the dungeons. That is the Dungeon Supplier's main job, and so it will be for the System." The System said.
"Not even when someone who could possibly isekai like Rei, our dear engineer from the Mecha World? And maybe the next time we meet such a person, he or she could possibly possess some absurdly crazy powers?" Jin fancied such a thought to the System.
"User is underestimating the System. If System had managed to put Panda Remnant Rex into submission, there is nothing the System cannot do."
"Strange, I somehow recall that it was Kraft who beat Rex. And isn't Kraft running around causing havoc whenever he pleases without you ever doing anything about it?" Jin returned with a poignant point which caused the System to flinch a little in its reply, a rare reaction which Jin got to see.
"System merely refuses to deal with Original Bellator Kraft since he has not harmed the System ever since. System has therefore allowed him to do as he pleases and tolerates such behaviour."
"I might not have an ability allowing me to sniff out lies, but that was a little too obvious." Jin teased the System which was obviously trying to keep its pride.
"System only wishes to reinforce to User that System can be relied on." The System reinforced before pointing out that the Elder Pandarens were moving out after their rest.
"In any case, the former anomaly will be treated as if the Elder Pandarens have fought the Nian after finishing a side quest and all damage will be kept. The village starting scenario for them will have to be adjusted. Does User wish to provide some navigation for the Elder Pandarens?" The System showed concern and Jin understood why.
They were currently in this particular situation because of the Dungeon Supplier's meddling. And now that the Elder Pandarens had failed to use their first opportunity to fulfil his expectations for defeating Nian quickly, Jin should at least be responsible for the situation they were in.
"I suppose that is fair," Jin replied as he immediately installed a navigation module within Heala and Tanke so they could bring the three Pandarens back to the island's village where they would have more information on defeating the Demon Beast.
-----
"Follow me, I've been through this island a couple of times so I recognise the scent of their village," Heala commented when they were done discussing on where to go next.
"I believe that is the best course of action. We should visit that village since they most probably know more about that beast and how to defeat those hard dragon scales." Tanke added.
"I should have brought a demon-slaying scimitar...or at least a dragon-slaying scimitar. BUT ARGGGH they were freaking expensive!" Xia Mao complained, and the rest giggled.
"Probably because other people are more cautious than you and have already invested in those weapons before the price hike due to high demand and limited supply. Imagine what the prices will be like by noon." Zi Dan chuckled and made Xia Mao's regrets even worse.
"You never know. It might not even work even though the forums are suggesting it. Nian is after all a chimaera of beasts fused into one." Jing Yu interjected as they followed the two NPCs walking at the outskirts of the swamp area.
"At least it should hurt the dragon scales, right? Even though it could be ineffective against other parts of the body." Xiao Mao tried to justify the reason for buying a dragon-slaying sword even though he did not get one prior to the dungeon.
"Hmm, you could try looking at the spoilers part of the forum and see if it works." Zi Dan suggested since there was no use arguing now. Xia Mao could still get one now via the Pandamonium Shop Interface although it would be priced significantly higher even if he was out of combat. Zi Dan continued to coerce Xia Mao to get it, stating that the prices would be worse.
"You know we can't get into the spoiler part of the forums until after we have attempted one dungeon run. You want me to spoil my chance here and now just to see if it's worth buying a dragon-slaying sword?!" Xia Mao argued, and both of his friends merely shrugged their shoulders.
"No matter how we see it, it seemed that you still want to buy that sword." Zi Dan replied.
In the meantime, Jin was listening in on their conversation and contemplated if he should tell them not to buy it. Mainly because they were going back to the village and there were quests that would specifically help them defeat Nian.
Jin understood that if Xia Mao bought the sword with Dragon Slaying properties, he could still earn some money from them. This was after all a business and not some charity dungeon instance. Thus, Jin kept his mouth shut and let Xia Mao's friends influence his decision.
Ultimately, the Blind Cat Cultivator ended up caving in, mainly because they happened to encounter Mini Nians but with more of a dragon looking appearance. Upon hearing their conversation, the System simply tweaked the navigation a little for them to cover a stretch of land where it would be faster to reach the village.
However, there's a catch as the Pandarens would have a high chance of encountering mob monsters, which should not have been the case if they had stuck to Jin's route.
But hey, it's just business.
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