---
The term Dungeon originally referred to structures built in ancient times — underground prisons designed to hold terrifying monsters, beasts, or criminals. These dungeons were often constructed deep beneath the ground, carved into the earth with intricate structures and filled with traps meant to prevent intruders from entering.
If prisoners are kept in a regular prison, their comrades can sometimes find ways to break them out. However, when prisoners are placed inside a Dungeon, both their escape and any rescue attempt become nearly impossible.
Because dungeons were built underground, valuable minerals — from iron to even gold — were often unearthed during their construction. These metals were later used to craft various types of coins.
But the dungeon Alex was trapped in was different — entirely different. It was infused with magical energy, spawning Earth Golems one after another. Though shaped like a tower's floor, this place worked exactly like a dungeon.
> "If I'm not wrong… I think I'm inside one of the tower's dungeons."
Alex muttered as he dodged a straight punch from a Golem. He tried to make sense of his surroundings. Two possibilities formed in his mind — either the ring had created a separate dungeon for him, or it had opened a gateway into one.
For now, he ignored the details. What mattered was that he could clearly feel the boost in agility he had gained. His speed had increased dramatically, allowing him to evade every attack the Golems threw at him.
During his previous battle with Level 12 Golems, Alex had discovered their weakness — the core embedded in their chest.
The core, as he'd learned, was essentially a vessel that gathered magical energy — something that existed in all living beings capable of using magic. The Earth Golems, being magical creatures, also possessed one. Destroying the core meant destroying the Golem. That's how Alex had slain the previous ones.
With his energy recovered, confidence began to return.
Though the Golems were slow, Alex's newfound agility made them appear even slower. One Golem swung a fist; another tried to grab him from behind. Alex slipped past the first attack and leapt onto the second Golem's back.
The Golems, having no intellect, attacked anything in front of them. Standing on its back, Alex placed a hand on its shoulder and muttered—
> "Dark Flame."
A burst of black fire erupted from his palm.
Alex had noticed something curious — his spells weren't purely dark-attribute. He could mix fire into them, creating hybrid attacks. Though his magic wasn't strong enough to damage Golems from a distance, direct contact caused significant harm.
The black flame burned through part of the Golem's back, exposing its core. Alex could've shattered it right then — but another Golem lunged from behind. He flipped backward, using the momentum to land on the attacking Golem's shoulders.
The punch meant for him instead struck the first Golem — smashing its exposed core. The creature instantly crumbled, melting into the ground.
One by one, Alex began using the Golems against each other, cleverly turning their brute strength into weapons of their own demise. Eventually, only one remained — but his energy was nearly drained, forcing him to retreat beyond the glowing boundary circle.
> "Who'd have thought I could take down Earth Golems with this weak body? Still… the XP rewards aren't bad. Even if my life's at risk, I can't just ignore the EXP."
He popped another recovery pill into his mouth, talking to himself — a habit born from constantly conversing with the ring.
Then it struck him.
> "It's been two days… the ring hasn't said a word."
For two whole days, the ring had remained silent. Usually, it spoke whenever it pleased — but now, nothing. Alex brushed it off and focused on resting.
But something strange happened.
Inside the magic circle, one of the Golem cores suddenly shattered on its own and melted into the ground.
Just then, a glowing projection screen appeared before him.
---
"Congratulations! You have cleared the Earth Dungeon."
Reward: Market Option Unlocked.
---
Alex blinked, stunned.
There was no way the mission ended that quickly. He'd expected waves of enemies to follow, not an abrupt completion message.
Still, he couldn't help but grin. His body was exhausted — the only thing keeping him going until now had been sheer willpower. But suddenly, his limbs began to feel heavy. His body stiffened — rebound.
When one forces their body beyond its natural limit, temporary paralysis can occur.
But Alex ignored the fatigue.
> "Market Option!"
He commanded, and another projection appeared — this time, displaying a list.
His confusion quickly turned to anger.
---
"Master's level is too low. Market access is partially restricted."
Total Coins: 5 Gold
Available Items:
Three-Leaf Lotus — 5 Gold
Lightning Shortsword — 30 Gold
Black Snake Armor — 50 Gold
Black Berry — 10 Gold
More items will unlock as Master's level increases.
---
Alex clenched his jaw. Of course. He couldn't even complain — he wasn't in the tower where he could easily earn coins.
Before entering the test, his mother, Maria, had given him five gold coins. Apparently, those were now the only ones visible in his account.
> "Five gold coins… worth about 500$ back home. And all I can buy is a lotus flower? This feels like a scam market."
He sighed, staring at the list with disappointment.
Then—
> "Master, I suggest you buy the Three-Leaf Lotus. It will help you form your Mana Core."
The ring's sudden voice startled him.
Five gold for a flower that could form a Mana Core? That sounded absurd.
Wait — hadn't the ring claimed it didn't know how Mana Cores were formed?
Alex's suspicion deepened. Maybe the ring did remember everything but was hiding it.
Inside the ring, the spirit Jiduri was worried. Her new master's condition was terrible — his body covered in wounds and suffering from rebound. When she saw the market list, she examined the lotus and discovered its hidden property: it aided in Mana Core formation and could be purchased up to three times.
She rushed to inform her master.
Alex, though skeptical, didn't argue. He no longer trusted anyone — not even the ring. Since the day he received it, he'd known it had intelligence of its own. A magical item that could talk surely had a mind — and perhaps motives — of its own.
But he kept those thoughts to himself.
Now, his focus returned to his battered body.
> "I still have that healing skill… wonder if it'll work. No harm trying."
He looked at his wounds — cuts, bruises, and traces of blood everywhere.
> "Medic."
As he spoke, a soft green light enveloped him. The energy seeped into his skin, knitting every wound closed.
He stared in awe.
Though none of the Golems had struck him directly, flying debris from their punches had cut him up badly. But now, every injury was gone.
> "Guess I won't be needing healing potions or magic items anymore."
---
To Be Continued...