Project Overworld

'Should I kill her?" Keith wondered.

She didn't seem too dangerous as she was unarmed, but Keith wouldn't want his base coordinates exposed like that.

He started walking toward the intruder, gripping firmly on his spear.

Amber stood still examining this strange man. He wasn't running towards her meaning he wasn't trying to chase her, but she was ready to escape if she needed to. As he was getting closer, Amber noticed the tool he held in his hands. It was a high quality spear, with a flint as the tip and a sturdy 4-foot-tall handle.

'That's... a good weapon.' Amber thought.

'It would be great if he could make us some more.'

Based on the progress of her guild, this players seemed pretty far ahead. The crafting specialists of New Dawn struggle to even craft some rudimentary tools and the man in front of her was already creating weapons.

- "Did you make this all by yourself?" Amber asked to the mysterious caveman.

He answered by a nod.

- "Erm... I'm from the New Dawn guild, and we're going to establish around the area. Would you mind to join us?"

'Guild? Join them? Nonsense.'

- "I'm not interested." Keith simply replied.

'He didn't hesitate in the slightest before giving me his answer...'

- "May I ask why? We could give you resources and protect you from other players, it's a good deal for you."

- "How to phrase it simply... You would be slowing me down too much. Yeah sure, you could give me resources, but if I were to collect some they would end up being shared off by the guild. Moreover, splitting tasks seems a total waste of time to me. Communicating, waiting for others to finish, working on topics that are not relevant to me... There are a lot of reasons for me to despicate groups. It's just too random to be worth the effort. As for the protection... You and your guild are the only ones around here, thus no thank you."

Keith then turned around to join his cave.

Amber was dumbfounded. How dare he speak to her like that?

- "Wait, what if we set up a treaty?" She insisted.

- "What kind of treaty?"

- "We give you resources and protection, and you craft us some tools in return. You could do whatever you want without being in the need and we get some good gear as a result, it's a win-win proposition."

'I may not be in position to negotiate. If I decline they could simply steal away from me or chase me away from this area eventually slowing me down even more.'

- "Okay. Should I meet with your guild-master? Do I have to sign a contract?"

'Woah, he turned tables really fast.'

Amber was surprised he accepted that quickly because of what he said earlier.

- "No, no, nothing of that sort. I'll just tell everyone you are working with us."

- "Then, I'll see you next time."

On this note, Keith resumed walking towards his base, letting Amber alone and perplexed.

'It sure is an interesting character.' Amber thought before going on her way in turn.

She didn't notice she got back until the voice of Alan interrupted her in her reasoning.

- "Hey Amber, what did you find over her?"

She didn't answer immediately, trying to order her mind.

- "I found an interesting guy. He agreed on working with us."

- "Working with us? Does that mean he will join our guild?"

- "I meant what I said. He won't join New Dawn but he will craft weapons for us."

After returning, Keith took his newly crafted stone pickaxe, reinforced with some copper, and prepared to explore the depths of his cave. Copper can be found near the surface, as well as all the resources he needed until now. As such, he never explored past a few meters in the sunken he established into. But now, he wanted more precious metals such as iron. Taking a torch in one hand, his pick in the other, he started descending into the darkness of the hollow.

At first, he didn't see any new resources. But as he was coming down, the air felt heavier and the walls became denser. After a while, he spotted a vein of tungsten and some other metals. However iron was nowhere to be found, and he continued going down the sunken.

Keith was looking all around the walls in hope to spot what he was looking for. He didn't notice the large precipice before him and suddenly fell in it. At the last second he grabbed the edge, securing himself and his pickaxe, but the torch dropped to the bottom of the pit. As he was climbing back a giant explosion blew in the grotto, propulsing him higher into the cave.

'Gunpowder! Such a great discovery!' Keith rhapsodized.