After unlocking the access panel, a serene sensation enveloped me, akin to being bathed in tranquil waters for a fleeting moment.
For some reason, I feel slightly different, as if the techniques I use in my daily life have become more fluid, as if a familiar presence is always there, waiting to be discovered, simply appearing, answering my questions about techniques, correcting my mistakes, and showing a better and illuminating more efficient paths.
"System, display my status."
[Name: Jeffrey Stark
Profession: Novice Dungeon Master
Strength: 3
Agility: 3
Dexterity: 5
Intelligence: 5
Vitality: 4
Talent: Adaptability – Able to develop 30% faster and ignore growth limitations. Talent affects all dungeon residents and the chosen one.
Skill: Massage (Level 2) – Induces muscle relaxation and well-being through a precise set of maneuvers.
Rehabilitation (Level 2) – Techniques and interventions that optimize individual function.
Observations (Level 1) – Ability to observe and analyze na individual and their actions.
Title: Novice Dungeon Master]
How invaluable it would have been during my college years to perceive my progress and experience this newfound clarity.
I suspect this sensation is a manifestation of the talent I acquired, as I've never heard that unlocking the attribute panel would bring about this sensation.
I think it's time to change the environment to be more welcoming for people.
"System, is it possible that when people die within the dungeon, they could be teleported to a special room?"
[Analyzing request, checking feasibility, request accepted, applying functionality to the system and making it available to all dungeon masters]
[Due to the proposal's utility, you will be rewarded with the feature's free implementation and 100 dungeon coins]
How unexpected, I thought this was something commonplace, if I'm not mistaken, I saw this in a very old webnovel.
"More dungeon coins are always welcome."
A room, replete with multiple beds, materialized, serving as the designated destination for those felled within the dungeon. Its semblance vaguely resembled a hospital chamber.
In the first instance, I modified it to look like a waiting room, with a reception desk, benches, and chairs for people to sit if they have to wait their turn. I also added three televisions to allow them to follow what's happening inside the dungeons. This cost me 100 dungeon coins.
While exploring the configurations, I found na option to hire something like na AI assistant to help me. Unfortunately, they can only perform domestic or common tasks, such as cleaning, attending to people, cooking, but they can't fight within the Dungeon. Each one costs around 75 dungeon coins, so I hired just one.
She would undertake the role of greeting visitors and managing entry fees for dungeon usage. Since I'm just starting, I decided to follow the price that others are also charging, just $20 for entry.
With a maximum time of 2 hours inside the dimension, when the time is up, that person will be automatically teleported outside to make room for others to use as well.
I wish I could add more things, like a beverage machine, na equipment shop, a food vendor, and other things that could attract the public. Unfortunately, at the moment, this is the most I can do. I'd like to try to save some coins for emergencies.
"System, generate a sign with the name of the Dungeon and the logo of a cute fox, please."
[10 Dungeon coins]
"Alright."
After arranging everything, the afternoon was almost over, so I decided to buy some basic equipment to test my Dungeon before inaugurating it.
Since I only have the experience of a mandatory survival course that was implemented in all schools to increase the survival rate in case something goes wrong, I decided to buy a complete set of armor and a simple sword.
One of the changes that dungeons and monsters brought to society is the introducing new materials, with some of them being more resilient than those previously known to humans.
Monster skins proved to be a good way to modify fabrics used in clothing and protective gear. Through the fusion of technology and these new materials, it was possible to create more durable clothing, armors that offer greater protection while maintaining comfort and ease.
Firearms have an effect against monsters up to a certain level, but to overcome this, the material of ammunition was modified and magic was added, which also led to an increase in the value of this type of weapon.
To work around this situation, it was necessary to invest in building better melee weapons, using the same concept. Although they also suffered from increased costs, they were cheaper than consumable items.
As a result, monster materials and dungeon loot have become important and valuable to society nowadays.
"Alright, I'm nervous, the only advantage is that within the dungeon, I won't really die."
After a concerted effort to fortify my mindset, I decided to fight monsters for the first time.
"Good luck, Dungeon Master."
After receiving words of encouragement from the AI assistant, I entered the Dungeon.
Dark, damp, silent. That's the sensation I felt as I entered the cave.
I decided to proceed, trying to make as little noise as possible, paying attention to every corner.
Thump, thump.
I can feel my heart racing, pounding a million beats, a nervousness that intensifies with each step.
As I treaded deeper into the cavern, the air grew cooler, and a faint, earthy aroma filled my senses. An eerie silence enveloped me, only occasionally interrupted by small noises and grunts echoing through the narrow passageways.
Cautiously, I advanced, my sword held in a firm grip, the weight of the hilt reassuring against my palm.
A sudden movement caught my attention. My pulse quickened, and I held my breath, my senses sharpened to the tiniest details.
Emerging from the shadows, a group of 3 goblins, their crude weapons glinting faintly, came into view. Their sharp, malicious grins revealed pointed teeth as if they owned the place.
Evidently, these mobs weren't confined to their spawning points. At the moment, they haven't noticed me yet, a situation that won't last much longer as I have nowhere to hide.
Something I noticed while observing them is that, for some reason, I can perceive them perfectly. I began analyzing their movements, the muscle strength they exert with each motion.
I entered their field of view, and strangely, they didn't attack me; instead, they acted as if I didn't exist.
"System, what's happening?"
[The dungeon monsters are programmed to protect and fight for the dungeon master. Under standard conditions, they aid your cause or simply disregard your presence.]
"But I really wanted to test my own dungeon."
Even though I know they won't do anything to me, I didn't let my guard down, perhaps out of fear or maybe because it's my first time facing a monster. I'm prepared to retaliate.
[Situation easily correctable. A configuration will be set up so that monsters won't recognize you as the dungeon master when you want to challenge them.]
[Attention, stay alert and vigilant. In ten seconds, the monsters will start attacking you the moment they perceive you.]
I can still see the monsters near me; I'm currently positioned about two meters away from them.
[10, 9, 8, 7,..., 1, 0]
As soon as the countdown ended, I decided to take action. Seizing the moment while they still hadn't noticed me, I used my sword to strike one of the goblins from behind.
In this surprise attack, I managed to hit its neck by luck, aiming for the goblin's head. With that, one goblin down.
Sensing the sudden disturbance, the remaining two goblins noticed me and decided to attack.
The goblins were quick and relentless, their frenzied attacks. Perhaps due to the confusion and uncoordinated assaults, I managed to dodge and retreat a bit.
With a surge of adrenaline, I lunged forward, meeting their challenge head-on. My sword clashed against the crude weaponry of the goblins, the metallic ring resonating through the chamber.
During the conflict, I noticed signs in the goblins' attacks, such as muscle contractions and stances. My keen observations afforded split-second advantages. Not every attack was avoidable or blockable, so I started accumulating some damage. However, the same could be said for the goblins.
Time seemed to blur as I engaged in this deadly dance. The clash of metal, grunts of effort, and my own pounding heartbeat melded into a symphony of chaos. With each passing moment, I found myself moving more fluidly, and the number of times I successfully dodged began to increase.
In this deadly dance, a goblin exposed an opening. Taking advantage of this opportunity, I attacked with all my strength, reducing the enemy count.
Fighting against the last goblin became much easier, yet at the same time, a sense of fatigue began to overwhelm me. Because of this, I decided to end the fight as quickly as possible.
After eliminating the last goblin, I collapsed to the ground, unable to move. I was incapacitated by an overwhelming exhaustion that engulfed me.
Now that I've stopped and, in a way, exited the vigilant state brought about by the fight, a wave of nausea hit me.
I could feel the sensation of the sword cutting through the goblin, like the feeling of taking a life.
Over time, that feeling subsided, becoming more bearable.
Looking around and preparing to continue, I found a rusty knife—my first loot. It's not worth much, in fact, it's almost considered trash if there wasn't a way to repurpose the material. Nevertheless, I decided to take it; after all, it was my first loot.
I decided to press on, to fight against this unsettling feeling, this desire to give up everything and flee, I steeled myself.
"This isn't the first time I've faced something scary like this, something that makes me want to run away. The only way to improve is to keep moving forward."
Further ahead, I encountered a room with only two goblins. I decided to take action.
Perhaps due to my previous experience fighting goblins, this battle was much easier.
When I killed the two goblins, for a brief moment, I felt a rush of euphoria, an emotion that I am stronger than before.
"System, display my status."
[Name: Jeffrey Stark
Profession: Novice Dungeon Master
Strength: 4
Agility: 4
Dexterity: 6
Intelligence: 5
Vitality: 5]
Apparently, I gained an increase in my stats.
With a bit more confidence, I decided to continue searching for other goblins.
Unfortunately, it seems my luck ran out. I stumbled upon a group of 5 goblins.
During the battle, I succeeded in dispatching one goblin. However, the accumulated damage left me vulnerable, and I fell prey to a synchronized attack launched by the remaining goblins.
Regaining consciousness in an unfamiliar bed, processing what was happening and recalling what I had just done.
Strangely, I find myself experiencing a curious satisfaction, a thirst for more, to become even stronger. I thought dying would be more traumatic.
"System, what did I lose?"
[Due to your dungeon master status, you've only received a debuff that weakens you for a period of one day.]
[After the period of weakness ends, your strength will fully recover.]