4: Dungeon

Ding! Glowing blue notifications appeared before him.

[Congratulations! You have discovered the Evergreen Star Dungeon Level 1!]

[Warning! You have entered a level 1 dungeon proceed with caution!]

He was standing in an idyllic English village, circa 1700. Seven people stood before him with Amelie at their center. He was amazed. She looked even more beautiful than before!

Having entered floor 1 her level had been forcefully lowered to 2 (the floor 1 level cap). This cap had not only affected her personal level, but also her gear. Theoretically this should have lessened her beauty as her stats decreased and yet she was brighter than ever.

He wondered at this then understood. It was because this was her proper place, valiant in the sun, clad in shining armor, her eyes ablaze. Truly, she had become her real self! He unabashedly stared at her and sighed with appreciation.

He got a small smile and a warning look in return.

Behind him was the portal leading to the square dungeon core, whence every floor could be reached. Five hundred yards on a side, it looked like a veritable city with hundreds of hunters moving through dozens of structures.

These were twinkled with many colored lights that reflected off emerald walls, within which were set 101 portals (one leading to outside the dungeon), each with a curved arch surrounded by six bands of smooth red cedar, sealed at the innermost with a band of yellow gold.

Turning away, he looked around the village once more. The street was made up of irregular reddish paving stones and white brick cottages tightly lined either side. Children ran and laughed and busy tradesmen worked.

There was the spray of sparks and the waft of fresh bread, and the sweetness of hay. He sniffed deeper with care. Thankfully there was not even an undertone of something worse. He knew perfectly well what a real preplumbing village smelled like.

He counted the number of hunters walking the street. There had to be more than two hundred of them just within view, frequenting the various craftsmen, even purchasing weapons or gear, even bread and flour. This didn’t surprise him. Being grown and harvested in the mana rich environment of the dungeon, even unmilled wheat could sell for a pretty penny in the outside world.

These hunters cast many sidelong glances towards them but said nothing. It was hunter etiquette to greet their superiors but only if the superior spoke first. He thought about it. Two hundred was quite a lot considering that the 95% of hunters would be in the field, not the village.

Amelie gave him a moment then stepped forward, “This is my team,” she said. “Introduce yourselves,” she ordered.

The first on the left was a seven foot Russian in heavy blood red armor, the silver tower of Fortress being its only decoration. He appeared to be in his late twenties and swaggered forward. “Captain, why should we introduce ourselves? What’s so special about this kid?” he demanded.

His accent was more than thick and Amelie scowled, “Because I said so! You want another beating!?” she demanded.

The giant barred his teeth, “Anytime captain,” he answered as he hefted his axe. Its head consisted of one huge curved axeblade of black steel and one massive black sledge. Crimson flames flickered all around it and he faced off against her.

She sighed, “Just introduce yourself and I promise to spar with you later.”

Jason smiled. It seemed that recruiting the best hunters from all over the world wasn’t without its problems.

“No gobacks,” the Russian warned her, then he turned to Jason. “Boris Ustemchuck, Tank. Earth, Lightning, Fire,” he said.

Jason nodded, these were undoubtedly three of the best elements for a tank. Earth provided the necessary strength, while Lightning would allow for quick attacks, and Fire could inflict the necessary pain to enrage any boss. As for why Jason had not used Earth to greater effect while fighting Amelie, he could barely keep up with her bending all of his ability toward speed.

The next person stepped up. She was a tall and willowy beauty with long black hair tied back in a single shining tail, and she looked at him with deep eyes. “Jieun Park, Healer. Wind, Holy, Light.”

Truly, a born healer. The light element could actually be combined with other elements to fire them with incredible speed across significant distances. Without it no hunter should not even think of hitting super powered monsters or hunters.

The next skipped forward. Not an inch over five foot, she had a lithe figure, soft purple eyes, and a sun blond pixie cut. “Lira Campbell. What’s your name?” she asked.

He had intended to wait but supposed he might as well, “Jason MacGregor, Tank. Earth, Holy, Lightning.”

Her eyes brightened and she stuck her tongue out at Boris, “You hear that dummy? He’s a tank too, and with the Holy element!”

Boris’ face was stormy, “Shut up! It takes more than elements to make a tank!”

Amelie glanced between them but Jason was calm. The reason his Holy element was so coveted amongst tanks was because many boss monsters would employ curses. These could be cured after the fact but it was much better if the tank could block the affliction from every landing in the first place. The only way to do this was with ward from a healer or a holy element halo. Considering that most wards lasted only a matter of seconds, a halo was far superior.

Lira stuck out her tongue again then turned back, “Fighter. Fire, Lightning, Wind,” she said.

He inclined his head.

The fourth was a tall man with a shaved head and a huge sword, glowing white on his back. He stepped forward with a measuring gaze, “Samba Mutombo, Fighter. Wind, Earth, Fire.”

Jason was sure he was a deadly attacker. His elements were suited for a tank but his build was a little too lean and his movements a little too easy. He looked as if his sword would strike before you ever saw it coming.

The last two were brothers who stepped forward one after the other, each wielding a dark oak longbow.

“John Fischer, archer. Earth, Wind, Water.”

“Mark Fischer, archer. Earth, Wind, Lightning.”

Jason was surprised. People with the earth element rarely chose to become archers. He reconsidered. With the Earth element they would be able to draw a heavier bow than most archers could ever dream of. Add to this their Wind element and they could likely loose arrows so swift no monster could dodge them.

As for their appearance, they were identical twins both with long brown cloaks, combed back brown hair, and lean but strong builds. He thought they were finished but John spoke again. “Is it true that you have Original Magic?” he asked.

It seemed that Amelie had not left them in the dark. Well, they would find out quick enough, as soon as he started fighting, “It is.”

Boris snorted but everyone else looked keen.

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“Let’s find out!” Lira said and she shot forward. Specks of blue light appeared in the air and rushed into her. A blazing estoc appeared in her hand and pierced straight towards him.

He did not move.

Clang! Amelie blocked the blade with her own, “I’ve already tested him. Any additional trials will be conducted in the field.”

“Tch!” Lira vanished her blade. She flashed him a bright smile, “No hard feelings right?”

He laughed, “None.” He turned to Amelie, “You ready to get going?”

“Ready when you are. Do you know how to trigger the scenario?”

He nodded, “Follow me boys,” he ordered and he marched off down the street.

They all looked at each other, Amelie nodded, and they followed after.

***

In a bright and fragrant meadow, daffodils swayed and daisies twirled. Gray wolves sniffed amidst the flowers, looking for white bunnies, and Jason focused.

His eyes were on a wolf thirty yards away. A minimalist crimson frame appeared above it, surrounding a red HP bar. This indicated a normal monster.

“Are we seriously doing this?” Boris asked, “it’s not like we’ll succeed.”

Jason turned to him, “What makes you think so?”

“Because no one can beat that witch! It’s impossible!”

“It’s impossible for anyone without Original Magic.”

He put his axe back on his shoulder, “Then let’s see this Original Magic.”

Jason nodded. He faced forward, sword in hand. It was identical to the one he had borrowed from Amelie… they weren’t called common drops for nothing.

His cloak manifested around him and several murmurs sounded out behind.

“Is it really Original Magic?” John whispered.

“I didn’t see any sparks,” Mark replied.

Jason shook his head. Sparks were what American hunters called the tiny specks of mana that monsters and hunters collected from the air. This mana only existed in the dungeon and any use of magic outside of the dungeon would have to employ a mana stone… or piece of gear previously imbued.

He did not turn back but focused. These might look like ordinary wolves but they could collect and wield mana as well as any hunter. They could even utilize what was called an aura to protect their bodies. This functioned similarly to a hunter’s halo but it looked more like a dark mist moving over their body, rather than a pure light.

Lightning arched over him and he rushed forward. Awhoo! The first wolf sounded out and two more rushed to its side. Specks of light appeared all around them, pale green, the color of wind, and rushed into them.

An electric blue halo covered his sword.

Yip! The wolf yelped as his sword bit into it and its life bar fell by a huge chunk. His eyes brightened. He was barely using half the mana he did against Amelie and yet it was still so effective. This only made sense, she was level ten with top quality gear after all.

A second wolf lunged at him and he spun aside. They repositioned. The wolves crouched low, barring white fangs. He quickly took a chance to heal himself. His muscles had barely started to tire but you had to take every chance you got.

They leapt forward as one. He flashed back. He flashed forward and struck the same wolf again. Its life bar bottomed out and it collapsed to the ground. He poured Earth and Lightning into his body and struck with all his might upon another.

Its life bar fell straight to zero and someone cursed behind him. It was Boris and Jason dodged the third wolf before striking down hard on its back. It yelped and fell, collapsing amidst the flowers.

He stood still and called upon the mana in his chest, cooling water running through him. In five seconds he was fully recovered. He had to be careful. Fighting three on one was highly profitable, both XP and drops wise, but it did require considerable effort.

He tapped each wolf with his boot and several items popped out. A broken sword, a bundled up wolf pelt, a slab of wolf meat wrapped in paper, and a common healing potion. The pelt and the wolf meat were crafting materials but he only picked up the potion. Its simple bulbous bottle was filled with a ruby red liquid and he tilted it in the sunlight.

Drops came in six categories, Trash, Common, Rare, Epic, Legendary, and Divine. In an elite group like Amelie’s crafting materials were generally ignored while all common weapons and gear were collected by whoever was nearby. This wasn’t merely a convenience but rather a necessity as the system only gave each hunter 40 inventory slots.

Amelie came near.

“You want it?” he asked.

“No.”

He nodded and tucked it away. They hadn’t decided how to divide the common drops but it was his kill.

“Is this really your first time in a dungeon?” she asked.

He laughed, “Status,” he commanded and a glowing blue panel popped up in front of them.

Jason MacGregor

Level: 1

Elements: Holy, Earth, Lightning

Strength: 22

Agility: 20

Stamina: 21

Perception: 18

Resilience: 25

Authority: 14

Free Attribute Points: 0

____________________________

XP: 36/2200

These stats were extremely good for a level 1, being roughly twice that of an average adult male, but then Kyrios had not remade him as average. A world class athlete was at least double the average in most areas after all.

He looked through the stats. The system really did keep it simple. Resilience and Authority were perhaps the only non self explanatory stats. Resilience measured mental endurance, his ability to resist fear effects, as well and general toughness, while Authority measured his ability to control the nearby mana, not that it made much difference to him.

As for his Stamina of 21, it indicated that not only his muscles but all of his cells were about 2x tougher than an average human. This wouldn’t protect from even an ordinary weapon but it would allow his body to withstand greater amounts of his own mana.

He looked at his XP gauge. Killing three wolves had netted 36 XP, meaning he would have to kill 183ish in order to reach level 2. He smiled. This was, in all actuality, a borderline gimme. At higher levels hunters would have to work for months for a single level up.

Amelie seemed satisfied but the rest of them were silent. They were not concerned about his level. Boris came near, “Tell me the truth, what is your source?” he questioned, though his tone was much more subdued.

“Tell you what. If you can kill more wolves than me I’ll tell you.”

He was silent then smiled broadly, “We need to kill a lot. I think I can beat you.”

“Please do.”

Amelie addressed the group, “All of you join in, on average you have to kill two thousand wolves before the doll will drop.”

Jason winced. He knew that he needed the porcelain doll to trigger the scenario but he had no idea it would require so many kills.

“Let’s go!” Boris cheered and he charged straight at another group. Crimson light covered his axe and he slashed down on a wolf with furious force.

Jason charged forward and everyone moved with purpose. Grrrr! A huge male wolf bared its teeth at him and he did the same. “Come on then!”

It leapt straight at him. He spun aside and struck down hard on its neck. Its HP fell by only half. He focused. Not all monsters were created equal, there were weaker and stronger ones even among the same type.

The wolf rounded on him and spat a silver wind blade. He leapt aside, narrowly dodging.

The blade shot straight to a nearby hillock. It made only a shallow cut. The wolf watched him closely and he narrowed his eyes. This wind blade looked scary but was obviously a feint. He would have expended far less energy simply blocking it than he had dodging so quickly… or did the wolf intentionally make the first blade weak so he wouldn’t dodge the second?

Amelie was the only one not fighting. She openly watched him and he smiled. She really wasn’t one to trust quickly.

He rushed forward. The wolf spat another blade. He struck it down with his own sword. A strong shock went through him. So it was a trick! He did not stop but charged again.

The wolf’s eyes lolled and he struck down upon its crown. Its HP bar fell to just a sliver and it stumbled. He struck again and it fell to the ground.

He took a breath and Amelie nodded approval. He shot her a quick salute.

She hesitated then nodded.

He charged forward and cut down another group then another. The more he fought the faster he killed, his blade flashing without failure. Every chance, he restored his flagging muscles. Wolves littered the prairie and he laughed aloud. This was how a man should live!

He rushed forward, beyond everyone else. A huge grin was on his face. Ha! He struck down three wolves with three strokes.

He tapped each with his boot and a few junk materials popped out along with another basic healing potion. He willed healing and the cooling mana flowed through him. He paused, realizing that he did not have to think of the specific elements but simply their effects and they would go forth. This would be much easier going forward.

Slowly, he recovered, then he froze. Everyone was silent, stock still. A hot breath blasted upon his neck and his blood ran cold.

He shot straight forward. Voosh! Steel claws missed him by inches.

He rushed onward then spun. Not twenty feet away, a huge wolf had spawned. Not gray but gleaming silver, it stood ten feet tall and glared at him with icy blue eyes. It bared silver teeth then spoke in a deep voice, “You dare kill my kin!?”

He gripped his sword tight. Wolf King!