[Notice: You have been playing for an hour, please take a break.]
As the system announcement flashed across his vision, Matthew found himself in the heart of Minos Forest. He had spent three hours in the game, completing mundane subjugation quests and leveling up to 5. Now, he was ready to enter the hidden dungeon that promised rewards powerful enough to make a level 5 character as strong as a level 20 player.
Navigating through the dense forest, Matthew soon discovered the dungeon entrance: a cave-like structure veiled by overgrown vines, concealing a swirling black portal behind it. Pushing the vines aside, he revealed the portal and smiled.
"Found you."
Before entering the hidden dungeon, Matthew took a quick glance at his status.
[Name: Espector
Class: Sorcerer
Level: 5
Experience Points: 5,400/8,601
Health Points: 256/256
Mana Points: 999/999
Equipment: Beginner's Tunic, Beginner's Leggings, Beginner's Pauldrons, Beginner's Gloves, and Beginner's Shoes.
Weapons: Beginner's Spellbook.
Skill:
Firebolt (mana cost: 40, 1.5 seconds casting time, 2 seconds cooldown) - Inflicts 84 - 247 magical fire damage on a target within 25 meters of you.
Icebolt: (mana cost: 45, 2 seconds casting time, 10 seconds cooldown) - Shoots forth a chilled ice bolt that inflicts 94 - 219 magical water damage on a target within 25m of you, and reduces its movement speed for 12 seconds. A chance to put a target in a frozen state for 3 seconds.
Root: (mana cost: 38, instant cast, 1-minute cooldown) Immobilizes a target within 25m for 10 seconds.
Inventory: Scout's Shoes.
Gold: 1200 ]
Matthew just remembered that he received an item after completing a quest that jumped his level two times. He moved his finger across his inventory towards the flashing item icon of [Scout's Shoes.]
The moment his finger was over it, an information tab prompted in his line of sight.
[Scout's Shoes.
Increases Physical Defense Boost +9, Magic Resistance +17, Evasion +24, Speed +4% , MP +18.]
It's the only item he has on his inventory for now but it will do. Matthew tapped it and the shoes instantly appeared on his feet, replacing the [Beginner's Shoes].
And with that, Matthew ventured into the hidden dungeon. His vision turned white and the scenery changed. One would expect that the hidden dungeon would take place inside the cave, where it's dark and narrow, but it's not. Instead, it will take place in a forest clearing.
"This place sure is deserted…" he mumbled to himself as he looked warily around his surroundings, finding nothing but trees and grasses. There's only one enemy in the hidden dungeon, but don't be deceived. The boss in the hidden dungeon is built different.
According to his past memories, this hidden dungeon was discovered by a newbie two weeks after the release who was having a good time exploring the dungeon. That player failed on his first try and decided to post it on the forums, sharing his findings.
This gathered the attention of other players who then tried it for themselves but failed utterly. By that information alone, one could deduce that a monster lurking inside the hidden dungeon is a tough one.
A minute had passed, and still, there was no sign of the enemy. Matthew could feel beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Even though he had already fought and defeated this foe once before, the surprise attack could still make one's heart race.
Two seconds went by, and then—swoosh! Something sliced through the air at an incredible speed.
Matthew reflexively cocked his head to the right, barely dodging the spear that narrowly missed him. The blade of the hidden dungeon boss's spear grazed his cheek, drawing blood.
The spear crashed into the ground with a sound akin to an explosion, sending dust flying. It was evident that if the spear had found its mark, Matthew would have been done for.
That surprise attack had claimed the lives of many players on their first try. It seemed almost impossible to dodge, but those with keen senses or instincts could manage to avoid it.
Matthew wiped the blood from his cheek, staining his finger red. Eternity Online featured a pain receptor system that allowed players to feel their avatar's injuries at 90 percent reduced intensity. So, a gash that would normally bring someone to their knees in pain felt more like an ant's bite in the game.
Matthew turned to face the hidden dungeon boss. The creature wasn't a monster, but a human—or more specifically, an undead.
[You've found the Hidden Dungeon Boss, Corrupted Soldier, Celtris.]
"Uuuwergh…," Celtris growled eerily.
Celtris, a zombie-like creature, was the mob lurking in this hidden dungeon. With 1,500 health points and potent attacks capable of one-shotting a player if they weren't careful, he posed a significant challenge. Those not accustomed to the virtual reality platform found this boss particularly difficult. In the two months since the dungeon's discovery, the success rate had been a mere 5 percent.
Like any monster, Celtris had an attack pattern that Matthew had come to know. Matthew grabbed his spellbook from his belt and opened it. Sensing Matthew's hostility, Celtris reacted by extending his arm forward.
Matthew instinctively glanced over his shoulder and saw the spear that had lodged itself in the ground flying towards him. He nimbly sidestepped, letting the spear pass him by and return to its owner.
The moment the spear was back in Celtris's grasp, he hurled it again, aiming for Matthew's head.
"So easy," Matthew smirked, rolling to the side and evading the attack. In a crouching position, he placed both hands on the ground and activated one of his spells.
[Root]
Ten vines sprouted from the ground beneath Celtris, coiling around his body and limbs until he was tightly ensnared. The vines constricted further as he struggled against them.
Now was Matthew's chance to counterattack. He launched a [Firebolt] spell, striking Celtris's head. The vital hit amplified the damage, dealing a critical blow.
-400!
Matthew didn't stop there. He followed up with an [Icebolt], a bolt of ice that was the polar opposite of the firebolt. It shot out from the magic circle he had drawn and slammed into Celtris's sternum, dealing another critical strike worth 450 damage.
Celtris howled in anger and agony as his health dwindled. He tried to break free from the vines, but they held him fast.
Only six seconds remained until the [Root] spell would wear off. Matthew knew this and seized the opportunity to cast two more [Firebolts] and one [Icebolt], reducing Celtris's HP to a mere 200.
Six seconds later, the vines finally released their captive. Enraged, Celtris lunged toward Matthew, unleashing a terrifying scream that sent chills down one's spine. However, his efforts were in vain. Matthew had slowed him down with the [Icebolt] spell, reducing both his movement speed and attack animation.
With ease, Matthew dodged the stabbing spears and countered with a basic attack to Celtris's face. Victory was all but guaranteed at this point, as there was no way for Celtris to turn the tide of battle.
Ten seconds later, Celtris's health points dropped to zero. His body shattered into a million particles of light.
[Congratulations! You have defeated Celtris!]
The system cheered his victory and Matthew relished in the feeling. Two meters in front of him was a chest engulfed in a coruscating column of golden light.
Matthew ambled towards it and knelt down. He opened the chest's lid and several tabs popped up, filling his eyes with notifications.
[You've acquired Glowing Heroic Cloth Armor Set!]
[You've acquired Glowing Heroic Spellbook!]
[You've acquired Glowing Heroic Accessory Set!]
[You've acquired 5,000 Gold Coins!]
Matthew sighed softly, the items he just acquired will make it easy for him to reach level 20 in a day or two. The next hidden dungeon is located in a different region, which can only be accessed at level 30 above.
When all the items were moved to his inventory, the game system teleported him out of the hidden dungeon.