One hundred years ago, underground labyrinths called dungeons spawned all around the world. In those dungeons existed monsters, creatures beyond the scope of human imagination. Modern weaponry couldn't hold a candle to their strength and power. With them came magic stones, a usable energy source far better than fossil fuels, and countless otherworldly things that didn't operate under the known rules of physics. Most remarkable and wondrous of them all was the concept of the level system.
Levels and skills, once existing only in the world of video games and anime, were now real. Subduing monsters granted experience points that increased levels. Increased levels led to boosted stats, and fulfilling certain requirements allowed a person to gain supernatural powers called skills. This led to the advent of adventurers, people who used their powers to overcome monsters while gathering magic stones and other dungeon resources to sell.
The power of adventurers was tremendous. One adventurer could rival the military strength of an entire nation. That was why adventurers gained such high social status. A globally-ranked adventurer had more wealth, prestige, and privileges than any politician or celebrity could ever obtain.
Many people dreamed of becoming adventurers of that caliber. Unfortunately, not everyone's dreams could come true. A huge obstacle stood in the way. First, the level system didn't work equally for everyone. Only a fraction of people could obtain stats and unique skills that give them leverage in dungeons.
Yet even with those obstacles, people still tried to become adventurers. They spent their days dungeon diving in hopes of realizing their dreams.
♦♦♦♦♦
On the 15th floor of the D-rank dungeon, the Black Forest. Over ten goblin corpses were already strewn about, leaving just three more to deal with. These last three goblins were my current opponents.
*Swoosh!* My short sword cut through a goblin's throat. As it collapsed, blood spurted from its neck. I swiftly moved toward the remaining two goblins, evading their simultaneous attack with ease. Despite their effort, the attack was unsuccessful. Having been an adventurer for around a year, I had encountered this kind of attack countless times.
"Time for the finishing blow!"
Ducking under their attack, I swiftly took down the two remaining goblins. A familiar sound echoed through my mind.
(Experience acquired - level increased by 1)
"It's finally here. Open status!"
This was my first level-up in five days, prompting me to quickly check my status.
…
Name: Rin
Level: 25
SP: 0
MP: 80/80
Skills: Teleport level 9, Body reinforcement level 3, Elementary Magic level 3
…
Teleport skill level 9
MP consumption: 2MP x distance in meters.
Condition: Can only transfer within the dungeon where the caster is.
Transfer distance: Up to 20 meters.
Activation Times: 3 seconds x distance in meters.
…
While my level had increased from 24 to 25, there wasn't a significant difference in my stats; each had only slightly improved. But examining my status filled me with a sense of dejection, as it highlighted my inadequacy.
I was far from the top, not even in the middle tier of the strongest. The highest rank in the world was 10,000, and I doubted I could ever catch up.
Dungeons had appeared in the world a century ago, gifting humanity with supernatural powers akin to those in games, though not exactly the same. Levels, which indicated an individual's strength, were present from birth, and higher levels corresponded to greater power. Upon leveling up, one would gain SP (Skill Points) for skill improvement or have the option to learn new skills. Unique skills were different, as they manifested when adventurers awakened their powers as children.
Returning to my leveling problem, capturing a dungeon granted adventurers experience points in addition to the capture reward. The number of levels gained varied based on the dungeon; an E-rank dungeon gave one level, while an A-rank dungeon granted a hundred levels. In the Black Forest, the reward was five levels.
At first glance, one might think that capturing a dungeon repeatedly was more efficient than killing monsters for experience. However, this approach had a fundamental flaw.
After capturing a dungeon, a one-week cooldown period followed before it could be challenged again. Somehow, adventurers couldn't challenge other dungeons after their capture history spread worldwide.
For adventurers like me who aimed to earn money in dungeons, dungeon captures were unattractive. "But now, it's an exception since I'll reach level 30 if I capture this one."
SP used to strengthen skills were granted every ten levels. Reaching level 30 would provide me with 30 SP, which was predictable.
Strengthening my skills directly led to strengthening myself, making dungeon clears easier and increasing my earnings.
Motivated by this, I pushed myself up and continued deeper into the dungeon. Although the monsters in the Black Forest were between levels 15 and 20, lower than my level, I couldn't afford to let my guard down. Many adventurers perished due to arrogance and overconfidence. While goblins and orcs were weaker than me, they were still much stronger than the average person, and I had to remain cautious.
Suddenly, the ground shook. I drove my sword into the soil and knelt, gripping the earth with my hand.
An earthquake? Or a phenomenon?
Phenomena were unusual events within dungeons—storms, earthquakes, or the appearance of high-level monsters. Whatever the cause, phenomena only spelled trouble for adventurers.
"Did my luck just run out?"
Retreating to the entrance seemed safest, but I was halfway through the dungeon capture. Leaving would mean forfeiting a week's work, and that meant no income. I wanted to maximize my earnings before leaving.
With a deep breath, I stood firm, summoning all the courage I could muster. I couldn't afford to worry about my safety; I was always alone, and there was no one outside the dungeon waiting for me.
"I must fight..."
I muttered, clenching my fist around the hilt of my sword.
Even if it meant putting my life on the line, I had to fight. Adventurers risked their lives every time they entered a dungeon. An earthquake couldn't scare me away.
One more reason pushed me forward: I was broke. Extremely broke. My home was on the line, and without enough money, I might end up on the dangerous streets or even dead.
Dying while fighting in the dungeon or dying a pitiful death outside—it wasn't a difficult choice.
The dungeon I navigated was vast, its towering trees casting long shadows. Taking cover beneath a massive root, I waited for the earthquake to end.
"That's the plan..." I whispered, scanning for hiding spots. Yet, I realized that the earthquake had ceased.
Oddly, the forest fell into an eerie silence, growing even darker.
"No way," I murmured.
As I glanced down, I saw a shadow—a shadow that didn't belong to a human or a giant tree. Two massive horns. Two massive horns!
"Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
It made an ear-piercing sound that nearly broke my eardrums. If It wasn't for my body reinforcement, I might be deaf by now. The howl released waves, sending me flying down the ground, and my body was then slammed into the giant tree.
"What the heck is happening here?"
I don't have appraisal skills so I cannot tell the level of this dragon. But based on its appearance, it is either a Ground lizard or an earth dragon. I wish it wasn't an earth dragon because the earth dragon is one of the most difficult monsters to kill. Even a small earth dragon would give an adventure on level 500 a beating.
But what in the world is this monster doing in this dungeon? An earth dragon is never on the Black Forest monster list.
Is this a result of the phenomenon? I never heard of a phenomenon that happened twice at the same time in a dungeon. The phenomenon only has a 5% occurrence in every dungeon.
Did my luck run out?
Whatever the reason was, the fact that I'm still in danger never changes.
Gotta get up and fight or else…
Memories of the past haunt me. The death of someone I failed to protect made my arm shake.
The monster slowly crawls its way onto me. Its body was so massive. Every step it made made the earth shake. Its red fearsome eyes fixated on me.
I'm not so dumb I cannot tell the obvious. There is no way I could defeat this monster on my own. Teleport skills won't save me in this situation. My teleport skill cannot work if a monster is targeting me.
This is not just about trying. Level 1 cannot possibly defeat a level 1000. This is the same. Like in games. This huge gap in level brings me to inevitable defeat. No matter how much I struggle to fight. This monster obviously would kill me in one shot.
"This might be it… My final day… I'm sorry Luna. I'm unable to realize our dream."
I'm about to put down my sword when a line of light breaks into my eyes.
The line of light cuts through the earth dragon in two. "W-Wow." From head to its torso. The sword cuts the dragon like it's made of butter.
Blood bursts, creating a red rain. My whole body was drenched in red in the process. But I'm not in a state to think about what I look like right now. I was stunned looking at the girl who saved my life.
"Are you okay?" asked the girl. The one who saved me was a girl who seemed to be in her teenage years. She is beautiful, slender, and has long silky black hair. Her eyes gleamed in blue color. Looks frightening yet so beautiful.
She cleans her sword with a swing. Blood from her blade splats out to the ground before she places her sword back in its sheath.
I nod in reply.
"You're drenched with blood, it's hard to tell if you're hurt."
"I'm fine."
"I see, I was worried… I thought I miscalculated and had my sword skill pass through the monster, injuring you in the process… Now, I'm so glad that you're okay."
She said and made a very bright smile.
"An angel…"
"Angel?"
"I mean, you… You look like an angel…"
"I get that a lot. But please don't call me that. Anyways, you should be going home right now. This place is in danger."
"Why? What's happening?"
"I apologize. I'm not ordered to tell much to strangers."
Gazing at her, I saw a very familiar emblem on her chest. The emblem of eight-pointed stars.
"You're a part of Knights of Judah."
"Yes. We're currently on a mission in this dungeon. Worst, that earth dragon wasn't the only monster that got let loose in this dungeon from that portal."
"Portal?"
"A-A-A-A… I'm sorry; please forget what I said." From her bag, she pulled out some gold coins and placed them in my hand. "Have this gold and make an exit."
"..." I was skeptical for a second.
"Is this gold not enough?"
"No! No! That's not it… Honestly, I'm so grateful."
This gold when exchanged at the guild will surely give me enough money for rent this month. Anyways, this girl seems serious about what she's talking about. On top of that, this is a knight of Judah we're talking about. She's part of an international top guild that has a monopoly on dungeons in the country ever since they appeared hundreds of years ago.
Adventurers had deep anger towards guilds like Knights of Judah, and I'm no different. But how can I be angry with a nice cute girl who just saved my life?
"I'm sorry… I'll be going." Looks like she's speaking to someone telepathically. She took another item from her bag and placed it in my hand. This time it's an escape card.
An escape card is an item that will teleport any adventurer outside the dungeon. It's mostly used in desperate times.
It was very cheap in an adventure shop. But I never really used one because of my teleport skills.
"I'll be going now." I turned around and disappeared in a flash.
Her level must be very high for her to have that speed.
(Experience acquired - level increased by 1)
The familiar robotic sounds echoed through my head. The system.
This is unusual since I didn't defeat any monsters at all. I then came to the realization about the earth dragon being defeated by the girl earlier. After the monster got defeated, some experience points must've been shared on me accidentally.
"Status open."
…
Name: Rin
Level: 30
SP: 30
MP: 80/80
Skill: Teleport level 9, Body reinforcement level 3, Elementary Magic level 3
…
Sweet. I can finally upgrade my skills with my SP.
The Maximum level of a skill was level 10, and after that, one adventurer could obtain a special skill related to that skill. There is no record of teleport skill before. I'm kinda worried I'll ever get one. But the Teleport skill is a skill I got ever since I was born. It is something my original skill. This skill saved my ass many times in the past.
Without hesitating, I press the (+) button next to my teleportation skill name. A faint golden glow appeared in a few seconds.
(Congratulations! You obtain special skills in Dungeon Transport.)
…
Dungeon transport skills allowed the user to teleport to any place within the dungeon. (Limited only to the user.) If the skill is used by others, The skill gains a skill cooldown of 30 minutes. (Skill Limit: Can only teleport one at the time.)
MP consumption: 2MP x distance in meters.
Condition: N/A
Teleport distance: Up to 20 meters.
Activation Times: 0 seconds x distance in meters.
…
"What does N/A mean?"
This skill allows me to teleport to any place in the dungeon. In addition, there is no cooldown period. Meaning, I could use this over and over again as long as I have MP.
My teleport skill had a condition that allowed me to teleport only to places I had already stepped on. This special skill doesn't have that boundary.
Or possibly, it could break the obstacles every adventurer has in this world.
♦♦♦♦♦
My curiosity got the best of me. I immediately used the escape card the cherubic girl gave me.
After my body was enveloped with white light, I opened my eyes outside the dungeon.
Outside I turned my head to the giant door leading to a black forest dungeon.
"I still don't know if this will work. The only way to find out was by doing it."
I walk forward and have myself stopped by an invisible thick wall. This invisible thick wall stops adventurers from entering a dungeon. Since I entered a dungeon already this week, I should be waiting for another week before I can enter. Even if I only enter this dungeon, I cannot enter other dungeons from a faraway land. The reason behind this has never been explained or discovered yet.
People can only enter a dungeon once a week.
But with dungeon transport skill… Possibly… there is a chance that I could…
I place my palm on the invisible wall and push through with little strength. The thick wall continuously repulses me away by an inch. But after, I activated my skill and teleported myself into the distance, passing through the thick invisible wall.
I tumble down and have my body fall on the soil.
I open my eyes and see myself back inside the dungeon.
"I entered a dungeon again… I enter the dungeon twice."