Chapter Sixteen: The Legend of the Ultimate Dungeon

Spider’s Lair.

“Star Shepherd, heal! Hurry!”
“Keep your damage steady, everyone. Hold the line! Don’t rush—stay calm!”
“Star Shield! Defensive stance, mind your aggro! Don’t hesitate to use your skills at a critical moment, and watch your health!”

The atmosphere was tense as the five faced a colossal spider boss. Their teamwork was so flawless that it was impossible not to marvel at their synergy—it felt almost seamless.

Whenever the shield warrior at the front lost some HP to the boss’s attacks, a healing aura would immediately fall upon him, ever-ready to brace for the boss’s next strike.
The mage, hunter, and swordsman maintained a steady rhythm of attacks, always watching for the boss’s abilities. If anything unusual happened, all their skills would halt and interrupt at once.
Though their damage output was a bit slow, the five played safely and steadily throughout.

Finally, after a piercing shriek, the spider boss collapsed. Its body gradually faded, morphing into a treasure chest shimmering with golden light.

The five stood frozen in place. At last, they had succeeded! At last!

“Because a player has completed the Archmage’s Trial and successfully cleared the first ultimate-difficulty dungeon, the system will soon unlock the Archmage’s Summoning quest series. Ultimate-difficulty dungeons are now open—challenge them if you dare. Please check the official website for equipment drop details.”

Three consecutive announcements echoed, and the players’ world erupted into excitement.
Some quick-witted ones immediately logged out to visit the website; others whispered among themselves, gathering information. Every tavern in every city buzzed with renewed energy.

“Huh? Someone actually cleared ultimate mode? That’s rare indeed. The boss has two lives plus that terrifying countershot skill—I wonder how many times they died, ha ha ha.”
Thinking of the last five-man team, Li Ren couldn’t help but laugh.

His skeletal minions continued hacking away, while he sat drowsily to one side. Ever since arriving here, his spirit had been remarkably vigorous, though he wasn’t sure whether this was good or bad. Now, with some downtime—even though he wasn’t tired—Li Ren insisted on resting. He firmly believed that going too long without any rest would affect his spirit.

“Hmm? The ultimate dungeon? Cleared already? Their rewards must be exceptional.”
On the Bone Wasteland, a proud figure stood, gazing deeply as though pondering something profound.

Soon after, the first guild’s chat channel in the player community broadcast an announcement:
“Invincible Legion is now searching for entrance methods to ultimate mode. Find all qualifying members as soon as possible—aim for the first kill!”

Invincible Legion became busy in an instant, with everyone searching for any information related to ultimate-difficulty dungeons. Other player groups, unwilling to be left behind, began searching as well.

Meanwhile, as another elegant arrow pierced the skull of an elite monster, a crystal-clear stone dropped from its corpse.

The player who fired that magnificent shot walked over and picked up the stone. He wore white robes, a massive bow slung across his back, his quiver brimming with fine arrows. A dense aura of light surrounded him, his sacred presence even more powerful than most priests!

Such a sight inevitably brought someone to mind.

Indeed, it was the player known as “Power of Light,” the second to enter the game after the launch of “Land of the Gods.”

“Hmm? The Archmage’s Teleport Crystal? How intriguing!”
He pocketed the crystal, then melted back into shadow, hunting his next prey.

At that moment, the official website prominently displayed the key to the ultimate dungeon—a seemingly ordinary crystal imbued with unfathomable spatial power, now resting quietly in Power of Light’s backpack, coveted by all yet utterly unresponsive to their longing.

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“What is this?! This… this is…! A Guild Charter!”
Star Shield stammered, staring at the golden, gleaming token in his hand. The token bore a bold inscription of the word “Guild,” and the reverse side featured a carved dragon, exuding an extraordinary aura of dominance.

For a moment, the Five-Star Squad was utterly stunned.

“Boss, this…”
Star Shield was so excited he could barely speak.

They had all received their ultimate dungeon rewards from the treasure chest dropped by the ultimate spider boss.
Star Sword got a full set of gold-level leather armor, far superior to anything he’d worn before. The strength attribute bonus alone—10%—rendered all other leather armor obsolete.
Star Shepherd gained a purple-quality staff, greatly enhancing his holy magic effects.
Star Mage received a ring—though only blue-quality, its mana storage and regeneration effects left him utterly speechless.
Star Hunter earned a single arrow. Its effect was still unknown, described only as a mysterious arrow, sealed and requiring a certain opportunity to unlock. Even unawakened, it already had a unique attack property: magical guidance, armor-piercing, guaranteed hit!

Only Star Shield’s reward held no personal value for him, but everyone else’s eyes burned with fervor as they gazed at the token in his hand. With this item, they would gladly trade all their hard-earned equipment for it!

Star Shield laughed heartily, even to the point of tears. His dedication—and theirs—had finally been rewarded!

For this moment, they had poured in untold effort. They were but a small group of players, a humble studio. Countless others, whether less skilled or short on time or hindered by myriad reasons, had quietly supported them, never requesting anything in return. Because they were a team.

And at this moment, they had finally proven themselves! After so many eyes watched in hope, after failures when those around them still quietly believed and supported, after setbacks when everyone cared for one another and prepared all they needed—be it mining all day or traversing mountains for a single herb—they remembered every drop and every ounce of effort. Yet never had they spoken a word of thanks. Now, their actions could speak for their gratitude.

For this victory!
As the five laughed, tears began to stream—who started, none could say. Amid unstoppable laughter and sparkling tears! Why? They did not know, nor did they care; they just wanted to cry, to weep with joy and excitement in this moment. No one mocked the other—only hearts burning hotter drew them closer. They would always be victors!

“Congratulations to player Star Sword for being the second to found a guild. Award: 800 reputation, 8,000 gold, and one gold-quality equipment of your choice.”

The system announced it three times.

With those announcements, the player world was once more ablaze!

“Star Sword?! Who is Star Sword?”
“Isn’t Star Sword the leader of the Star Alliance studio?”
“Yeah, that’s him! I used to trade with them in ‘Dynasty,’ and they used the same name back then.”
“They’re the second to found a guild? That’s unexpected. No idea how they got the Guild Charter—what luck!”

Regardless of others’ opinions, Star Alliance was already celebrating.
They had waited for this day far too long. This group who had always given quietly finally received their due. From the start, the guild’s affairs were spontaneously and neatly divided. The guild’s communal warehouse was filled with materials, equipment, potions—everything imaginable.

This was only possible because every player had placed their belongings in the guild warehouse without reservation. In this regard, even though Invincible Legion’s guild warehouse boasted loot from the Bone Wasteland, it paled in comparison to Star Alliance’s.

Every player’s face shone with motivation; without a word, guild tasks began. Their first task wasn’t monster hunting, but donating items—vast quantities of ore, herbs, materials, equipment. Everyone mobilized: miners worked day and night, herbalists scoured the land, combat specialists went to lower-level, monster-rich zones, each group including a player with high luck to boost drop rates.

Star Sword and his four teammates were no exception—they too went to grind monsters, their harvests ample thanks to Star Shield’s high luck.

“Damn! Someone beat us to it again! Are you all useless? I sent you to find a Guild Charter—why is it so difficult? That Star Sword managed it, so why can’t you?”
A furious voice berated the players below, who hung their heads in confusion at Star Sword’s ability to establish a guild.

In terms of influence, they dwarfed Star Alliance; in strength, they were far superior. Yet they had never obtained a Guild Charter.

At that moment, one of the players below spoke:
“Master, I heard Star Alliance’s Guild Charter might have come from the ultimate dungeon.”