While Travis leaned against the cold, stone wall to catch his breath, the ground beneath him began to shudder, sending small bits of debris tumbling from the ceiling. His eyes widened as the walls around him trembled violently, the echoing groans of the structure making his heart race.
"Is this place caving in?" he muttered, his pulse quickening.
Just as panic threatened to set in, a blinding light pierced through the dim dungeon. A door materialized directly in front of him, glowing so brightly that he instinctively raised an arm to shield his eyes.
The door was unlike anything he'd seen before—ornate yet otherworldly, its surface radiating a soft hum of power. Squinting against the glare, Travis hesitated, curiosity and caution warring within him.
"What’s behind there?" he murmured, his voice barely audible over the low rumble still reverberating through the dungeon.
There was only one way to find out. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, his boots echoing against the stone floor, and pushed the door open.
The brightness engulfed him instantly, searing through his closed eyelids and forcing him to flinch. Pain flared as the intense light overwhelmed his senses, and he staggered forward, disoriented.
When the light finally began to fade, he slowly blinked his eyes open, squinting to adjust to his surroundings. His jaw dropped as he realized he was... back where he started. The familiar walls of the dungeon loomed around him, eerily silent.
He scanned the area in disbelief, running a hand through his damp hair.
"That was it? The boss fight’s over, and this is all I get?" he grumbled, his voice echoing faintly. He had expected treasure, maybe a new skill, or at least some kind of clue. Instead, the dungeon had unceremoniously dumped him right back at the beginning.
"Guess I should’ve seen that coming," he muttered with a resigned shrug. "No use sticking around."
He trudged up the crumbling staircase, the weight of disappointment pressing on him, until he emerged into the evening air. The cool breeze against his face brought a sliver of relief, but his mind was still preoccupied with the experience.
Back home, Travis collapsed onto his bed, staring at the cracked ceiling above him. He replayed the fight in his head, searching for answers. What was the purpose of that door? Why was there no reward? The thought gnawed at him.
Sitting up abruptly, he muttered, "I need answers. Maybe the library has something on dungeons."
He changed out of his battle-worn gear and into a plain shirt and trousers before heading out into town. The streets bustled with life, the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat wafting through the air. He ignored his growling stomach and focused on his goal, weaving through the crowd until he spotted the tall, arched entrance of the town library.
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Pushing the heavy wooden door open, Travis stepped inside, greeted by the comforting scent of aged parchment and polished wood. Rows upon rows of books stretched before him, illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns.
"Alright," he whispered to himself, determination hardening his features. "Time to figure this out."
As he began browsing the shelves, a plan formed in his mind. After his research, he’d reward himself with a good meal—he’d earned at least that much.
[Dungeons]
Dungeons are a natural phenomenon that arise in areas with highly concentrated mana, and they have existed since the earliest recorded times. These enigmatic structures appear to defy the natural laws of the world, forming labyrinthine trials designed to test the mettle of those who dare enter. Typically composed of 10 to 20 floors, each level grows progressively more challenging, forcing adventurers to adapt and push their limits to survive.
What makes dungeons even more intriguing is their almost sentient nature—they are known to lure people inside. Some use brute force, releasing monsters into nearby areas to draw in would-be heroes, while others entice through treasures: glittering gold, rare artifacts, or even whispers of forgotten knowledge.
No two dungeons are alike. Their architecture, traps, and challenges vary wildly. Some take the form of ancient ruins with crumbling stone walls, while others resemble dense forests or frozen caverns. The monsters that inhabit them are just as diverse, often including creatures never seen elsewhere in the world. For instance, golems—magical constructs of stone or metal—are said to have originated from dungeons, sparking the widespread popularity of enchanting magic as adventurers sought to replicate their power.
Despite centuries of exploration and study, the origin of dungeons remains a mystery. Are they a creation of nature, a side effect of mana, or perhaps remnants of an ancient civilization? No one truly knows. Yet, their allure is undeniable. For many, dungeons represent the ultimate trial, a chance to prove their strength, gain wealth, or uncover secrets lost to time.
To this day, they stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of adventure, a challenge that continues to captivate humanity's imagination.
Travis closed the heavy book with a sigh, the thud of its cover echoing faintly in the quiet library. While he had learned a lot, there were still so many questions swirling in his mind—questions a book simply couldn’t answer. He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the stiffness in his back from sitting too long, then pushed back his chair and made his way to the exit.
The cool evening air greeted him as he stepped outside, his stomach growling in protest. Spotting a cozy little tavern nearby, he decided to treat himself to a hearty meal.
Once inside, the warm atmosphere enveloped him. The scent of roasted meats and freshly baked bread made his mouth water as he found a corner table and placed an order for a filling stew and some ale. Leaning back in his chair, he let his thoughts wander to the day ahead.
Tomorrow’s tasks loomed over him like a shadow. He needed to complete them efficiently if he wanted to secure another promotion. That promotion would be his ticket to better resources and permission to delve deeper into the dungeon—something he craved more than anything.
"But honestly," he thought, resting his chin on his hand, "I want a real challenge. That’s the only way to grow stronger in this world. Sitting around playing it safe won’t get me anywhere."
His mind flickered with doubt. Could he take on the deeper levels of the dungeon with his current strength? The memories of his last encounter were still vivid—the suffocating tension, the relentless enemies, the glowing door that led nowhere.
"Maybe I should prepare better this time," he mused. "Stock up on supplies, find a stronger weapon, or maybe even learn a new spell. Just in case things get rough."
His musings were interrupted as his food arrived. The aroma was heavenly, and he wasted no time digging into the steaming stew, savoring the rich flavors.
As he ate, snippets of conversation from the nearby table drifted over.
“We should go buy some potions before hitting the dungeon tomorrow. I’m not ready to die just yet,” one voice said, tinged with nervous laughter.
“Good call,” another replied. “We’ll grab some after this, just to be safe.”
Travis smirked into his bowl, their words only reinforcing his earlier thoughts.
"Well, that’s a great sign," he thought sarcastically, taking another bite. He didn’t need a reminder of how dangerous the dungeons were—he already knew. Still, the idea of being better prepared didn’t seem so bad.
As he finished his meal, a new resolve began to settle in his mind. If he wanted a challenge, he’d take one—but not without ensuring he was ready for whatever the dungeon might throw his way.
TO BE CONTINUED