After Zealot left the realm of the Demon Queen and returned to the familiar surroundings of his castle, he took a moment to savor his relief at escaping the dire situation he had faced. The threat of the Demon Queen's displeasure and the heavy burden of her demands lingered in his mind, but he decided to put those concerns aside for the moment.
A few hours later…
As evening approached, he made his way to the kitchen to prepare his dinner. He enjoyed the quiet solitude, appreciating the opportunity to return to his routine. Cooking was a small comfort amidst the tension he had experienced earlier in the day, and he took care to prepare a satisfying meal.
After he finished cooking, he sat down to eat, savoring the flavors of the meal he had prepared. The simple act of dining in his own home brought him a sense of normalcy, something he had been longing for after the tumultuous events in the Demon Queen's realm.
MUNCH! MUNCH! MUNCH! NOM! NOM! NOM!
"Ah! A home-cooked meal is the best!"
Once he finished his dinner, he made his way to the bathhouse for a warm bath. The hot water helped ease his tired muscles, providing him with some relaxation. As he soaked, he contemplated his next move: perhaps raiding the F-Class Dungeon after his bath, or waiting until the next day to tackle it.
After the bath, Zealot dried off and got ready for bed. Initially, he had planned to raid the F-Class Dungeon in the forest today, but he decided to rest for the night to clear his mind and restore his strength. He hoped that a good night's sleep would grant him the clarity and determination he needed for the challenges tomorrow.
With the comforting routine of dinner and a warm bath behind him, Zealot settled into bed, ready to rest and face a new day.
The next morning…
Zealot awoke to the gentle rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow across his room. After the previous day's intense encounters with Jack's party and the Demon Queen, he felt more refreshed than he had expected. The restful night had cleared his mind and given him the resolve to move forward with his next plans.
He stretched his arms wide, feeling the tension leave his body as he let out a loud yawn. "Ahhh…!" he exclaimed, feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the day's challenges.
After dressing himself in his preferred armor, he made his way to the kitchen for breakfast. He enjoyed a simple meal, grateful for the energy it provided. "Mmm," he murmured, savoring each bite. "A good start to the day."
As he ate breakfast, he carefully planned his day. The F-Class Dungeon would be his main target, but he would also need to keep an eye out for any other adventurers who might cross his path. Zealot knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down, especially not after the tumultuous events of the previous day.
Once his breakfast was finished, he set out towards the forest where the F-Class Dungeon was located. The morning air was crisp and invigorating, and he took in the sights and sounds of the natural surroundings with a sense of appreciation.
"Today feels promising. Let’s see how many levels I can gain from raiding an F-Class Dungeon," he said to himself.
As he approached the entrance to the small cave where the dungeon was, his senses heightened. He could detect the presence of magical energy emanating from within the cave and spotted a blue portal marking the dungeon's entrance.
"This must be the entrance to the dungeon," he said, his voice tinged with anticipation as he gazed at the mysterious portal that shimmered with a captivating, ethereal glow.
[Dungeon Name: Mega Red Ant]
[Rank: F-Class]
[Requirement Level: 20+]
Ding!
[Warning! This dungeon is not suitable for solo adventurers, a party of five is recommended!]
‘That's true, but since I've read the novel, I'm familiar with the specific strategies and tricks needed to successfully navigate and clear the dungeon on my own, even without a party.’
Zealot remembered that the protagonist was primarily a solo adventurer. While the protagonist eventually made friends as the story progressed, he mainly forged his own path in the early stages, relying on his own skills and determination.
Armed with knowledge from the novel, Zealot braced himself before entering the F-Class dungeon. While he understood the risks of facing the Mega Red Ants alone, he trusted that his acquired knowledge and strategic approach would make the task more manageable.
Out of nowhere, an unexpected notification popped up from his system:
[Main Quest Activated!]
[Main Quest: Reach Level 40]
[Reward: One random skill]
‘Finally, there's a new Main Quest available. Perfect timing—I was already planning to raid this dungeon to see how many levels I could gain. Now that the Main Quest has appeared, it's like killing two birds with one stone.’
"Alright, let's not waste any time and begin the dungeon raid." The blue portal loomed before him, a gateway to a world filled with danger and opportunity. Zealot took a deep breath, focusing his thoughts on the task at hand. He stepped through the portal, feeling a rush of energy and a disorienting shift as the world around him transformed.
WHOOSH! BLINK!
The Mega Red Ant dungeon was an expansive, colossal ant nest. Just as the dungeon's name suggested, it was inhabited by giant insect-type monsters known as the “Mega Red Ants.” These prehistoric red ants were the size of an average human, boasting thick exoskeletons and powerful mandibles capable of slicing through even the sturdiest armor.
Zealot emerged from the portal into the Mega Red Ant dungeon, his senses on high alert as he entered a vast, twisting ant nest. The air was damp and filled with the earthy scent of the underground, the walls of the cavernous tunnels glistening with moisture. As he took a moment to adjust to his surroundings, the soft glow of bioluminescent fungi provided dim illumination, casting eerie shadows around him.
As he moved cautiously through the tunnels, Zealot recalled the key strategies and tricks he had learned from the novel regarding the Mega Red Ants. The ants moved in organized groups, attacking in coordinated strikes. They could be formidable opponents due to their numbers and their ability to swarm adventurers quickly.
He knew the importance of managing each encounter carefully. He had to prevent himself from being overwhelmed by the ants, which would swarm and attack with surprising speed and precision. He also had to conserve his energy, as he couldn't afford to exhaust himself too early in the dungeon.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
With a fire torch in hand to illuminate the dark tunnels, Zealot advanced cautiously through the Mega Red Ant dungeon. His senses were heightened, alert to any sign of danger.
‘Good thing I brought several extra torches with me from the castle. Otherwise, the darkness would have made it nearly impossible to navigate this dungeon.’
He soon encountered his first group of Mega Red Ants, their menacing forms emerging from the shadows. The ants were massive, their red exoskeletons glistening in the dim light of the torch. Their sharp mandibles clicked as they moved toward him.
RAAARRRR!!!
KRAARRRR!!!
GRAARRRR!!!
“Here we go,” he muttered to himself as he prepared to face the incoming Mega Red Ants.
EYES OF TRUTH!
Zealot put down his torch, casting his surroundings in dim light as he faced the charging ants. His fists clenched as he prepared for combat, taking a solid stance to meet the ants’ charge head-on.
‘These worker ants are only level 20, so defeating them shouldn't be an issue since I'm two levels higher. The ones I need to watch out for are the soldier ants and the queen ant. I must be cautious not to use up too much energy before facing them.’
PUNCH! KICK!
He unleashed a powerful punch at the first ant, landing a crushing blow directly to its head. The ant reeled back, its exoskeleton cracking under the force of the impact. Zealot followed up with a swift kick, breaking its legs and immobilizing the creature.
The other Mega Red Ants charged at him, but Zealot was ready. He moved with speed and precision, dodging their attacks and countering with his own. His fists struck with controlled force, targeting the ants’ weak points with pinpoint accuracy.
Despite the ants’ size and ferocity, Zealot’s hand-to-hand combat skills allowed him to handle them efficiently. He used his agility and mind-reading skill to avoid their sharp mandibles and deliver powerful blows to their vulnerable spots. His strategy focused on quickly incapacitating the ants one by one, preventing them from swarming him.
[You have slain a Mega Red Ant Worker!]
[You have slain a Mega Red Ant Worker!]
[You have slain a Mega Red Ant Worker!]
...
...
...
After dealing with the first group of Mega Red Ants, Zealot took a moment to catch his breath. He knew he needed to remain vigilant and conserve his energy for the challenges ahead.
"Well, not too bad for a start," he said to himself, surveying the aftermath of his first encounter with the Mega Red Ants. The worker ants lay defeated around him, their menacing forms now still and lifeless.
Despite his initial success, Zealot knew the challenges would only intensify as he ventured deeper into the dungeon. He needed to remain sharp and attentive, prepared for the unexpected.
After sufficient rest, Zealot retrieved his torch and resumed his journey, advancing further into the depths of the ant nest. As he continued, the passageways twisted and turned, making it easy to lose his sense of direction. But he kept his focus on his goal: clearing the dungeon and leveling up.
Along the way, he encountered more groups of Mega Red Worker Ants, their aggressive behavior consistent with his earlier experiences. Zealot carefully timed his attacks, using his speed and strength to strike with precision while avoiding the ants' mandibles.
"Here they come," he muttered, as another group of Mega Red Worker Ants charged toward him. He dodged their advances, launching counterattacks with swift punches and kicks that found their marks. His fighting style was efficient, designed to minimize energy expenditure while maximizing damage.
DODGE! PUNCH! KICK!
EYES OF TRUTH!
CURSE OF DIARRHEA!
With each encounter, Zealot grew more adept at managing the ants' movements and attacks. He adapted his strategy to each situation, sometimes taking on the ants head-on, while other times using the dungeon's environment to his advantage.
[Leveled Up!]
[Level: 22 >> 23]
[Strength: 85 >> 90]
The deeper he ventured, the stronger the ants became, until he eventually encountered the larger and more formidable soldiers of the Mega Red Ants. These soldier ants were more powerful and resilient, requiring him to fight at his full strength.
[Name: Mega Red Soldier Ant]
[Level: 25]
Despite the increased difficulty of the Mega Red Soldier Ants, Zealot felt confident in his ability to handle them. He adjusted his strategy accordingly, using his Eyes of Truth to anticipate their movements and target their weak points.
The soldier ants were larger and more aggressive than the worker ants, their mandibles even sharper and more dangerous. Zealot engaged them with caution, staying on the move to avoid being surrounded.
"Alright, here we go!" he yelled as he faced the first soldier ant head-on.
GRAARRRR!!!
The massive soldier ant lunged at him, its mandibles snapping fiercely. Zealot dodged to the side, avoiding the attack, and immediately countered with a powerful punch aimed at the ant's head. The blow struck with a satisfying crack, but the soldier ant's thick exoskeleton absorbed much of the impact.
CURSE OF DIARRHEA!
Upon casting his Diarrhea skill, the soldier ant began to slow down and showed signs of extreme discomfort. Although the skill didn't completely incapacitate the ant, it hindered the creature enough to give Zealot a slight edge in battle.
With the soldier ant slowed down and distracted, Zealot took advantage of the situation. He moved in swiftly, aiming a series of precise strikes at the ant's vulnerable joints and weak points. His punches and kicks landed with increased force, targeting the creature's head, thorax, and legs.
CRACK! CRUNCH!
The soldier ant struggled against Zealot's relentless assault, its movements becoming increasingly sluggish. Despite its size and strength, the ant was no match for Zealot's agility and combat prowess. He kept the ant off balance, preventing it from landing any significant blows.
"Well done hanging on this long, but now it's time to die!" Zealot exclaimed.
DOUBLE HAMMER PUNCH!
Finally, with one last powerful strike, Zealot aimed at the soldier ant's head, shattering its exoskeleton and delivering a fatal blow. The ant let out a screech and collapsed, its body now lifeless.
THUD!
[You have slain a Mega Red Soldier Ant!]
[Leveled Up!]
[Level: 23 >> 24]
Zealot took a moment to catch his breath, the victory over the soldier ants boosting his confidence. He knew he would encounter more of these formidable opponents as he progressed deeper into the dungeon, but this successful battle reassured him of his skills and strategy.
[Agility: 35 >> 40]
"That wasn't too bad," he muttered, feeling the toll of the fight. "Even though it took a lot of stamina to defeat it, it was worth it since I managed to level up."
After collecting his thoughts and recovering some of his stamina, Zealot continued his journey through the Mega Red Ant dungeon. The deeper he ventured, the more intense the challenges became. He encountered larger groups of Mega Red Worker Ants and more soldier ants, each requiring careful tactics and precise combat skills.
[Leveled Up!]
[Level: 24 >> 25]
[Strength: 90 >> 95]
Zealot's experience and power increased as he defeated more enemies, his skills honing further with each battle. His strategic use of the Curse of Diarrhea skill, along with his hand-to-hand combat expertise, allowed him to efficiently manage the various ant groups he faced.
"It seems easier to defeat Soldier Ants now that I'm on the same level as them," he said to himself.
***
Approximately a few miles away from Zealot's current location, within the depths of the dungeon's boss room, a party of seven human adventurers were in the midst of a fierce battle against the imposing Mega Queen Ant. This encounter marked a significant moment in their journey, as they had entered the dungeon two days prior to commence their raiding efforts.
Upon entering the dungeon, the adventurers navigated its treacherous and mysterious paths, facing various challenges and obstacles along the way. They encountered and defeated several lesser creatures that inhabited the dungeon, gradually making their way deeper into its core. Now, after much perseverance and determination, they found themselves locked in intense combat with the formidable Mega Red Queen Ant.
Meanwhile, Zealot was unaware of the presence of other adventurers in the dungeon. Despite the potential for clues such as footprints left behind by the previous party or evidence of battles fought, including dead ants on the ground, the dynamic nature of the dungeon posed a significant challenge. The dungeon's monsters respawned every few hours after being defeated, effectively erasing much of the evidence of the adventurers' earlier presence.
This rapid regeneration of monsters within the dungeon made it difficult for Zealot to determine whether other adventurers had preceded him. Nonetheless, as the party continued their intense battle against the Mega Queen Ant, Zealot continued on his own path through the dungeon, each of them facing their own distinct trials and dangers.