Far away from the towering presence of the colossal 2,500-foot ancient tree, deep within the wilderness, Zealot’s party embarked on their perilous journey. Below the canopy of the prehistoric forest, amidst the whispering leaves and tangled undergrowth, they forged ahead, their blades flashing in the dappled sunlight as they engaged in fierce combat with the monstrous inhabitants of the wild.
ROAAARRRR!!!
KRAAARRRR!!!
GRAAARRRR!!!
[You have slain a T-Rex!]
[You have slain a Cyclop!]
[You have slain a Titanoboa!]
…
…
…
With each monster vanquished, Zealot’s party drew nearer to their ultimate destination: the awe-inspiring giant prehistoric tree, its ancient roots delving deep into the earth, a symbol of nature's enduring might.
[Leveled Up!]
[Leveled Up!]
[Leveled Up!]
[Level 63 >> 66]
[Skeleton’s Progression: 31% >> 45%]
"Zealot!" Lilith's voice, tinged with weariness, pierced through the din of battle. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her muscles protesting each movement. "I’m sorry for being a burden," she continued, her tone laced with reluctance, "but I think I'm reaching my limit. Could we please take a short break? Just enough to catch our breath and gather our strength before pressing on?"
"I concur," Gareth replied, his own voice strained from exertion. "We've been pushing too hard. A short rest would be great.”
Serena nodded in agreement, wiping sweat from her brow. "I couldn't agree more. It's important to listen to our bodies. Let's take a moment to recharge before we continue."
Zealot nodded understandingly, acknowledging the fatigue weighing on his party members. “Alright, if that’s the case,” he said, “let's find a safe spot to camp, rest, and rejuvenate ourselves.”
Before they could find a safe place to camp, they first had to eliminate the surrounding monsters. After clearing the area of all nearby threats, they finally set up camp and took a well-deserved rest.
As the large campfire crackled to life, casting warm, flickering light against the backdrop of daylight, illuminating their weary faces, they took a moment to reflect on their journey so far while cooking their afternoon meal.
Lilith, her face illuminated by the firelight, turned to Zealot. "You've been amazing, Zealot. We wouldn't have made it this far without you."
Zealot gave a modest shrug. "We're all in this together. You all fought bravely too."
Gareth, sitting nearby, added, "He's right. We've made it this far because we worked as a team. Let's make sure we continue to do so."
Serena, her eyes reflecting the dancing flames, nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. We need to stay strong and united if we're going to defeat Belial."
Zealot leaned back, feeling the weight of their journey and the battles yet to come. "In a few hours, night will descend upon us. Let’s conclude our day for now and rest well, everyone. We'll need our strength for tomorrow.”
A few hours later…
As the night descended, exhaustion from their recent trials lulled the party members into a deep slumber. Zealot’s skeletal minions maintained a vigilant watch, their sharp eyes scanning the dark prehistoric forest for any signs of danger. The serene sounds of the night provided a soothing backdrop, facilitating the undisturbed recuperation of his companions.
Engaging monsters in the darkness of night posed significant challenges. Visibility was compromised, rendering it difficult to anticipate attacks or navigate effectively. Additionally, monsters tended to be more aggressive at night, heightening the peril for any adventurers. Recognizing these dangers, Zealot’s party chose to rest and await the safety of daylight tomorrow before venturing forth once more.
Meanwhile, Belial’s party adopted a similar strategy. They camped within the entrance of the Bee Palace, aware that delving deeper into the palace at night would only expose them to greater danger.
As Zealot drifted in and out of sleep, he was periodically awakened by the familiar notifications signaling the victories of his skeletal minions in battle. Each time he heard the notifications, a sense of satisfaction and relief washed over him, knowing that his skeletal companions were holding their own against the relentless onslaught of monsters prowling the darkness of the prehistoric forest.
[You have slain a Spinosaurus!]
[You have slain an Ankylosaurus!]
[You have slain a Giganotosaurus!]
[You have slain a Red Dragon!]
…
…
[Leveled Up!]
[Level 66 >> 67]
[Skeleton’s Progression: 45% >> 52%]
‘Never did I imagine that I could level up simply by sleeping, entrusting my skeletal minions to handle all the tasks. It's fascinating; who would have thought summoning skills were this dependable?’ Zealot marveled, astonished by the reliability of his summoning skill.
In the darkest hour of midnight, one of Zealot's skeletal minions stumbled upon a glowing red portal hovering directly above a massive tree branch. Without delay, the bony sentinel hastened back to the camp, urgently waking Zealot to deliver news of the mysterious crimson gateway.
Zealot stirred from his sleep as his skeletal minion gently shook him awake, alerting him to the presence of the glowing red portal. With a sense of intrigue, Zealot's senses sharpened instantly, his mind clearing from the fog of sleep as he focused on the situation.
"Show me, lead the way," Zealot commanded quietly, rising to his feet and following his skeletal companion through the darkness of the prehistoric forest.
As they arrived at the crimson portal's location, Zealot climbed the colossal tree to reach it. Standing before the portal, which hovered on a tree branch, he could feel a faint hum of energy emanating from it, casting an eerie glow that illuminated the surrounding area.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“T-This must be a hidden dungeon…” Zealot said to himself, surprised to discover a hidden dungeon appearing here.
Hidden dungeons are dungeons that exist within a larger dungeon. Adventurers aren't obligated to clear these hidden dungeons; they're entirely optional. However, for those seeking additional rewards, raiding the hidden dungeons is always an option.
After a moment of contemplation, Zealot's eyes gleamed with determination. He resolved to venture into the hidden dungeon with only one of his skeletal minions accompanying him, while the second skeleton would return to the camp to guard and protect Lilith's party.
With his decision made, Zealot stood before the glowing red portal, feeling the faint hum of energy pulse around him. He signaled skeletal minion number one to follow him in, and ordered the second skeleton to guard Lilith's party, ensuring their safety during his absence.
"Stay vigilant," Zealot instructed the second skeleton. "Protect them at all costs. I'll return as soon as I can."
The second skeletal minion nodded in understanding, its empty eye sockets reflecting the flickering light of the portal. Satisfied with his arrangements, Zealot took a deep breath and stepped through the red gateway, with skeletal minion number one following closely behind.
As Zealot passed through the portal, he felt a brief disorientation, as though he were being pulled through a tunnel of light and shadow. When the sensation subsided, he found himself standing in a completely different environment.
Ding!
[Welcome to the Bloodmoon Tower!]
Suddenly, memories flashed through Zealot's mind. As he recalled, Bloodmoon Tower stood out as one of the very first hidden dungeons that the protagonist ever raided in the novel. Renowned for its formidable challenges, it was considered among the most difficult early hidden dungeons to raid. The recommended party size for tackling the Bloodmoon Tower ranged from five to ten adventurers.
Zealot's heart raced with nervous anticipation as he contemplated the formidable challenge of raiding Bloodmoon Tower. Even the protagonist had struggled and narrowly escaped death when attempting to conquer this hidden dungeon.
‘Bloodmoon Tower, huh? Vampire King, one of the most powerful early-game boss monsters that almost claimed the protagonist’s life…’ Zealot thought, gulping and feeling a pang of fear. ‘Well, there’s no turning back now. I just need to stay vigilant and tackle this hidden dungeon wisely.’
The setting of this dungeon was a massive floating island situated high above the boundless majestic blue sky. At the heart of this colossal island stood the Bloodmoon Tower, a towering structure rising 1,000 feet tall into the heavens. Within the tower lay a total of ten grand floors, each housing its own unique miniature world or small world.
As Zealot and his skeletal companion gazed upon the imposing silhouette of Bloodmoon Tower, they couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. The towering structure loomed ominously against the backdrop of the sunlit sky, its shadow casting a pall over the vast floating island below.
"Bloodmoon Tower…" Zealot murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "We have quite the challenge ahead of us."
His skeletal minion nodded in agreement, its empty eye sockets fixed on the colossal tower entrance. Together, they commenced their ascent up the giant stairs from the base of the tower, determined to reach the grand entrance gate.
As they ascended the stairs, each step felt like a journey deeper into the heart of the hidden dungeon. The air crackled with anticipation, and an unmistakable sense of foreboding weighed heavily upon them as they neared the towering gates of Bloodmoon Tower.
As they reached the gate, it swung open of its own accord, revealing a breathtaking sight beyond: a vast, verdant garden adorned with vibrant, colorful flowers and majestic fountains. The scent of blooming blossoms filled the air, and the sound of trickling water added to the tranquil ambiance.
Ahead of them, the entrance portal beckoned with its glowing light, reminiscent of lightning, offering passage to the tower's 1st floor. Its intricate design hinted at the wonders and challenges that awaited beyond.
For a fleeting moment, Zealot and his skeletal minion paused to admire the breathtaking view of the garden and its fountains. Once satisfied, they stepped through the glowing entrance portal, enveloped in a flash of light. As the brilliance faded, they found themselves standing in the grand palace hall, encircled by towering statues of vampires.
The grand hall was immense, its width so vast that mere words struggled to capture its scale. The vampire statues themselves were colossal, towering giants in their own right. At the far end of the grand hall loomed a massive door.
If there was one word to describe the grand hall, it was simply stunning and luxurious. In addition to the vampire statues, the sunlight streaming through the towering windows gave the hall a heavenly appearance.
[The dungeon raid would commence upon exiting the grand hall.]
[Time Limit: 10 minutes]
[You have 10 minutes to prepare yourself before the raid begins.]
Zealot surveyed his surroundings with a mixture of awe and determination. The grandeur of the hall was indeed breathtaking, but he knew that their time here was limited. With only ten minutes to prepare before the raid began, every second counted.
"Alright, let’s rest for a bit," Zealot said, turning to his skeletal companion. "I need some time to recharge my mana."
The skeleton minion nodded in understanding.
[Mana: 1457/1620]
As Zealot and his skeletal companion settled into a comfortable spot within the grand hall for a brief moment of rest, Zealot focused his thoughts inward, channeling his energy to replenish his mana reserves. With the urgency of their situation weighing heavily on his mind, he knew that every moment of rest was precious for mental preparation and the challenges ahead.
As the minutes ticked by, Zealot felt his mana reserves replenishing, his focus sharpening with each breath.
Finally, as the last few seconds of their preparation time dwindled away, Zealot rose to his feet, his skeletal companion following suit. With a final glance around the grand hall, he steeled himself for the battles to come.
"Alright, bony, let's advance forth," Zealot declared, his voice resolute with determination.
With those words, Zealot and his skeletal companion walked towards the colossal doors of the grand hall and pushed them open, stepping into the unknown. In an instant, they found themselves transported to a breathtaking new realm—a vast, desolate castle fraught with deadly traps.
The castle loomed dark and eerie, exuding an ominous aura, with its interior shrouded in darkness save for the flickering flames of torches adorning the walls.
[Bloodmoon Tower 1st Floor Quest: Locate the portal door leading to the 2nd floor.]
[Time Limit: One hour]
The 1st floor wasn’t Zealot's primary concern, as the first eight floors were relatively easy. The real challenge started from the 9th floor onward, particularly the 10th floor, where he would face multiple mini-bosses and the boss monster.
Additionally, the most difficult aspect of this tower was the inability to rest; once you completed one floor, you immediately proceeded to the next without any breaks in between. Furthermore, there were strict time limits to cope with as well.
Having knowledge of the novel, Zealot was well aware of the intricate traps scattered throughout the 1st floor. Hence, he strategically decided to bring one of his skeletal minions along, recognizing its potential as bait to trigger the traps safely. Employing this tactic, he could effectively neutralize the traps, ensuring smooth advancement through the castle.
Zealot and his skeletal companion cautiously navigated through the dimly lit corridors of the castle, their senses heightened for any signs of danger. The air hung heavy with the scent of ancient dust and decay, adding to the eerie ambiance of the forsaken halls.
"Press on, bony," Zealot encouraged, his voice steady with determination. "We have nothing to fear from these traps with you leading the way."
The skeletal minion nodded in acknowledgment, its movements purposeful as it advanced ahead, triggering pressure plates and setting off traps without hesitation. Zealot followed closely behind, his trust in his undead companion unwavering.
As they ventured deeper into the castle, they encountered various more traps—pressure plates hidden beneath the dusty floor, tripwires strung across narrow passages, and hidden pitfalls concealed beneath false tiles. With careful observation and the strategic use of his skeletal minion as bait, Zealot managed to safely bypass each obstacle, inching closer to their objective.
Finally, after navigating a maze of twisting corridors and deadly traps, they reached the end of the 1st floor, where a colossal shimmering portal door awaited them. Its intricate carvings glowed faintly in the dim light, marking it as the gateway to the 2nd floor of Bloodmoon Tower.
With a sense of anticipation, Zealot approached the portal, his skeletal companion trailing behind him. As he reached out to grasp the lightning ornate handle, a sudden surge of energy pulsed through the portal door, causing it to glow with renewed intensity.
[1st Floor: Quest Completed!]
[Time Remaining: 28 minutes]
With the completion of the quest, Zealot felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him.
"Prepare yourself, bony," Zealot said, turning to his skeletal companion. "We're about to enter the 2nd floor of Bloodmoon Tower. From here on out, the challenges will only grow more perilous."
His skeletal minion nodded in acknowledgment, its empty eye sockets glowing with determination as it stood ready by his side.
With a deep breath, Zealot grasped the handle of the portal door and pushed it open, stepping through into the unknown realm of the 2nd floor. As he crossed the threshold, the portal door closed behind them with a resounding thud, sealing their fate within the depths of Bloodmoon Tower.