In confronting a dungeon that has been historically feared by numerous adventurers, it is important to acknowledge the losses sustained by many, including the disappearance of partners and, at times, the very essence of individuals who ventured within. This dungeon is inhabited by a range of formidable and frightening monsters, with each successive floor presenting increasingly powerful threats. The interconnected floors descend into greater peril, as the strength of creatures encountered increases significantly with depth.
Jonathan and Mary, having previously triumphed over the Carvosh Kingdom, now stand resolutely at the entrance of the dungeon. Jonathan's expression is one of enthusiasm rather than trepidation; in contrast, Mary exhibits a lack of interest in undertaking this exploration. Despite her reservations, Jonathan remains eager to engage with the challenges that lie ahead within the depths of the dungeon.
Mary cast her magic skill, "All of Everything Orbs," which created a football-sized orb that emitted light, illuminating the darkness and providing a clear vision. Jonathan thanked Mary for this new visibility, which would help them detect any monsters hiding in the shadows. They began to delve into the dungeon, with Jonathan gripping his Constant Sword, ready for any surprise attacks or traps that might be concealed within the floors, ceilings, and walls.
As they ventured deeper into the first floor, Jonathan sensed the presence of a monster to their right. He gestured for Mary to stop, and they halted in their tracks. Suddenly, a tall, furry wolf appeared from the right side, standing upright and slowly turning its gaze toward them. Its teeth were stained with blood from the monsters it had eaten.
Without hesitation, Jonathan drew his sword and struck first, successfully landing a direct hit to the monster's chest. The wolf let out a growl before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind a crystal that could be exchanged for coins at the guild.
Mary took the crystal and placed it in her small pouch. Suddenly, a monster appeared above Jonathan, almost landing a hit on his head. However, he managed to dodge in time and countered with a swift slash, annihilating the creature instantly. He sighed, realizing he had lowered his guard. After all, this place was still unfamiliar to them, and there could be much more danger if they weren't cautious.
This is a common mistake among adventurers –– they tend to lower their guard once they feel safe, but the danger often remains. This is why there are many casualties among lower-level adventurers; inexperience leads them to recklessly enter rooms without scanning their surroundings. Additionally, monsters can scent humans or other races that differ from their own.
Despite this, Jonathan and Mary pressed on, exploring the first floor. They encountered several monsters and discovered a treasure chest in a strange room, surprisingly without any traps.
Eventually, they reached the stairs leading down to the second floor. As Jonathan and Mary entered the floor, the environment was incredibly different from the one above (the first floor). Each floor had different rooms, atmospheres, and routes to the stairs connecting one floor to another.
On the second floor, the monsters morphed into tiny rabbits with extraordinary speed, darting around like bullets, and lizard-like monsters equipped with swords and light armor. Despite the formidable foes, Jonathan and Mary pressed on, conquering floor after floor until they reached the tenth floor — the Boss floor. This level contained a powerful monster, ominously referred to as the Boss, who awaited adventurers in a massive room.
As they approached the enormous doors, they swung open automatically, revealing a terrifying smoke billowing around their feet. Through the haze, an enormous monster emerged, exuding a murderous intent. Its fierce eyes seemed to pierce Jonathan and Mary's souls. However, they managed to sustain their fear, particularly Jonathan, who had faced even stronger beings before (The Figure). As the doors slowly closed behind them, they knew they had to defeat the Boss to access the door beyond it. Jonathan couldn't help but smile, excited to gain experience and defeat his first Boss.
Without further ado, Jonathan charged in at faster than speed of light, his sword poised for a strike. Meanwhile, Mary began casting her magic, landing multiple hits on the Boss and making it harder for the creature to defend itself against Jonathan's incoming attacks. Jonathan struck the Boss in the chest, causing a growl of pain as blood dripped from the wound. The adrenaline surged as the Boss instinctively turned and dashed toward Jonathan with immense speed.
In a surprising twist, the Boss managed to land a hit on Jonathan before he could react. Fortunately for him, he blocked the attack with his Constant Sword just in time. Had he been a moment late, he could have sustained serious injuries. The force of the hit pushed him back hard against the wall, creating a medium-sized crater and cracks around it.
The Constant Sword healed Jonathan instantly, restoring him to his prime state and replenishing his energy and speed. Any time Jonathan found himself near death or heavily injured, the sword would heal him; all wounds vanished in an instant, and his physical status returned to its peak — though not his age.
With his newfound vitality, Jonathan jumped straight from the wall toward the Boss with unprecedented light speed, even faster than before. The Boss was still distracted by Mary, who was intent on keeping the creature occupied. Seizing the opportunity, Jonathan swung his sword, cutting the Boss in half. As the upper body fell to the cold floor, the Floor Boss was defeated, causing all doors to open, revealing paths to deeper levels or exits.
In about twelve hours, Jonathan and Mary explored 14-18 floors, losing track of whether it was day or night outside. As they ventured onto the 18th floor, Jonathan's hand brushed against the wall, inadvertently pressing a hidden button that activated a concealed door. They were awestruck to discover a hidden room. Mary curiously peeked inside and noticed several chests amid piles of gold coins, as well as a strange pillar, though she overlooked it.
"Jonathan! Look at this treasure!"
She exclaimed with excitement, pointing at the chests and gold coins. Jonathan rushed to her side, and upon seeing her joy, he looked into the room, his eyes widening in surprise. While Mary focused on the chests and coins, Jonathan's attention was drawn to the peculiar medium-sized pillar inscribed with ancient words.
He walked towards the pillar, bypassing the chests and scattered coins, fixated solely on it. Confused, Mary continued gathering coins and opening chests. As Jonathan stood tall in front of the pillar, he felt a profound wisdom enveloping him, as if an unseen force was swirling around him.
His hand slowly reached out to touch the pillar. At his fingertips, the ancient words began to glow with a brilliant blue light, growing brighter by the second. Awed, Jonathan instinctively stepped back, but his vision began to blur and then turned black.
At that moment, while Mary was busy collecting items from the chests, she turned around and noticed Jonathan standing still, staring at the pillar as if he were a statue. Suddenly, Jonathan awoke in a strange landscape filled with beautiful green grass. He quickly stood up straight, ready for whatever lay ahead.
"Where am i?"
He questioned himself, clearly confused by the scenario. All he saw was an endless landscape with little else around, so he began walking aimlessly, searching for an exit. No matter how long he walked, he was unable to find one. The sky grew increasingly bright, completely blinding Jonathan's vision.
Following the light, something descended from the sky, accompanied by the glowing light around it. When Jonathan was no longer blinded, he raised his head to see a large, floating orb in front of him, emanating a divine light. Behind the Orb, he could see majestic wings, reminiscent of an angel. But it was not an angel; it was a sacred Orb, a beautiful manifestation fulfilling God's request and bestowing divine wisdom on the Chosen One.
"O Jonathan, I have sent you here to grant you divine wisdom by God's order. You have been watched from above, and we hoped you would be capable of finding it. Thus, we give you power and wisdom to withstand the challenges that await you."
The Orb spoke to him in an authoritative and divine voice. Once an ordinary man seeking the truth, Jonathan now received help from God and encountered this celestial figure. In a state of confusion and awe, the orb bestowed upon Jonathan a vast amount of knowledge without him needing to read any books; his understanding spanned across the multiverse. Along with the wisdom, Jonathan gained powerful abilities that would aid him in dangerous situations.
"Remember to use this wisely, Jonathan. In the future, there will be threats greater than anything you have encountered so far."
Suddenly, his vision blurred again. Jonathan tried to ask a question, but it was too late — his sight turned black, and then he was back where he had been standing. Slowly, he looked around and saw Mary beside him, her expression a mix of annoyance and concern.
"Jonathan, you've been standing there for almost two hours! What happened to you?"
He's standing straight for like 2 hours? Jonathan surprised by that, has he really been standing there 2 hours?
"W-wait what... 2 hours?!"
Jonathan spoke in confusion and awe. Mary nodded at him and encouraged him to continue exploring the dungeon, as that was what he wanted. After all, they had already wasted two hours due to Jonathan's encounter with the Celestial Figure. If he told her about that experience, she wouldn't believe him and would consider it an excuse. With that in mind, she left the room first, expecting Jonathan to follow her.
Jonathan glanced at the pillar and noticed that the ancient words were slowly vanishing, turning it back into an ordinary pillar. He turned around and began walking, following her. After a while, they descended to the 18th floor, encountering various monsters along the way. They finally found a staircase leading to the 19th floor. Jonathan suggested they rest to recover their energy, and she agreed, realizing they needed to find a safer area first since they had entered a more dangerous level.
As they searched for a secure and suitable place to rest, Jonathan sensed the presence of a monster in front of them. From the darkness ahead, multiple creatures emerged: skeletons clad in heavy armor, armed with various weapons such as bows, swords, and a magic staff. Among them was a mage; when they detected Jonathan and Mary, all the sword-wielding skeletons dashed toward them with a speed that seemed impossible.
Jonathan stepped in front of Mary, blocking the attacks and slashing at several skeletons whenever he had the chance. As arrows flew toward them from the archers, Mary cast a shield around them, deflecting the incoming projectiles. Once Jonathan eliminated all the sword-wielding skeletons, he charged at the remaining skeletons, swiftly dispatching the archers and the mage.
With the immediate threats neutralized, they continued until they found an empty room. They decided to turn it into a safe area. Jonathan first scanned the room for any traps and, fortunately, found none. Mary used her earth magic to block the entrance, knowing she could reverse it when they were ready.
Once everything was secure, Mary leaned against the cold wall while Jonathan retrieved cooking supplies from his Dimensional Storage to prepare a meal for them. Jonathan prepared a dish called Työshk, a cherished recipe from his hometown that held a special place in his heart. This dish featured a rich curry made with tender cuts of beef, each bite mixed with gooey, melted cheese that oozed deliciously from within. To add a touch of color and sweetness, he included a few vibrant carrots, slicing them neatly into the mixture. As he stirred the pot, Jonathan hoped that Mary would appreciate the flavors and warmth of his childhood dish, creating a comforting atmosphere during their adventurous day.
Once the Työshk was cooked to perfection, its aroma wafting through the air, he carefully plated the food, setting it before Mary with a smile. As she gazed at the steaming meal, her eyes lit up with anticipation. Without hesitation, she took a spoonful and tasted the dish. The explosion of flavors was everything she hoped for; the spice of the curry was balanced by the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the carrots. Mary was so enamored by the meal that she devoured it at a remarkable speed, finishing her plate long before Jonathan had even scraped halfway through his. Jonathan watched in amazement, realizing how ravenous she must have been, as if she hadn't eaten all day.
After their satisfying meal, they took a moment to relax in their safe haven, regaining their strength before embarking on their next challenges. While they rested, Jonathan and Mary strategized about the deeper floors below, discussing their plans for confronting the formidable monsters that awaited them, including some that were known to be particularly challenging. They shared ideas on how to tackle the tougher foes and what spells and weapons would be most effective.
Once feeling refreshed and focused, Mary decided it was time to move on. With a flicker of her wrist and a chant of her incantation, she reversed her magic to clear their path. Together, they ventured down to the 19th floor, an ominous place filled with a mix of frightening creatures. As they stepped into this new environment, they encountered a swarm of skeletons rattling endlessly, a colossal slime that throbbed ominously while wielding potent magic, and orcs known for their remarkable strength and resilience. Each of these adversaries presented a unique challenge, heightening the tension as they prepared for the battles that lay ahead.
In 20 hours, not knowing whether outside was night or day, they got heavy amounts of treasure inside several certain rooms. They easily crushed every monster they encountered, there was not much anything interesting on the 19th floor, so they went down to floor 20, where the environment was drastically and completely different from the 19th; it's not some sort of hallways or a room. But rather a cave filled with strange crystals that are attached between the rocks; those crystals are variants of colors and shapes, even there are rare crystals that are rare enough to equal 20 gold coins when sold to the Guild. Which is the Rainbow-Crystal color.
Mary noticed the rainbow crystal; her eyes sparkled in awe and surprise at the beauty of that crystal. Without waiting for any second, she instantly used her magic skills called "AutoMine," Which allowed the user to use my specific ores or something that the user wanted. Also, no matter what material it was, it was still able to mine it easily. A profitable skill that miners dream of. Technically a cheat skill for a miner, upon venturing the floor, she used that skill over and over again until she was satisfied with her getting almost 40 Rainbow-Crystals. Jonathan couldn't deny how much she loved money very much; he just chuckled softly and continued to walk deeper.
They continuously ventured deeper and explored almost all of the caves on floor 20; upon exploring, they saw multiple bodies of skeletons scattered; it did not come from a human's skeleton, but rather, it was the monster's skeletons. And each they took deeper – a lot of bodies of skeletons more visible, and even there wepilesile of them; Jonathan's instinct kicked him, telling him that something stronger than the 10th Boss Floor was going near them.
Mary was inspecting the piles but abruptly stopped as Jonathan shouted at her to be ready for an incoming fight. She immediately stood up, and several different magic skill circles appeared near her. Then, the monster that once alerted Jonathan's instinct emerged from the shadow. The monster was enormous but not close to the size of Boss Floor, but that is not the case because the main reason is that the monster's aura is immense.
A represents overall statistics, even above Boss Floor. He stood straight in front of Jonathan and Mary, looking at them with murderous intent. While armed with a massive sword, Jonathan felt slightly nervous, but he shook that feeling and unsheathed his Constant Sword. The Monster growls loudly, even making quakes near them; the debris falls as the shaking is so intense that the cave will fall apart. Jonathan felt this wasn't an ordinary Monster but it was a Mini-Boss of the incoming Boss Floor.
Jonathan dashed toward the Monster faster than the speed of light, but unfortunately, he blocked Jonathan's attack with forces that could destroy a whole continent. Jonathan is surprised by how he's capable of withstanding his attack; even he's able to know or detect Jonathan while using a speed that surpasses the speed of light. Jonathan took a step back while teleported behind the Monster; then he slashed the Monster's back, which the Monster growled in pain. But he did not take a heavy injury to the Monster; instead, the Monster turned around and furiously attacked Jonathan with relentless sways of the sword; each attack made Jonathan take a step back – cornering him into nearby rock walls. Then, unexpectedly, the Monster smashed the floor underneath him with one of his legs, and it made Jonathan almost collapse, but when he regained his position, the Monster swiftly toward Jonathan and landed a massive punch on his chest. Launching Jonathan onto the walls, this time Jonathan couldn't block the punches in time – directly hitting his chest and breaking several bones. Jonathan vomited blood in his mouth, which meant that Jonathan was in a state of heavy injury.
Mary quickly uses her magic to distract the Monster and successfully makes the Monster's attention toward her. Jonathan recovered himself by using Constant's powers and quickly stood up, readying to attack when the Monsters were approaching Mary.
She uses multiple magical spells toward the Monster, which injures the Monster but is not critical. Despite the attack from Mary, he kept approaching her and tanked the whole of her low-magic spell.
So she begin to cast high-magic spell which effectively injured the Monster, slowing down while growling in pain and murderous. Without Monster knowing, Jonathan rush toward the Monster, jumped and land an destructive attack on Monster's head, striking directly at the head – cracking the bones and into the brain, then not only that Jonathan use another power that make an explosion within the Monster's body, when before it explode Jonathan jump away from the body and Boom, the Monster's body disintegrated into nothing but ashes. Mary and Jonathan relief that the threat are gone and they were tired, so they rest little bit, after while, they continues to explore deeper into deep-dark caves. With some various ways to labyrinths of cave.
-To Be Continued...