Ethan adjusted his grip on Shadowfang as he walked, the faint hum of the Abyssal Core a steady presence in the back of his mind. The corridors of the dungeon stretched endlessly before him, the glowing runes on the walls his only source of light.
"Genesis, I need details," Ethan said, his voice low but steady. "How exactly do I gain stats? If I'm supposed to climb these ranks, I need a plan."
["Ah, finally asking the important questions,"] Genesis replied, its tone light but focused. ["Stats can be gained in a few ways, though some methods are more efficient than others. Let's break it down, shall we?"]
Ethan sighed. "I'm all ears."
["First, the basics: defeating enemies. Every time you take down a monster, you'll absorb a portion of their energy. Stronger enemies mean bigger gains, but don't get cocky—you're still F-rank."]
"Great, so I just kill my way to the top?"
["If it were that simple, everyone would be S-rank,"] Genesis retorted. ["Next, quests. Some dungeons, like this one, offer challenges. Completing these will give you significant stat boosts and, occasionally, unique skills. That's where I come in—I'll be assigning quests when opportunities arise."]
Ethan nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "And outside of combat?"
["Training,"] Genesis said. ["It's slower, but consistent. Push your body beyond its limits, and your stats will reflect that over time. But honestly, in this dungeon? You'll gain stats fastest by surviving. Every fight, every close call will push you further."]
Ethan mulled it over. "So, fight, complete quests, and train. Got it."
["Don't forget,"] Genesis added, ["as a wielder of the Abyssal Core, you'll eventually face trials specific to it. Survive those, and your growth will skyrocket. But we're not there yet."]
Ethan frowned. "Trials? Like what?"
["Spoilers,"] Genesis said with a teasing tone. ["You'll see soon enough."]
Ethan groaned. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
["Immensely."]
They walked in silence for a while, the tension in the air thickening. Ethan's grip on Shadowfang tightened as his instincts kicked in.
["Heads up,"] Genesis said, its voice suddenly sharp. ["We've got company."]
Ahead, the dim light revealed a hulking creature, its twisted form half-hidden in the shadows. It was humanoid but grotesque, with elongated limbs and a face that looked like it had been melted and reshaped by fire. Its claws gleamed in the faint light, and its growl reverberated through the corridor.
Ethan's heart rate spiked. "What is that?"
["Your first real test,"] Genesis replied. ["Congratulations, you're about to fight a Molten Ravager. Nasty little things. Quick, strong, and they love tearing newbies apart."]
Ethan gritted his teeth. "Any advice?"
["Don't die."]
Before Ethan could retort, Genesis continued. ["Alright, listen up. I'm assigning your first quest. Complete it, and you'll be rewarded with a new skill."]
A screen materialized in front of Ethan, the glowing text displaying his new objective.
Quest: Survive the Molten Ravager
Objective: Defeat the Molten Ravager.
Reward: Skill Unlock — Abyssal Insight (Appraisal Ability).
Bonus: Minimal damage taken increases stat gains.
Ethan's eyes scanned the quest. "Abyssal Insight? Sounds useful."
["Oh, you'll love it. Think of it as your personal cheat sheet for enemies and items. But first, you have to earn it."]
The Ravager snarled, its molten eyes locking onto Ethan. Without warning, it lunged forward, claws outstretched. Ethan barely had time to react, diving to the side as the creature's claws raked the stone floor.
"Alright," Ethan muttered, gripping Shadowfang tightly. "Let's see what this thing can do."
["Good luck, Forgotten One,"] Genesis said with a hint of amusement. ["Try not to embarrass yourself."]
Ethan smirked, adrenaline surging through his veins. "Let's dance."