The Ground Floor
The first floor, also known as 9999 Cities, is a vast expanse of plains stretching out as far as the eye can see. Each floor is roughly the size of Earth, making the vastness of these plains overwhelming for some adventurers. Scattered across the floor are cities, each named after a number. Some say the number represents the population capacity, others believe it’s the price to buy the city, while others think it’s just the game developers being lazy. No one knows for sure. What is certain is that each city is slightly different, but they all have one thing in common: the Guild. The Guild is the governing body that unites NPCs and players alike. They are responsible for many functions on the floor, such as assigning quests. No one truly knows how the Guild communicates across floors, but everyone understands that defying the Guild’s orders leads to severe consequences.
Since this floor is a simple grassy plain with a few trees scattered around. Here, players encounter a variety of small creatures and natural resources. Rabbits, squirrels, and birds are common sights, flitting through the grass and trees. Wolves, cows, sheep, and horses roam in herds, providing both danger and opportunity for adventurers. Mushrooms of various types can be found in shaded areas, some with beneficial effects and others poisonous. Elemental slimes, each embodying a different element, add a magical touch to the landscape, dropping rare resources upon defeat. Wood sticks and wood bark are easily collected from trees, while flowers of all colors dot the plains, useful for crafting potions and other items. Bird feathers can be found scattered on the ground, left behind by the various avian creatures.
Each city is a safe haven for players, scattered strategically around the floor. In these cities, players can rest, replenish their health and energy, and buy food and supplies. Marketplaces bustle with activity as NPC vendors sell everything from basic provisions to rare and powerful items. Inns offer a place to sleep and recover, while blacksmiths and tailors provide essential services for repairing and upgrading equipment. Taverns serve as hubs for gathering information, picking up quests, and meeting other adventurers. Each city has its unique charm, making exploration rewarding for those who take the time to visit them.
However, this floor does have one unique feature: a giant river spanning from one side to the other, known by many names such as Adventurer’s Killer and Fisherman’s Nightmare. Ferocious monsters inhabit this river, which should actually be called a lake. Legend has it that one of the Ten Suns swords slashed this area, creating a massive crater where demons and other creatures infested. Overwhelmed by the chaos in the surrounding cities, the king gathered the greatest mages to fill the crater with water, killing anything that couldn’t swim and walling it off to protect the capital. When the World Tree emerged, the river remained untouched, with all the monsters and beasts trapped within its waters.
Players and NPCs are usually cautious around this river. However, since it’s the only water source on this floor, many quests involve the river, such as catching fish or collecting water. NPCs often offload these tasks to adventurers who are brave (or foolish) enough to accept. Successful adventurers gain NPC likeability in the area, becoming local heroes. There’s hope that one day, players will build a bridge to connect the two sides of the world.
These two sides, separated for so long, have each become miniature countries with distinct environments, cultures, and attitudes towards players. One side welcomes players, hoping they bring peace, while the other side is disgusted by them and hopes the Ten Suns prevail.
Speaking of the Ten Suns, the 11th Sun, also known as the weakest one, resides on this floor. The 11th Sun is the boss of this level, a giant ball of gelatinous slime about the size of a small building that is summoned when a player kills 45 or more slimes. If the boss is not defeated within an hour, it will disperse.
Its attacks are easy to dodge and it can be defeated in one hit if you slash its core during any of its transformation stages. This boss cannot use magic.
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