At the heart of the square, a sudden gust whipped up, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. Dust spiraled in the air, and the whispers died down, every gaze locked onto the empty center. The wind grew fierce, a sure sign of something monumental about to unfold.

In seconds, a tiny crack appeared in the very air, as though space itself had been torn open by invisible hands. It grew rapidly, stretching wider and wider until a massive, vortex-like portal dominated the square, swirling violently, pulling the air—and everyone’s attention—toward it.

The portal gleamed with a shimmering white light so intense it felt almost divine, something beyond mortal comprehension. It marked the dungeon’s opening, a portal that appeared only once a month, holding itself open for just five minutes before sealing shut until the next cycle. As soon as it stabilized, the crowd surged forward, adventurers of every class, rank, and background disappearing into its depths.

I watched in awe. I’d seen this spectacle so many times in the game, but experiencing it firsthand, seeing the grandeur and raw power of the portal—this was on a whole other level.

"Four minutes left before the dungeon closes!" came the booming announcement from the mediator, a government-appointed official whose sole duty was to manage the dungeon's portal. The countdown echoed through the crowd like a countdown to fate.

I could feel my legs freeze, and my heart pounding harder. Every instinct screamed for me to turn back. When I’d signed that contract, I thought I could handle this. I’d been so sure that this was what I wanted—a shot at breaking away from the monotony. I’d told myself it would be thrilling, a chance to experience something different, something more. But standing here, staring at the portal, I felt nothing but terror.

The biggest stress I’d ever dealt with was cramming for exams. But this? My life was quite literally on the line. This wasn’t just a game; this was life or death.

"Three minutes left before the dungeon closes!"

The portal seemed to shrink with every second. I knew I needed to act, to make a decision, but I was rooted to the spot.

Then a scream broke through my paralysis. “I—I can’t! I just can’t do this!” A man nearby, someone I recognized from the acquisition ceremony, bolted in the opposite direction, yelling, “I’ll die for sure if I go in there with that useless skill of mine!” His voice cracked with panic as he scrambled to escape, and for a second, I felt his fear mirrored in my own.

I glanced around and realized I wasn’t alone in my hesitation. Dozens of people stood frozen, their faces pale, eyes wide with fear and doubt. They were likely first-timers like me, staring down the dungeon’s unknown horrors for the very first time. It was a small comfort, knowing I wasn’t the only one gripped by terror, but it also hammered home the grim reality of what we were all facing.

"Two minutes left before the dungeon closes!"

Time was slipping away fast. The crowd at the entrance had thinned; people had already made their choices. Some were running for their lives, refusing to take what seemed like a one-way trip. Others, out of necessity or sheer desperation, steeled themselves and stepped through the portal. There were those who couldn’t summon the courage and those who faced their fear, understanding that this was their only shot.

“They’re… truly something else.” I muttered, watching the brave ones dive into the unknown. I could feel a spark of admiration for them, and maybe, just maybe, a little envy.

"One minute left before the dungeon closes!"

“Damn it!” I yelled, my voice barely audible over the roar of the portal. With no time left, I sprinted toward the dungeon entrance. The portal’s overwhelming presence loomed, its energy terrifying, pressing down on me with every step. My legs felt like lead, but I couldn’t turn back now.

“I’m terrified, but… there’s no turning back!” I muttered, forcing myself forward. Despite my frail body and my “useless” skill, I had one thing others might not—years of experience and knowledge from the game. I’d navigated countless characters through this, facing similar challenges again and again.

"I will survive!" I shouted, more to myself than anyone else, trying to anchor myself in that conviction.

My real weapon wasn’t steel or magic but the knowledge I’d gathered from years of gameplay, knowledge that I was praying would be enough to carry me through. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the vortex, feeling its energy ripple through me.

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New Challenger registered!

Please select a class to proceed inside the dungeon before the time expires!

Remaining time; 00:00:56

Classes:

* Alchemist

* Archer

* Assassin

* Berserker

* Cleric

* Druid

* Elementalist

* Enchanter

* Fighter

* Guardian

* Harlequin

* Ice Mage

* Illusionist

* Juggernaut

* Knight

* Lorekeeper

* Marksman

* Mystic

* Necromancer

* Paladin

* Pyromancer

* Rogue

* Scribe

* Shaman

* Sorcerer

* Thief

* Templar

* Warlock

* Warrior

* Witch Doctor

* Bard

* Beastmaster

* Brawler

* Cavalier

* Channeler

* Chronomancer

* Conjurer

* Corsair

* Crusader

* Demon Hunter

* Diviner

* Engineer

* Exorcist

* Geomancer

* Gladiator

* Gunslinger

* Hierophant

* Inquisitor

* Lancer

* Magus

* Marauder

* Monk

* Outrider

* Pathfinder

* Priest

* Ranger

* Reaper

* Samurai

* Scion

* Seer

* Sentinel

* Sniper

* Spellblade

* Summoner

* Swashbuckler

* Templar Knight

* Valkyrie

* Vampire

* Warpriest

* Witch

* Zealot

* etc...

A list of classes appeared before me, each with its own set of talents and potential. The options, usually thrilling, now felt like a countdown. I knew what would happen if I didn’t make a choice—the portal would forcibly eject me, and I’d be left to survive outside with no access until the dungeon reopened a month later.

But I didn’t need to scroll through the options or weigh my choices. I’d already made my decision long before. Without hesitation, I selected the [Necromancer] class.

You have selected the [Necromancer] Class. Are you certain of your decision? (YES/NO)

“Yes!” I said, exhaling a shaky breath.

You have selected the [Necromancer] Class. Talent: Animus is currently analyzing your skill...

A strange sensation prickled over me as I waited for the result. It seemed to be assessing my skill, likely checking if my ability would even work with the Necromancer’s core talent, Animus.

This phase was crucial; how my skill would integrate with Animus could make or break my survival in the dungeon.

“Please… just give me something useful!” I whispered.

Analyze complete! Congratulations, your skill [Ooze] has been deemed fit for transmutation! Trait Animus and skill [Ooze] are synergizing... Creating new skill...

I could feel the clock ticking down in the back of my mind, each second heavier than the last. If Animus transformed my weak skill into something stronger, it might be the lifeline I needed. I watched the timer in the corner of my vision, my heartbeat pounding with each passing second.

Only 20 seconds remained…

15…

10…

“Come on!” I muttered, clenching my fists. “Stop analyzing and just give me the skill already!”

5…

4…

3…

Ding!

Skill transmutation complete! Congratulations, [Ooze] Skill has been transmuted into [Summon Slime].

"Summon Slime?" I blinked in confusion.

Class acquisition complete! Access granted!

You've entered the first floor of the dungeon: Grotto.

Drip... Drop... Drip...

"..."

The only sounds were the echoes of water drops splashing onto stone. I took a shaky breath, the stillness of the place sinking into me as I processed my new reality.

Splash.

I cautiously moved forward, each step splashing into shallow puddles that covered the uneven stone floor. The faint moonlight filtering through cracks above cast a silvery glow over the damp cavern, illuminating the moss and trickling streams. It felt cool and earthy, the air thick with the scent of wet stone.

“This place… Cavern walls, dripping water, almost no light… the Grotto.”

My mind raced through what I remembered. Among the different first-floor areas, the Grotto was one of the starting points I’d encountered before. Considering how vast and varied the dungeon’s environments were, landing somewhere familiar was almost lucky.

But first things first—I needed to assess my new abilities.

“Status Window!” I called out, focusing on the screen I knew would show my updated stats and skills.

A faint, glowing window materialized before me, the soft light illuminating the surrounding darkness. Taking a deep breath, I opened up my status to see exactly what I was working with.

“Let’s see what this Summon Slime skill is really all about.”