The Player's System

Cave 

All of them were familiar with what they were supposed to do. The cave was leading toward the depth. They were worried that perhaps the Cobra Lord confined them for the rest of time. There was possibility since the npc's were designed with some AI. 

It was not that they were unable to cross hurdles. As the time was slipping, it increased their worry for the first level. Sashi and Clark were leading for now. They were clearing the crawling snakes. After some time they were standing at the dead end. 

There were several paths leading toward the depth however they could not spot Cobra Lord or any slave other than the snakes. "So we are going to select one of the paths." Orin blinked and opened the Book of Detection in order to get some help. 

To his dismay the page was blank. They were clueless. Splitting and separately checking each path was impossible. They were in the form of team. Their weapons and their abilities were relatable for each other. This was the so-called restriction of the game portal. In case they separated, they overall strength would split up. 

They could not predict what was waiting at the each path so they could not take risk. "We have to find a way. The one and only path that could lead us toward the Cobra Lord is the sole destiny. Use your brains." Junan shook his head. 

He completely rejected the idea to split up and search. All paths were similar. The crawling snakes were finally nowhere. "If the snakes has disappeared that means we cannot make any clue." Sashi spoke disappointed. 

If they could spot snakes they might have checked their direction from where they were appearing however they were back at the dead end. "The Cobra also hisses particular sound. We can try listening this particular sound if possible." Jake spoke in the middle of silence. 

They looked at him as if seeing the savior. "I bet this kid is genius in his school." Orin praised openly. He was immensely happy at this suggestion. Others were equally awe inspired. Junan nodded. 

Team head was trying his best to digest that perhaps the kid was super intelligent that's why the chief executive let him in the team. Because his suggestions were based on the common sense most of the time. "His addition in the team is making the team perfect, I admit." Junan added. 

Jake heaved sigh of relief. Finally the team head loosened his tightened expressions. Jake was worried that perhaps team head might create trouble for him. Orin lowered his ears near the ground and tried to listen the hissing sound. 

"This is not the best way. There are six paths. One of us with sensitive hearing should step ahead in one path and then try to listen to sound." Jake guided how the suggestion could prove effective. "Indeed the way you are doing, you might only listen our breathing sound." Junan chuckled. 

Orin was standing where all of them were standing. It was no difference for capturing the unnoticeable hissing sound. They understood and spread. Sashi rose up her hand. "My granny always praised me for listening the wanderer's voice from afar. Am I eligible to test?"

They looked at her rolling their eyes. "Ahem I think Albert can try first." Junan coughed. He could see all of them were ready to give try. Albert controlled his smile. Clark was also about to ask however seeing that team head was not in good mood, he stopped. 

Albert walked toward one of the paths and lowered on the ground. He carefully tried to listen. Junan gestured them to not make any sound. They held their breaths. Albert nodded his head then moved toward the inner side. 

He was confirming that the path was void of the target. After a while he stood up and gestured that the path was empty. There was no single sound of any creature much less Cobra Lord. The Cobra Lord must be of huge stature so it was bound to create sound when moving. 

There was complete silence. Albert gestured that the path was clear. He then moved toward the second path. They tightened their grip on the weapons as if ready to conquer the path as soon as they get notion. 

Albert knew the severity and the responsibility. Once confirmed the team would lead that path. In case his senses created illusion and they walked wrong path then they might waste lot of time. He tapped his hand on the ground. 

There was no sound again. Albert looked at the team head and he gestured him to proceed for the third path. The team members were still standing like statue. They were worried that the team head would get angry at their nonprofessional behavior. 

Albert was standing now at the third path. He wished that the Cobra should not be hiding in the cramp space. It would bring trouble for the team members. He bent down to listen the minimal sound however before he could listen any sound the near temporary partition broke in smithereens. 

Earlier Cobra Lord was hiding in one of the paths but decided to face the team away from the Second Heart. "Retreat, hurry." Junan shouted. The wall of the partition might fell on Albert because he was near. 

Albert was looking agape at the Cobra Lord. The big nostrils hissed frightening sound. This Cobra was utterly different from the real life Cobra or perhaps Albert never happened to see any in real life. He might have acted as the team player however closing distance was enough to stop his breath. 

Fifteen feet big and somewhat healthy Cobra Lord was eyeing Albert. Albert coughed. The shield was not open. The weapon was not ready. Albert was looking what to do now. The team members stood rooted. They gulped dry breath. 

The boss Cobra seemed got out of the den to battle with the team members instead of remaining hidden or save the toil of the team.