A few days after Darius' announcement, news of Noah's forced participation in the upcoming Ancient Dungeon Trials spread like wildfire through the academy. Whispers filled the halls, speculations ran wild, and opinions were divided. Some saw it as an opportunity for Noah to prove himself, while others believed Darius had orchestrated the situation to keep him under control. Regardless of the opinions, one thing was certain: the trials would be the most important event of the year.
The Ancient Dungeon Trials were an event unlike any other—a test not just of strength, but of survival, adaptability, and the cunning required to thrive in a hostile, unpredictable environment. Each year, only the most talented hunters were selected to face the dangers hidden within the Abyssal Maw, an ancient labyrinth that had been sealed off for centuries. This year, however, it was different. The trials would be larger than ever, drawing participants from across the continent, each eager to prove their worth.
The **Abyssal Maw** was a colossal, forgotten dungeon that spanned miles beneath the surface of the continent. It was an ancient place of unimaginable danger and untold riches, its very walls steeped in secrets lost to time. Only once every few years did hunter academies open the dungeon's gates, and when they did, it was to find the next generation of powerhouses. Those brave enough to enter were given the chance to prove themselves and claim treasures that could elevate them to legendary status.
At the heart of the Abyssal Maw lay the **Watcher Orb**, a mystical artifact that tracked each hunter's progress. It wasn't just a guide through the dungeon—it was an ever-present observer. Its primary function was to tally the number of monsters killed by each participant, rewarding them with points based on the strength of the creatures they slew. The more powerful the monster, the greater the reward. The Watcher Orb had the ability to read and assess the **level** and **bloodline** of each monster, giving the hunters a clear indication of their progress and ranking in the trial.
The Watcher Orb had an intricate point system that served to rank the participants. Every monster killed contributed to a hunter's point tally, but the points awarded were directly related to the strength of the monster. A **level 1 monster** would yield 100 points, while a **level 2** would be worth 200 points. The stronger the monster, the more points it would give, allowing hunters to rise through the ranks as they accumulated kills.
But this system wasn't just about the number of monsters killed—it was about efficiency and power. The higher the level of the monster, the more points it was worth. For example:
- **Level 1 Monster**: 100 points
- **Level 2 Monster**: 200 points
- **Level 3 Monster**: 300 points
- **Level 4 Monster**: 400 points
- **Level 5 Monster**: 500 points
However, the monsters within the dungeon were far more dangerous than their typical counterparts. Many of the creatures would be imbued with special attributes or enhanced by the ancient magic of the dungeon itself, making them much stronger than their surface-world equivalents. For example, a **level 5 Wyvern** would not only be stronger than a normal level 5 creature but would be worth **1,000 points**, double the amount a normal level 5 monster would yield due to its **superior bloodline**.
This point system meant that any hunter who wanted to excel needed not only to survive but to hunt with precision, selecting monsters based on their strength and reward.
The Abyssal Maw was teeming with dangerous creatures, each more terrifying than the last. Some were relatively weak, but others had evolved into fearsome predators that would challenge even the most seasoned hunters. Below is a breakdown of some of the more notable monsters that hunters would face during the trials:
1. **Abyssal Fang Wolves**: These mutated wolves were swift and deadly in packs. Known for their **Pack Tactics** ability, their strength increased when they hunted in numbers. These creatures would be level 3-4, yielding 300-400 points per kill.
2. **Crystal Serpents**: Vicious, venomous serpents that could blend seamlessly into the environment, making them difficult to detect. Their venom could paralyze a hunter, rendering them vulnerable to attack. These serpents would typically be level 2-3, awarding between 200-300 points per kill.
3. **Void Wraiths**: Ghostly, ethereal monsters that could phase through walls and teleport short distances. Only magic users with experience in dealing with such creatures could hope to defeat them. These would be level 3-5, giving anywhere from 300-500 points depending on their strength.
4. **Stone Golems**: Massive, slow-moving golems made of living rock. Their thick, impervious skin required precision strikes to break through. These creatures were strong, and their attacks could be devastating, making them level 4-5 monsters. They would give around 400-500 points per kill.
5. **Shadow Behemoth**: A terrifying monster made of darkness, it could manipulate shadows to strike from any direction. These beasts would be level 5, yielding 500 points per kill, but they also had a special ability to summon lesser creatures to fight alongside them, making them formidable in combat.
6. **Abyssal Wyvern**: The ultimate challenge of the dungeon, the Wyvern was a fearsome creature of the lesser dragon bloodline. Its scales were tough, its fire breath deadly, and it had an innate resistance to magic. Slaying this monster would earn the hunter **1,000 points**, more than any other monster in the dungeon, but the Wyvern would only appear at the deepest level, and only the most skilled and lucky would have the opportunity to face it.
### Other Participants and Opponents
As the trial approached, Noah knew he wouldn't be facing monsters alone. He would be contending with other hunters, each one a potential rival or ally, each with their own classes and specialties.
- **Sylas Greyheart**: A level 5 **Blade Dancer**, known for his fluid combat style. Sylas specialized in dual-wielding blades, and his speed made him a difficult target. His class was based on dexterity, agility, and rapid strikes. He was dangerous in close combat but lacked power compared to some of the other hunters.
- **Elara Nightwhisper**: A **Necromancer** who could summon and control the dead. Her ability to summon skeletal warriors and powerful undead creatures made her a dangerous opponent in any battle. Though she was physically weak, her strength came from her command of the dead. She was a cunning strategist and could easily overwhelm her opponents with numbers.
- **Dorian Blackthorn**: A **Shadow Assassin** who specialized in stealth and sabotage. Dorian's class allowed him to sneak past enemies, setting traps and poisoning them without being detected. His physical strength was low, but his ability to disrupt and disorient made him an unpredictable opponent.
- **Isla Stormrune**: A **Sorceress** who specialized in elemental magic. Isla could manipulate fire, ice, and lightning to devastating effect, and her ability to control the battlefield with her spells made her a force to be reckoned with. She was most dangerous when she kept her distance, using long-range magic to wear down opponents.
### The Wyvern's Challenge
The **Abyssal Wyvern** was the true centerpiece of the dungeon, a level 5 creature that was both a prize and a challenge. With its **legendary bloodline**, the Wyvern was a beast of pure power and viciousness. Its ability to control the environment around it, using molten fire and air pressure to its advantage, would test the limits of any hunter who faced it. Defeating the Wyvern would require more than just strength—it would demand strategy, wit, and the ability to adapt under pressure.
### Noah's Strategy
Noah's thoughts on the trials were pragmatic. He understood the stakes: the reward was considerable, but the risks were even higher. The competition was fierce, but with his **Legendary Grade Night Sovereign** class, he had a distinct advantage. He knew that his rapid progress through the academy had set him apart from the others, but he also knew that exposing his true strength would only draw unwanted attention.
He couldn't afford to reveal his full abilities. Not yet. For now, his goal was simple: survive, gather points, and seize the opportunities the trials presented, all while avoiding drawing the eye of those like Darius, who would surely keep a close watch on his every move.
As he prepared for the trials, Noah couldn't help but feel a thrill. He had survived far worse in his previous life—and this was just another challenge to overcome. But in this world, he would play the game on his own terms.