There wasn't really much that I had to do to prepare for the dungeon. I had the weapons I needed. And my defense was well enough as well as that was armor was too uncomfortable that I didn't want any. So, I tried to improve my bomb skill and get it to level 5, the same as my other skills. While I did that, my parents gathered their armor, weapons, and potions that they needed. They tried to convince me to get armor, but I refused. they wouldn't stop until I told them what my defense was and that it would probably hinder me instead. Luckily, with 35 minutes to spare, I was able to get bomb to level 5, just before we had to leave to meet everyone.

Mana Bomb: Level 5: Create a sphere of mana that, when thrown, expands and explodes damaging all enemies within range for 200% magic attack. Cost and range: 5 square feet per 10 mana spent. Cool down: 2 minute

I noticed that when a skill reached level 5, it would undergo an evolution that drastically improved the effects of the skill. This was definitely a great discovery. My skills would become even more over powered than what they already were. When I finished, me and parents headed out for the dungeon to meet up with everyone. When we got there, we noticed everyone else arriving as well. Once everyone arrived, we joined up. Nick then started speaking.

Nick: "Alright, now that we are here. Let us go over some things. First, even though this is an F-ranked dungeon, we don't know how strong the beasts are with this chaos element infecting them. We already know how strong the first 7 levels are but, that was several days ago, so they could have grown more in that time. We need to be careful, and watch each other's backs. Second, Aug, could you please explain in as much detail as possible what the numbers were and any details about their power such as their defense and agility. I want to know so we can be ready for it."

So, for the next few minutes, I told them in detail about what I saw and what their power was including their stats like agility, defense, attack, and health. Granted, the numbers might not be the same this time around, but it should be around those. At the end I also added a request of my own.

Me: "Could I make a request? As you already know, my ability requires me to kill beasts to acquire XP to level up. I have also faced these things before myself, so all the way until the 7th floor, could I be the one to kill them. You all can have the drops. i just need the XP."

The four new people looked at one another and then at parents. They all seemed to agree in something silently before Nick spoke again.

Nick: "That is fine with us. Also, you can have the drops. We do not lack money. Also, we would like to see for ourselves, what you can do and how good you are. however, we will be ready just in case the monsters are too much. Now, is everyone ready to enter?"

We all nodded. Afterwards, we approached the guards and had them check our ID's. A minute later were on the first floor of the dungeon. I took a look around. I noticed nothing seemed to change, including the intensity of chaos. It was all the same. I also told them the same, and my parents confirmed them as well.

Misha: "Alright kid. Show us what you got."

I grinned and stepped forward, toward the creatures before I turned around to ask them something.

Me: "Would anyone have anything that attract monsters to a certain spot? If you do, I could finish this in a second. i will also pay gold for it. I am only asking because this floor should have the most beasts on it. I don't actually need it. It would just take a bit longer to kill all of them without it."

Misha thought for a second before retrieving something from her space ring. She then passed it over to me saying I did not have to pay for it but to be careful with it as once the beasts smelled it, they would become crazed and charge towards it. In my hand now was a glass bottle of green fluid. She said this was called monster attraction fluid (original right?). All I had to do was break it. Giving her my thanks, gripped it in my right hand, aimed at the center of the room and threw it. It flew out in a huge arc, and shattered upon contact with the dungeon floor. A few seconds later, the beasts smelled it. They all roared and started charging over towards it. When they got there, they went nuts and started howling even more while scratching and tearing at the fluid. While they did that, I made my move. I cast mana bomb. Since they were all within a 10 foot area, I used 20 mana. a basketball sized sphere of mana appeared on my hand. I took aim at the center of the beasts and threw it. None of the beasts were sane enough to notice it. it landed a little bit off but it was still effective. Plus with my 110 magic attack, and their pitiful defense and health, there was no need to look to know the outcome. The bomb landed, expanded covering all of them, and exploded with a boom. It kicked up a lot of dust and rocks. Once all that cleared, there was nothing except a few items the beasts dropped. I smiled and took a look at the faces of my party members. Some had looks of shock, while others looked at me with approval.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Nick: "Nice skill kid. This should go by a bit faster than I thought. Now, get the drops and let's move on."

I nodded and did so. While I was gathering the drops, i also took a look at what I got from killing the lot of nutty beasts.

20 kobolds killed. Reward:

+320 XP

+160 system points

+80 gold

After I finished, we proceeded to the next floor. There they noticed the amount of creatures which were a dozen. I told them it was a couple more than compared to last time but it was no problem despite them being a bit stronger. They asked if I needed the fluid again, but i told them no. my other skill could take care of them easily. And indeed I did. I cast gatling and bullet immediately. With their fast rate of fire as well as the damage each shot did, I made short work of them. 10 seconds was all it took to obliterate them. once again, I gathered my drops and looked at my rewards.

10 kobolds killed. reward:

+225 XP

+112 system points

+56 gold

This next floor will level me up. Continuing on, I cleared floors 3 through 5 quickly, taking no longer than 30 seconds fighting on each one. The only time we stopped was when my mana was running a bit low on the 4th level. We didn't stop for long, as my dad handed me a mana potion to refill what I lost. Everything was just about the same except that the monsters were a bit more than last time and was just a tad stronger. I informed them about it. However, I did manage to make some good gains.

Floor 3: 5 Kobolds defeated. Reward:

+200 XP

+100 system points

+50 gold

Floor 4: 5 kobolds defeated. Reward:

+ 240 XP

+120 system points

+60 gold

Floor 5: 5 kobolds defeated. Reward:

+ 275 XP

+137 system points

+68 gold

These floors got me to level 8, and close to level 9. The 8 stat points I received, I assigned right away, with 5 to INT and 3 to WIS. My CP reached 586. I should be able to clear the 6th and 7th floors way quicker and easier now. however, upon entering the 6th floor, I was in for a rude awakening. There were 10 goblins, and they were not the normal ones either, They were the mutated black ones. Their CP was at a whopping 200. This was almost as twice as high as last time, and even higher than the one's on the 7th floor. Plus, there were more of them. Even though I could deal with them rather easily now, the fact that their growth was so much in just a couple days horrified me. I told everyone about it, what the beasts CP was before and what it was now. They all showed troubled and horrified expressions.

Nick: "This...is too troubling. If they got this much stronger in just a few days, and we are only on the 6th floor out of 15, I cannot imagine what would happen if it went on for a month. The boss right now could very well be at D-rank. If we allow it to continue, it could rise to C or even higher. We also do not know of a way to clear the infection. For right now, we need to clear it, and see what happens. I hope the infection clears or at least lessons. Aug, I know that we agreed to let you handle all the way to the 7th floor, but with the explosive growth of these beasts, can you handle it? if not, we will help. there is no need to feel down, as no one could have known that this would happen."

Me: "I can handle it still, without a problem. Compared to the last time I came here, my strength made an explosive rise as well. I am at 586 now. After this floor, I will be even stronger too. Just watch me and see how I fuck these bastards up!"