John strode toward the dungeon's entrance, his footsteps resonating with a week's worth of exploration around the Royal Academy. He was to meet with a duo who had undergone testing the previous week; their names eluded him, as names often did—his notorious weak spot. He considered maintaining a ledger of names for future reference. Along his path, various individuals attempted to strike up conversations, but John's thoughts were preoccupied with the seismic shift in his relationships following the launch of his successful fishing app, which had reeled in a fortune. His tolerance for feigned interest was non-existent, leading to his reputation for being distant, engaging only with those who genuinely intrigued him, often those with charming appearances. Unconcerned with others' perceptions, he was deep in contemplation when a familiar, deep voice broke through. "John, nice to see you again," said Will, the overseer of the talent assessments. "Oh, hi Will, how have you been?" John replied, snapping back to the present.

Engrossed in his thoughts, John hadn't noticed his arrival at the entrance. As he looked around, a sea of unfamiliar faces greeted him. He offered a smile to the assembly, and someone informed him, "John, these are the various guild leaders. They're eager to see what this year's group has to offer." Scattered around were clusters of younger individuals, clearly members of the respective guilds. The lower-ranked groups patiently awaited their turn, deferring to the mere five students from the Royal Academy. Amidst the hundreds gathered, the significance of the guild standings was palpable, yet for John, it seemed more a matter of pride than of hierarchy. As he looked at the others, he also noticed he was the only one not wearing armor. He didn't care he would not need it. after his changes with the fly-rod he felt the first floor should

John, with the highest score under his belt, had earned the prestigious first entry into the dungeon. As the pivotal moment drew near, a surge of anxiety swept through him. He inhaled deeply, steadying his nerves, and mentally prepared himself, thinking, "Okay, let's do this." With determination, he took the first step into the unknown. As his eyes adjusted from the blinding transition, John found himself in an immense, barren space, accompanied not by solitude but by three imposing wolves. These creatures bore a resemblance to the common grey wolf but stood at a towering height, twice that of their ordinary counterparts. An ethereal countdown hung in the air, marking the tense standoff between John and the wolves. Unbeknownst to him, as the inaugural diver, his confrontation was being projected above the dungeon's entrance for all to see—a spectacle for the divers yet to come. This display was intended to kindle hope, demonstrating that success was within reach. However, many speculated that it was a ploy, a deceptive beacon of ease meant to entice the unwary into the depths, only to meet their demise.

As the countdown dwindled to zero, John maintained a gentle yet firm grip on the fly-rod, conscious that any unnecessary tension could impede his agility. He was prepared to engage his augmented reality mode to slow down time if the situation demanded. The instant the timer ceased, a sound resembling an airhorn reverberated throughout the dungeon. The perimeter wolves initiated their encroachment as the alpha made a beeline for John. With deliberate footing and a rapid arc of his 13-foot fly-rod, John executed a seamless strike, cleaving all three wolves simultaneously. The halves landed with heavy thuds, and a chime broke the quiet: "Achievement Unlocked: Blinding Speed." By breaking the dungeon's record for speed on the first level, John earned a +5-dexterity bonus. "Achievement Unlocked: 3 in 1." For dispatching three foes in one stroke, John gained a +3-strength bonus. The ease of his victory on this floor didn't surprise him. The dungeon's voice filled the void, "Would you like to exit or ascend to the next floor?" John nonchalantly opted for the latter, "Next floor," and with a dazzling flash, he vanished.

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Outside the dungeon, Ayna and Alara stood together, watching John's dungeon dive. They both gasped in shock; they had only seen his playful side during their time with him. The surrounding crowd watched in silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, until a crow's caw broke the stillness, followed by an eruption of sound. "Wow, I blinked and missed it. How did he do that? So fast, and it's his first entrance, yet he looks like someone from the 10th floor," another spectator commented. Will, the man in charge, was even more impressed with the young man's performance. He decided that as soon as John was done, he would leave and contact her—the royal queen on the 20th floor. She needed to be aware of this man's talent, as she had been seeking a partner to conquer the higher floors. She had been scouting the 10th floor for promising talent to match her own. Plus, if this worked out, Will would receive a substantial bonus for discovering such a talented individual.

Upon reaching the next level, John was immediately met with a Minotaur of immense stature, brandishing a hefty axe. The countdown reverberated off the walls, culminating in a buzzer that triggered the Minotaur's deafening bellow directed at John. Unfazed, John snapped his rod in the creature's direction. A 'zing' resonated as the line flew, finding its way into the Minotaur's wide-open mouth. Approaching its mark, the line's end transformed into an arrowhead, burrowing into the Minotaur's cranium from behind. Swiftly, John drew back the line using his fly-rod, spinning the reel to retrieve the line from the beast's jaws, just as the giant figure thudded to the ground. "Achievement unlocked: One-Second Man." For conquering the second floor in a mere second, John received a +5 bonus to dexterity. "Achievement unlocked: Bully." For vanquishing a Minotaur unscathed, John earned a +5-strength bonus. Echoing through the silence, the dungeon's voice inquired, "Exit or ascend to the next level?" With casual confidence, John chose progression, "Next floor," and in a brilliant surge, he disappeared.

Outside the dungeon, Alana was the first to break the silence. "Wow, I can't believe how powerful John is. I bet he could reach the 10th floor if he wanted to," she exclaimed. Anya nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on Alana. "Let's make a pact here and now to be sisters in the future. Sharing John seems like a beneficial arrangement for both of us. With his talent, he'll undoubtedly attract many admirers," she proposed. Alana chuckled, "So, are we like his crows now?" flashing a smile at Anya. Anya's giggle echoed, "I was thinking more along the lines of teaming up for the 30th level. But let's form a duo on the 20th. Honestly, I don't think John will need us to reach the 30th floor." Alana concurred with a nod. Meanwhile, Will exited the dungeon, sending a message to alert the queen to keep an eye out, just in case John managed to conquer the 10th floor on his first attempt.