*Around the same time Lean Ventured into the dungeon*
.
Alon found himself standing before the grand building of the association that takes care of dungeons affairs, known as the Guardian Association of Dungeons, more commonly known as the GAD. Situated at the heart of the city, the building was a massive stone structure, with walls fortified by protective enchantments that pulsed faintly with magical energy.
Mages, mercenaries, and adventurers of all kinds streamed in and out of its heavy iron doors, their expressions ranging from eager anticipation to grim determination.
The GAD was the central authority for all things related to dungeon raiding in the kingdom. Every mage, regardless of their rank, had to pass through the process before entering a dungeon.
The association was overseen by a coalition of higher mages and nobles, individuals whose power and influence shaped the rules and regulations governing the mages.
They determined how many people could raid a particular dungeon at any given time, carefully controlling the flow of raids to minimize casualties and maximize efficiency.
Alon gazed at the imposing building with a sense of purpose. Unlike Lean, he couldn't simply plunge into a dungeon whenever he pleased.
The process was far more regimented. Each dungeon was evaluated and given a rank, from E, the lowest, to A, the highest. Few dared to challenge the A-rank dungeons, as they were notorious for their deadly traps and vicious creatures.
The lower-ranked dungeons, on the other hand, were swarmed with lower rank mages hoping to gain experience and earn some rewards.
But not all dungeons were ranked. There existed mysterious, unranked dungeons—places where no one had returned alive to report their findings.
These uncharted territories held unknown dangers, lurking in the shadows. Most mages avoided them altogether, and the GAD rarely authorized expeditions into such areas.
The danger of facing unranked monsters was simply too great, especially without knowing their strength or unsure whether they are the Fallens.
It wasn't the monsters that concerned Alon. He had learned that dungeons monsters were different from creatures like the Fallens.
Unlike the dungeon monsters, the Fallens were a breed apart. They had their own hierarchy, with fearsome ranks that struck fear into the hearts of those who had survived their wrath.
They had been ranked differently in 7 categories since after their appearance, from the seventh rank known as Fined to the first known as Calamity.
The creatures that had ravaged Alon's village, the ones who had torn his world apart, were known as Savages been the fourth rank.
But even they were formidable foes, nearly unstoppable in their fury.
Rumor had it that the highest-ranking Fallens— The Calamity, those who had first descended upon the world, were beings of unimaginable power. No one had ever seen them since the initial attack, and their absence only added to the mythos surrounding their existence.
Alon couldn't help but wonder what kind of strength it would take to stand against such creatures.
A shiver ran down his spine as he imagined the devastation they could unleash upon an unsuspecting world.
Before entering a dungeon, it was customary to form a party. The GAD encouraged this practice, promoting teamwork and safety. The logic was simple: there was strength in numbers.
A well-balanced team could take on even the most ferocious beasts, combining their skills to survive and conquer. But Alon had never enjoyed working with others.
He found the process cumbersome and often felt that his teammates slowed him down.
They lacked his sense of urgency, his need for immense growth.
He recalled his last raid, where he had reluctantly joined a party of six other mages. Their lack of coordination had nearly gotten them all killed.
Alon had been forced to step in, his raw power barely enough to save them from a lurking beast that had ambushed them in the depths of the dungeon.
The experience had left him frustrated, feeling stifled by the limitations of his companions.
He knew that his true potential would never be realized if he continued to rely on others.
Alon's thoughts were interrupted by a loud voice echoing through the hall. He glanced over to see a tall, broad-shouldered man addressing a group of young mages.
The man wore the insignia of the GAD, a silver emblem shaped like a shield, pinned to his chest. "Remember," he said, his voice booming, "the dungeon is no place for recklessness. Stick together, follow the plan, and watch each other's backs. Those who go in unprepared don't come out at all."
The words hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the risks involved. Alon clenched his fists, a familiar frustration bubbling within him.
He was tired of waiting, tired of the rules that held him back. He knew that he was capable of handling himself, that he didn't need the safety net of a party. And yet, the GAD's restrictions left him no choice.
But there was hope. He had heard whispers about the academy, mages were trained to their fullest potential. Rumor had it that graduates were granted special privileges, one of which was the ability to raid dungeons solo.
If he could get accepted, he could finally cast aside the limitations imposed by the GAD and explore dungeons on his own terms. No more waiting, no more holding back.
Alon took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. He knew that gaining entry to the Academy would be no easy feat. The exams were notoriously difficult, designed to weed out all but the most capable.
But he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way. His years of training were not going to waste. He had survived the Fallens, and had endured the nightmares that haunted him still. Whatever the Academy threw at him, he would overcome.
For now, he would follow the rules, would bide his time. But once he enters the Academy, everything would change. He would train harder than anyone else, and push himself to the brink.
And when he finally steps into a dungeon alone, he would do so with the strength and confidence that had eluded him for so long. Alon's path was clear, and he intended to walk it without hesitation.
With a final glance at the imposing structure of the GAD, Alon turned on his heel and made his way back into the crowd, blending in with the other mages as they prepared for their next raid.
He was one of them, bound by the same rules and restrictions. But he knew that his time would come, that one day he would stand apart, a force to be reckoned with.
The path to the Academy awaited, and beyond it, the freedom to forge his own destiny.