Traveling aboard a floating train hurtling at 800 km/hr was a truly surreal experience. As I departed the station, I found myself awestruck by the towering skyscrapers, their modern architecture standing in stark contrast to the outdoor environment, which paled in comparison to the advanced technology indoors. This contrast seemed accentuated by frequent disruptions such as war and other phenomena that had stymied the region's growth.
Today marked my third day in this unfamiliar world, en route to Graffiti Mountain, my initial destination situated in the northern extremity of Stella City within the C Rank Zone. This world was unlike any I had known before; human habitation was confined to a single continent, comparable in size to Earth but segmented into cities ranging from E-level to S-level. Nashville City of Dreams, the sole S Rank Zone and capital of the Human Kingdom, stood as the pinnacle of achievement. Proudly, Ashlen Academy, my current place of study, thrived within its bustling confines.
As I navigated Stella, preparing for the challenges ahead, I entered the vibrant Awaken Market. The bustling street was lined with shops offering potions, weapons, spell arts, grimoires, and skill cards. At the far end stood 'Druks and Brother', a seemingly deserted shop that caught my attention. Inside, a cheerful, somewhat chubby man behind the counter greeted me warmly, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"Welcome, young one! My name's Murphy. What can I do ya for?" His voice was warm and inviting.
" I'm Emmet, a student and aspiring hero. I'm interested in purchasing something from your store," I replied cautiously.
"Ah, a hero in training, eh? Well, feel free to browse. Let me know if anything catches your eye," Murphy gestured generously.
"Thank you," I nodded, drawn to shelves filled with curious artifacts and enchanted items, each whispering tales of adventure and power.
Murphy's voice broke my concentration, "Find anything intriguing, Emmet?"
Glancing back at him, I grinned, "Quite a few things, actually. Tell me about this pendant here."
"Oh, where do you get this from?" Murphy asked, his eyes narrowing as he examined the curious object in his hand.
Emmet shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Does it matter? Just tell me the price. And while we're at it, I've got my eye on a few more things here: this black stone, the bracelet-type armor, and a couple of potions."
Murphy raised an eyebrow, glancing skeptically at the items Emmet had pointed out. "Are you sure about the stone and the pendant? They've been gathering dust in this shop for as long as I can remember. Trust me, lad, you'd be better off choosing something else."
Emmet leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. "What's wrong with them? They look intriguing enough to me."
Murphy sighed, rubbing his temples as if warding off a headache. "It's not that there's anything wrong with them, exactly. It's just... no one else has ever shown any interest. There's something off about them. The pendant, especially. People say it's cursed, but who knows? Maybe it's just bad luck."
Emmet's eyes gleamed with excitement. "A curse, you say? That makes it even more interesting. I'll take it all."
Murphy shook his head, a reluctant smile creeping onto his face. "You're a stubborn one, aren't you? Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. That'll be 500 credits for the lot."
Emmet handed over the credits, his mind already racing with possibilities. "Thanks, Murphy. And don't worry, I'll be careful."
As Emmet walked out of the shop, Murphy watched him go, a mix of concern and curiosity in his eyes. "Good luck, lad," he muttered under his breath. "You'll need it."
As I exited the shop, my excitement was over the top. With this pendant in my possession, I was ready to embark on my hunt. You might be wondering what this pendant is. Currently, it's a cursed item that Elara, the heroine, received. She has spirit and nature magic, which allows her to resolve curses. Once she lifted the curse, the pendant revealed its true power. This pendant not only increases attributes but also boosts magic and spirit spells. Its main function is to prevent mental attacks and other harmful effects. This pendant can only show its true worth in Elara's hands, but I planned to borrow it for some time. I had something better in store for myself, and I started laughing like a madman, disturbing pedestrians.
Removing the curse was quite difficult for most people, especially those who knew nothing about them. But that didn't include me, as I was the only one who knew the plot of this world. So, I was going to make a new potion to remove the curse. I opened a bottle containing holy water, added the necessary herbs, and let it sit as I continued my journey towards Graffiti Mountain.
Thirty minutes later, I reached the foot of the mountain. I began my plan, opening the bottle of my newly made potion and pouring it over the pendant. The pendant, previously purple and gold, began to emit black smoke as the potion touched its surface. After about five minutes, it transformed into a brilliant golden color. I heard a beep in my head, and a new message appeared before me:
[Attributes +50]
[Mental Attacks Immunity]
[Magic and Spirit Spells Proficiency Increased by 40%]
As I finished reading the message, I felt different, almost like I could smash a tower with a single punch. The attribute bonus was significant, bringing me close to C- rank. However, my swordsmanship and footwork were still at the intermediate level. A typical C-rank adventurer had advanced their arts or possessed intermediate magic control.
I pushed such thoughts aside, knowing I had to focus on the upcoming dangers. I began to climb the mountain, and after another thirty minutes, I reached a lake. Looking around, I searched for the largest tree in the area. Eventually, I found a massive tree, more than fifty meters wide and towering high into the sky.
Approaching the tree, I put on the bracelet I had bought from the market. It was a novice-level body armor, capable of absorbing three attacks from D-rank or below. It wasn't much, but I didn't have enough credits to buy a better one. I'd have to make more money once I returned.
As I reached the tree, I started searching for the trigger to the dungeon entrance. With narrowed eyes, I found a small crack. That was it. I began channeling my magic into it, and suddenly, a change took place. Parallel to the tree, a space distortion occurred. As I watched in amazement, a dark blue dungeon formed in front of me, its color reflecting that it was a 'C' rank dungeon.
Standing before it, I took a deep breath. It was now or never.
In the dim light of the hidden dungeon, I carefully retrieved the sword from my storage ring left behind by its previous owner. "Iron Thorn," as it was named, may have been just a D-level blade, but in this moment, it felt weighty with purpose. Its hilt, worn smooth from countless battles, fit snugly in my grip as I fastened it to my side.
As I stepped into the dungeon's entrance, a strange calm washed over me. The pendant's presence seemed to soothe my nerves, allowing me to focus amid the dimly lit cavern. Shadows danced around a solitary figure ahead—a Saber Wolf, a formidable D-rank monster known for its physical prowess.
As the Saber Wolf charged towards me with a guttural growl, I remained calm, ready to engage in combat. Utilizing my Gale Steps technique, I invoked the wind element to enhance my speed and agility. Wind currents wrapped around my legs, propelling me forward with effortless grace.
With a swift sidestep, I evaded the wolf's first lunge, its claws scraping harmlessly against the rocky ground. Seizing the opportunity, I closed the distance in a blur of motion, my blade ' Iron tooth' gleaming in the dim light of the cavern. With practiced precision, I aimed for the vulnerable spot at the wolf's nape.
The creature tried to pivot to defend itself, but my enhanced speed allowed me to anticipate its movements. With a decisive strike, 'Iron tooth' found its mark, slicing cleanly through fur and flesh. The Saber Wolf let out a pained yelp as it staggered back, weakened by the blow.
Taking advantage of the opening, I circled around the creature, my movements fluid and controlled. The wolf, now disoriented and struggling to maintain its balance, made a desperate swipe with its claws. I effortlessly ducked under the attack, then swiftly delivered another precise strike to its nape.
With a final roar of pain, the Saber Wolf collapsed to the ground, defeated. I stood over it, breathing steadily as I retrieved my blade. The cavern fell silent once more, the echoes of battle fading away.
This encounter had been relatively easy, a testament to my skill and the effectiveness of Gale Steps in enhancing my speed and agility. As I continued deeper into the dungeon, I knew that greater challenges awaited, but for now, I allowed myself a moment to savor the victory.
Reflecting on my previous fight with the Saber Wolf, I couldn't help but acknowledge how easy it had been, thanks to my attributes nearing C-rank and the firepower granted by my mastery of gravity magic. With a sense of satisfaction, I retrieved the defeated wolf's body, searching it for any valuable loot. Among its belongings, I discovered a vivid blue mana stone. My eyes widened with the prospect of its worth, but I quickly refocused on my mission. This wasn't the time for distractions; I needed to press on.
As I made my way deeper into the dungeon, the encounters with more Saber Wolves became increasingly frequent. Each skirmish was brief but intense, my Gale Steps technique proving invaluable in outmaneuvering the creatures and delivering precise strikes with 'Iron tooth' . The wolves, sensing the defeat of their brethren, attacked with a mix of desperation and fury, but I navigated through them with ease, my combat prowess steadily building with each encounter.
Finally, after navigating through winding tunnels and battling through packs of wolves, I arrived at a massive door. Its imposing presence marked it unmistakably as the entrance to the boss room—the final destination of my journey through this dungeon. The air around me seemed to hum with tension as I approached, the weight of what lay beyond the door settling heavily on my shoulders.
I took a moment to steady my breathing and focus my thoughts. The challenge ahead promised to be formidable, but I was ready. With a deep breath, I reached out and pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit chamber beyond, where the true test of my abilities awaited.
As Emmett entered the chamber of the Saber Wolf King, he was immediately confronted by the towering beast, its massive form looming over him like a shadow cast by the depths of the dungeon. The creature's amber eyes glinted with primal aggression, fixed upon Emmett, waiting for the first move. Emmett squared his shoulders, channeling his magic and preparing his combat arts with a resolve born of necessity.
With a burst of determination, Emmett launched himself into action, employing Gale Steps to dart around the chamber, his movements a blur of agility and speed. His sword, imbued with the power of Gravity Steer ( His Art) , slashed towards the beast's vulnerable spots, but the Saber Wolf King moved with astonishing agility, deflecting Emmett's strikes with uncanny precision.
Realization dawned upon Emmett that he had underestimated the beast's prowess. Despite his own considerable power, honed through countless dungeon battles, the Saber Wolf King was proving to be a formidable opponent. Each clash escalated the intensity of the battle, wounds accumulating as Emmett's potions rapidly diminished. Thinking swiftly, Emmett applied a poison potion to his blade, hoping to tip the scales in his favor. The Saber Wolf King, sensing the shift in tactics, unleashed a renewed onslaught, its attacks growing fiercer and more calculated.
Amidst the chaotic exchange, Emmett managed to land a critical blow that wounded the beast, but not without paying a heavy price. A savage swipe from the Saber Wolf King left Emmett with a severe injury to his left hand, the pain searing through him as he fought to maintain his footing. Fatigue weighed heavily upon his shoulders, his reserves of stamina and mana nearing depletion.