The next morning, Rei woke up to the lingering soreness from the previous day's intense training. His muscles ached with every movement, but the anticipation bubbling inside him overshadowed the fatigue. Today was the day he would step into his first dungeon.
Varen stood in the courtyard, arms crossed as he watched Rei approach. The older man's sharp gaze held a hint of amusement. "You look like hell, kid. Didn't get enough sleep?"
Rei stretched his arms with a groan. "Sore as hell, but I'll live." He took a deep breath and grinned. "I'm ready."
Varen smirked. "We'll see about that. Before we head out, there are some things you need to understand about dungeons. They're not just caverns filled with monsters. They have their own laws, and if you don't respect them, you won't make it past the first floor."
Rei's expression turned serious. "I'm listening."
Varen nodded approvingly. "First and foremost, the level restriction rule. Anyone above level 100 cannot harm or affect anything below level 100 inside the dungeon."
Rei blinked. "Wait… what? So, if you're level 100 or higher, you literally can't touch enemies that are below that?"
"Exactly." Varen's tone was firm. "It's a failsafe put in place by the system to prevent high-level adventurers from farming low-level dungeons or interfering with weaker challengers. That means, no matter what happens in there, I won't be able to fight for you."
Rei swallowed hard, his excitement dimming slightly. He had been training hard, but the thought of clearing an entire dungeon alone made his stomach twist. Still, he clenched his fists. This was his chance to prove himself.
"Understood," he said. "I'll handle it."
Varen grinned. "That's what I like to hear. Now, the second rule—safe zones. Each floor has at least one designated safe spot where monsters can't enter, and you can't be harmed."
Rei exhaled in relief. "That's good to know. How do I find these safe zones?"
"You don't need to search for the first one; the moment you enter a dungeon, you'll be transferred directly to the safe zone of the first floor," Varen explained. "After that, if you need to return to one while exploring, look for a glowing light on your map. Safe zones stabilize your mana, ease your fatigue, and give you time to regroup. But don't get too comfortable—you won't gain experience while inside, and some dungeons even have traps that can deactivate them."
Rei absorbed the information carefully. "Got it. Safe zones are for resting, not hiding."
Varen nodded. "Exactly. Now, onto the last and most important rule—floor progression. Unlike games where you clear floors by killing all the monsters, dungeons in this world require you to complete a specific mission before you can advance."
Rei frowned. "Missions? Like what?"
"They vary from floor to floor," Varen explained. "Some require you to defeat a certain enemy, while others might have you finding a hidden item, solving a puzzle, or even escorting an NPC safely to an exit. There's no one-size-fits-all method. You'll need to stay sharp."
Rei exhaled slowly. "So, mindless fighting won't cut it."
"Exactly. That's why you've been training—to learn how to think in combat, not just react." Varen's gaze was sharp. "You'll have to figure out each floor's objective and adapt. If you rush in blindly, you'll die."
Rei clenched his fists. The dungeon was turning out to be far more complex than he had imagined. But he had no intention of backing down. This was his first real test.
Varen placed a hand on his shoulder, his expression serious. "This dungeon is just the beginning. Survive this, and you'll take your first real step toward strength."
Rei met his gaze with determination. "Then let's do this."
Varen chuckled. "That's the spirit. Grab your gear—we leave now."
Rei adjusted the straps on his armor and checked his dagger before following Varen out of the courtyard. As they walked through the city streets, his mind buzzed with anticipation. The dungeon they were heading to was called the Hollow Warren, a beginner-level dungeon notorious for its unpredictable missions.
The entrance lay deep in the wilderness outside the city, marked by a towering stone archway covered in glowing runes. A ripple of energy coursed through the air, and the moment Rei stepped through, the world around him shifted.
He blinked. One moment, he was in a dense forest, and the next, he was inside a vast stone chamber. The air felt different—heavier, charged with something unseen. The walls were lined with intricate carvings, and in the center of the room, a glowing circle pulsed softly.
Varen's voice echoed behind him. "This is the first safe zone. Take a moment to get used to the dungeon's atmosphere."
Rei inhaled deeply. The fatigue from his journey and training faded slightly. The safe zone's effects were subtle but noticeable. However, beyond the chamber's entrance, the darkness of the dungeon loomed.
Varen pointed to the glowing circle. "This is the safe zone's marker. If you find one on a deeper floor, step inside to activate it. It'll be your sanctuary."
Rei nodded, then turned toward the exit. "What's the mission for this floor?"
Varen smirked. "That's for you to figure out."
Rei blinked. "Wait, you're not going to tell me?"
"Nope." Varen leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Consider this part of the challenge. Use your head, kid."
Rei let out a sigh. "Fine. I'll do it my way."
Steeling himself, he stepped beyond the safe zone and into the unknown. The moment he did, the runes on the walls flared to life, and a message appeared in the air before him.
Mission: Clear the First FloorObjective: Eliminate 10 Shadow Rats and retrieve the Dungeon Core Fragment.
Rei exhaled. "Alright… let's do this."
Varen's voice echoed from behind. "Good luck, kid. You're on your own from here."
Rei's heart pounded as he took his first real step into the dungeon. The test had begun.