"30 years ago, everything was peaceful until the dungeons appeared. First, there were earthquakes, and then the tides would suddenly rise. Scientists didn't know what was happening until one day everything changed. Dungeons began to appear, accompanied by towers with magical portals from which monsters emerged. There were toothless creatures, others with sharp teeth, and some with disgusting and repulsive forms. They started killing, and many people fell on the first day. Those who tried to defend themselves, many failed, but some managed to survive and were blessed by the god Vaelor. To those brave enough to face the monsters, a small screen appeared, granting them numerous abilities upon killing enemies.
In the end, the towers and dungeons from the early days were brought under control, but more kept appearing. And so, the sound of the bell, a vibrant metallic ringing, cut through the air with its sharpness. "Well, that's it for today's class," said a teacher with black hair and blue eyes. Everyone in the classroom sighed, as it was the last day of school. "Today is the last day I have to endure these people who make me suffer so much," thought a girl with black hair that reached just below her shoulders and bangs covering her black eyes. Her skin could have imperfections like pimples or acne, which people considered unpleasant. However, these characteristics, though they could be subject to mockery or scorn, did not define her true worth or inner beauty."
The girl named Aria prepared to go home, but before she could do anything, a group consisting of two girls and three boys approached her. "Hey, Aria, are you going to keep being the same trash as always? Why don't you just die? It doesn't make sense for you to live; you're just a burden," said one girl from the group.
When Aria heard this, she clenched her lips tightly. She wanted to hit her so badly that her hands were trembling, and a little blood could be seen on her knuckles. The one who had just spoken was Emilia, a girl who had been harassing her since day one. She did it simply because Aria didn't have a special bloodline or notable magical abilities. She could only control a bit of mana, and that was reason enough to be mocked.
Aria hated this girl so much that if she could, she would have already decapitated her. Emilia was good at everything Aria didn't excel in, but she always ranked second in theory exams, below Aria, and she didn't like that. That was the stupid reason behind her bullying, along with the fact that Aria lacked a special bloodline or even a..."Even a common bloodline."
With a heart filled with determination and a spark of vengeance in her eyes, Aria decided that enough was enough. She wouldn't let those insults and belittlements hold her back. She knew she had the potential to be great, and she was willing to prove it. Taking a deep breath, she responded with a firm voice, "Maybe I don't have an extraordinary bloodline like you, Emilia, but that doesn't define me. My worth is not based on my magical abilities, but on my dedication, perseverance, and my ability to overcome the obstacles that come my way. So, from today onwards, I'll stop paying attention to your hurtful words and focus on my own growth."
With those words, Aria walked away from the group, leaving Emilia speechless and the others surprised. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to find her own path and prove that she was more than what others thought of her.
Determined to prove her worth, Aria decided to explore one of the dungeons that had appeared years ago. She had heard stories of brave adventurers venturing into them in search of treasures and power. Now, it was her time to shine. However, she knew that entering a dungeon was dangerous, especially for someone without a special bloodline. But that didn't stop her. She was willing to face the challenges and overcome any obstacle that stood in her way.
Upon arriving home, she opened the door to find no one there, which made her sigh sadly. "As always, she's working to pay off the debt that Dad left us," she thought. Her mother worked tirelessly as they depended on her income to cover expenses, including school fees. Aria went inside and headed upstairs to pack her backpack.
Packing her backpack with necessary provisions and resources, Aria grabbed a small box before leaving. This box contained the sword her father had left her before disappearing. It was a low-ranking magical sword that could "infuse mana" into its blade. This mana infusion increased the sharpness and cutting power of the sword, allowing the wielder to effectively confront monsters. Realizing that she needed monster sound recordings for her distraction plan and to enter the dungeon, Aria remembered that in the early days of dungeon appearances, some people had managed to record terrifying sounds of the emerging monsters.
She decided to conduct online research and search for possible recordings available on the web. After an extensive search, she stumbled upon a forum dedicated to the experiences and testimonies of individuals who had faced dungeon monsters.
In the forum, Aria introduces herself and explains her situation, emphasizing the need for monster sound recordings for a class presentation. She asks for help from the forum members and inquires if anyone would be willing to share any recordings they may have.
After posting her request, Aria anxiously awaits responses. Some users in the forum show skepticism and doubt her intentions, but others are intrigued by her determination and the originality of her approach.
After receiving the monster sound recordings from the forum user, Aria feels grateful but also aware of the importance of keeping her plan a secret. She knows she must erase any evidence that could link her to obtaining those recordings.
First, Aria saves the recordings on an external storage device that she can keep hidden. She ensures that there is no copy of the recordings on her personal computer or any other device linked to her identity.
Next, she sets out to erase any trace of her interactions on the forum. She deletes the messages she posted in the thread and any private conversations with the user who provided her with the recordings. Additionally, she makes sure to clear any browsing history or cache that may contain information about her activity on the forum.
For added security, Aria also decides to use a secure and anonymous internet connection, such as a virtual private network (VPN), when accessing the forum and throughout the entire process of searching for and obtaining the recordings. This will further hinder any attempts to trace her online activities.
Having removed all digital evidence, Aria feels safer and more confident that there will be no traces linking her to the acquisition of the recordings. Now she can focus on executing her distraction plan and using the monster sounds to enter the dungeon without fear of being discovered.
After leaving her house, Aria took a bus towards the Aetheria Forest, where the dungeon was located. She knew she had to remain calm, so she took a moment to breathe.
As she got off the bus, Aria saw that she was near the entrance of the forest. She ventured deeper into the woods until she found the dungeon. Standing in front of it were two guards armed with mana weapons.
"Alright, I brought the speaker and everything. Now I just need to play the recording with a timer," Aria thought to herself.
Aria set a timer and stealthily made her way around the dungeon, taking a complete detour.
"Almost there, 10, 9, 8," Aria whispered, struggling to catch her breath. She felt nervous, and counting down the seconds only added to her anxiety.
"4," she muttered.
"3," she continued, her heart pounding.
"2," she said, her palms sweating.
"1," she whispered, her voice filled with anticipation.
As the seconds ticked away, a loud roar echoed through the forest. Aria could also hear screams in the distance. The guards, upon hearing the commotion, swiftly moved to investigate. Seizing the opportunity, Aria hurriedly entered the dungeon.
With a mix of excitement and trepidation, Aria ventured into the depths of the dungeon, ready to face the challenges that awaited her and uncover the secrets that lay within.