Chapter 13: The Dungeon Plan
Akira and Ren sat beneath the shade of a massive oak tree, the forest humming with life around them. Akira rested his hands on the hilts of his new katanas, the faint red glow of Flame Fang catching Ren's eye as they brainstormed their next steps.
“We’ve got to get stronger,” Ren said, tossing a rock between his hands. “The hunter exams are no joke. Only the best make it through, and right now, we’re… well, let’s just say we’ve got a long way to go.”
Akira opened his system interface, his stats glowing faintly in front of him. His eyes scanned the screen, focusing on his Level: 14.
“Yeah, I’ve got the swords,” Akira admitted, “but my level is seriously lacking. I’m not strong enough to compete with real hunters yet.”
Ren scratched his chin. “What’s the fastest way to level up? You’ve been hunting monsters, right? What about bigger game?”
Akira thought for a moment, then smirked. “What about a dungeon?”
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Ren’s eyes widened, a mix of excitement and caution flashing across his face. “You’re serious? I mean, there’s a goblin dungeon nearby… it’s low-level, meant for beginners. But are you sure? Dungeons are risky. Even the weak ones can get out of hand.”
“That’s exactly why we should do it,” Akira said firmly. “I need to push myself if I want to improve. The system rewards me for experience, for learning and adapting. If we’re careful, we can clear it and get stronger.”
Ren grinned, unable to hide his own eagerness. “Alright, I’m in. But we’ll need a plan. Goblins might be weak, but they’re crafty. They love traps and overwhelming you with numbers.”
“Good point,” Akira said, his mind already racing. “We’ll need to keep our wits about us. Stick together, watch each other’s backs, and be ready to retreat if things get bad.”
Ren nodded. “Deal. Let’s grab some supplies first—healing potions, food, anything we might need. We’ll head out at dawn.”
Akira closed his system interface, his excitement building. He could feel the Kaeto System responding to his determination, the faint hum of possibility buzzing at the edge of his consciousness.
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Unbeknownst to Akira and Ren...
Deep within the goblin dungeon, far beyond the entrance where low-level hunters often trained, lay a dark chamber bathed in crimson light. A massive goblin sat on a throne of bones and treasure, its grotesque form adorned with jagged armor and glowing runes.
The Goblin Lord, an advanced boss that had been dormant for years, stirred. Its glowing red eyes opened as a chilling growl echoed through the dungeon.
Above its throne, glowing letters inscribed on the wall warned of its presence:
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WARNING: GOBLIN LORD
Level: 50
An elite monster of immense power. Enter at your own risk.
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The beast grinned, its sharp teeth glinting in the eerie light. It could sense intruders coming. The dungeon had been quiet for too long, and now it craved blood.
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Akira's Current Level: 14
Ren's Current Level: 12
Akira and Ren had no idea what awaited them at the end of their first dungeon crawl.