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Chapter 6 – Into the Dungeon
The morning after the combat test, the atmosphere in Dragonstone City shifted from tense anticipation to sharp, buzzing energy.
Jason Walter stood among the thirty-odd recruits who had passed. His Niva system proudly displayed:
> Level: 5
Points: 100
Lucy Shiba was beside him, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the tall figure standing at the front of the assembly ground — Nicole Sonya.
"Alright, listen up," Nicole began, her voice ringing like steel striking steel. "You've proven you can survive the basics. Now, you'll face your first real test — a dungeon raid."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Jason's heart rate spiked. He'd heard about dungeons from other recruits — strange, unstable realms filled with monsters, traps, and treasures. And death.
Nicole continued, striding across the platform like a general preparing troops for war.
"This is a Level 1 Dungeon, but don't let that fool you. The only guaranteed way to reach Level 6 in there is to capture the Dragon Flag hidden deep within. Simple enough, right?"
Jason almost allowed himself a breath of relief — until Nicole's smirk widened.
"But… if you aim higher, there's another option: slay the Boss of the dungeon. Do that, and you might jump straight to Level 10."
Gasps and whispers spread like wildfire. Jason's pulse quickened. Level 10… in one shot?
Nicole's tone turned sharper.
"Of course, it won't be a fight to laugh about. That boss will tear through anyone who underestimates it. So—" her gaze swept across the recruits, "—do you have the guts to try? Or will you settle for the flag?"
Jason swallowed.
Nicole wasn't finished.
"This raid is free-for-all. You can go alone, or work with a partner. But remember — if you win together, you split the points and share the level-up. So choose wisely."
Jason felt Lucy's eyes on him. That single rule seemed to hang in the air between them.
Nicole's voice dropped a shade lower, more dangerous.
"And one more thing — you won't just be fighting each other. The dungeon's filled with High-Tier Level 1 Beasts. They're not overwhelming… but they are fast, vicious, and they hunt in packs."
A faint grin touched Jason's lips as he muttered under his breath, "Good luck… more like bad luck."
Nicole's eyes narrowed slightly, as though she'd heard him.
"The dungeon opens in five minutes. Your systems will guide you to the gate."
At that moment, Jason's Niva display flickered:
> [Dungeon Raid: Dragon Flag Challenge begins in 05:00]
[Objective 1: Capture the Dragon Flag]
[Objective 2: Optional – Slay the Dungeon Boss]
Warning: Free-for-all PvP and PvE enabled.
Jason glanced at Lucy. She said nothing, but the slight tilt of her head told him she was already thinking ahead. Whether they would be partners… or rivals… was a question neither of them answered.
The ground beneath their feet trembled as a glowing, circular portal formed in the distance. Its swirling blue core pulsed with a heartbeat-like rhythm, each thrum pulling them closer to their fate.
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