It had been a few days since I last ventured outside the estate, and I decided it was finally time to visit the dungeons. After all, I'd already informed my parents, and they seemed surprisingly chill about it. I had a feeling I knew why—they probably thought I needed some hands-on experience, or maybe they just trusted my abilities after my recent training sessions. Either way, it was time to dive into something new.
I stepped out of the modest hotel I'd been staying in. It wasn't too fancy, just a decent three-star place with the basics covered. After all, I didn't want to pamper myself too much—traveling across this vast planet and adventuring was my goal, and luxury would only hold me back. I had even sent my car back home for that very reason.
The day was cloudy, and I found myself hoping for a bit of rain. There's something about rainy days that sets the perfect mood for adventures. I popped in my earbuds, marveling again at this world's music collection. The variety was immense, with influences from so many species and cultures. It made sense, given how deeply intertwined magic and creativity were in this world.
The Voidnet, this world's equivalent of the internet, had made it possible. Honestly, the Voidnet blew my old world's internet out of the water. It was over a thousand years old, with features that were both practical and mind-blowing. For instance, the moment you're born, the system creates an automatic profile for you. It links to everything—your finances, assets, and even a metaphysical storage space powered by advanced spatial magic.
Rich people could buy as much storage as they wanted, and ordering things online was insane—items literally teleported to your location with zero delivery time. Convenience was at an all-time high in this world, and yet, I couldn't help but wonder why the people here hadn't expanded to dominate their star system. They clearly had the technology. My guess? The centuries of wars and racial conflicts must've slowed them down.
Lost in thought, I finally reached the Dungeon Society. The building was enormous, designed like a warehouse, but with an intimidating presence. Guards, who were clearly Level 5 and Level 6 Apollyon-Class Warriors and elite mages, stood at every corner. Their auras alone were enough to deter anyone foolish enough to try causing trouble.
From what I'd read in books and on the Voidnet, dungeons were corrupted dimensions filled with unique creatures—monsters—and valuable resources. The society had perfected the art of creating artificial dungeons using dimensional magic to open gates to these realms. However, everything was strictly regulated. Dungeons were categorized into seven tiers:
Tier 1: The easiest dungeons, filled with weak monsters that even civilians with basic training could defeat.
Tier 2: More challenging, with smarter, stronger monsters. These were often used by aspiring mages, warriors, and other professions to train.
Tier 3: Elite dungeons with incredibly powerful bosses that could easily kill most adventurers. However, the rewards were worth the risk.
Tier 4: Known as Super Dungeons, these were no longer floor-based but instead the size of small planets. Think Earth-sized realms filled with danger and treasure.
Tiers 5-7: Classified. Only dungeon owners and high-ranking officials knew their secrets. My family was among those privileged enough to own dungeons, but even I wasn't privy to the details—something about treaties and regulations.
Approaching the counter, I saw a pleasant-looking woman with verdant green hair sitting behind it. Her practiced smile was almost too perfect, but I decided to play along.
"Hello, I'd like to purchase a Level 2 pass," I said confidently.
"Certainly, sir. Here you go," she replied, her smile unwavering as she handed me the pass.
This pass was more than just an entry token—it acted as an anchor to Xylaris, allowing me to return whenever I wasn't surrounded by monsters. Dungeons weren't just places of danger; they were also treasure troves. Magical weapons, armor, potions, and artifacts could be found, and they were often sold in local markets to fund better gear or further training. Dungeon diving was essentially an infinite resource generator, and it was no surprise the Dungeon Association was one of the strongest organizations in the world.
With my pass in hand, I made my way to the platforms. The building had hundreds of them, each corresponding to a different Tier 2 dungeon gate. I quickly found mine—a swirling portal of radiant gold and green, resembling the surface of a clear pond disturbed by a gentle ripple.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the portal.
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The transition was seamless. I found myself in a dimly lit forest, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and the faint crackle of mana it seems i spawned in a swamp not my favourite zone but it will do i suppose. As expected, I had spawned at a random location on the first floor. This particular Tier 2 dungeon had 40 floors, which was on the higher end for this level the highest is 50.
Looking around, I noticed how alive the dungeon felt. The trees weren't just ordinary—they shimmered faintly, their leaves pulsing with mana. In the distance, I could hear the faint growls of monsters. This wasn't just the test of strength; it was a test of adaptability and survival and whether i was fit to be a capable fighter.
Drawing on my mana, I conjured a small orb of light to illuminate the area around me. My first goal was simple: scout the immediate surroundings and take down any weak monsters to warm up then slowly seek the stronger ones.
Not long after, I encountered my first target—a group of three goblin-like creatures armed with crude weapons. They snarled as they charged at me, but I was unfazed.
"Let's see how you handle this," I muttered, channeling my mana into my right hand.
With a flick of my wrist, I unleashed a barrage of needle-like mana projectiles. The first goblin went down instantly, a needle piercing its forehead. The second managed to deflect a few with its shield but was overwhelmed by the sheer speed of the attack. The third, realizing its comrades were down, tried to flee.
"Oh no, you don't," I said, conjuring a small fireball. It streaked through the air and exploded on impact, leaving nothing but a smoldering crater.
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This was only the beginning. The deeper I delved into the dungeon, the stronger the monsters would become, and the greater the rewards. But I wasn't here just for loot though its good—I was here to sharpen my skills and prepare for the challenges that will come in the future.
Today marked the start of my dungeon-diving journey, and I was ready to face whatever this corrupted dimension had to throw at me.
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