Lynn slowly withdrew the Flame Edge from his inventory, eager to inspect his new acquisition firsthand. As the sword fully materialized in his grasp, he marveled at its exquisite craftsmanship.
The Flame Edge featured a single-edged blade forged from black steel, its smoky hue resembling glowing charcoal embers. Intricate runic symbols adorned the flat of the blade, adding an aura of mystique.
The elegantly curved crossguard provided both aesthetic appeal and functional hand protection, its dark, midnight-like metal instilling a sense of foreboding. The leather-wrapped hilt fit snugly in Lynn's palm, ensuring a comfortable grip.
Running his fingers along the blade's surface, Lynn detected a subtle warmth resonating from the steel. True to its description, the sword seemed to possess a fiery energy infused within its metal.
Lynn gave an experimental swing, slicing the sword deftly through the air. The blade seemed to leave trailing sparks in its wake, crackling with supernatural sharpness.
"Incredible," Lynn muttered under his breath.
Satisfied after testing the sword's balance and getting a feel for its capabilities, he carefully returned the Flame Edge to his inventory.
Having completed his preparations, Lynn found himself sinking into the comfort of his living room couch, seeking a moment of respite. The past few days had been filled with stress, what with his perilous adventures in the abandoned district and the hurried preparations for what lay ahead. He needed a brief interlude of calm before the impending dungeon deadline.
He took his phone and started scrolling through it aimlessly. His thoughts drifted back to the time before the end of the countdown. He had frantically searched for any clues or information that could give him insight into the mysterious timer that had appeared before his eyes.
He searched the internet extensively but found only far-fetched conspiracy theories and rumors about ghosts and monsters with no solid evidence or credible information.
But with the confirmation of the existence of a hidden extraordinary side to this world, some strange stories and unreliable urban legends published in some suspicious forums could possibly have some truth to them.
One particular incident on February 27th caught his attention: reports of a suspected snow monster emerging from the depths of the famous tourist destination, Hadaka Snow Mountain. Witnesses claimed that a giant, shrouded in ice and snow, had snatched a child from a couple of tourists before vanishing back into the peaks.
Then, on April 30th, in the heart of the Federation's first metropolis, a street suddenly collapsed, revealing creatures resembling mermaids in the sewers. Officially explained as sea creatures that had mistakenly entered the sewers, the incident hinted at a hidden world beneath the surface.
Another unsettling occurrence took place on May 9th in a remote village, where a serial killer marked the scenes of their gruesome crimes with demonic-like runes. The mysterious nature of these incidents, coupled with Lynn's growing awareness of the extraordinary, deepened his frown.
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These strange stories, though present before, seemed to be gaining prevalence and wider recognition, both in terms of scope and frequency.
Lynn wished he could investigate not only the Federation but the entire world of Blue Star. Unfortunately, the Federation had implemented a strict internet firewall, effectively blocking access to anything beyond its borders and tightly controlling and censoring the flow of information.
Engrossed in his thoughts, he glanced at the time on his phone. "It's almost time for the dungeon selection to appear," he murmured to himself, feeling his muscles tense in anticipation.
Taking a deep breath in an attempt to steady his nerves, Lynn acknowledged that he had done everything within his power to prepare for the challenges that awaited him. Yet, the unknown continued to gnaw at his senses.
Would he be ready? Would his abilities be sufficient this time? What new threats might emerge to test his limits? The answers remained frustratingly out of reach.
As the fateful hour approached, Lynn felt his pulse quicken involuntarily. A part of him yearned to escape, to flee from the obligations imposed upon him by this cruel game. But he knew such thoughts were futile.
In his heart, he understood that the only viable path forward was through conquering the daunting dungeons that lay ahead. He had already survived the first trial, growing stronger in every sense.
With each passing second, the steady countdown seemed to echo loudly in Lynn's mind. Finally, the moment arrived.
[The dungeon selection has opened]
The familiar mission panel materialized before Lynn's eyes. His gaze immediately fixed upon the newly unlocked [Dungeon] tab, which now glowed with an ominous red coloring.
Tapping the tab, Lynn was presented with a list of five dungeon options, their names spelled out in bold lettering:
[Dungeon 1: The Moving Forest]
[Dungeon 2: The Hell Tour Bus]
[Dungeon 3: The Abandoned Theme Park]
[Dungeon 4: The Sunken Ship Graveyard]
[Dungeon 5: The Town's Nocturnal Panic]
Lynn's eyes scanned the selections carefully, scrutinizing each one. Very little information was provided, with only the mysterious names hinting at what awaited within those deadly domains.
According to the information post for newcomers, Lynn had only one chance to choose from the five options presented each week. If he chose to not enter or failed the mission, that attempt would be used up.
Therefore, the decision of which dungeon to undertake required careful consideration. Rashly charging into an unknown and potentially lethal environment would surely spell disaster.
"I wish there were more details about each dungeon," Lynn muttered, his brow furrowing in deep thought.
His eyes scanned the dungeon options carefully, analyzing each cryptic name in an attempt to deduce the nature of the challenges that lay within.
"The Moving Forest," Lynn murmured aloud. "A forest that moves...could it imply the trees themselves are alive?" He pondered the possibilities of what supernatural threats living, mobile plant life could pose. But with only the vague name, it was impossible to know for sure.
Lynn continued the process with each one of the dungeon options, carefully analyzing and assessing which would potentially give him the greatest chance of success.
Finally, his eyes settled on the last selection—The Town's Nocturnal Panic. He deliberated over the mysterious name, contemplating its implications.
"The mention of a town suggests human presence," Lynn reasoned. "This could potentially provide certain advantages if approached correctly. And the nocturnal panic may indicate a specific timeframe of danger."
Nevertheless, Lynn reminded himself that all his assumptions were mere speculation. The true nature of the dungeon could deviate radically from his conjectures based solely on the cryptic name. Adaptability would be paramount.