The dimly lit tunnels beneath Mt. Eversummit had always been a source of annoyance for Chad. He was eager for more excitement, more action, not the dreary monotony of searching for valuable mana stones. However, the promise of wealth stirred something within him, as it always did. The thought of what he could achieve with that coin, the changes he could bring to his life, and the future he could forge burned brightly in his mind.

Petra's unwavering optimism, on the other hand, grated on him like an incessant itch. Her enthusiasm for the mana stones, while well-intentioned, was a constant reminder of the life he could leave behind. Yet, her words weren't entirely without merit. The potential wealth from a single stone could indeed sustain them for years, sparing them the dangers of their current occupation. It was an alluring prospect, one that had often tempted him before. He desperately needed that coin. With it, he could afford a tutor and invest in crucial new equipment. Moreover, he stood on the cusp of acquiring a bronze rank badge, and additional training and improved equipment would undoubtedly provide him with the edge he sought.

Mana stones are a rare and precious find, making their discovery a cause for celebration. Their uses vary, in the hands of a skilled alchemist, a single stone can be transformed into a plethora of valuable healing or mana potions. Accomplished blacksmiths can fashion swords with the power to slice through solid rock, and craft armor capable of withstanding some formidable attack's. The Adventurers Guild even possesses the knowledge to extract the mana contained within these stones, harnessing it to enhance skills and raise one's levels.

Continuing they ventured through the expansive tunnels. These tunnels were massive and sprawling, their only guide was Petra's [Mapping] skill, something their mother never stopped praising. To Chad, her rare skill was the sole aspect that redeemed her. Her ceaseless optimism grated on his nerves, and she offered no help in combat, but insisted on leading, leaving him solely responsible for their safety.

Petra lead the way with a hooded lantern, as they rounded a corner and entered a cavernous chamber, Petra's sudden halt caused Chad to stumble into her, sending her and the lantern crashing to the ground. Frustration and concern melded in Chad's mind.

"What the fuck, Petra!" Chad hissed.

"We need to be more careful," He scolded, his annoyance temporarily overshadowing his worry. "We can't afford to keep making mistakes like this."

"Damn it, we probably wasted a few hours' worth of fuel. We'll need to hurry now," Petra groaned as she scrambled to her feet. She managed to relight the lantern after fumbling around with the flint for a couple seconds.

"Why did you stop in the first place? Did you see something?" Chad inquired cautiously, annoyance still simmering.

"No—well, I mean, yes, but nothing harmful. It's just..." Petra turned, directing the lantern's light toward something in the corner of the room. "What is that?"

In the corner of the chamber, bathed in the lantern's faint glow, stood an imposing stone doorway, weathered by the passage of time. Intricate carvings, now barely discernible, hinted at a forgotten history etched into the very fabric of the mountain. As they approached the threshold, energy seemed to pulse within the air, a palpable mana unlike anything they had ever encountered.

Chad's insatiable hunger for wealth surged, a hunger for the strength of the mana surrounding them. Strength he wanted, he needed.

"Should we continue?" Petra questioned, her usual exuberance muted by the gravity of the situation. Chad nodded, his hand instinctively reaching to the hilt of his trusty sword, a reassuring weight against his side. Step by step, they advanced toward the doorway, its enigmatic carvings whispering tales of forgotten glory and ancient power.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

The stairs continued downward, seemingly endless, their descent accompanied by a deepening chill that gnawed at their bones. Gradually, they reached a small, stone-clad chamber, where a raised dais adorned with ethereal runes awaited them. At its center rested a crystal, emanating a soft, ethereal purple glow that cast intricate shadows across the room.

Chad's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the object before them. "Is that... A dungeon core?" he whispered, his voice tinged with both awe and trepidation.

"It must be," Petra replied, her gaze fixed upon the enigmatic crystal. "Though I've never heard of one appearing in a different color then blue. And where are the usual signs of monsters, beasts, and traps?"

"It's possible it's new, or perhaps it's been deprived of mana," Chad suggested, his mind racing with the possibilities. People never come across dungeon cores because they're typically protected by the adventurers' guild. However, this one was located outside the kingdom, beyond their jurisdiction. A core of this magnitude, untouched and unclaimed, was a treasure beyond their wildest dreams. Even if it was mana-starved, the dungeon still contained pure mana. If he could harness that pure mana and extract it, he could easily ascend to the gold rank, perhaps even setting himself on a trajectory toward diamond. It held the potential to elevate him to heights he had only dared to imagine, to catapult him into a realm of power and influence previously inaccessible.

As his mind raced with the prospects that lay before him, he couldn't help but cast a glance at Petra, his ever-cheerful sister. Her eyes sparkled with the same fervor, but he knew her thoughts were veering toward a more modest path, one that involved shared prosperity and safety. She had never desired the thrill of adventure or the pursuit of ranks, For her, it was more of a necessity; her rare skill made their ventures safer and more lucrative, though it never eliminated all the danger. So she took solace in the bounties they provided.

"Oh my gods Chad we'll be rich. I'm was sure the guild would love a new core, and would pay a hefty sum! Mom would of been so happy, we'll never need to adventure or dive again!" Petra exclaimed.

Gods, he loathed her. Even now, she threatened to smother his ambitions. While Petra yearned for a comfortable and secure life, he longed to be someone who could change the world. Ever since his mother's passing, the only time he truly felt alive was in the heat of battle. He couldn't live like that, not now, not ever

With grim determination, he made his decision, hoping the gods and his mother would one day forgive him.

"We can buy a noble title," Petra marveled, her eyes fixed on the core. "We'd acquire a large plot of land and a grand house! This is our ticket to a life of comfort, a life we've only dreamed of since—"

Her sentence was cut short, her voice replaced by a guttural gasp as a blade plunged into her back to the hilt, stealing her words and extinguishing the light in her eyes. Chad stood over her, his expression a mixture of sorrow and determination. With a swift motion, he withdrew the sword, pushing her lifeless body to the ground.

Regret filled Chad's eyes as he spoke softly, "I'm sorry, but I need this. Rest well."

Chad leaned down to close his sister's eyes, he took a moment, then collected anything useful. With that grim task behind him, he walked to the dais his hand trembling as it reached out to touch the radiant crystal, planning to draw the pure mana into his channels. The moment his fingertips brushed the core's surface, the world around him dissolved into a blinding, all-encompassing whiteness.

You are attempting to absorb [Divine Mana].

Your attempt failed due to insufficient [Soul].

Your Mana channel's have been singed by [Divine Mana].

Your [Soul] has been destroyed.