Book 3—Chapter 2: My first "Proper" Dungeon Run (Patreon)

The day after we cleared the valley, the three of us needed to rest. Even after casting Heal Muscle, my muscles ached, and I didn’t feel like moving a finger. I set up some lawn furniture outside the house, the metal chairs cool against my skin. We spent most of the day with our feet up, reading books. The rustle of pages and the soft wind were the sole noises disrupting the tranquil silence. Even Rue, usually on patrol, napped beside me with his head on my lap, his soft fur tickling my skin and his rhythmic breathing a soothing lullaby.

Lumis had such exceptional mana levels I loved. I went to bed with just under two hundred mana and woke up fully replenished, feeling the energy coursing through my body like a revitalizing river. I didn’t check my regeneration rate yesterday, but not having to worry about mana was fantastic. The air seemed to hum with magical energy, a constant, subtle vibration that I could almost taste on my tongue.

The next day, Mahya asked for all the crystals I had collected from the monsters. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as I brought them out. After gathering them all, we counted five hundred and thirty-seven crystals, ranging in size from a grain of rice to a pea. They glittered in the sunlight, each one a tiny prism casting rainbow reflections. Mahya wanted me to combine them into larger crystals, about the size of a grape.

I focused my mana, feeling the energy flow through my hands and into the crystals. They merged, the smaller ones melting into each other like water droplets. The process was mesmerizing; the crystals pulsed with an inner light as they grew. By the end of the process, we had seventy-four crystals of the desired size, each humming with condensed magical energy. Additionally, I discovered that my regeneration rate was twenty-eight units per minute, which was fantastic. The realization sent a thrill of excitement through me.

Mahya went back to playing with her motorbike. Al returned to the kitchen with the mushrooms, the earthy scent of fungi soon wafting out. I resumed practicing my flight skill, determined to master this new ability.

I connected to the wind again, feeling the familiar rush of air around me as I began to float. The second day was equally frustrating. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t move myself. The wind whipped around me, tousling my hair and clothes, but I remained stationary in the air. Only in the afternoon did I discover that by slightly reducing the connection between us, I could lower myself to the ground, and by strengthening the connection, I could rise higher. The sensation was exhilarating, like riding an invisible elevator. Other than that—nothing. I tried to think of ways to move forward, backward, or sideways with no success; my brow furrowed in concentration.

The wind didn’t cooperate with me either. I felt her amusement at my helplessness, like a playful giggle in the breeze. I thought that was why she didn’t help me; she found it funny to see me hanging in the air, stuck in place.

She wanted to keep playing with paper airplanes, so I made some and sent them flying. The crisp sound of folding paper and the swoosh of the planes cutting through the air filled the valley. She grabbed and tossed them all over, creating a whimsical aerial dance. Rue got excited about the game and began chasing the planes, his paws thundering against the ground as he ran. Occasionally, he tried to jump up and catch one, his powerful legs propelling him skyward. Each time he did this, the wind lifted the plane higher, just out of his reach, teasing him with a gust that ruffled his fur.

I thought he would get frustrated or angry, but judging by how his tail wagged, a blur of happy motion, he enjoyed the challenge. His tongue lolled out, and his eyes sparkled with joy. After a while, he approached me and said, “Wind good friend. Rue love wind.” Childlike glee filled his mental voice.

“You can communicate?” I asked, surprised, my eyebrows shooting up.

“Yes! John wind friend. Rue wind friend.” His tail wagged even harder, thumping against my leg.

It seemed I had an elemental dog. The realization was both exciting and overwhelming.

“Have you tried to connect to another element?” I asked him, curiosity coloring my voice.

“No! John friend element. Rue friend element. John first.” Loyalty and affection filled his mental voice.

How come my dog knew things before me? I shook my head in amazement, a rueful smile on my lips.

In the late afternoon, Al approached me with a murderous look. I immediately sensed something was wrong, tension radiating from him in palpable waves.

“What happened?” I asked, concern evident in my voice.

Without a word, he turned around, revealing holes in his pants on one of his buttocks and blood trickling down. The sight was both comical and alarming. “Pim,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice filled with anger.

I quickly healed his butt. I could feel the wound closing under my touch, the flesh knitting back together. Being friendly, I even cast Mend on his pants. The fabric stitched itself back together seamlessly, the torn edges reconnecting as if by an invisible needle and thread.

“Thanks,” Al muttered, the anger still simmering in his eyes, but gratitude softening his expression slightly.

“I thought you were in the kitchen all day. How did the pim get to you?” I asked, curious, and a bit baffled.

“I went to gather additional mushrooms,” he replied, shaking his head in frustration. “A single one of those cunning creatures was lurking beneath a particularly expansive cap.”

On our third day in the valley, I left my wind training. The constant failures weighed my mood down like a heavy cloud, leaving me feeling frustrated. I knew nothing would work with this mindset. I found the to-do list I had made for myself in the past, outlining the things I needed to practice, and began working on the points one by one. The familiar routine of focused practice was comforting, a welcome change from the unpredictable nature of wind manipulation.

• Practice mind-splitting and increase the number of splits.

• Practice mana control.

• Learn advanced aspects.

• Create a loot spell instead of just mana manipulation—may need two spells, one for monsters and the other for the rest.

• Build a ranged spell.

• Continue practicing affecting matter through mana.

• Learn how to channel external mana.

• Learn to channel mana through Rue.

• Wind or air spell.

• Find a painless way to enlarge the secondary channels.

• Selective Profile popping out.

The Selective Profile seemed most uncomplicated, so I practiced it first. I focused on manipulating the energy that formed my profile, visualizing it as a malleable construct that I could shape at will. After about two hours of intense concentration, beads of sweat forming on my brow, I could easily and quickly display only the parts I wanted from my profile. The sense of accomplishment was like a warm glow in my chest. Satisfied, I deleted this item from the list, the simple act of crossing it off, giving me a small thrill of progress.

Next, I added the following items to the list based on Lis’s instructions. However, I still didn’t feel confident enough to practice with the stones as he had instructed.

• Mana Sense.

• Mana Oneness with all the elements and progress to Unity.

• Moving things all over the Mana Sense Field.

• Rotating the stones around me.

I spread my mana sense as far as possible, pushing it further with each attempt. It was like stretching an invisible muscle, a strange sensation of expansion that bordered on discomfort. I estimated my mana sense had already reached nearly twenty meters around me. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride swelling in my chest. This felt like a monumental achievement, especially since I remembered Mahya mentioning that she could only extend her mana sense to three meters after years of training.

This piqued my interest, and I went looking for Al. I found him in the kitchen, chopping mushrooms. The rhythmic thud of the knife against the cutting board and the earthy scent of fresh fungi filled the air.

“Al, can you spread your mana sense?” I asked, leaning against the doorway, trying to keep my tone casual.

He looked up, slightly puzzled, but nodded. “Of course.” His hands continued their steady work, the blade flashing in the kitchen light.

“How far?” I pressed.

“In the immediate surroundings, spanning approximately ten meters around me,” he replied, continuing his task. The mushrooms were piling up, a colorful array of caps and stems.

“How long did it take you?”

“Over the course of several years,” he said, glancing at me. “What distance are you capable of reaching?”

“About twenty meters,” I answered, trying to sound casual but unable to keep a hint of pride from my voice.

He stopped chopping and looked at me like I was the alien. His eyes widened, and his mouth hung open slightly in disbelief. The knife hung forgotten in his hand, a piece of mushroom still clinging to its edge.

Hmm, in Lumis, I was actually an alien. That thought made me chuckle, and I didn’t miss the irony.

“What is causing the amusement?” He asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“I realized I’m an alien here.” I grinned, the absurdity of the situation hitting me anew.

“Yes, it also brought me a sense of amusement in my initial world. Now, I have become accustomed to it.” A small smile played on his lips.

I stepped back outside, the fresh air a welcome change from the mushroom-scented kitchen. I closed my eyes and deployed my mana sense again. The world around me came alive differently, every living thing pulsing with its own unique energy signature. I sat there for hours, pushing it further and further out as much as possible. The sun moved across the sky, its warmth on my skin shifting as I remained focused on my task.

At a certain point, I felt denser mana coming from a specific direction. My curiosity aroused, and I focused my sense in that direction as far as possible. I think I reached about fifty meters, but I wasn’t sure. The mana from that direction was richer, so I investigated the phenomenon.

I moved in that direction, feeling dirty mana enter my sensing sphere. The sensation was like walking through an invisible, slightly sticky fog. Determined to be smarter this time, I pulled out a crossbow, its weight reassuring. Sure enough, within two minutes, I saw a pim. Its yellow eyes gleamed with malice, its claws scraping against the ground as it approached. After I killed and converted it into a crystal, the familiar process of mana manipulation left me with a small, glowing gem, and I continued moving in that direction. Along the way, I had to kill seven more pims; each encounter was a brief process. My crossbow twanged repeatedly, bolts finding their marks with accuracy.

Finally, I came to a large rock with a black portal in its center. It looked eerily familiar, precisely like the doom portal I had seen in Tuonela. The portal pulsed with dark energy, making me shiver.

I found a dungeon!

My heart raced with excitement and a touch of apprehension. I quickly returned home to tell Mahya and Al about my find. Bursting through the door, I found them both sitting in the living room, engrossed in their activities. The soft whir of Mahya’s tinkering and the rustle of pages from Al’s book filled the room.

“I found a dungeon!” I exclaimed, barely able to contain my excitement. My words came out in a rush, my breath short from the run back.

They both looked up, surprise and curiosity lighting up their faces. Al set down his book with a soft thud, and Mahya paused her tinkering with something that looked like it came from the bike, a wrench still in her hand.

“That’s amazing!” Mahya said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Al nodded in agreement, a wide grin spreading across his face.

“I thought thirty-something mana worlds like Lumis didn’t have many dungeons. How did I find one in the first place we came to?” I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.

Mahya leaned back in her chair, thinking for a moment before responding. The leather creaked softly under her movement. “It’s not surprising at all. Mountains completely surround this valley with no passages in or out. So no one discovered this dungeon.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

It was already late afternoon, and the sun was casting long shadows across the room, so after consulting, we decided to “visit” the dungeon the next day. The anticipation of our upcoming adventure filled the air, a palpable excitement that made sleep difficult that night.

As we neared the dungeon entrance the following day, the air grew colder, sending a chill that felt like it was seeping into my bones. The black portal pulsed ominously, its dark energy starkly contrasting the bright day around us.

We stepped inside, and the first floor welcomed us with an eerie silence. The layout mirrored the outside, with ponds and large glowing mushrooms creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The thick and heavy air carried a musty scent that tickled my nose.

“Rue smells something dangerous,” Rue communicated telepathically, his childlike excitement tinged with caution. “Big teeth and sharp claws.” His fur stood on end, his body tense and alert.

“That will be pims,” Al said, hefting his mithril shield and sword. “Stay alert.”

Mahya turned to us, her eyes sharp. “John, be ready to heal. Al, take the lead with your shield. Rue, stay close to John and flank when necessary.” Her voice was calm but authoritative, a leader ready for battle.

I nodded, gripping my two swords like straight, shorter Katanas, feeling their reassuring weight in my hands. The leather-wrapped hilts were cool against my palms. We advanced cautiously, our footsteps echoing softly in the cavernous space.

The pims appeared from the shadows, their big yellow eyes gleaming with malice. Their low, menacing growls filled the air.

Mahya moved first, her MK47 carbine firing shots before she dashed forward with her sword, a blur of motion, her strikes precise and deadly. The loud bang of gunfire reverberated through the chamber, followed by the meaty thud of her sword finding its mark. I watched her back, ready to heal any wounds she might incur.

Rue charged in, his size and strength making him a formidable opponent. His mouth snapped shut on a pim, the crunch of bone audible even over the din of battle. Al stood his ground, his shield deflecting the pims’ attacks as his sword cleaved through their ranks. The sound of claws scraping against metal.

One of the pims lunged at me, but I was ready. I raised one of my swords, knocking the creature back with a resounding clang. With a rapid strike, I finished it, experiencing the force as my blade severed through its hide.

The battle was intense but brief, our combined skills overwhelming the creatures. The air was thick with the scent of blood and the acrid smell of spent gunpowder.

“Everyone okay?” Mahya asked, checking for injuries. Her gaze shifted between us, looking for any sign of harm.

“I’m good,” I replied, casting Clean on my swords. The blood and grime vanished from the blades, leaving them gleaming. Rue enthusiastically wagged his tail, completely unscathed, and Al gave a thumbs up with a nod.

With its ponds and giant glowing mushrooms, the first floor had an eerie, otherworldly atmosphere. The water in the ponds was dark and still, reflecting the soft glow of the mushrooms like black mirrors. The air was thick with spores, visible as tiny motes dancing in the light. Despite the serene appearance, danger lurked around every corner.

We encountered more pims, but they were no match for us. I relied on my abilities to heal and support, using Diagnose to assess the severity of injuries and Stop Bleeding to prevent any of my friends from losing too much blood—the soft glow of my healing magic blending with the light from the mushrooms. When Mahya took a hit that fractured her arm, I used Heal Bone to mend it quickly, feeling the bone knit back together with the spell.

As we progressed, the air grew thicker and the spores denser. The soft squish of our boots on the damp floor and the occasional splash, as we navigated around the ponds, were the only sounds breaking the eerie silence. The scent of decay and fungus filled my nostrils, a constant reminder of this place’s alien nature.

We found the first-floor guardian in a large, circular chamber. It was a massive pim, larger and more menacing than the others. Its eyes glowed with an eerie light, and its claws scraped against the stone floor as it advanced, sending shivers down my spine. The sound echoed ominously in the cavernous space.

“Spread out,” Mahya instructed. “John, keep us healed. Focus on taking it down, everyone.”

Mahya and Al moved in from opposite sides, their weapons at the ready. The soft metallic sound of blades being drawn filled the air. Rue circled, looking for an opening, his powerful muscles coiled and ready to spring. The guardian roared, the sound reverberating through the chamber and making my teeth rattle. It lunged at Al, who blocked with his shield. The force of the blow pushed him back, his boots skidding on the damp floor, but he held his ground.

Mahya struck from behind, her sword biting into the creature’s flesh with a sickening squelch. It howled in pain, the sound piercing our ears, and turned to swipe at her, but she was too quick, dashing out of its reach. Her agility was impressive, her movements fluid and precise. Rue leaped onto its back, biting and clawing, his weight causing the guardian to stagger. The creature’s roars of pain and frustration filled the chamber.

The guardian was strong; its hide was tough and resistant to our attacks. But our teamwork was stronger. As it staggered from Al’s strike, I stepped forward and shot it with crossbow bolts, one after the other. The twang of the bowstring and the thud of bolts finding their mark added to the din of battle.

With renewed vigor, Mahya and Al attacked in unison, their blades cutting deep. The guardian’s blood, a strange phosphorescent blue, splattered the ground. Rue tore at the creature’s back, his telepathic cheers spurring us on. “Rue is strong! Rue helps friends!”

The guardian roared one last time before collapsing to the ground, defeated. The sound of its massive body hitting the floor echoed through the chamber. We took a short break to catch our breath and heal.

The chamber was quiet now, the guardian’s body slowly disintegrating into the dungeon floor. I rushed to convert it before it dissipated completely, transforming it into a large, glowing crystal.

“One floor down,” Mahya said with a tired smile. “Now, let’s collect everything.”

It took us hours to harvest all the mushrooms and plants. The work was tedious, but necessary. We carefully uprooted each plant, the earthy smell of freshly turned soil filling the air. The mushrooms were slippery and sometimes required careful maneuvering to remove without damaging them.

Al let out shouts of joy every few minutes, his enthusiasm infectious. “This species is incredibly rare!” he would exclaim, or “The alchemical properties of this fungus are extraordinary!” His eyes sparkled with excitement as he carefully packed each specimen away. I remembered Lis once said Al was a fool for taking the Alchemist class, but it seemed that Lis was wrong. Al’s exclamations of excitement were so loud I thought he might start floating with happiness.

After we finished collecting all the plants, I handed them over to Al, as I had no use for them, and we collected the soil. After the soil, we collected the stones. It still seemed strange to me we collected the rocks, but what did I know? They knew better. The stones varied in size and color; some were smooth and jagged. As we worked, the soft clink of stone against stone filled the air.

When we finished the stones, Mahya said, “Now the water.”

I looked at her in shock and asked, “The water? Are you serious?” My voice tinged with disbelief.

“Yes,” she replied firmly. “We told you, we take everything.” Her tone left no room for argument.

Fortunately, some of my water tanks were empty. I felt uncomfortable storing water and letting it float around in my Storage. Collecting the water was time-consuming and messy. The water was icy and had a strange, metallic taste that lingered on my tongue when I accidentally drank some.

After hours of work, the first floor was finally bare. The once lush and mysterious cavern now looked barren and lifeless. We were exhausted, our clothes damp with sweat and dungeon water, our bodies sore from the constant work. We had no desire to move on to the next floor so tired, but I remembered that if we left, we wouldn’t be able to return until the dungeon regenerated.

Mahya positioned her camouflage poles, the shimmering field of energy providing a sense of security in this alien environment. I took out my glamping tent, which I hadn’t used since Shimoor. The familiar sight of it was comforting in this strange place. We ate some takeaway food, and the taste was a welcome reminder of home after the otherworldly experiences of the day. We split the night into shifts, each taking turns to watch while the others rested.

When we woke in the morning, a few new plants were emerging, tiny green shoots pushing through the barren floor, but no pims. That was a relief. The air felt fresher, as if the dungeon was slowly recovering from our thorough harvesting.

The air grew colder as we descended to the second floor, the darkness pressing in from all sides. Our light ball spells barely penetrated the gloom, casting long, eerie shadows. The eerie glow of the giant mushrooms added to the unsettling atmosphere, their bioluminescence creating patches of otherworldly light in the darkness. The creatures here were more numerous and aggressive, but we pressed on. I put my healing abilities to the test constantly, using Healing Touch to heal severe injuries and regrowing flesh for deep wounds.

Mahya’s agility was invaluable in the open spaces, darting between the glowing mushrooms and ponds, her MK47 carbine and sword striking with precision. The sharp crack of gunfire echoed through the caverns, punctuated by the wet sound of the bullet striking its mark. Al’s mithril shield and sword held the line against the relentless assaults, the ring of claws on metal a constant backdrop to our battles. Rue telepathically communicated vital information, helping us navigate the treacherous terrain. His voice was a combination of enthusiasm and resolve. “Danger ahead! Rue smells many bad things!”

The creatures here were larger and more cunning than the pims, attacking in coordinated waves. We had to adapt our tactics, fighting back with everything we had. Our teamwork and individual skills meshed seamlessly, each of us expecting the others’ moves and covering any weaknesses.

At one point, we entered a vast cavern, the ceiling lost in shadows. The sound of dripping water echoed around us, creating an eerie rhythm, and the ground was slick with moisture. Our footsteps splashed softly as we moved, the noise seeming to attract attention in the darkness. While we advanced cautiously, a pack of creatures resembling giant wolves ambushed us, their eyes glowing a menacing red in the dim light. The air filled with their low, threatening growls.

“Rue, flank them!” Mahya ordered, raising her rifle to provide covering fire. The muzzle flash lit up the cavern in brief, stroboscopic bursts.

Rue darted to the side, his telepathic laughter filling our minds as he engaged the wolves. “Rue is fast! Rue is strong!” His powerful form was a blur of motion in the gloom. Mahya glided like a ghost, her blades slicing through the air with lethal accuracy. Yelps of pain from the wolves followed the whistle of her sword, cutting through the air. Al stood beside me, his shield deflecting the wolves’ assaults while his sword sliced through them. The clang of claws on his shield and the wet thud of his sword finding its mark created a grim symphony of battle.

One wolf lunged at me, fangs gleaming in the dim light. But I was ready. I channeled mana into my sword, feeling the energy course through my arm and into the blade. I released a burst of energy that knocked it back, the wolf yelping in surprise and pain. With a swift motion, I finished it, feeling the resistance as my blade cut through its tough hide.

The fight was fierce, with the wolves fighting with a ferocity that matched our own. Their howls of rage and pain echoed through the cavern, creating a cacophony that made it hard to think. But we were stronger, and our combined skills overwhelmed them. As the last wolf fell, we took a moment to catch our breath, heal our wounds, and regroup. The cavern grew silent, apart from our heavy breathing and the constant water drip.

“Everyone okay?” Mahya asked, checking for any wounds.

Even though our voices were tinged with exhaustion, we answered in the affirmative. The toll of constant fighting was wearing on us, but we continued, determined to conquer this dungeon.

We continued through the second floor, encountering more wolves and other creatures emerging from the shadows. The battles were hectic, each a trial of our stamina and expertise. Yet, we forged ahead, committed to finish this dungeon. As we continued, the air thickened and filled with faintly glowing spores, creating an eerie atmosphere. The scent of decay and something alien filled my nose, a constant reminder of the otherworldly nature of this place.

The second-floor guardian was a serpentine creature, its scales glimmering in the torchlight. It moved with terrifying speed, its fangs dripping venom that hissed and smoked where it hit the ground. We fought hard, our movements a blur of steel and magic. I used Control Blood to stem the bleeding from Al’s wounds, feeling the flow of his life force respond to my will. When the creature’s venom found its mark, I quickly cast Neutralize Poison to counteract its effects, feeling the toxins dissipate under my touch.

The guardian was formidable, its attacks swift and deadly. Al took the lead, his shield taking the full force of the blows while Mahya and Rue attacked from the sides. The clang of the creature’s fangs on Al’s shield echoed through the chamber, interspersed with the sounds of Mahya’s sword finding its mark and Rue’s powerful jaws clamping down on the guardian’s scaly hide. I focused on healing, using every ability at my disposal to keep us in the fight.

The battle raged on, the guardian’s movements growing more erratic as it took damage. Its hisses of pain and rage filled the chamber, the sound seeming to shake the very air around us. With a final, coordinated effort, we brought it down. As it fell, I quickly converted it into a crystal the size of an orange.

After hours of work, the second floor was finally completely empty. On this floor, we collected similar things to the first one, but more of them and some ore. The process was exhausting, our muscles throbbing from the constant work. The ore was challenging to extract, requiring careful maneuvering to avoid damaging the valuable minerals. We were exhausted and didn’t want to continue to the next floor, so Mahya set up her camouflage poles again. After the intense battles and harvesting, I set up the glamping tent, the familiar routine a comfort. We ate, split the night into shifts among us, and went to bed, our bodies grateful for the rest.

The third floor was a labyrinth of twisting passages and hidden traps. The air here was different, heavier somehow, and filled with strange echoes that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. We moved cautiously, Rue’s keen senses alerting us to the dangers ahead. He gave us a constant stream of warnings, “Trap ahead! Smell danger! Many creatures near!” The creatures here were more cunning, using the terrain to their advantage. But we adapted, and the previous floors honed our teamwork.

At one point, a group of large pims ambushed us. They seemed to melt out of the shadows, their yellow eyes bright in the dim light. Mahya dashed along the walls, her blades flashing as she cut them down. The thud of monsters falling followed the sound of her sharp blades swishing through the air. Al and Rue held the line, their combined strength holding off the attackers. Al’s shield rang like a bell, deflected blow after blow while Rue bit any pim that got too close. I focused on healing, shooting bolts, and occasionally using my swords. The space was full of the sounds of battle—the twang of my crossbow, the clash of metal on metal, and the inhuman shrieks of the pims.

As we ventured further into the maze, the corridors appeared to twist and turn with no discernible pattern. The walls seemed to shift and change, hindering our ability to stay oriented. The creatures were relentless, attacking from the shadows and using the labyrinth to their advantage. But we pressed on, determined to reach the end. Our footsteps echoed strangely in the twisting passages, sometimes seeming to come from behind us or ahead of us, adding to the disorienting nature of the place.

We fought our way through to the third-floor guardian, a hulking brute with a massive club. It stood in a large, circular chamber, its club leaving craters in the floor with each impact. It swung wildly, the force of its blows shaking the ground and sending tremors through our bodies. Al took point, his shield taking in the full impact of the attacks. Mahya and Rue struck from the sides. The sound of the club impacting Al’s shield was like thunder, reverberating through the chamber.

I continuously employed my healing abilities, repairing wounds almost as rapidly as they occurred. I healed Al from a nasty blow that he took, feeling his cracked ribs knit back together under my touch. When Mahya suffered a deep gash on her leg, I used Regrow Flesh to mend it, watching as the torn muscle and skin reconnected.

The guardian wouldn’t let up, hitting us harder as we fought back. Yet, we resisted with all our strength. Our combined efforts slowly overwhelming it. Mahya’s blade found chinks in its armor, Rue’s jaws clamped down on its limbs, and Al’s sword struck true repeatedly. Battle filled the air with the sounds of metal clanging, the guardian roaring, and us shouting with exertion and determination.

At last, with a crushing blow, we defeated the guardian, its last scream echoing through the dungeon. The ground shook as it fell, and then silence descended, broken only by our heavy breathing. Again, after converting the Guardian into a large, glowing crystal, we harvested the floor. Now, there were fewer plants but a lot of stone and ores. The work was grueling, our muscles aching from the constant work. I repeatedly cast Heal Muscle on the three of us to keep working. I had to enlarge my Storage again, feeling the strange sensation of my internal space expanding. I suspected I went overboard with my shopping on Earth—amount-wise. Now, my Storage was 85,184 m3—the size of a long and wide warehouse. The thought was both exhilarating and a little frightening.

It took us two days to harvest the floor, and we occasionally got lost in the labyrinth. But finally, it was a bare space. After another day to rest and recuperate, we moved on.

The fourth floor was a stark contrast to the previous ones. The air seemed to grow colder, with a chill that seemed to seep into our bones. The walls seemed to close in, the sense of dread growing with each step. Strange whispers echoed in the darkness, just on the edge of hearing. The creatures here were twisted and deformed, their very presence a testament to the dark magic that permeated the dungeon. Each encounter left us feeling drained, not just physically, but mentally as well.

We fought hard, and each encounter tested our resolve. I used the Neutralize Curse to protect us from the dark magic, feeling the evil energy dissipate under my touch. I also occasionally cast Fortify Life Force to counter the life-sucking effect of this floor.

Mahya’s agility and speed were crucial, and her blades were a blur as she cut through the creatures. Al’s shield and sword were a beacon of strength, the clang of his shield deflecting attacks a constant rhythm in our battles. Rue’s telepathic encouragement kept our spirits high, his mental voice a mix of determination and fierce joy. “Rue is strong! Rue protects friends!”

The creatures here were more powerful, their attacks infused with dark magic that seemed to sap our strength with each blow. They seemed to come from every direction, and their twisted form was a nightmare. The atmosphere pulsed with sinister energy, and bizarre, ghostly wisps of darkness clung to our weapons and armor. Nevertheless, we fought it with every ounce of strength we possessed.

At one point, we found ourselves in a large chamber. The floor crunched under our feet, littered with bones, and the walls exuded dark mana that felt ominous. As we moved cautiously forward, a group of creatures that appeared to slither out of the walls ambushed us. Their forms constantly shifted, making landing a solid blow difficult.

“Stay together,” Mahya instructed, her voice tense but controlled. “Don’t let them separate us.”

Mahya moved like a shadow, her blades cutting through the air with deadly precision. Shrieks of pain from the creatures followed the flash of her sword. Al stood at my side, his shield absorbing the brunt of the creatures’ attacks. Rue darted in and out as he engaged the creatures, his teeth clamping down on anything within reach. His mental voice was a constant stream of fierce determination. “Rue fights! Rue protects!”

I alternated between healing and offense, my hands glowing with healing energy one moment and wielding my weapons the next. The soft purple light of my healing magic contrasted with the oppressive darkness around us.

The battle was intense, with the creatures fighting with ferocity. Their shrieks filled the air, a cacophony that made my ears ring. But we were stronger, our combined skills overwhelming them. As the last creature fell, the chamber fell silent, save for our heavy breathing and the persistent, unsettling whispers that seemed to come from the walls themselves.

“Everyone okay?” Mahya asked, already scanning for injuries. Her eyes darted from one of us to the other, searching for any sign of harm.

“Just a scratch,” I replied. Rue wagged his tail, uninjured, while Al gave a thumbs up, though his breath was heavy from exertion.

We pressed on, encountering more twisted creatures and other horrors that seemed to crawl from the walls. The fights were relentless, each a test of our endurance and skill. But we pushed through, determined to reach the end. The oppressive atmosphere of the fourth floor weighed heavily on us, each step feeling like we were wading through thick mud.

The fourth-floor guardian was a nightmare made flesh. It was a mass of writhing tentacles and eyes, its very form challenging our sanity. The surrounding air shimmered with dark energy, and the ground seemed to warp and twist beneath its bulk. We fought with everything we had; our attacks were coordinated and relentless.

I used Fortify Life Force to keep us going, feeling my energy drain as I bolstered my friends. My mana reserves dwindled as the battle raged, each healing spell taking its toll. The guardian’s lightning-fast tentacle strikes tested Mahya’s agility as she dodged them and sought vulnerable spots with her flashing blade. Al stood firm, his shield a bulwark against the onslaught, while Rue darted in and out, tearing at the guardian’s flesh.

The guardian was relentless, its attacks growing more desperate as it took damage. The atmosphere was filled with sinister energy, and the very nature of reality seemed to warp before us. But we fought back with everything we had. With each successful strike, the guardian’s form seemed to destabilize further, its mass of tentacles and eyes twisting in ways that defied physics.

With a final, decisive blow, we brought the guardian down, its death throes echoing through the chamber. The ground rocked, and for a moment, it felt like the entire dungeon might collapse around us. As the guardian’s form began to disintegrate, I rushed forward and converted it to a crystal, feeling the rush of mana as it transformed into a large, pulsing gem.

After the intense battle, we agreed to harvest the floor only the next day. We were too tired, our bodies and minds pushed to their limits by the nightmarish encounters on the fourth floor. As we set up our camp, the unsettling whispers of the dungeon seemed to grow quieter, as if our presence exhausted it. It took us another three days to harvest the floor thoroughly, and Mahya and Al had to enlarge their Storage. I was still good, but not for long.

The moment we stepped onto the fifth floor, the surrounding air changed. It became heavy and oppressive, as if the atmosphere was alive and aware of our presence. The darkness swallowed the light from our light balls, barely illuminating a few feet ahead. Strange, shifting shadows danced at the edge of our vision, always disappearing when we tried to focus on them.

“Stay close,” Mahya whispered, her voice muffled in the strange air. “Something’s not right here.” Her eyes darted around, searching for hidden threats.

As we cautiously moved forward, the floor beneath our feet shifted and changed. What started as solid stone gradually gave way to a strange, spongy material that seemed to pulse with an inner life. Each step produced a soft, squelching sound that sent shivers down my spine. The walls, too, began to twist and undulate as if we were walking through the innards of some colossal beast. The air smelled strange, a mix of ozone and something organic that I couldn’t quite identify.

“By the Spirits,” Al muttered, his eyes wide with awe and fear. “What manner of place is this?” His ordinarily stoic demeanor shaken, and his grip on his shield tightening visibly.

Before anyone could respond, a deep, reverberating voice echoed through the chamber, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere. It didn’t speak any language I knew, but I understood it nonetheless, the words bypassing my ears and resonating directly in my mind.

“INTRUDERS,” it boomed, air vibrating with each syllable. “YOU HAVE PERSEVERED THROUGH MY TRIALS, BUT YOUR JOURNEY ENDS HERE.” The voice was ancient and powerful, with malice that made my skin crawl.

Suddenly, the organic matter around us came alive. Tendrils shot out from the walls and floor, writhing and grasping at us. We sprang into action, our earlier “training” on the other floors paying off as we moved with renewed vigor. The air filled with the sound of tearing flesh as we fought against the living dungeon itself.

Mahya’s rifle cracked, each shot severing a tendril with surgical precision. It illuminated the chamber in brief, stroboscopic bursts. Al’s mithril sword flashed in the dim light, cleaving through the attacking appendages with a wet, slicing sound. Rue’s jaws snapped shut on any tendril that came too close, his mental voice a constant stream of determined growls. “Rue protects friends!”

As for me, I alternated between offense and defense. My twin swords sliced through the organic matter while my staff deflected attacks aimed at my friends. It took me a few minutes to get the timing right between storing the swords or staff and getting the next weapon, but quickly I got the hang of it. The surrounding air crackled with energy as I channeled mana into my weapons, each strike leaving a trail of purple light in its wake.

But for every tendril we cut down, two more seemed to take its place. The voice spoke again, its tone mocking, sending vibrations through my body.

“FOOLISH MORTALS. YOU CANNOT HOPE TO DEFEAT ME. I AM THE DUNGEON GUARDIAN. I AM ETERNAL.”

With those words, the chamber’s structure began shifting and morphing. The ceiling descended, threatening to crush us. The floor rippled and buckled, throwing us off balance. And from the churning mass of organic matter, a colossal form took shape.

It was a nightmarish fusion of every creature we had faced in the dungeon thus far. I could see elements of the pim, the wolves, the giant snake, and the tentacled creatures, all melded into a chimeric abomination that defied comprehension. At its core, pulsing with evil energy, was what could only be the creature’s heart—it pulsated black and red and sent out a strange mana that tasted like blood and rot in my mouth. The air around it shimmered with dark energy, and reality itself seemed to warp in its presence.

Mahya reloaded her rifle with practiced ease, the click of the magazine sliding home unnaturally loud in the tense atmosphere. “That thing looks like it could shrug off a barrage of artillery,” she commented, her voice tight with concern. It didn’t make me feel very reassured.

Al hefted his shield, his jaw set in determination. “We will need to increase our efforts,” he said, his voice steady despite the fear evident in his eyes.

I quickly assessed our situation, my mind racing through potential strategies. The guardian was immense, its various parts working in deadly harmony. We needed to disrupt that harmony, to create an opening for a decisive strike. I felt the weight of our situation, but I refused to let it bring me down.

“Okay, here’s what we do,” I said, ducking under a swipe from a massive, clawed appendage. The rush of air from the near-miss ruffled my hair. “Mahya, I need you to target its sensory organs – eyes, ears, anything that looks like it might be used for perception. Al, keep its attention. Make it focus its attacks on you. Rue, you’re our wild card. Use your speed and agility to harass it from different angles. Keep it off balance.”

“What about Rue’s John?” he asked, his mental voice tinged with curiosity and eagerness.

I grinned despite the dire situation. “Me? I’m going for that core. I’ll use every trick in my arsenal to get close and take it out. But I’ll need all of you to give me that chance.” I could feel the mana surging within me, ready to be unleashed.

My friends nodded, their faces set with grim determination. We had come too far to falter now.

“Alright then,” I said, gripping my swords tightly, feeling the leather beneath my fingers. “Let’s show this dungeon why it should never have let us get this far.”

With that battle cry, we launched ourselves at the guardian, each of us focused on our roles in this desperate plan. While Mahya shot the creature’s sensory organs and Al made it angry with his swings, I powered up my mana for the most crucial battle ever. This was it—the ultimate test of our skills, our teamwork, and our determination. Whatever the outcome, I knew this would be a battle we’d never forget.

The battle against the dungeon’s guardian was unlike any challenge we had encountered. Its massive form twisted and writhed, its disparate parts working in nightmarish harmony to repel our assault. The air crackled with malevolent energy, and the very fabric of reality seemed to warp around us. Strange, discordant sounds filled the chamber—a mixture of inhuman shrieks, the wet squelch of moving flesh, and an underlying, pulsing rhythm that I realized was the guardian’s heartbeat.

Mahya’s rifle sang a staccato rhythm, each shot finding its mark with unerring precision. I watched in awe as she used her wall-dash ability to stay mobile, bouncing off the undulating surfaces of the chamber to maintain her vantage points. Her movements were blurry, defying gravity as she weaved between the guardian’s attacks. “Keep it distracted!” she shouted, her voice barely audible amidst the chaos of combat.

Al was a formidable opponent, his mithril shield ringing like a war drum as it blocked blow after blow. His sword flashed in deadly arcs, severing tendrils and gouging deep wounds in the guardian’s ever-shifting form. Sweat poured down his face, his muscles straining with each impact. “Whatever plans you may have, John,” he grunted between strikes, his breath coming in quick gasps, “It is in your best interest to act quickly. I am unable to sustain this indefinitely.”

Rue was a blur of motion, his massive form belying an incredible agility. He skillfully avoided the guardian’s attacks and chewed on its weak spots. The air filled with the sounds of tearing flesh and the guardian’s pained roars. “Rue is best wild card!” his mental voice shouted, a mix of excitement and determination. “Rue will not let friends down!” His loyalty and courage were inspiring, pushing me to fight harder.

I was pushing myself to limits I never knew I possessed. I alternated between my staff and swords, my Wizard Battle Master training allowing me to exploit every opening they created. But I knew that conventional weapons alone wouldn’t be enough to bring down this monstrosity. The guardian’s regenerative abilities were astounding, wounds closing almost as quickly as we could inflict them.

I wove my mana into increasingly complex patterns, combining my healing and offensive abilities in ways I had never attempted before. My Control Blood ability, usually used for healing, I now turned into a weapon, disrupting the flow of vital fluids in the organic parts of the guardian. I could feel the creature’s life force pulsing through its veins, and with a twist of my will, I caused that flow to stutter and falter. Purify and Cleanse, typically used to remove toxins and dirt, I channeled into blasts of pure, destructive energy. Each spell struck the guardian like a hammer blow.

But the guardian was relentless. Every wound we inflicted seemed to regenerate twice as fast. Its attacks grew more frantic and desperate. It was like we were on the verge of victory and on the edge of defeat. The chamber itself seemed to work against us, the floor shifting unpredictably, making it challenging to maintain our footing.

Then, in a moment of clarity amidst the chaos, I saw our opportunity. The guardian’s core, pulsing with dark energy, became visible for a split second as it reared back for a massive attack.

“Everyone, to me!” I shouted, my voice carrying amidst the chaos of the fight. As everyone came over, I gave them a quick rundown of my plan. “I’m going to create an opening, but I’ll need every ounce of power you can give me. When I give the signal, hit it with everything you’ve got!”

Without waiting for a response, I channeled every bit of mana and life force I could muster. I drew upon every ability I possessed, weaving them into a single, concentrated point of power. Everything started looking strange around me, like reality was warping because of the crazy energy I was playing with. I could feel the mana flowing through me, more than I had ever channeled before, threatening to overwhelm my senses.

“John,” Mahya’s worried voice cut through my concentration. “Whatever you’re doing, it’s tearing you apart!” Her concern was obvious, but I couldn’t afford to lose focus now.

She was right. I could feel my body beginning to break down under the immense strain. My muscles burned, my vision blurred, and I could taste blood in my mouth. But I couldn’t stop now. We were too close.

With a primal roar that I scarcely recognized as my own, I released the pent-up energy in a searing beam of pure, unfiltered power. It struck the guardian’s core like a battering ram, creating a spiderweb of cracks across its surface. The sound was deafening, like a thousand thunderclaps compressed into a single instant. The air itself seemed to ignite, filled with crackling energy and the acrid scent of ozone.

“NOW!” I screamed, my voice raw with exertion. My body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending alight with pain and the rush of power.

My friends didn’t waste any time. Mahya emptied her rifle into the weakened center, each shot widening the cracks. The muzzle flash illuminated the chamber in rapid bursts, like lightning in a storm. Al charged forward, his sword plunging deep into the fissures. The blade glowed with an inner light as it pierced the guardian’s defenses. Rue jumped and bit down hard on the fragile surface. His mental voice was a wordless howl of triumph and effort.

For a moment, everything seemed to hang in perfect stillness. The chaos of battle faded away, and I could hear nothing but the pounding of my heart. Then, with a sound like a thousand thunderclaps, the guardian shattered like glass.

The effect was immediate and catastrophic. The guardian’s shape crumbled, its monstrous blend of creatures and elements breaking apart. Waves of energy pulsed outward, shaking the very foundations of the dungeon. The chamber’s walls crumbled as large pieces of the ceiling fell to the ground. The air filled with dust and debris, making it hard to breathe or see.

“We need to get out of here!” Al shouted, already moving towards what looked like an exit. His voice was barely audible over the sound of the collapsing dungeon.

“We need the core. I’m not leaving without it,” Mahya shouted in answer, her determination unwavering even in the face of imminent danger. With a display of acrobatic prowess that left me in awe, she ran up the crumbling wall, defying gravity to grab the core hovering near the ceiling. She landed gracefully beside us, clutching the pulsing heart of the dungeon tightly in her hand.

“Touch it to get the rewards,” she said in an urgent voice.

When I touched the core, a staff and armor fell to the floor. I stored them without checking. I was too out of it.

Al and Mahya ran around, storing all the falling stones and everything else around them, and began moving toward the exit.

But as I tried to follow, I found my legs wouldn’t respond. The massive expenditure of energy had left me completely drained. I could feel consciousness slipping away, my vision growing dark around the edges. The world seemed to tilt and spin around me, and I knew I was moments away from collapse.

The last thing I remember was the sensation of being lifted, Rue’s mental voice echoing in my mind. “Rue not leave John! Rue save his friend!” The loyalty and determination in his thoughts gave me a last surge of hope.

As darkness claimed me, I caught a fleeting glimpse of light ahead—the exit, our salvation. We had done it. We had conquered the dungeon, defeated its guardian, and lived to tell the tale.

I woke up in my bed with the worst headache I’ve ever had in my life, and my mouth felt like the Sahara Desert combined with the sensation that something had died inside of it. When I tried to move, I found that my whole body hurt, too. I attempted to cast Healing Touch on myself, and I almost screamed in pain. All my magical channels burned as if lava flowed through them. I lay in bed, feeling miserable. After some time, I took out a bottle of water from my Storage. Even that small action made my channels burn.

After a while, Mahya came to check on me and saw that I was awake. “Thank the spirits you’re awake!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with relief.

“How long was I unconscious?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

“Three days,” she replied, her eyes full of concern.

“Wow,” I muttered, the reality of my condition sinking in.

Mahya didn’t waste any time. She brought me food and drink, carefully helping me sit up to eat. Her gentle touch and soothing presence made the ordeal more bearable. She dabbed my forehead with a damp cloth and whispered words of comfort, showing her unwavering commitment.

Over the next three days, Mahya stayed by my side, tending to my needs and ensuring I had everything required for a swift recovery. She would often place her hand on my forehead, checking for fever, and meticulously measured potions she gave me to aid my healing.

It turned out that Al had been working tirelessly for two days straight to prepare potions that would help me recover.

“You’re getting stronger each day,” she said, her smile warm and encouraging. “Just take it easy.”

Slowly, my channels returned to normal, and I could finally cast Healing Touch on myself without the searing pain. Each successful cast brought me closer to feeling human again, and Mahya’s care was a constant source of strength.

On the sixth day, I finally felt well enough to sit up without help. “Thank you, Mahya,” I said, my gratitude clear in my tone. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

She blushed slightly, waving off the praise. “Just doing what needed to be done.”

Feeling significantly better, I remembered the two items I got from the dungeon. With some effort and slight pain, I pulled them out of my Storage. As the items appeared in front of me, I was stunned by their magnificence.

I used Identify on the staff:

Mystic Healer’s Staff

Item Type: Magical Staff
Description: This elegantly crafted staff is made from ancient, enchanted oak. It is adorned with intricate mithril inlays, forming a continuous pattern of runes along its length. At the top of the staff rests a large, polished crystal orb that shimmers with a soothing light.
Properties:

• Enhanced Healing: Increases the potency of all healing spells and abilities by 50%, allowing for more efficient restoration of health.

• Mana Conservation: Reduces the mana cost of healing spells by 30%, enabling the wielder to cast more spells without quickly depleting their magical reserves.

• Rejuvenation Aura: Passively emits an aura that slowly restores the health and mana of allies within a 10-meter radius, providing a steady stream of regenerative energy.

• Radiant Glow: The orb at the top of the staff emits a gentle, pulsating light that comforts and rejuvenates those nearby, adding a calming presence to the environment.

Appearance: The Mystic Healer’s Staff stands at approximately six feet tall, with a smooth and polished surface that is comfortable to hold. The mithril inlays catch the light beautifully, creating a mesmerizing effect as the wielder moves. At the heart of it all is the crystal orb at the top, casting an otherworldly glow that acts as a focal point for both the eyes and the soul. The staff’s design is both elegant and functional, embodying a timeless beauty that complements its powerful enchantments.

Lore: An ancient order of Druids dedicated to preserving life and harmony crafted this Mystic Healer’s Staff. Passed down through generations, each wielder added their own enchantments and blessings, making it one of the most revered and powerful healing artifacts known.

Next, I Identified the armor:

Aegis of the Light

Item Type: Magical Leather Armor
Description: Crafters create this extraordinary set of armor by combining the supple, enchanted leather of a mystical beast known as the Lunar Wyvern with mithril plating on vulnerable points for added protection. The armor exudes an aura of divine protection and unwavering strength. It consists of a jacket and pants worn over regular clothes. It provides excellent mobility and comfort while ensuring robust defense. Intricate engravings adorn each piece, emitting a faint golden light.

Properties:

• Dark Magic Resistance: Provides 60% resistance to dark magic, creating a powerful barrier that absorbs and deflects harmful spells and curses.

• Enhanced Fighting Prowess: Increases the wearer’s strength, agility, and endurance by 25%, enhancing their combat abilities and providing a decisive edge in battle.

• Radiant Shield: Grants the ability to project a radiant shield of light that provides temporary invulnerability to dark magic and significantly reduces physical damage for 10 seconds.

• Valor’s Aura: Emits an aura that boosts the morale and fighting spirit of allies within a 15-meter radius, granting increased resistance to fear and enhancing their combat effectiveness.

Appearance: The Aegis of the Light features a stylish, dark blue leather jacket and pants made from the mystical hide of the Lunar Wyvern. It incorporates strategic placement of mithril plating on the shoulders, elbows, knees, and chest to provide enhanced protection. Intricate engravings adorn each piece, depicting ancient symbols of protection and valor glowing with a faint golden light. The armor is both lightweight and incredibly durable, offering unparalleled mobility and defense.

Lore: Master Smiths forged the Aegis of the Light using the enchanted leather of the elusive Lunar Wyvern and blessed mithril under the guidance of a powerful archangel. Afterward, they bestowed this sacred armor upon a legendary hero destined to combat the rising tide of darkness. Passed down through generations, many great champions have worn the armor, each adding their own blessings and enchantments.

“They’re amazing,” I said, my voice filled with awe. Mahya’s eyes widened as she examined the items.

“Mystic Healer’s Staff,” she murmured, running her fingers gently over the runes. “This will amplify your healing abilities significantly and help conserve your mana.”

“And this armor,” I added, admiring the Aegis of the Light. “It’s designed to protect against dark magic and enhance fighting prowess.”

Mahya nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “With these, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”

Well, I always claimed that I didn’t want to fight. But if those were the rewards, I thought I might reconsider my stance on the matter. I still didn’t see myself as a fighter, and I would defuse situations when possible. However, as far as I was concerned, dungeons were fair game from now on.