Haruto cautiously stepped deeper into the dimly lit dungeon, the air heavy with an eerie stillness. The faint drip of water echoed through the stone corridors, and the musty scent of damp earth filled his nostrils.
"This level 2 dungeon has a strange feeling…" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
He took a deep breath, pushing forward, determination etched on his face. "I should make a party. Better to face whatever's lurking in here together."
He yawned, fatigue seeping into his bones. "I need to get stronger. Kaito already has a new ability."
Suddenly, soft, mischievous giggles bounced off the stone walls, catching Haruto's attention. He froze, instinctively drawing his long silver sword.
"What was that?" he whispered, his eyes scanning the darkness.
He steadied his breath and pushed further, curiosity piqued. As he turned a corner, his eyes widened in shock.
"This is why it feels strange… It's a vampire dungeon."
In front of him stood a group of 50 vampire girls, each wearing a sleek, deep crimson velvet gown that hugged their form perfectly. The gowns had intricate lace details along the neckline and sleeves, adding a touch of sophistication. A high slit in the skirt revealed their knee-high black leather boots, blending allure with strength. Around their necks, they wore black lace chokers adorned with small rubies, matching the ones in their delicate earrings. Their dark, cascading hair was topped with subtle, gothic-inspired crowns. Their eyes glinted with mischief, their playful auras palpable.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A lone human in our dungeon?" the first vampire teased, her voice silky smooth.
"He looks a bit lost, don't you think?" the second vampire added, her voice dripping with amusement.
Haruto readied himself for a fight. "Vampires… I need to be careful. They can turn anyone they bite into a vampire," he thought, his grip tightening on his sword.
The girls exchanged mischievous looks, their laughter cascading through the air like a melody.
"Oh come on, darling! We're not that scary, are we?" the third vampire giggled, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Scared? Or intrigued? There's a fine line, you know," the fourth vampire said, playfully swishing her hair.
Haruto's grip tightened on his sword. "This is the perfect time to get stronger!"
The vampire girls surrounded him, their eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"If you want to be stronger, we can offer you a unique training experience," the first vampire suggested, her voice low and enticing.
"Besides, who wouldn't want to have fun in a dungeon?" the second vampire chimed in, her smile revealing sharp fangs.
"Too much talking, let's fight," Haruto declared, his voice firm and unwavering.
The giggling subsided, but the playful energy lingered in the air.
"You're no fun," the third vampire pouted, her lips forming a mock pout.
"A shame, really. We could make your journey so much more… entertaining," the fourth vampire added with a sly smile.
With a deep breath, Haruto readied his long silver sword. The vampire girls exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing.
"Alright then, brave human. Let's see how far that resolve takes you," the first vampire challenged, her voice dripping with anticipation.
With swift motions, the vampires rushed at Haruto, claws poised for attack. Haruto stood firm, his eyes narrowing with steely resolve. "Silver Tempest Slash!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the cavernous dungeon.
He unleashed a whirlwind of blinding slashes, each strike a blur of silver light, sending several vampires sprawling back into the shadows. The air hissed with the speed of his blade, the sheer force of his attacks leaving trails of shimmering energy in their wake.
"What?!" the third vampire gasped, shock etched across her features as she staggered back.
"Nice trick! But we won't fall for the same move twice!" the first vampire sneered, his eyes burning with determination.
Haruto smirked, a confident glint in his eyes. The vampires charged again, their agile forms darting in and out of the flickering light, their eyes glowing with predatory intent. Haruto's muscles tensed as he activated his Phantom Silver Edge. "Phantom Silver Edge!" he called out, his voice resonating with power.
His sword now appeared to multiply, each blade striking at the air with otherworldly speed, creating a dazzling display of silver arcs. The dungeon was filled with the sound of metal slicing through the air, a symphony of battle that resonated off the stone walls.
"Dodge! Dodge!" the fourth vampire yelped, her voice high-pitched with panic as a blade zipped past her, narrowly missing its mark.
"This isn't fair! He's too quick!" the fifth vampire complained, frustration evident in his voice as he tried to evade the relentless barrage of strikes.
One by one, the vampires were overwhelmed, their playful demeanor shattered as they dropped to the ground, their bodies limp and defeated. The once synchronized and confident horde now lay scattered, their numbers dwindling and their morale broken.
"Surround him! Use your numbers! It's now or never!" the first vampire, breathless and furious, commanded, his voice cracking under the strain of desperation.
The remaining vampires attempted to encircle him, their claws raised, eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. "Silver Tempest Slash!" Haruto shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos with unwavering calm.
A renewed whirlwind engulfed the dungeon, blinding light filling the chamber. The sound of the tempest drowned out the frantic cries of the vampires. As the storm cleared, the last of the vampires were left incapacitated, their bodies strewn across the cold stone floor.
Haruto panted slightly, his chest heaving as he looked around at the remnants of the horde. "Looks like Level 2 is no match for me," he murmured, a mix of pride and exhaustion in his voice.
The chamber fell silent, the only sound the faint crackling of the torches. Haruto stood proudly, his silver sword gleaming, the reflection of the dim light dancing along its edge. The oppressive darkness of the dungeon seemed to recede slightly, the victory bringing a rare moment of peace.
He approached the pulsating red orb and sheathed his sword. Stepping closer, he extended a hand toward the orb, feeling its warmth pulse against his fingertips. Suddenly, a holographic interface sprang to life before him, glowing with vibrant text.
Interface: Vampire Spawn Point
Level: 2
Name: Vampire
Gender: Female
Spawn Speed: 2 hours
Quantity: 30,000
Haruto stared in shock at the quantity. "30,000?!"
He calmed himself. "I only fought 50 of them."
Thinking it through, he realized, "That means someone entered this dungeon before me and adjusted the setting."
Haruto's face grew serious. "Only an adventurer can alter the spawn point settings… I need to report this to the guild immediately."
Haruto then adjusted the quantity to 0. A notification popped up: "Confirm changes? Yes / No." His hand hovered over the "Yes" button. With a decisive click, he confirmed the changes.
The atmosphere shifted, and the spawn point vanished into thin air like mist dispersing in the wind.
After that, Haruto turned to exit the dungeon.
***
Kaito opened his eyes and glanced at his alarm clock. It was already 8:30 AM.
"It's already 8:30 AM," he muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and stretching his arms above his head. The room felt emptier than usual.
He got up and noticed that his 50 girlfriends were no longer in his bedroom. Letting out a long breath, his shoulders slumped. He lingered by the bed, his fingers brushing against the rumpled sheets.
"They've already left for work," he sighed, the silence of the apartment pressing in on him.
His thoughts drifted to what the Book Witch had told him in the inner world. "I need to go to the guild today."
After a quick shower, he put on his casual clothes and decided to cook. Walking towards the refrigerator, he opened it and sighed again. The cold air hit his face, but the shelves were bare.
"I need to buy food today," he realized, staring at the empty shelves.
Grabbing his motorcycle key, he made a decision. "I think I'll eat Nasi Dagang from the Terengganuan Malay restaurant!" He could almost taste the rich, savory flavors.
He glanced at an imaginary audience. "You should try it," he said with a playful grin.
Kaito opened his door and stepped out of his apartment, heading towards the elevator. The hallway was quiet, the morning light filtering through the windows casting long shadows on the floor. As he approached, he noticed a man waiting for the elevator. There was something strange about him. The man's eyes were fixed on the elevator doors, his posture unnaturally stiff. Kaito felt a chill run down his spine.
The man was tall and gaunt, with pale skin that seemed almost translucent under the harsh fluorescent lights. His eyes were wide and unblinking, and his hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides. Kaito hesitated, his instincts telling him something was off.