[Only 16 can go to the next level]
Aldrich stepped into the Dungeon and was teleported into an unknown place. It was a narrow and dimly lit hallway.
"Maze-type Dungeon", Aldrich concluded after inspecting the walls.
Dungeons could be divided into different types. Some dungeons were based on killing the boss monster, hence the boss-type Dungeon. This Dungeon required the warrior to reach the centre of the maze.
The speciality of maze-type dungeons was that it was different for every person who entered. The locations were random, and so were the traps set at every location.
Aldrich bent down and touched the floor, closing his eyes. He slowly poured his mana into the surroundings, trying to make a map of the maze.
"Tch, the traps are advanced" Aldrich stood up as something Interfered with his mana.
He had no choice but to progress deeper into the Dungeon. Aldrich silently ventured deeper into the Dungeon, ensuring not to trigger any traps.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered by a distinctive twang, and a volley of arrows whizzed through the air toward him. Aldrich's reflexes kicked into overdrive, and he danced between the arrows with uncanny agility, the deadly projectiles barely grazing his clothes.
"That was close" Aldrich picked up one of the arrows, deciding to use it till he got some usable weapon.
Aldrich's keen instincts detected a subtle shift in the stone as he approached a seemingly blank wall. With a quick dodge, he avoided a trap triggered by pressure plates beneath his feet. The hidden mechanism unleashed a shower of darts from the walls, but Aldrich sidestepped them with ease.
Just as Aldrich landed on the floor, another mechanism activated as a giant machine spewed flame towards him. Aldrich imbued the arrow with mana and launched it towards the machine, destroying it instantly.
"I need to hurry" Aldrich knew the traps had slowed him down considerably. He checked the broken machine to find a mana stone imbued with Fire energy. "So this was the heart." Aldrich held onto it, as it might come useful later.
As Aldrich walked deeper into the maze, he noticed a fight going on some distance ahead of him. He slowed down his pace to not alert the other party.
He noticed that one of his cousins was fighting against a Goblin shaman.
"he will die if I don't help", his cousin's dire situation. "But it will be easier to kill the shaman when its guard is down" Aldrich had no responsibility to save that man.
Aldrich sighed as he leapt towards the Goblin Shaman, kicking it in the face and pushing it back.
"Tch", Aldrich leapt back as he imbued mana into his body, increasing his physical prowess.
With a flash of movement, the Goblin shaman launched its attack, calling forth dark energies that crackled around it like a malevolent storm. Shadows danced in its eyes as it chanted an incantation, summoning vile spirits to aid in its assault.
The Goblin shaman unleashed a barrage of shadowy projectiles, aiming to overwhelm Aldrich with sheer numbers. But he deftly dodged and parried each attack, his movements a mesmerizing dance of skill and precision.
"Wow", his cousin was surprised to see Aldrich being so strong.
"Support me", Aldrich shouted, pulling him back to his senses.
He summoned a lightning spell, landing it on the shaman and distracting it. But this was enough for Aldrich, who landed a critical punch on the shaman's head, blowing It away.
[You have killed an E -rank monster]
[You have levelled up]
"Thanks, I am Mark", the young man walked towards Aldrich, thanking him.
"it's nothing" Aldrich knew he had spent way too much power to defeat an E-rank foe.
"What's this level up?" he had to check it later.
Aldrich started walking deeper into the Dungeon and noticed Mark following him behind.
"Don't worry. I don't mean any harm. I just want to get out of this Dungeon" Mark sensed Aldrich's hostility.
Aldrich still didn't trust him but knew Mark was too weak to harm him.
"System, what's this level up?"
[Host can level up when they kill monsters. Levelling up can help hosts unlock skills and abilities and increase their Authority]
Aldrich's eyes lit up. This system was designed in a way to accelerate his growth.
At last, Aldrich reached the maze's heart, where a radiant chamber awaited him. In the centre, a glowing pedestal held a shimmering orb.
[ Required Number of Participants has been achieved ]
The Doors to the entrance to the Chamber all closed down as six figures emerged from within the Chamber.
Aldrich and Mark got ready to fight, not knowing what enemies awaited them.
Another voice resounded in the room,
[ Only four can proceed to the next Stage. ]
The room Aldrich and Mark were in was one of the four gates to the next level, and only four 8 could proceed.
"Hah, we are fortunate", Aldrich realized whose voice was this. It was Fin.
"Now I can show you what real strength is" Fin had a devious smile as he walked towards Aldrich and Mark with his party.
"This was the guy who defeated you? He looks weak", another guy spoke out; it was Allen, Fin's Older Brother, a peak 1-star warrior.
"Mark, you support me. I will take the lead" Aldrich released his killing intent, ready to fight against the group.