Once the association discovered the dungeon, they called all the dungeon seekers for a brief meeting. They included the rookies. I was nervous as this was my first time entering a dungeon. I didn't know what to expect. We could fight a dragon in there or something worse. They had set up a perimeter around the dungeon with the militia guarding the portal. All of us were inside a tent close to the portal. The operators sent drones to study the layout of the dungeon.
Spring was beside me, listening to the laid-out plans. The first to go into the dungeon were the veterans, and the rookies were the last to enter. We also had to report anything suspicious. At least they're honest about this job being dangerous for the rookies and ordered us to retreat if the situation went south.
They gave us time to prepare ourselves before starting the mission, and everyone scattered to buy supplies or form parties.
I checked my explosives and frowned at how much I had. I only have nine left since I had little resources to make more. Glancing at the other tents, they were setting up. I spotted some shops were selling weapons. They were selling swords and even firearms, while others were selling medieval items.
I texted my mom if I can use my credit card to buy a gun. There was no need to do this, but it's one of the old habits. I can't help but ask for permission even though it's my stuff. Reading her reply, I went to browse through the firearms I could use.
I bought the Smith & Wesson magnum with an enhanced scope, buying some explosive rounds just in case. After checking my gear, my eyes landed on the sword at my hip. Mother lent me one of her elven swords. It was a single-edged blade with a curved handle, with the symbol of her tribe at the hilt. It looked like a burning heart in the shape of a leaf.
Satisfied, I bought some med kits in case I get injured. They called us to wait in front of the dungeon before lining us up for formation. A man in a dark tux walks in front of the stage. Wait, that guy is one of the administrative, Neohearth. Is he here to give us a speech?
"Seekers, today another dungeon has appeared in our land. You have faced many hardships, some of you lost loved ones, some have seen things that can drive anyone, even the toughest warrior, mad. This is our duty. We protect the weak, we pave the way to a better world. These dungeons seek to destroy us. Therefore, it's only fair if we destroy them first. However, never forget, come back alive at all costs."
Neohearth left after his speech. My impression of the man was good for now. He didn't glorify our job, but he acknowledged our losses, the sacrifices made, and ordered us to survive the mission. I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw it was Skyroot Walker.
"Nervous?" He asked with a calming grin. "Here, have some candy."
I took one and ate it. "Thanks, but shouldn't you be in the front row?" I was curious about what he was doing.
"Yep, but when I saw how my juniors are all nervous, I had to keep you guys calm. So don't worry about it, just stick with the plan and everything will be fine. You got your seniors looking out for ya." He gave a thumbs up. "Now, if you excuse me, I have some other rookies to take care of."
I watched him heading to one rookie who was getting antsy. What a nice guy. I guess I'm lucky to have a senior like that. Though I know the guy must have a reason to be this nice. Spring came towards me and handed me an earpiece.
"Karma, be careful out there. I won't be able to help much, but listen to my advice, okay?" She looked nervous about my safety, so I patted her shoulder. "I will, don't worry. I'm not suicidal." Giving her a reassuring look, I grinned as we went to our designated spots.
Soon it was time to move. We waited for a few minutes after our seniors went in. The entry was nerve-wracking. I couldn't explain it well, but I didn't want to remember either. Checking our surroundings, I noted how everything around was on fire, but we didn't feel the heat. Everyone then went separately. I waited in case someone offered me partnership but looks like I'm around glory hounds this time.
[Karma, Karma do you copy?] Spring said.
"Loud and clear Spring. Which way do I go?" I asked while bringing out my sword.
[For now, the safest route is the west side of the dungeon, but be on guard. I'm picking up traces of monster activity there.]
"Got it." Following her directions, I started exploring the dungeon. It wasn't even a minute later when a giant lizard tried to eat me. Watching the monster circle around me, I informed Spring about it.
[A salamander! Karma, you need to run. That thing is too much for you. Judging by the color of its scales, it might be a fire type and a poison type.]
Spring's warning had taken me by surprise, and this monster reminded me of a game I used to play. Refocusing on the problem, I took out my gun and enhanced its capabilities before firing. Those scales would chip my blades. If my enhanced pistol can't work on it. Then I doubt my sword can do its job.
The first bullet struck its softer spot, while the second bullet only got stuck in its scales. Observing the blood, I realized this thing had poisonous blood. The monster then charges toward me, but I roll to the side and sprint away from it.
It roared as it chased me through the caverns. I can't use my bombs, or its poisonous blood will spill on me. Spring guided me throughout the chase. This thing is relentless. It's not even a minute, and I'm already on an impossible level.
Wait, a minute! I didn't have to kill it. All I need to do is blind it, plus I figured out that it can't use its fire breath as most media portrayed it. There was a ten-second cooldown that means I had to force the monster to use it.
There was a limit on how much heat it could handle. I could enhance its breath attack beyond its limit. I had to think about something else. My eyes then looked up. "Or I can bury the lizard."
My enhancement wasn't normal by any means. By name, they have overlooked it for regular enhancement, but my skill goes beyond what the locals think. With the correct information, I can even enhance the flaws and damages. A first-degree burn can turn into a third-degree, a small crack that spreads throughout a body, causing it to crumble.
Right now, the ceiling has shown some damage. All I have to do is make it big enough to make it fall. Hearing the salamander approach, I placed my hand on the wall as circuit lines spread out across the area.
[Karma, what are you doing!? I told you to run.] Spring yelled.
I didn't answer her since I focused on the salamander approaching fast. Just as the monster was close enough to burn me with its breath attack, the ground and ceiling collapsed, burying it underneath.
I didn't wait to see the results. It was my chance to escape. So I ran as fast as I could, killing some goblins and pink slimes in whatever direction Spring guided me. During my exploration in the caverns, I've left some markings, so I'd know if I have passed the area or not. I also encountered some dungeons seekers. We exchanged pieces of information. Thus giving me an idea of what the dungeon's theme was.
They also warned me to be careful, as they suspect one tunnel might be the boss area. I'm unsure if I can even take the boss myself, and mom told me that a boss always has its army waiting in the shadows.
I better wait and let the professionals handle this or get an insight at a safe distance. Yup, that's the safe way. I could find a pro seeker and tag along with them while making sure not to be a dead weight to the team.
And so begins my side-quest, but no matter how hard I look, I couldn't find them even with Spring's guide. Are they fighting the boss right now? That's not right it's too quiet. As I passed another tunnel, I noticed something.
One marking I left was missing the other half. Did something wipe it off? There aren't signs of that it must be something else.
Then could mean one of its parts moved, but if that's the case, then that means the dungeon is changing paths. The ground began shaking, small rocks dropped from as the dungeon twists and turned, the pathway I had come out covered by a wall.
[Karma report! Karma report!]
"Spring, we got a problem!" I heard something approaching me. Looking around at the new paths, I saw glowing eyes slowly moving out of the darkness.
[The tunnels are changing. I know I saw it. This can't be right. Our monitors have shown no changes!]
That means we're running blind here, and our laid-out plans are useless unless we figure out the pattern. Damn it! This dungeon is in hard mode. The monster came out of its hiding spot and roared.
It was a slime but judging from the size and the large bones sticking out. This must be a King slime. Despite media showing this race as one of the weakest. In this reality, this is one of the worst monsters for me to fight. Its body made it immune to physical attacks.
"I'm gonna have to call you back," I said while looking for an exit.
Basic elemental and physical attacks won't work on it. Worse of all, any harm on its body activates its passive ability {Multiplication} making the situation more dangerous as it increases in numbers with each damage. Its only weakness is cold temperatures. Unfortunately, I brought nothing that can freeze it. The only option left is for me to run. Luckily for me, it's slow, blind, and easily fooled.
After the monster lost track of me, my mind thought of a plan on the dungeon's ever-changing paths. Leaving landmarks is a useless endeavor. There was also the probability of a monster being the source of the problem. It might be the boss monster, too. It probably meant the random changes lessen our numbers and chances of finding the boss.
Scratching my head in frustration, I sat down to relax. I should have just taken my chance in the afterlife, but no, I had to be the dumbass who thought he was badass. Now look where I am, stuck in a damn maze with monsters as a company.
[Karma, pick up. Walker figured out how the dungeon works.]
My eyes lit up in hope. If that's true, then that means I can get out of here. "Okay, then. How do we get out of this mess?" I asked while getting ready.
[According to Walker, the dungeon has been switching paths every ten minutes. He also figured out the patterns. It's likely a defense mechanism to thin out an incoming raid.]
I've figured out the last part already, but it still doesn't change that I don't know where I am now. I could be on the bottom floor already. "Spring, which floor am I on?" I asked.
[Thankfully, you're on the 4th floor. I'll give the coordinates to the third floor. Remember, you have ten minutes before the tunnels changes again. It's going to take a while for me to figure out which floor you're in once it happens.]
"Got it."
I sprinted towards my destination, ignoring any monsters I encountered. My priority was getting to the third floor. The beasts were just distractions to make us not notice the changes. As I made my way through the horde of goblins, I heard a scream.
My eyes caught a female seeker getting dragged into a hole, a slimy tendril wrapped around her foot. Her party had left her as they rushed to the third floor, ignoring her pleas for help. The logical part of me ignored her while the conscience saved her.
My attention was once again on the female. She was close to the hole, and another tendril came out of the same spot. Its deadly stinger was ready to plunge itself into her heart. My body moved, enhancing my speed and strength. I closed the distance and sliced off the appendages.
"T-thank you..." she said, but I didn't respond. Instead, I grabbed her and carried her like a sack before running at full speed to the exit. I ignored her screams of protest as we were running out of time. We needed to reach the other side before the dungeon changed. Unfortunately, we didn't. The pathway to the third floor had vanished. Now we're stuck with a horde of monsters.
I enhanced one of the explosive vials and threw it at the hoard. The explosion opened another path for us but obscured the monsters' vision. Grabbing the female's hand, we made our escape through the open path.
After hours of running, we finally managed a place to hide. Damn it, I was so close to escaping this death trap, but I just had to play the hero. I took a glance at the person beside me and made a note of her appearance. She has blond hair and brown eyes, and a voluptuous body.
Another supermodel... Did the gene pool on this planet take a steroid? The ten years I spent in this new life of mine had made me realize I had seen so many people with the quality of a model. Hell, even my looks are probably model material. Then again, this world or country is more focused on skills than appearance. Having good looks hardly mattered anymore.
Focusing back, the woman was wearing a brown coat, but I could see her having some firearms and grenades strapped around her. Her job class must be a Gunner.
"Spring, can you hear me?" I said.
[Karma, what happened? My monitor showed signs of explosions.] Spring asked.
"Yeah, that was me. Is there another path to the first floor?" I saw something move in the corner of my eyes, but nothing was there when I turned around. Strange, I'm sure there was something there. Better keep my guard in case something pops out.
[Give me three minutes until then. Stay safe.]
Unable to hear anything anymore, I glanced at the woman. "Looks like we'll be here for a while." I glanced at the shadows.
"I see... thank you for saving me." She bowed her head.
"Don't mention it. I'm Karma, job class: Enhancer."
"Maya, job class: Gunner."
So I was right. She's a gunner, but how did she get caught by that tentacle? Gunners have keen senses and sharp eyesight. She should have avoided it, but I guess when overwhelmed by numbers, even having superhuman senses isn't enough.
We felt the ground rumbling as something made its way towards us. Readying our weapons, we waited for the monster to arrive. When it made itself known, our mouths only dropped in terror. The beast glared at our puny forms as it drooled while making a sound of 'kikikiki'.