To use an analogy, a human body is a computer. The flesh and bones combine to form the hardware. The mind or consciousness of a person is the software that runs the computer and the electricity that is supplied into it is the soul of the body.
This is the normal setup of a human body.
but Adam is different.
His death at the age of 26 separated his soul from his body and permanently cut off the electricity. Thanks to the wild and unethical experimenting of his father, a new consciousness was sewn into the body. This peculiar inseparable mind which works even in the absence of a soul transformed his body into an undying machine.
Thus, he is now a computer with software that doesn't need any sort of energy source!
While the duo of grandson and granny was pondering about the abnormal existence of the earthling, he was reaping beast cores like a farmer.
"...and that's the 52nd one." Harrumphed Theo as he smashed a Wild Hound's head to mincemeat.
A second later, the sharp piercing noise of a dagger's blade could be heard. "Heh, 57." The feminine voice reported instantly.
Tara threw a grin at Theo who gripped onto his hammer to score some more beasts.
"You both are going to miss the fun." Walter's figure leapt forward and did a perfect somersault before slicing a beast. "if we don't rush, then we won't be able to see Gary's Solar Nemesis and Adam's berserk mode."
Without sparing a glance, he darted ahead. Tara and Theo came to a realisation and followed suit.
While they were rushing their business on the second floor, the aforementioned duo was already wreaking havoc on the third floor.
"Haap!"
A scorching wave of heat coupled with a ripple of vibrant flames swept forward. It went on like a tide to more than 20 metres. Then it flickered, dwindled and vanished from existence.
"What was that?" Adam was surprised by the overwhelming attack that disintegrated a large group of Purple Weavers without even leaving traces of ash.
"That's Solar Nemesis. A renowned veteran adventurer taught me this technique. It's cool, eh?" Gary wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead while grinning at Adam.
"I think the word you're looking for is devastating." Without veiling his surprise, Adam replied while squatting to take a look at the scorch marks embedded on the floor.
Powerful!
That was his evaluation.
The duo had already sliced almost a hundred beasts individually. Apart from occasional short breathers, their weapons were always in action.
The venture to the lower floors of the dungeon taught Adam a valuable lesson - he needs to increase his MP limit as soon as possible.
The tremendous amount of mana depletion was more excruciating than the creaking of his bones. The reinforced skeletal structure with reforged bones was the only thing he could depend upon to deal damage.
"Let's take a break." Storing his sword in the ring, Gary let the other know of his intention. Adam simply nodded before conveying, "I'll take a look ahead and see if there are any dangers."
Gary didn't felt anything amiss in his words or action and nodded in response.
Thus, the earthling tiptoed forth and disappeared from Gary's sight.
Two beast cores materialised in his palm dn they went down Adam's throat before his finger created a glyph.
'Detect.'
At once, the presence of a large monster horde ahead of him was revealed to his mind.
Taking a peek over his shoulder, Adam confirmed that he wasn't followed.
'Homing, Fire Spear.'
A myriad of bright red spears of fire appeared in the air and they darted forward. Instantly, he felt his energy drained into oblivion and a charred smell soon flowed towards him.
'Status.'
/◄▫◆▫◇▫◆▫◇▫◆▫◇▫◆▫►\
▹ Name: Adam (26/M)
▹ Race: Zoomorph
▹ Level: 14 [3,450/4,200]
▹ Class: Berserker
▹ Innate Skill: Auto-Healing
▹ HP: 204/204
▹ MP: 65/65
▹ STR: 38
▹ AGI: 40
▹ INT: 12
▹ A.P: 0
▹ Martial Arts: Unarmed Mastery (E), Spear Mastery (E), Axe Mastery (F).
▹ Magical Arts: ---
\◄▫◆▫◇▫◆▫◇▫◆▫◇▫◆▫►/
When compared to the adventurers, Adam was growing swiftly. Though his class is melee-related, the supreme knowledge of Arcane Glyphs was his trump card.
Throughout the venture, Adam would walk ahead under the guise of reconnaissance. But in reality, he would silently slaughter the next wave of beasts using glyphs.
As exhausting and resource-demanding it is, the glyphs were extremely useful in battle. The silent execution involves suspended imagery alone and the condensation of mana at the fingertip was the only taxing deed in the process.
Also...
"I'm getting good at this." With a content smile, Adam can tell that he's getting experienced in regulating the amount of mana channelled for creating the glyphs.
Each glyph needs a different concentration of mana and that was also wearing as well. The mental burden of constantly regulating the energy was torturous.
Without dwelling in the self-praise, Adam turned around and walked to where Gary was. Surprisingly, Theo, Tara and Walter had caught up with them.
"How's it looking?" Adam's footsteps caught the party's attention and Walter probed at once.
"It's safe. But we are nowhere near the Guardian Chamber." Adam shook his head as he conveyed that the last floor of the dungeon is yet to arrive.
The adventurers decided to venture slow and easy as they noticed the spawning rate of the dungeon isn't too high. But they were nonetheless wary of the surroundings as Theo notified that the dungeon is a Gamma tier one.
Shortly after, the five figures moved forward and into the depths of the dungeon.
...
Walking through the crude cave tunnel, a carbonised smell assaulted their nose. The scent reminiscent of deep-fried meat wasn't repelling. But it wasn't alluring either.
"The same scent from before." Tara commented as they entered into a chamber with a flight of stairs leading to the next floor. Without sparing a glance, they quickly headed towards the next floor.
Walking at the back of the party, Adam executed another glyph.
'Collect [Beast Cores].'
The sluggishness attributed to the sudden drain of mana was getting familiar to Adam and it raised only minimal weariness. yet, it burdened his consciousness with lassitude.
But he was happy on the inside as the beast cores of the corpses slowly floated into the air and drifted towards him. Adam's hands clasped behind his back activated the storage ring and they directly flew into it.
'No benefit without losing something.'
***
An hour went past just like that and the party went down by three floors. Adam frequently exhausted his mana but in turn acquired a large yield.
But he wasn't successful every time.
As someone who specialised in agility and Dagger Arts, Tara would tail him to scout the area. Walter, who was good at moving silently, also accompanied Adam in his venture.
And thus they reached the final chamber of the dungeon.
"Now what?"
Theo sized up the large door which prevented them from entering the Guardian Chamber. It was also the chamber that housed the Dungeon Heart.
"We go in, kill the guardians, shatter the heart, exit the dungeon.
That's it." Gary said responded impassively.
The four of them can sense his blood boiling with rage. As if his arch-enemy is hiding behind that door, Gary's kicked it with all of his might.
Boom!
With a loud bang, the doors swung open. The large and grandiose interior of the dungeon was revealed to their eyes. To their surprise, the chamber was well-illuminated.
Hong long!
A faint tremor swept past them and a portion of the floor at the farthest end of the chamber rose up like a platform. The central portion of the elevation disappeared and a bright teal-coloured crystal emerged from the void below.
"The Dungeon Heart!"
Tara and Walter muttered in unison and the others nodded in agreement. That was the brain of the dungeon and is a semi-sentient entity.
Hum...
A buzz resonated in the room for a few seconds and an authoritative voice echoed in the room, "Well done, invaders. For measly beings which lives and dies like ants, you succeeded in reaching the final floor of my dungeon!"
"..." The party was speechless.
Was it praise or mockery?
Their lips twitched involuntarily as their grips on their weapons intensified. Theo placed his hammer on the ground and it collided with the floor and made a dull thud. That was enough to let the dungeon heart know of their disapproval.
"I don't know who created you of what sort of unholy thought gave birth to you, but I have ventured several dungeons and shattered almost every hearts." With a sneer, Gary spoke as he raised his sword and placed it over his shoulder. "Just shut up and shatter for me!"
Rage was building up in his heart and it exploded at a moment's notice. His figure had dashed ahead and was already a dozen metres away from his initial spot.
"Oh...reckless and naive. Just like brainless ants. Believing that their puny will is enough to overturn mountains!"