“So you brought a gun? How many bullets do you have?” Charlie asks as they slowly walk forward while on the lookout for monsters. Everyone had a flashlight that they were using to constantly scan the surroundings.

“Don't worry, boys. I'm packing.” The young lady says with a smile. She wasn't too worried about the ammo.

Darren clears his throat as the heat lingers on his face. “Do you have a name? I ugh- I mean, what's your name?” He asks, stumbling through his words.

The young lady smiles at Darren's awkwardness. Little boys are so fun. She thinks, eager to tease him. “Yes, I’m lucky enough to have a name. My name is Shana. A pleasure to meet you.” She says gracefully.

Darren clears his throat again. “Umm, nice to meet you.” He says quietly. If there was a light on his face, his red face would be glowing.

“Ugh. Get a room.” Charlie says with displeasure.

“Maybe later.” Shana says casually before letting out a laugh.

Charlie considers the words and heat also finds its way to his face. “You guys are gross.” He says, suppressing his emotions as he hurries his steps. He was not feeling very comfortable at the moment.

“Hey, slow down.” Darren says, causing Charlie to pause. “Something’s ahead.” Darren says as he takes out his machete.

“It’s my time to shine.” Shana says with a grin as she takes out her gun and points it forward.

The same insect-like creature approaches. Shana aims and presses the trigger.

*BANG*

The bullet hits the ground next to thr creature, stirring up some dust. The creature lets out a hiss and leaps forward.

“Fuck.” Darren says as he rushes forward.

Charlie also sprints ahead. When he was within range, he stabbed out with his make-shift spear. The knife pierces into the creature’s neck and halts its momentum.

Darren didn’t hesitate and slashed down at the creatures head, causing green blood to splatter.

A voice was heard and Darren received half the experience points for the creature.

Experience: 45.50%

“Damn it! How’d I miss that!?” Shana exclaims.

“Ugh. You’ll get’em next time.” Darren says awkwardly.

“Don’t coddle her. She probably doesn’t know how to shoot.” Charlie says, stating how he saw it.

“Of course I know how to shoot!” Shana says as her cheeks begin to redden.

Charlie smirks. “Sure you do.” He says before beginning to walk forward.

After a few more opportunities, it had been confirmed; Shana was a bad shot. So while Charlie and Darren confronted the monsters, Shana would get close and shoot them from close range. It was a little unsightly but it did the trick.

Experience: 100%

You have leveled up.

Shana opens her eyes wide, before glee blooms on her face and she hugged her arms around herself as if it reward her efforts. “I did it!” She yelled with excitement.

Please distribute your attribute points.

“Put all that shit into Dexterity! Please and thank you!” She yells, still lingering in the excitement.

Dexterity: 20

“Yeah, bitch! C’mon, let’s find more of these bastards. Watch me miss now!” She says before letting out a loud laugh.

Darren shares a look with Charlie, before shaking his head and following.

Shana wasn’t wrong. Her aim had been improved greatly. She still wasn’t as good as the older lady but she seemed to have what was necessary to use the gun properly.

After Shana’s level up, their experience farming became a lot more relaxed. She was able to greatly ease the pressure when they were facing multiple monsters.

Eventually, Darren also leveled up. He received 10 attribute points. Darren split the points up evenly into Strength and Dexterity, and farming became much easier for him.

Darren and Shana eased up so that Charlie could have a bigger share of the experience. Shana owed him for stealing his sword so she did what she could to help. And eventually, Charlie also leveled up.

He put 3 points into Strength and the rest into Dexterity. He felt like he needed more power, but his makeshift spear was awkward to wield; the extra Dexterity points made it much easier.

They continued to farm, and so far they had only received minor injuries. They were still eager to keep going and pushed on.

Several hours later, in the dead of night, they all made it to Level 2 and farming the insect-like creatures became easy. Unfortunately they couldn’t continue, because at this point they were starving. No one had thought to bring supplies so they were forced to make the journey back.

A different cop watches the trio climb out of the pit and his eyes widen. “Who the fuck are you?” He asks, ready to make an arrest.

Shana wipes the dust off her pants and gives the cop a stern look. “Didn’t the previous guy tell you? That’s confidential. Ask again and you’ll be on beat cop duty for the foreseeable future.” Shana says with an even tone.

“Ugh... I’m already a beat cop.” The cop says, unsure what to make of this situation.

Shana’s face turns pink with a little embarrassment. “And do you want it to stay that way, soldier?” She forces herself to say with a raised voice.

The cop raises an eyebrow. She knows I was a soldier? Does she have access to my file? The cop wonders before deciding to probe with a few questions. But before he could say anything Shana spoke up again.

“Just ask the previous guy. He’ll explain it to you. We’ll be off now.” Shana says before hurrying her steps and walking away, followed by two boys with their heads bowed.

“Ugh, wait-” The cop says before stopping himself. The event with the pits randomly appearing everywhere did seem serious. For all he knew, this could be a confidential matter. The cop decides to let it go and ask the previous guy next time he saw him.

The trio scurried away and when they rounded the street, Shana stopped and let out a breath.

“Did you just lie to that guy?” Charlie asks, confused.

“Of course I lied! How else do you think we were able to leave in peace?” Shana says with a roll of her eyes.

“But you’re rich, right? Couldn’t you just bribe him?” Charlie asks with a raised eyebrow.

“What are you talking about? I’m not rich.” Shana says with a blank face.

Darren and Charlie’s eyes widen. “But- But what about-” Charlie stutters as he thought about how they got into the dungeon.

Shana looked back innocently. This chick is effin’ wild! Darren thought to himself with shock. Who points a gun at a cop!? And we’re accomplices! Oh shit… I hope I don’t get arrested… Darren thinks solemnly.

“Anyways, same time tomorrow?” Shana asks with a smile, ignoring the shock on the other two’s faces.

Darren shares a look with Charlie, uncertainty in their eyes. Do we really want to go through that again? Darren wonders to himself.