A few days later, the usual voice of the System echoed in my head after Loëalun and a few young elves had left the Void Mall.
"Congratulations to the host for completing the following side mission: accumulate 100,000 gold coins."
"Oh, already?" I thought, surprised by the sudden announcement from the System. Having forgotten, I asked what the reward was.
"In response to the host, the reward is access to the Void Dungeon."
"Oh, what is it?" I asked, curious.
"Using the host's memory to aid understanding, the Void Dungeon is similar to the dungeon at the Steelwall Academy, where it is capable of transforming and providing a wide range of choices to users. Of course, the Void Dungeon is of extremely superior quality. The experience and items obtained inside will be acquired upon completion of the exploration. Additionally, the individual's death is not permanent; it will only end the current exploration for the client."
Wow, pleasantly surprised, I asked the System how the Void Dungeon works, and it explained that a small arch leading to another space had appeared on the ground floor. As I went there, I caught sight of the famous arch, at the opposite end of the prayer room occupied by the followers of Gor'Lhemakgney.
After entering the new room in the shop, I immediately noticed that it resembled nothing I knew. At regular intervals, there were arches containing unfathomable darkness. Next to each of them was a small interface, similar to the one in the alchemy workshop. By inspecting one, I could see that it offered a multitude of dungeon choices such as:
Ancient Ruins: A dungeon buried deep within a dense forest, filled with crumbling walls, overgrown vegetation, and mysterious relics from a lost civilization. Players must navigate through traps and puzzles while uncovering the secrets of the ruins and avoiding the spirits of ancient guardians.
Haunted Manor: A dilapidated mansion shrouded in darkness and cursed by vengeful spirits. Players must explore its eerie halls, solve puzzles, and battle undead creatures to lift the curse and uncover the tragic history of the manor's inhabitants.
Enchanted Garden: A magical grove filled with sentient plants, mythical creatures, and enchanted flora. Players must navigate through lush foliage, solve puzzles involving nature-based magic, and interact with the denizens of the garden to uncover the secrets of its origin and purpose.
After reading some intriguing descriptions, I realize that the list of dungeons seems endless. I will finally have a new product to offer to my clients. I randomly select one and the arch clears. I step through the portal and suddenly find myself in a dark and damp cave. I hear the sound of waves lapping against the rocks. I venture further into the small cave, which appears to lead to the source of the sound. Upon reaching it, I see only a water hole, descending into the abyssal depths of this dungeon. I decided to dive in. The water is freezing and takes my breath away, but I manage to catch my breath and activate my Adaptation skill. The chill of the water dissipates, and gills form on my neck—a peculiar sensation.
I dive, and my night vision kicks in. I caught sight of some aquatic creatures swimming, most of them distorted and either transparent or white in color. They are far from as appealing as those sold in the market. I continue my descent when a glow appears towards the bottom. As I approach, I realize it's a giant half-sphere emitting a bluish color. Suddenly, an incredibly deep noise reverberates, the water seems to vibrate, and my body twists in pain as if a ton of rocks had fallen on me. I hasten towards the half-sphere, but a colossal creature emerges from behind and engulfs me. My vision goes black, and I find myself back in the room with the arches.
Confused, I take a step back and contemplate what just happened. I realize that I died in the dungeon, and my exploration has come to an end. The experience was deceptively realistic but pleasantly thrilling.
I decided to start again, and the day quickly unfolded.