81 First Floor.
Even after regaining my limbs, I crawled on the ground, gasping for breath and recovering from the intense battle. Glancing around the chamber, I surveyed the remnants of the Arachnarok Spider's web and scattered debris. Amidst the wreckage, I discovered several intriguing items:
1. Arachnarok Fang: A large, venomous fang known for crafting potent poisons. "It'll be useful in the future," I mused, pondering its purpose.
2. Silk Thread: Strands of durable spider silk, perfect for crafting lightweight yet sturdy materials.
3. Arachnid Carapace: A resilient section of the spider's exoskeleton, suitable for crafting armor or protective gear.
Though the skull was slightly cracked, with my sword still lodged inside, it remained undamaged. However, its size posed a challenge—I couldn't fit it in my bag.
"And last but not least," I thought, content as I pocketed the item.
4. Spiderling Egg Sac: A small, basketball-sized sac containing eggs. While not immediately useful, it could hold value for collectors or alchemists seeking rare ingredients. As for me, I had a perfect plan in mind—I promptly stowed the sac in my bag.
These spoils marked the fruits of my hard-fought victory.
...
"Gross."With a grimace, I yanked my sword from the Arachnarok Spider's head, recoiling at the gruesome sight of its innards.
Upon entering the first floor, the spider immediately sensed my intrusion and pounced on me without hesitation. I struggled, consumed all my potions, and nearly died multiple times during the arduous battle but ultimately emerged triumphant.
Now, the wide entrance to the next floor loomed just around the corner. According to Smokeball, each floor grows increasingly distinct, but I paid little heed to such details.
"Now, let's take a look at this," I said, initiating the system. To my astonishment, I discovered that I had ascended to the rank of a four-star mage.
"Congratulations, princess~," Blaze chimed in, his tone conveying a mix of praise and sarcasm.
Ignoring his comment, I focused on the system panel, which revealed significant changes since my last encounter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Status Window
Name: Ren Hilton
Age: 15
Race: Human
Strength: 75/100
Mana: 60/100
Intelligence: 9/10
Attributes:
- Fire (600/1000)
- Lightning (269/1000)
Spirits: 1/2
Skills:
1) Body Strengthening
2) Fireball
3) Inferno Bolt
4) Fire Tornado
5) Lightning Spear
...
Bloodline: Human
Bloodline Potential: 58%
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The confrontation with the Arachnarok Spider left a mark on my status. My strength surged to 75 out of 100, although it held little significance to my nonchalant existence. Similarly, the expansion of my mana to 60 out of 100 didn't capture my interest, despite its potential for prolonging spellcasting. My intelligence remained at 9 out of 10, showing a modest increase.
As for my bloodline, a consequence of my inconsequential heritage, it possessed a meaningless potential of 58%. Considering my limitations, I anticipated hitting a wall at the six-star level, beyond which further growth might prove challenging. Nonetheless, Ren's potential, though cut short in his game life, appeared relatively promising compared to most individuals in this world.
In summary, the encounter with the Arachnarok Spider momentarily impacted my status, along with the final notification:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
System notification!
Rewards for completing the first floor:
1)Ownership of this floor:
i) Perk: The host can deploy the Arachnarok Spider once a month.
(Note: The Deployed Entity can still be hostile towards the host.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's a mixture of better and worse," I muttered, finding the structure of the dungeon and its rewarding system rather unsettling.
"What's next?" I inquired, turning my attention to Blaze.
Wearing a demeaning expression, he suggested, "Why not consider taking a little rest? The next two floors are the easiest ones so far."
"What do you mean 'easy'?" I questioned, surprised that the dungeon's difficulty didn't increase with each floor.
"After the first floor, the next three floors are as follows: Second Floor: The Ruins of Desolation—a desolate and crumbling area filled with ancient ruins known for treacherous traps and undead creatures. Third Floor: The Labyrinth of Shadows—a maze-like labyrinth with twisting corridors and deceptive illusions, home to cunning creatures like goblins, harpies, and hounds, excelling in stealth and ambush tactics."
"And the fourth floor?" I pressed for more information.
"The fourth floor is the Caverns of Chaos. You'll find out once we get there, but for now, focus on the second and third floors. They are the easiest," Blaze explained, his forced smile bothering me.
Sighing, I furrowed my brows. "What's the catch?" I asked, sensing there was more to it.
Blaze flinched and replied awkwardly, "Well, umm... you see, they are a bit time-consuming."
I furrowed my brows further. "How long will it take?" I inquired, aware of the importance of time.
"Two... no, four months, to be exact. They aren't particularly difficult, but they are... well, sizable. You can't descend further until you've eliminated every single monster inside," Blaze answered.
Thud.
Frustrated, I cried out, dropping to the floor and lying down. "Argh! It's becoming tiresome."
Initially, I expected to reach the tenth floor within a maximum of four months. However, it seemed that reaching that point would take an eternity.
Blaze remained silent, understanding the value of time and the need to keep moving within and outside the dungeon.
The accumulating fatigue and mental strain became overwhelming. My mind could keep up, but my body couldn't.
Yawn.
It felt like I hadn't slept in ages. I decided to take a nap, as I often did, where I mentally replayed random events from my life, keeping mental notes of them. Now, as I drifted into slumber, a sense of calm washed over me.
...
I slept soundly, reminiscent of my habit of replaying single events in my mind. Suddenly, I jolted awake. Blaze? Blaze!
The hazy black smoke rose from my chest, and I asked, "How strong are the monsters on the floors below? The second and third floors?"
Perplexed, Blaze tilted his head. "What's this about?"
"Answer me! How strong are those bastards down there?" I pressed him.
"They are manageable for a two-star mage, but it will take them more time. If they tire out, they die," Blaze responded.
I sprang to my feet, gathering my belongings and tying my bag. I prepared myself.
Phew.
"System!" I exclaimed, gazing at the panel. Clicking on the dungeon option, I accessed the Dungeon Progress panel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[Dungeon Progress]
Floor 1: Cleared
Perks Acquired:
- Floor Ownership
- Deployment Access: Summon/?
Floor 2: In Progress
Perks Acquired:
- Null
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Wow, you're a smart ass," Blaze chuckled as he caught up to my thoughts.
I thought to myself, "I hope this works, or else I
'll be in trouble.' I didn't want to fight those creatures again.
*Gruh*
*Gruh*
*Gruh*
Gasping for air, I watched as the lifeless limbs of the Arachnarok Spider quivered with arcane energy. Piece by piece, its dislocated corpse twitched, realigning and reattaching with grotesque precision. Fragmented chitin and sinew slithered across the floor, weaving together in a macabre dance.
"Wow," I marveled as the spider's body fully regenerated, ready to continue its monstrous reign.
Roar.
-Haa, how could I forget? The moment this baby boy gets summoned, it attacks me—the very person who brought it back into this world, is hungry.
Turning around with the giant spider still following closely, I dashed towards the next dungeon floor.
Roar.
This creature could devour me at any moment.
'There it is!' I thought, spotting the curved cave-like entrance that led straight down.
'Now, please just follow me,' I silently prayed.
Roar.
Fueled by anger, the Arachnarok Spider jumped straight into the entrance, just like me—or perhaps to eat me.
Regardless, I had achieved what I wanted.
"I'm going to use this creature to clear the second floor. It should take less time than me grinding all alone," I declared, anticipating the thrill of the endeavor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The second floor of the dungeon was a vast expanse, with sprawling corridors, towering chambers, and grand dimensions that defied comprehension. Its labyrinthine network of passages twisted and turned endlessly, challenging even the most skilled adventurers to navigate its depths. The chambers were colossal in size, with towering ceilings and expansive walls that made one feel insignificant. The floor's sheer scale, combined with the presence of formidable creatures and treacherous traps, made it a formidable challenge to conquer. Exploring and conquering such an expansive and dangerous environment would undoubtedly require significant time and effort, explaining why it would take two months to complete the second floor of the dungeon.
As the Arachnarok Spider bounded into the entrance, It followed me closely behind, determined to make the most of its terrifying presence. The spider's massive form filled the narrow passage, its eight legs skittering against the rocky walls. Its chitinous exoskeleton glistened under the dim light, and its multiple eyes glowed with an eerie green hue.
'its finding it's prey.' I thought, I'll be its bait till we get to the real pedigree.
Gruh
I could hear the spider's low, guttural growls reverberating through the tunnels as it navigated the treacherous path. Its venomous fangs clicked together, a constant reminder of the danger it posed. The rhythmic scraping of its limbs against the stone echoed in the confined space, creating an atmosphere of tension and unease.
The air grew increasingly oppressive as we delved deeper into the second floor. The scent of decay and must have filled my nostrils, evidence of the decaying ruins that awaited us. The walls were adorned with ancient carvings, their intricate designs faded and worn. Shadows danced along the corridors, adding to the eerie ambiance.
Step*
With each step, I could feel the weight of the spider's presence, its formidable power radiating through the walls. Its monstrous form blocked out the feeble rays of light, casting a foreboding darkness that seemed to stretch on endlessly. Despite my resolve, a sliver of doubt crept into my mind. Is it enough?
Shss
The spider's movements became more deliberate, its senses attuned to the dangers lurking in the ruins. Its multiple eyes scanned the surroundings, capturing every subtle movement. As we ventured deeper into the labyrinthine corridors, the spider's legs began to tap against the ground with an unsettling rhythm, like a ticking time bomb ready to unleash its fury.
Occasionally, we encountered undead creatures, their decaying forms shambling towards us with malevolent intent. The Arachnarok Spider effortlessly dispatched them, its powerful limbs crushing bones and tearing flesh with ease. The sight was both awe-inspiring and horrifying, a testament to the spider's raw strength and predatory instincts.
As we pressed on, the spider's movements became more fluid, almost graceful despite its monstrous nature. Its massive form weaved through the ruins, navigating the crumbling structures with surprising dexterity.
Phew
"With this it should take at least half of the actual time to complete." I caught my breath.
"That was a genius move there, princess." Blaze complimented him,this guy is always silent in action."Now it can take care of the monsters on this floor all alone."
Unsheathing the sword, I swung it hard, killing the undead that crawled up to us
"No, I can't let it have all the fun by itself right,we are here to increase my strength."
