Elizabeth spoke.
“I’ll keep an eye on everyone. Since most of our group belongs to this room, you guys will be able to do the same. We can’t let any of us be captured.”
James appeared to be lost in thought. Michael knew that the memories of the torture he’d endured had surfaced. Michael attempted to help his friend by changing the subject, even though it likely wasn’t enough.
“I’ll go with you guys.”
Elizabeth shook her head.
“I don’t think that’s the best course of action.”
Michael furrowed his brow.
“What do you mean?”
“As I said before, Lohann is the most powerful Mage I’ve seen. I don’t know how you stack up to him. I think that you should focus on improving your personal power as much as possible while we gather information. Besides, if you’re seen with us by someone who recognizes you, everything will go to shit really fast.”
It was true. There should be many who weren’t yet aware of his connection to James and the others, but they should be familiar with his appearance. From that perspective, appearing in the dining hall to greet his other friends had been a risky move. As he understood this, Michael spoke.
“Be careful, you two.”
The other two nodded.
“Of course.”
“Naturally.”
With words of reassurance and promises that they would be careful, the two left the room, leaving Michael alone.
Improving myself, huh?
For the first time in a while, he opened his Status Window.
Status Window
Name: Michael Gray
Level: 28
Race: Young Draconic Human (E)
Class: Newborn Caster
Job: None.
Stats
Strength: 168
Dexterity: 157
Endurance: 161
Constitution: 202
Intelligence: 279
Wisdom: 302
Free points: 57
Skill Points: 14
Active Skills
Mana Sphere (F); Analyze (F); Mana Shield (F); Mana Wave (F), Mana Arrow (F), Whisper (F), Minor Heal (F), Twin Casting (E), Mana Blade (F), Fireball (E), Earth Spike (E), Shroud (F); Eagle Eye (F).
Passive Skills
Clarity (F), Alacrity (E); Mana Empowerment (E), Force (E), Agility (E).
Hybrid Skills
Newborn’s Dragonheart (D), Astral Meditation (D).
Heritage
Blessing of Light: Cleansing, Illumination, Lightspeed.
Titles
Dragon’s Descendant; Apprentice Mage; Draconic Blessing, Mushroom Hunter, Bluestone Village’s First Star, The Monster of Bluestone Village.
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He had been so caught up in dealing with Derek and ensuring his friends’ safety that he had neglected his personal growth. Yet, he reached Level 28 by killing other humans. As always, his stats were sky-high. It wasn’t surprising in the least that he hadn’t yet found an opponent among humans. In fact, the beasts and monsters weren’t much different.
Can I overpower anything on the same Level?
No, he shouldn’t think like this. There was no merit to overestimating himself. Even if his thoughts were true, he needed to approach every battle with seriousness. He recalled the Dungeon Sullivan had told him about. He hadn’t had the time to seek it out and clear it. This was his opportunity. He took Elizabeth’s advice to heart; he wouldn’t underestimate Lohann. He should improve himself while he could. Michael decisively stood up.
It's important to know my own strength in battle.
He needed to have a firm grasp of his own abilities and what was possible for him. Knowing himself was half the battle. He needed to be familiar with all of his Skills and always seek to improve himself. It was the only way to make sure he stayed ahead of others and prevailed. He looked at the Fireball and Earth Spike Skills. They were spells that Tairy had been in the middle of teaching him, but that he managed to learn before time. He smiled.
It was time to tackle the Dungeon. Michael cast Shroud before opening the door and leaving the bedroom. He relied on the spell as he made his way through the roads of Redglow Village, always trying to avoid having other people get too close. After carefully moving in such a fashion, he finally walked through the Village’s only entrance and exit. Once he reached the shadow of one of the huge pillars, he dismissed the spell. Then, he started running towards the location Sullivan had told him. His Dragonheart thumped within his chest, making him faster.
At that moment, as he ran, he was surprised by his own speed. His improved Strength and Dexterity stats certainly empowered him, but there was something else that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. It took him some time before he finally realized it was his Dragonheart.
It feels like my body has adapted to it. More than before, at least.
He looked at his skin. The reddish tone hadn’t gone away, but it was much clearer than before. No smoke trails left his body with every breath. With this in mind, Michael used Mana Blade to cut his own finger. The blood that dripped down sizzled, but it wasn’t boiling. He tilted his head, deep in thought. He needed to confirm a suspicion.
“10 points into Constitution.”
This was it. The moment his words left his mouth, he felt a distinct change. His body temperature seemed to have decreased by just a bit. It was as if he had been struck by a lightning bolt.
Constitution helps to withstand the Dragonheart’s burden. That’s why my Class increases it so much with every Level.
A decision was quickly made.
“40 points into Constitution.”
As his Constitution went over 250, Michael felt as if he had spent his entire life on fire, and only now got rid of the flames. There was a type of relief that he couldn’t quite explain, even to himself. Every time his heart beat, power flooded every corner of his body. Yet, it didn’t strain him, at least not as it did before.
I’m certain I can keep my Dragonheart active for at least twice as long as before.
He smiled. Growing more powerful was intoxicating. Keeping this in mind, he eagerly headed to the Dungeon’s location. It was another opportunity to improve himself. Finally, he saw the entrance in the distance. His powerful body closed the distance in an instant before he ground to a halt. He stared at the large, circular stone door. Then, he touched it.
[Would you like to enter the Lizard Labyrinth Dungeon?]
Michael frowned. A labyrinth? Why had Sullivan recommended this Dungeon to him? He had said that it would be a challenge, so Michael didn’t underestimate it. He immediately cast Whisper and tried to contact Tairy. The old man’s voice echoed out of the floating mouth.
“Do you miss me already?”
Michael sighed.
“Shut up, old man. Listen, I want to ask you about a Dungeon Sullivan informed me of. It’s called Lizard Labyrinth.”
Tairy scoffed.
“Sullivan told you about it? That fucking old man. Did he say anything about it being a challenge or whatever?”
“Yeah, why? Is it dangerous?”
“Just like before, I can’t give you specific information about the Dungeon. What I can tell you it’s that it’s several levels above Mushroom Grotto.”
Michael narrowed his eyes.
“Which means the rewards will be even better.”
“If you want to look at it that way.”
“That’s enough. Thank you.”
“Be careful!”
Michael dismissed the Whisper with a laugh. Before he understood just how powerful Lohann was, he needed to grasp at any opportunity to become stronger. Of course, it would also be helpful for the time after Lohann’s death; the Tutorial continued.
“I would like to enter the Dungeon.”
The giant circular door slid to the side. Darkness greeted him. It was a scene similar to Mushroom Grotto. He decisively strode into the darkness, keeping his guard up. Then, he attentively tried to grasp his surroundings as a System message appeared in front of him.
[Labyrinth: find the exit before time runs out.]
Below it, a six-hour timer counted down. He spun in place, taking in his surroundings. It was as if the natural maze that composed the underground had been magnified. Tall and thick walls extended themselves up to the ceiling, creating winding pathways and corners. Michael sighed.
“I never liked mazes.”
He turned to the nearest wall. There was something he needed to check. He pointed at it, a Mana Sphere taking shape at the tip of his finger. He spoke the Skill’s name to finalize its chanting and sent it flying towards the wall. The Sphere collided against the wall. Instead of piercing right through it, there was resistance. After a short time, it fizzled out. Michael approached the collision point and evaluated the damage he’d caused.
…Looks like it won’t be possible to break down the walls.
There wasn’t even a dent on the wall; no burns or cracks. It was pristine, as if it had never been hit at all. It was unclear whether this was because of the Dungeon’s rules or because his stats and Skills weren’t great enough. If he pushed his Dragonheart to its limits and condensed his Spheres, it might be possible to damage the walls, but it was impossible for his current self to go through them.
“No way around it, I suppose.”
He placed his left hand on the maze’s wall.
I don’t know the size of the maze, so I should move quickly.
Michael started running, always keeping his hand on the wall. It was a basic technique for escaping mazes. He didn’t know if there were traps or enemies in the labyrinth, but he would deal with those once they appeared.
Michael stepped strongly on the ground. At that moment, a chill went down his spine.