Immortality, a term laden with significance yet holding an elusive essence for Sam. He had encountered innumerable narratives featuring the myth of immortality, ranging from divine elixirs bestowed by gods to legendary fruits that bestowed eternal life with a single bite. However, the most renowned and widely circulated legend was that of the Abyss Dungeon — the mightiest and grandest dungeon in the world.
The dungeon, with its staggering one thousand floors, and perhaps even more, remained unexplored since its inception. While there were at least a thousand documented levels, the exact count remained a mystery. The last hero, Khan, achieved the remarkable feat of reaching floor 9999 before returning to the surface. His demise, accompanied by incoherent ramblings about an immortality-bestowing dungeon core witnessed deep within, added an air of mystique to the legend.
His narrative ignited a frenzy, compelling people to venture into the dungeon incessantly, driven by the aspiration to amass sufficient power to attain the fabled immortality. Indeed, they acquired formidable strength, elevating high-leveled delvers to god-like status in the eyes of the common folk. However, even these mighty individuals met their demise all too easily within the treacherous depths of the Abyss Dungeon.
The dungeon, in its enigmatic generosity, bestowed a unique skill upon all who dared to traverse its domain. Yet, tragically, most never lived long enough to unlock the full potential of their newfound abilities. They succumbed to the infinite array of traps and monstrous entities that infested the labyrinthine depths.
From a tender age, since the initial encounter with the tale, it clung to him with unyielding tenacity. This compulsion seized him, steering his early years towards a singular pursuit—training. His commitment extended to pushing his body to its utmost threshold. While not pursuing an overly bulky physique, his lean yet muscular figure bore no trace of excess fat, a deliberate result of Sam's meticulous efforts.
Now, he stood before the colossal portal that served as the entrance to the Abyss Dungeon. Sam harbored no intentions of returning; his resolve was clear. Whether he met his demise in the relentless pursuit of the myth of immortality or emerged triumphant, he was committed to this path. One day, regardless of the duration it consumed, he would face his destiny within the labyrinthine depths.
Sam meticulously inspected his pack one final time, ensuring it held an ample supply of salted jerky and waterskins. With a firm tightening of the straps securing it to his back, he clutched his steel sword tightly and stepped through the portal.
.................
..............................
.......................................
............................................
Sam materialized in a lush plain, the sun hanging prominently overhead while a fresh and cool wind gently caressed his face, tousling his black hair. The surroundings exuded beauty and tranquility, inviting a sense of relaxation. However, Sam's awareness remained heightened; this was the Goblin's Plain floor, renowned as one of the most challenging for rookies like him.
They wouldn't attack until he got his unique skill though, which he assumed the dungeon was working on. A second later, a black floating screen manifested above his head, announcing the arrival of his unique skill.
[Skill: Effect editor[U] granted]
[Due to your unique skill, you are granted access to the status effect log]
Sam barely had a moment to read all the messages that flashed before him when a spear came hurtling through the air. He agilely dodged the projectile just in time, watching it whisk past him. Quickly pivoting to identify its source, he spotted a trio of goblins standing a distance away. Each of them was equipped with rusty short swords and shoddy leather gear, likely pilfered from unfortunate delvers.
Sam had never encountered goblins before, and their menacing presence intimidated him. The wicked grins on their faces and their demonic, unkempt looks sent chills down his spine. Despite the unsettling feeling, he managed to push it aside, reaching for his steel sword. With practiced precision, he tried to free it from its leather strap. Unfortunately, his haste resulted in an unintended consequence – he pulled too hard, causing the sword to slice through the thin strap of leather.
By the time he firmly held the sword with both hands, Sam found himself encircled by the trio of goblins. Swinging his sword vertically, he landed a clean hit on the nearest goblin's chest, leaving a deep cut. The injured goblin began to scream, but Sam swiftly silenced it with a hard kick to the chest, sending it tumbling away.
The other two goblins lunged towards him, prompting Sam to dive in the direction of the previously kicked goblin. He quickly regained his footing and swung his sword at one of the approaching goblins, cleanly bisecting it before kicking the halves aside. Next, he swiftly kicked the last remaining goblin off its feet, pinning it down, and then stabbed it in the chest.
Sam wiped the sweat off his brow as he surveyed the now-dead goblins. The grass around him was stained with their pink blood, and a horrible stench began to fill the area as the bodies rapidly broke down, transforming into a black fog. This fog then condensed into a shining green potion that softly fell onto the grass.
Sam moved over and picked up the potion, inspecting it.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
[Weak Stamina Potion:
Allows delvers to recover some stamina when consumed]
Shrugging, Sam popped off the cork and chugged it down. It tasted horrible, but it started to work instantly. A ding resounded in his mind as a new screen popped up before his eyes.
[Status effect gained:
+1 stamina/s
Duration: 60 seconds
Freeze?]
"Huh?" Sam couldn't help but blurt out. Was this his unique skill at work? It must be, as he never heard about this from the guild before. Sam mentally clicked yes and felt something settle in place inside of him, and a pool of something, likely his stamina, revealed itself.
[First stat unlocked! Unlocking status page...]
[Name: Sam
Age: 20
Unique skill: Effect editor[U] [0/1 Charge]
Stats unlocked[1/???]:
Stamina: 20/20(+1/s)]
Status effects:
+1 stamina/S [∞]
Skills:[0/7]
Sam stared at the floating ethereal blank screen in pure shock. His status page? Already? Normally, one unlocked their status page at floor ten, where they could buy a stat stone, which was basically a specific stat given physical form. Unlocking the status page on the first floor wasn't unheard of but was extremely rare and was usually done by someone with an extremely powerful unique talent like his, Sam realized.
Sam, now equipped with the ability to gain skills [Skills], anticipated their profound usefulness in the challenges that lay ahead. Shifting his attention to the status effect section, he pondered the implications of this discovery. Could it signify an enduring wellspring of stamina, thanks to the apparent suspension of this particular status effect? Keen to validate his theory, Sam initiated a series of brisk sprints in a well-executed circular pattern. Methodically observing the gradual decrease in his recently awakened stat, he noted its modest decline by a solitary point every minute or so. Satisfyingly, the frozen status effect swiftly replenished it, ensuring that weariness remained a distant and elusive sensation.
Sam burst into laughter, reveling in the newfound potential bestowed upon him by this remarkable skill. With such capabilities at his disposal, the pursuit of the elusive myth of immortality seemed not only attainable but also an achievable feat that could lead him to conquer the depths of this treacherous dungeon, floor by floor, until he reached its ultimate and enigmatic pinnacle.
Sam's laughter abruptly ceased as the war cry of a cunning goblin pierced the air. This stealthy creature, having managed to approach unnoticed, swiftly attacked. Before Sam could react, the goblin's sharp claws slashed at his pack, effortlessly removing it from his back. The crafty goblin intended to make a hasty escape with its ill-gotten loot. However, Sam, quick on his feet, pivoted around and delivered a powerful kick to the goblin's skull. This move stunned the creature just long enough for Sam to retrieve his sword and ruthlessly impale the thieving goblin.
Despite the successful intervention, Sam's pack bore the scars of the goblin's attack. While mostly intact, the cunning creature had managed to sever several straps. Now, Sam found himself compelled to carry it by hand. He cursed under his breath, irritated by the goblin's swift and precise assault. Had he not reacted promptly, the creature might have successfully escaped. However, Sam's preparedness had thwarted the thieving goblin's plans, at least to some extent.
His rigorous training regimen, pushing his reaction speed to the limits of human capability, was now proving its worth. Yet, Sam realized that no amount of training could fully prepare him for the unpredictability of the real world. With a puff of black smoke, the deceased goblin transformed into a singular black ear. Sam picked it up and stored it in a compartment of his damaged pack. He needed a hundred of these to move on to the next floor and wasn't willing to wait for the goblins; it was time to go hunting.
Sam gathered what straps he could salvage and skillfully tied them back together. He then threw the pack over his back and commenced a slow walk through the grassy plains, his steel sword firmly gripped in his left hand. It wasn't long before he encountered two more goblins who were looting a deceased goblin. Sam attempted to sneak up, but he was terrible at it and ended up making more noise than when he walked, alerting them to his presence. They screamed and rushed toward him. One of them was holding a bottle of green liquid that it threw at him. It smashed into his chest and started sizzling.
A searing, burning sensation rapidly enveloped Sam as the acidic liquid, which he suspected was corrosive, mercilessly ate away at his leather armor and makeshift strap securing his pack on his back. The discarded gear lay on the ground, swiftly snatched up by the other goblin. Yet, Sam scarcely registered this, preoccupied with hastily shedding his clothes before the corrosive substance could reach his vulnerable skin. Once done, he found himself bereft of not only his attire but also his pack and steel sword, all spirited away by the elusive goblins.
Sam cursed inwardly, refraining from vocalizing his frustration out loud to avoid attracting more goblins. At the moment, he found himself defenseless, though not entirely true. His strength and fists could serve as makeshift defenses, but they wouldn't provide much protection against an iron sword ready to slice through him.
He could always escape a dire situation by outrunning it, given his seemingly limitless stamina. Sam approached the lifeless goblin and began searching its corpse. After a thorough search, he discovered a badly bent copper shortsword—not an ideal weapon, but he could make it work. Sam proceeded to bend the sword as much as possible, straightening it out enough to serve its purpose.
As he finished his makeshift weapon, the sun had already begun its descent, and the biting cold winds mercilessly nipped at his bare chest, prompting involuntary shivers. All the while, Sam pressed on with a growling stomach, eager to find sustenance.
He contemplated the idea of pursuing the thieves' direction, but the realization of the likely presence of a sizable goblin village there deterred him. It would be a suicidal move, and death would likely come swiftly if he ventured in that direction.
At some point, the hunger became so intense that Sam found himself compelled to consume the plentiful grass covering this dungeon floor. It was bitter and lacked any enjoyable taste, yet it managed to fill his belly and temporarily alleviate the pangs of crippling hunger. By the time he finished his makeshift meal, the sun had disappeared, and the moon began its ascent. Sam lay on his belly, gazing up at the artificial starry sky overhead, remaining on high alert for the faintest of sounds.
Sam half expected to feel weariness creeping in, but no such sensation surfaced, thanks to his boundless stamina. His heightened senses snapped him back to full attention when a haunting howl echoed through the grassy plains, steadily approaching. Without a second thought, Sam grabbed his makeshift sword and sprinted, the powerful and deep footsteps behind him signaling that whatever pursued him was relentless.