Date: [14th Everdusk, 2103] — CGA Branch, Dyna Crest Country
"So kid, are you ready for the test?"
"Yes sir. Just got dazed seeing a dungeon like this… Even a high-ranking hunter looked shocked, like it was his first time witnessing something like it."
"You're not wrong," the officer chuckled. "Even I was baffled the first time I saw this place. But now… it's just another day at work."
I gave a small grin, nodding in understanding. Then I turned and approached the dungeon's entrance, ready to begin my test—only to be abruptly stopped.
A hand clutched my shoulder.
"Whoa there, kid. You planning to die in there?" The field agent gave me a baffled look. "Where's your armor? Your gear? And most importantly—your weapon?"
I paused, a little sheepish, and started equipping the few items I had. I couldn't even escape his grip until he was sure I'd listened.
"Listen, kid. You may not hear this again, so pay attention. Whenever you enter a dungeon, always suit up first. It might just save your life."
"Understood, sir. I won't forget your advice," I replied seriously.
I slung on my armor, fastened my gear, and nodded respectfully. Just before stepping through the gate, I glanced back.
"Oh, and sir—maybe the Branch Manager will drop by. She mentioned it on the call earlier."
Then I vanished inside, leaving the officer stunned.
"The manager...? This kid really is something. To have the Branch Manager supervise a basic field test…"
He sighed, turning toward a junior officer monitoring mana fluctuations from a nearby machine. "Keep watch. If this dungeon starts acting weird, I want a report immediately."
Inside the Dungeon
I found myself standing before a colossal mountain. A cave mouth yawned at its base, shrouded by dense forest behind me. I decided to scout the forest first—only to find it quickly obscured by a dense, fog-like wall. I couldn't push through.
"That's the limit, huh? Looks like the only way forward… is through that cave."
I turned back and approached the cavern.
The deeper I ventured, the darker and colder it became. The air grew heavy. Gloom seeped into the stone itself.
Sword marks scarred the cave walls—deep, furious slashes, long since dulled by time. Whether the boss made them in rage or some past challenger fought here, I couldn't tell.
Eventually, a soft glow pierced the darkness. I rushed forward, thinking it might be sunlight…
But what awaited me was far from natural.
Mana crystals embedded in the stone cast pale light across a massive chamber. Their shimmer danced like trapped starlight. I stepped inside.
And then—I saw him.
A skeleton, clad in knight's armor, sat slumped against the wall. A long, elegant sword stood planted beside him. Nearby, a pile of bones lay scattered—maybe from monsters he had fought, or creatures that died with him.
As I neared, a twitch ran through the knight's skeletal frame. I narrowed my eyes.
"Oi, come on now. I know you're the boss," I said with a smirk. "Get up already, you're the only… well, resident here."
The twitching grew violent. And then—
Fwoosh—!
Twin yellow flames blazed to life in his eye sockets.
He rose.
In one motion, he yanked his sword from the ground and took a combat stance. My system interface flickered to life—something it never did in normal dungeons.
{The Vengeful Spirit of the Stormblade Skeleton Knight (Lv.27) is emerging to eliminate the intruder.}
I blinked.
'...Oh boy. Guess today might be my funeral.'
The knight charged.
"Bro, can't we at least talk first—?!"
I dove aside just in time.
His sword slammed into the ground where I'd stood, sending a shockwave through the chamber. A deep scar split the stone. My eyes widened.
"Okay. Definitely a strength-focused build..."
I regained my footing and smiled faintly.
'Good news: his speed is just slightly higher than mine. That means I can catch up...'
But then reality slapped me.
I saw the damage from his single swing. It was massive.
"Let's test your defense now, you oversized blender!"
I activated my mage skill for the first time.
[Aracne Bolt] -15 MP
A bolt of condensed blue mana surged forward, slicing the air with a sharp hum. It aimed directly at the skeleton's chest.
He didn't dodge. Didn't flinch. Didn't even care.
And when it struck—
It barely scratched him.
The boss's HP bar dropped by less than 1%.
"...Huh?"
I stared in disbelief. His armor was untouched. It felt like I'd just thrown a pebble at a fortress wall.
'So that's it… Strength, Health, and Endurance. Classic knight class. Storm and Wind elements too, from the look of his passive aura.'
Not impossible… but far from easy.
Still, I had one more card up my sleeve. My trump card. If it worked, I could win this.
I activated the skill I'd been saving.
And that… might've been my biggest mistake ever.
To be continued...