Chapter 22 Recruitment Storm
As more and more players gathered, Eric's surroundings grew eerily quiet.
"Eric, am I dreaming?" Tonny rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
Eric remained silent, offering a wry smile as he observed the trio causing such a stir.
Among the newcomers was none other than Tonny's idol, Ice Goddess Isabella Collins, clad in resplendent silver armor that accentuated her exquisite figure. Her ethereal beauty and icy demeanor were captivating, especially to the male players.
Even Eric had to admit that Isabella Collins was the epitome of perfection— surpassing any celebrity in terms of looks, figure, and presence.
The two others beside Isabella were familiar faces to Eric, figures he had seen in various news and television shows— renowned experts in Divine Realms: Legends.
One was the equally stunning Scarlet Woods. If Isabella embodied perfection, Scarlet exuded a devilish allure, her fiery red robe emphasizing her bewitching charm.
Scarlet was known as the Crimson Flame Sorceress in Divine Realms: Legends, not just for her captivating appearance but also for her formidable prowess that left a trail of defeated male players in her wake.
In comparison, standing beside these two striking figures, Priestess Judy Simon appeared average, possessing a pleasant demeanor and respectable skills, ranking among the top hundred priests in the Eldoria Kingdom.
Their arrival at the Silent Grove Dungeon entrance injected even more energy into the already bustling scene, drawing hundreds of eager players hoping to catch a glimpse of the renowned trio. However, Isabella, Scarlet, and Judy paid no heed to the attention surrounding them.
"Scarlet, these guys are annoying. Can't we just head back to level up?" Judy whispered timidly.
"Judy, fear not. With Isabella here, even the most daring perverts wouldn't dare approach," Scarlet boasted confidently, puffing out her chest.
Isabella remained silent, simply nodding in agreement, ignoring the attention of the onlookers.
"While elite monsters drop good loot, the chances of finding skill books in Silent Grove Dungeon are higher. Without more skill books, our leveling progress will stagnate," Isabella remarked quietly.
Scarlet nodded in agreement. Despite their success in defeating numerous elite monsters, their search for skill books had been disappointingly fruitless, hindering their efficiency and power.
"Efficiency team for Silent Grove Dungeon! Seeking 3 healers and a main tank!" Eric's voice cut through the murmurs, attempting to gather attention.
Although Isabella and Scarlet were undoubtedly alluring, Eric was no novice in the presence of beauties. Leading ShadowForge Studios had exposed him to countless admirers. Glancing at Isabella and Scarlet was sufficient; their allure did not sway him from his primary objective.
Yet Eric's call received no response, not even a glance from any player, all wholly absorbed by Isabella and her companions. Even Tonny found himself staring, wide-eyed.
Eric sighed with resignation, shaking his head at the turn of events, and continued to call out for team members.
"Why is that idiot shouting for no reason? Does he really think anyone will join his team just to perish in the dungeon?"
"Get lost, level 1 newbie. Don't interrupt my admiration of these beauties."
Dissatisfaction among the players grew evident. With two top-tier beauties now present, the focus shifted entirely, leaving Eric's recruitment efforts futile.
"That guy is quite the character, provoking so much ire. Did he commit some grave offense previously?" Judy teased, gesturing towards Eric with a mischievous smile.
Scarlet glanced over, unimpressed by Eric's scruffy appearance and his attempt to garner attention.
"He's just seeking attention with this act. Let's ignore him and quickly assemble our team of 3 for the dungeon," Scarlet remarked dismissively.
Having experienced many attempts to capture their attention, Scarlet was unfazed. Eric's actions were nothing new; they were merely low-effort.
Isabella remained silent, a faint curiosity flickering in her gaze, particularly directed at the unassuming burning stick at Eric's waist.
"What's the matter, Isabella?" Scarlet asked, noticing Isabella's attention shift.
"Nothing. It must be my imagination. Let's focus on recruiting our dungeon team quickly," Isabella replied softly, diverting her gaze from Eric's waist.
With Scarlet's dismissive comment, Eric's team, already struggling to attract members, was further overshadowed. Despite Eric's own skill, the allure of Isabella and Scarlet drew all attention, and eager players flocked to join their team instead.
Seeing the long queue forming in front of Scarlet, Eric felt powerless, realizing this was perhaps not the ideal moment for recruitment.
"Eric, should we join them?" Tonny suggested shamelessly.
"Forget it! What do you take me for?" Eric shot Tonny a disdainful glance. Tonny's shamelessness had exceeded bounds; he had forsaken loyalty for beauty. In contrast, Eric found Ezio's decency and honesty admirable. He briefly admired the beauties and refocused on recruiting team members, determined to move forward.
After receiving Eric's scolding, Tonny remained silent, watching with envy as players lined up for Isabella's team.
More than ten minutes passed, and Eric still hadn't recruited anyone. Isabella's team faced a similar challenge, unable to find suitable candidates. One team lacked players, while the other had applicants whose qualifications were a mismatch — a situation akin to heaven and hell.
Realizing time was slipping away, Eric knew he had to take decisive action.
"Efficiency team for Silent Grove Dungeon, led by a seasoned pro, one-time pass, no level restrictions, need healers and DPS, 3 of each." Eric had initially sought experienced players but now had to cast a wider net. While level 2 players were scarce, level 1 players were abundant, and he refused to believe he couldn't find capable team members among them.
However, Eric's plea earned him disdainful looks from many players.
"One shouldn't be so shameless just to attract attention!"
Despite the skepticism, Eric's unconventional approach managed to attract some interest. Soon, a group of level 1 players signed up for his team.