Elias stepped into the next classroom, his curiosity piqued by the name of the course: Dungeon Navigation and Survival.
Unlike the magical theory class, where the atmosphere had been quiet and contemplative, this room buzzed with an undercurrent of excitement.
The walls were lined with maps and diagrams depicting monster-infested landscapes, composed with scrawled notes in various handwritings.
A faint, earthy smell lingered in the air, reminiscent of damp soil and stone.
The instructor, a grizzled woman with streaks of gray in her tightly pulled-back hair, stood at the front of the room.
Her posture radiated authority, and her sharp eyes scanned the room as the last few students filed in. She wore a modified Hunter uniform, its black fabric reinforced with patches of rugged armor that showed signs of wear.
This was someone who had seen her fair share of dungeons.
"You're here because you want to survive," she began without preamble, her voice cutting through the chatter. The room immediately fell silent. "And because surviving means understanding what you're up against."
Elias took a seat near the middle, his attention fully captured.
The instructor gestured to a large diagram projected onto the wall behind her.
It depicted a vast, sprawling network of interconnected spaces — tunnels, caverns, and towering chambers.
"Let's start with the basics," she said, pacing the room. "A dungeon is not a portal or a ripple in space, as you may have heard in stories. It's not some magical dimension that exists separately from our world. No, a dungeon is far more sinister. It is a domain — a physical territory that a higher-class monster establishes as its own."
She pointed to the central chamber in the diagram. "This is the core of the dungeon. The lair. It's where the monster resides and where it draws power. Everything in the dungeon — the traps, the lesser creatures, the unnatural environment — is an extension of its will."
Elias leaned forward, his brow furrowed. Seeing it laid out so plainly, it felt unnervingly real.
"There are four main classes of monsters in the Apocalypse," the instructor continued, clicking through a series of images.
Each slide displayed a grotesque creature more terrifying than the last. "Common-class, Elite-class, Commander-class, and Sovereign-class."
She tapped her pointer against the screen. "Common-class monsters are your standard threats. Dangerous, but manageable. Elite-class monsters are a step above, often requiring teamwork and advanced strategies to take down. Commander-class monsters?" She paused, letting the weight of her words settle. "They're the ones who establish dungeons. They're intelligent, strategic, and immensely powerful. And then there are the Sovereign-class monsters. If you encounter one of those, pray you survive. They are the rulers of this ruined world."
The room was deathly silent, the gravity of her words sinking in.
Elias's mind raced as he absorbed the information. He imagined the monsters out there, lurking just beyond the walls, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
The thought sent a chill down his spine.
The instructor's voice broke through his thoughts. "Navigating a dungeon is not just about combat. It's about preparation, resourcefulness, and, above all, teamwork. No one survives a dungeon alone. Not even me."
She paused, scanning the room. "That said, let's talk about the dangers you'll face inside. There are three primary categories: environmental hazards, traps, and minions."
"Environmental hazards can be anything from toxic gas to unstable terrain," the instructor explained. "Traps are self-explanatory. And minions? They're the eyes and ears of the dungeon's master. If you're not careful, they'll alert the core monster to your presence, and then you'll have a very short time to regret your decisions."
As the lesson progressed, Elias found himself captivated by the instructor's stories of real dungeon expeditions.
She described harrowing encounters, near-death experiences, and the brutal reality of losing comrades. Her tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a hint of pain in her voice that spoke of losses she didn't name.
"Every dungeon is unique," she said, her gaze distant. "No two are the same. The layouts, the traps, the monsters — they're all shaped by the core creature's mind. That's why we study maps, patterns, and behavior. But no amount of study will ever prepare you completely."
The room was heavy with silence, the weight of her words pressing down on everyone. Elias felt a pang of unease.
He wasn't afraid of combat — his skills made sure of that — but the idea of stepping into a domain where everything was designed to kill him was… scary.
As the class drew to a close, the instructor's tone shifted, becoming more practical. "Now, let's talk about why you're really here. Survival is only part of it. You're also here to make a living. Dungeons are dangerous, but they're also lucrative. The resources you can extract — rare materials, monster cores, artifacts — are worth their weight in gold. If you're smart, you can use that money to upgrade your gear, improve your skills, and climb the ranks."
She walked to the front of the room and leaned against the desk. "This is where brigades come in. A brigade is a team of Hunters that works together to complete missions, including dungeon expeditions. As students, you'll have the opportunity to join a brigade and start earning your keep. I highly recommend it. Not just for the money, but for the experience. The sooner you start working with a team, the better your chances of survival."
Elias nodded to himself. He had already been thinking about brigades. It seemed like a necessary step, even if he wasn't thrilled about relying on others.
As the class ended, the instructor called out over the murmurs of the departing students. "One last thing: remember that dungeons are not just places to conquer. They are tests. Every decision you make inside a dungeon will determine whether you walk out alive. Never forget that."
Elias filed out of the room with the rest of the students, his mind racing. The lecture had given him a lot to think about.
Dungeons were not just physical challenges — they were psychological ones, too. He made a mental note to visit Caleb after attending classes though, he needed to set his priorities straight.