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**Beijing, Dragon Empire Alliance, June 15, 2045**
Lin Feng bolted through Beijing's neon-lit streets, dodging drones and street vendors hawking mana-infused skewers. Xiaohuo, his Flame-Tailed Drakeling, clung to his shoulder, wings flapping as he growled, "Slow down, human! I'm not your jetpack!" A stray spark singed Lin's ear, making him yelp.
"Watch the flames, you little pyro!" Lin snapped, clutching his **F-Rank Dungeon Pass** and **Mystery Egg** in his pack. The egg's red-gold veins pulsed at 15% hatch progress, teasing a new dragon that had Xiaohuo in a jealous huff. With **3500 System Points**, Lin could hatch it now, but he was saving for a **Mana Ring** or a surprise from the [System Shop].
His stats flashed:
**[Status: Lin Feng, Level 7]**
- **Stats**: Strength 27 (22 +5 from Iron Bracer), Agility 29 (24 +5 from Swift Boots), Intelligence 20, Vitality 16, Luck 14
- **Skills**: [Dragon Bond Lv. 1], [Dragon Claw Strike Lv. 1], [Celestial Evasion Lv. 1], [Dragon Roar Lv. 1], [Dragon Scale Armor Lv. 1], [Dragon Flame Burst Lv. 1]
- **Pet**: Xiaohuo (Flame-Tailed Drakeling, Level 7, Evolves at Level 10, Skills: Ember Shot Lv. 2, Drake Slash Lv. 2, Flame Pulse Lv. 2, Fire Wing Slash Lv. 2)
- **System Points**: 3500
- **Inventory**: Mystery Egg, Alpha Fang, Crimson Pelt, Wolf Pelts x9, Rat Tail Bundle x5, Mana Shards x4, Shadowclaw Claw, Serpent Fang, Ironroot Core, Treant Bark, Iron Bracer, Swift Boots, Flame Drake Talisman, Mana Vial
The [System]'s quest screamed urgency: **[Quest: Clear Two F-Rank Dungeons by June 21. Reward: 800 System Points, Random Dragon Skill Shard, +15% Mystery Egg Hatch Progress. Deadline: June 21, 2045. Penalty: Xiaohuo Burns Your Bed.]**
"Burn my bed, and you're sleeping in the trash," Lin told Xiaohuo, who smirked, tail sparking.
Fatty Wang and Su Mei caught up, panting. Fatty's spatula gleamed, stuffed with [Spirit Buns] (+3 Vitality), while Su Mei's **Mana Weaver** aura flickered, her glasses glinting with focus. "Feng, you're late again!" Fatty huffed. "The **Hunter's Gate** closes soon!"
Su Mei frowned. "Silver Fang Guild's scout was sniffing around. Li Hao's family pulled strings—rumor is, they're rigging the dungeons to screw you over."
Lin twirled his dagger, grinning. "Rigged? Good. I love a challenge. Let's farm some XP and make Hair Gel cry."
The [System] chimed: **[Host, Silver Fang's no joke. Rigged dungeons may spawn E-Rank threats. Don't die.]**
"Die? Nah, I'm too pretty," Lin shot back, sprinting to the **Hunter's Gate**.
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**Hunter's Gate: Dungeon One - Shadowmaw Den**
The **Hunter's Gate** buzzed with hunters trading loot under neon signs. Lin flashed his **F-Rank Dungeon Pass**, and the portal hummed, displaying: **F-Rank, Shadowmaw Den. Enemies: Gloom Rats, Ironfang Wolves, Shadowmaw Hyena (D-Rank Boss). Clear Condition: Defeat Hyena.**
"Hyena? Sounds like Li Hao's laugh," Lin quipped, stepping through. Xiaohuo muttered, "If it's as annoying as you, I'm burning it."
The portal spat them into a dark, bone-strewn cave, the air thick with a metallic tang. Lin activated [Dragon Bond Lv. 1], Xiaohuo's senses sharpening his own—every growl echoed like a warning. "Stay tight, team. This feels… off."
The first wave hit like a storm: 12 **Gloom Rats**, Level 4, swarming with unnatural speed. Lin's [Dragon Scale Armor] glowed (+10% Defense), and Xiaohuo's [Flame Pulse Lv. 2] torched five rats (-90 HP each). Su Mei's [Mana Thread Lv. 1] boosted Xiaohuo's speed, letting him spam [Ember Shot Lv. 2] (-70 HP). Lin's [Dragon Claw Strike] shredded three rats, while Fatty's [Spicy Toss Lv. 2] stunned the rest, their sneezes echoing.
"Fatty, your sauce is a war crime!" Lin laughed, collecting **Rat Tails x3** and 35 EXP. **[EXP +35. Level 7: 530/700 EXP]**.
The second wave was six **Ironfang Wolves**, Level 5, but their eyes glowed red—rigged, maybe E-Rank strength. Lin's [Dragon Roar] staggered them, and Xiaohuo's [Fire Wing Slash Lv. 2] crit-sliced a wolf (-110 HP). Su Mei's buffs kept Lin's Agility at 29, dodging bites with [Celestial Evasion]. Fatty's [Iron Pan Strike Lv. 2] clonked a wolf (-80 HP), but one grazed him (-20 HP).
Lin tanked a bite with [Dragon Scale Armor] (-15 HP, Total: 95/110), then used [Dragon Flame Burst Lv. 1], a fiery AOE that scorched the pack (-100 HP each). The wolves fell, dropping **Wolf Pelts x4** and 90 EXP. **[EXP +90. Level 7: 620/700 EXP]**.
A trap sprung—spiked bones shooting from the walls. Lin shoved Su Mei aside, taking a hit (-20 HP, Total: 75/110). Su Mei's [Mana Thread] healed him (+5 HP), snapping, "Stop tanking everything, Feng!"
"Hero vibes, Specs!" Lin grinned, heart racing. The [System] warned: **[Rigged Dungeon Detected. Boss May Be Enhanced.]**
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**Boss Arena: Shadowmaw Hyena**
The cave opened into a skull-littered arena. The **Shadowmaw Hyena**, D-Rank but glowing with E-Rank aura, loomed—Level 8, 900 HP, weak to fire, with [Shadow Bite Lv. 2] and [Cackle Frenzy Lv. 1]. Its laugh echoed, chilling.
"Rigged, huh?" Lin muttered. "Xiaohuo, let's cook this mutt."
Xiaohuo smirked. "Extra crispy, human."
Su Mei's [Mana Thread] boosted Xiaohuo's fire damage (+15%), and Fatty's [Spicy Toss] coated the ground, reducing the hyena's accuracy. Lin's [Dragon Roar] stunned it, and he tossed Xiaohuo like a flaming spear. The drakeling's [Flame Pulse] + [Fire Wing Slash] combo blasted the hyena (-200 HP). Lin's [Dragon Claw Strike] slashed its flank (-90 HP), but the beast's [Shadow Bite] grazed him (-30 HP, Total: 50/110).
"Ow, bad dog!" Lin yelped, chugging his **Mana Vial** (+50% Mana). He activated [Dragon Scale Armor], tanking another bite (-15 HP). Su Mei's buffs kept Xiaohuo's [Ember Shot] spamming (-150 HP), while Fatty's [Iron Pan Strike] cracked the hyena's skull (-80 HP).
The hyena's [Cackle Frenzy] unleashed a sonic wave, disorienting the team (-10 HP each). Lin countered with [Dragon Flame Burst], a fiery explosion (-180 HP). Xiaohuo's final [Fire Wing Slash] crit, shredding the beast (-200 HP). It collapsed, dropping a **Hyena Claw**, **Shadow Pelt**, and 160 EXP.
**[Boss Defeated! EXP +160. Level Up! Lin Feng, Level 8]**
- **Stats**: Strength 29 (24 +5), Agility 31 (26 +5), Intelligence 21, Vitality 17, Luck 15
- **Xiaohuo Level Up! Level 8, Skill Upgrade: Ember Shot Lv. 3 [+25% Damage]**
- **[Quest Progress: 1/2 F-Rank Dungeons Cleared]**
Lin panted, wiping blood from his arm. "One down, one to go. You guys okay?"
Fatty, at half HP, grinned. "Buns saved me!" Su Mei nodded, glasses askew. "That was too close. Silver Fang's playing dirty."
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**Dungeon Two: Bonefang Lair**
No time to rest—the team hit the **Hunter's Gate** again, diving into **F-Rank, Bonefang Lair. Enemies: Gloom Rats, Ironfang Wolves, Bonefang Alpha (D-Rank Boss). Clear Condition: Defeat Alpha.** The cave was colder, lined with jagged bones, and the [System] warned: **[Rigged Dungeon. E-Rank Threats Possible.]**
The first wave—15 **Gloom Rats**, Level 5—hit like a swarm. Lin's [Dragon Scale Armor] tanked bites (-10 HP), and Xiaohuo's [Flame Pulse] + [Ember Shot Lv. 3] torched eight (-100 HP each). Su Mei's [Mana Thread] boosted speed, and Fatty's [Spicy Toss] stunned the rest. Lin's [Dragon Claw Strike] cleaned up, earning **Rat Tails x4** and 50 EXP. **[EXP +50. Level 8: 50/800 EXP]**.
Wave two was seven **Ironfang Wolves**, Level 6, with E-Rank speed. Lin's [Dragon Roar] staggered them, and Xiaohuo's [Fire Wing Slash] crit-sliced two (-120 HP each). Su Mei's buffs kept Lin dodging with [Celestial Evasion], while Fatty's [Iron Pan Strike] stunned a wolf (-90 HP). A wolf bit Lin (-25 HP, Total: 25/120), but [Dragon Flame Burst] roasted the pack (-110 HP each). Loot: **Wolf Pelts x5**, 100 EXP. **[EXP +100. Level 8: 150/800 EXP]**.
A bone spike trap sprung, grazing Su Mei (-15 HP). Lin's [Dragon Scale Armor] tanked another (-10 HP, Total: 15/120). "Stay back!" he shouted, heart pounding. The [System] mocked: **[Host, your HP's lower than your Luck. Don't die now.]**
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**Boss Arena: Bonefang Alpha**
The arena was a bone-strewn pit, the **Bonefang Alpha**—D-Rank, Level 8, 950 HP, weak to fire—snarling with E-Rank ferocity. Its [Bone Crush Lv. 2] and [Frenzy Howl Lv. 1] glowed ominously.
Before Lin could plan, Li Hao's team portal-crashed again—**Li Hao**, **Chen Wei**, **Zhao Min**, now with **Silver Fang Guild** gear. "You stole my last kill!" Li Hao roared, **Flameweave Cloak** blazing. "This one's mine!"
The [System] pinged: **[Side Quest: Outdo Li Hao's Team. Reward: 300 System Points, Random Dragon Item. Penalty: Li Hao Steals Your Loot.]**
Lin grinned. "Hair Gel, you're late to the party."
The Alpha charged, [Bone Crush] slamming Chen Wei (-80 HP). Zhao Min's [Shadow Stab] scratched it (-30 HP), useless against its hide. Li Hao's [Blaze Spear] pierced (-120 HP), but [Frenzy Howl] stunned his team (-20 HP each).
Lin moved fast. Su Mei's [Mana Thread] boosted Xiaohuo's fire (+15%), and Fatty's [Spicy Toss] blinded the Alpha. Lin's [Dragon Roar] stunned it, and he tossed Xiaohuo like a flaming missile. [Flame Pulse] + [Fire Wing Slash] scorched the beast (-220 HP). Lin's [Dragon Claw Strike] crit its leg (-100 HP), but [Bone Crush] grazed him (-30 HP, Total: 0/120).
"Feng!" Su Mei shouted, healing him (+10 HP via [Mana Thread]). Fatty's [Iron Pan Strike] cracked the Alpha's skull (-90 HP). Li Hao's [Flame Vortex] spun, but Lin "slipped," shoving Chen Wei into its path (-70 HP). The crowd, watching live, howled with laughter.
"Oops, my bad!" Lin grinned. Xiaohuo's [Dragon Flame Burst] + [Ember Shot Lv. 3] unleashed a fiery storm (-250 HP), and Lin's [Dragon Claw Strike] finished it (-110 HP). The Alpha collapsed, dropping a **Bonefang Tusk**, **Iron Pelt**, and 170 EXP.
**[Boss Defeated! EXP +170. Level Up! Lin Feng, Level 9]**
- **Stats**: Strength 31 (26 +5), Agility 33 (28 +5), Intelligence 22, Vitality 18, Luck 16
- **Xiaohuo Level Up! Level 9, Skill Upgrade: Dragon Flame Burst Lv. 2 [+20% Damage]**
- **[Quest Completed: Clear Two F-Rank Dungeons. Reward: 800 System Points, Dragon Skill Shard - Scorching Roar Lv. 1 (Fire AOE + Stun), +15% Mystery Egg Hatch Progress]**
- **[Side Quest Completed: Outdo Li Hao. Reward: 300 System Points, Random Dragon Item - Flame Crest Ring (+5% Fire Resistance)]**
The **Mystery Egg** hit 30% hatch progress. Li Hao's team, battered, retreated, his mentor glaring from the stands. The crowd chanted, "Dragon Tamer!"
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**Post-Dungeon Rush**
At the **Hunter's Gate**, the **Silver Fang Guild** scout cornered Lin. "You're reckless, kid, but talented. Join us, and we'll fast-track you to the trials."
Lin smirked. "Tempting, but I don't play well with Hair Gel's fan club."
In his dorm, Lin equipped the **Flame Crest Ring**, boosting fire resistance. His points hit **4600**, and [Scorching Roar Lv. 1] gave Xiaohuo a new AOE stun. The **Mystery Egg** glowed, itching to hatch. "One more level," Lin muttered.
Fatty and Su Mei crashed in, eating [Spirit Noodles] (+5 Agility). "Feng, you're a maniac!" Fatty laughed. "Li Hao's mentor looked ready to explode!"
Su Mei frowned. "Silver Fang's not done. They'll sabotage the next match."
The [System] chimed: **[New Quest: Survive Silver Fang's Trap in Next Ranking Match. Reward: 600 System Points, Random Equipment, +10% Mystery Egg Hatch Progress. Deadline: June 25, 2045. Penalty: Xiaohuo Burns Your Notes.]**
Lin tossed Xiaohuo a noodle, grinning. "Burn my notes, and you're out of snacks."
Xiaohuo smirked. "Keep winning, human, or I'll burn your ego."
As Beijing's neon pulsed, Lin felt the heat—Li Hao's grudge, Silver Fang's schemes, and the trials loomed. His **Immortal-Rank Talent** was a secret blade, but the [System]'s hints about the **Level 1000 Gods** gnawed at him. For now, he'd dive into chaos, troll his foes, and tame the apocalypse.
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