John voiced his observation, a hint of confusion in his tone. “This city seems…too orderly,” he remarked, looking around at the peaceful surroundings. “I was expecting more…chaos, you know? Like street brawls or public confrontations, but it’s surprisingly tranquil.”
Anya nodded, understanding his confusion. “That’s largely due to the influence of the dungeons,” she explained, her voice calm and informative. “Reaching the 10th floor of a dungeon unlocks the ability to form a two-person team. From the 20th floor all the way up to the 29th, established pairs are permitted to enter together, allowing for more complex strategies and coordinated attacks. However,” she added, “if you prefer to tackle the challenges alone, you are certainly welcome to do so. In fact, clearing levels solo grants your unique achievements and titles based on the different methods you employ to overcome the obstacles within. Furthermore,” she continued, “clearing multiple levels consecutively, without leaving the dungeon, grants a significantly larger reward upon exiting. For example, successfully clearing three levels in one continuous run results in a considerably more substantial reward than clearing each level individually.”
John nodded, absorbing the information. "So, teamwork becomes more important the deeper you go?"
"Exactly," Elara chimed in. "The creatures in the deeper levels are far more powerful and cunning. You need to be able to rely on your partner, to anticipate their moves and coordinate your attacks."
Anya smiled. "Of course, some people prefer to go solo. They say it's more challenging and rewarding, but it's definitely riskier."
The inherent fluidity of social connections in surface cities, where fortunes rise and fall with unpredictable speed, underscored the strategic importance of being open to forming alliances. An individual who is simply an acquaintance today, a casual passerby in the bustling marketplace, might very well evolve into a valuable party member, a trusted teammate, or a loyal guildmate as one ascends to higher levels within the dungeon system. John considered this notion carefully, recognizing its inherent merit. The ever-shifting landscape of power and influence made it crucial to cultivate strong relationships. However, he also anticipated that conflicts between rival factions and guilds would inevitably persist, even within the structured environment of the dungeons. These were complex social dynamics that would undoubtedly play a significant role in his future endeavors. Nonetheless, such considerations were best left for another time. Presently, John’s primary focus was on approaching his own journey through the dungeons methodically and with careful planning. The fact that he was required to traverse the first nine levels entirely independently demanded a significant commitment to focused training and personal growth.
A sudden thought struck John, prompting a concerned question. “What happens if my fly-rod breaks?” he asked, his voice laced with worry. “I understand that it’s…connected to me somehow, but in the event that it does break, how or where would I even go about repairing something like that?” He wanted to be able to use the rod with confidence and without hesitation, but he was understandably uncertain about its durability in potentially dangerous situations.
The two girls exchanged amused glances before giggling softly, their laughter light and reassuring. “You really don’t need to worry about that,” Anya said, her voice gentle and patient. “You simply can’t break it in the traditional sense. It might shatter into pieces if subjected to extreme force, but you can just…resummon it. It will reform in your hand as if nothing had happened.”
This simple reassurance washed over John like a wave of relief, instantly easing his anxieties. A weight lifted from his shoulders, and he finally felt free to fully embrace his unique weapon. Now that he no longer had to worry about damaging his precious fly-rod, he finally had a clear direction for his training. With one week remaining until the official start of classes, a sense of purpose settled over him. “That’s absolutely perfect,” he thought to himself, a determined glint in his eyes. “It gives me ample time to truly master the intricacies of fly-chi.”
As they finished their meal, continuing their easy conversation, John began preparing the remaining fish for the ever-growing flock of crows that had gathered nearby. The air was filled with their soft caws and the rustling of their feathers as they perched on nearby branches and rocks, their dark eyes fixed on the cooking fish. There were simply too many birds for the available food to go around, but John did his best to distribute it evenly.
Once the crows had finished their share of the cooked fish, John turned his attention to the last crow still pecking at a stray crumb on the ground beside him. “Tomorrow,” he promised the crow, his voice gentle and reassuring, “I’ll make sure to catch and cook even more for all of you.” He paused for a moment, considering the sheer number of birds that had come. “Next time,” he continued, “I’d really like to be able to share some with the other crows who haven’t had a chance to taste it yet. And” he added, offering a warm smile, “you’re all welcome to visit me in my city courtyard. I’ll be training extensively there, and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to make it back out here to the river. So, while I’m here at the Academy, let’s make sure all your crow friends get a taste of some good fish.” John reached down and gently scratched the crow beneath its beak, a fond smile playing on his lips.
Alana, her curiosity piqued, turned to John and asked, “If you don’t mind, may I join you in your training sometime?” Anya, echoing her sentiment, added, “Me as well.”
“Of course,” John replied with a warm smile. “We can definitely arrange something. Perhaps we could meet at the same time each day, or perhaps alternate days. I’ve noticed that there are only a few courtyards like this one within the Academy grounds. I was wondering…whose courtyards are they?”
Anya chuckled softly, offering an explanation. “Those courtyards belong to the city lord himself, as well as the heads of each of the major guilds,” she explained. “The Royal Academy also serves as the city’s royal palace, a place where both learning and governance take place. As such, everyone who is accepted into the Academy is granted a title, reflecting their chosen path and their service to the crown. Fighters are bestowed with the title of Royal Guard, magic users become Royal Mages, archers are known as Royal Archers, and those who specialize in swordsmanship become Royal Swordsmen.”
"That explains why the instructor warned me about decorum," John mused. "I wouldn't want to accidentally offend royalty while practicing my fly-chi."
Anya giggled. "I'm sure they've seen stranger things."
Elara nodded. "Besides, with your talent, they'll probably be more interested in recruiting you than reprimanding you."
John laughed. "Let's hope so."
He then turned his attention back to the topic of dungeons, eager to learn more about the challenges that awaited him. "So, tell me more about these dungeons. What exactly can I expect to find down there?"
Alana took the lead, providing a detailed explanation. "When you successfully complete the first level of a dungeon," she began, her voice clear and informative, “a number from one to nine will manifest on the back of your left hand. This mark serves as a record of your progress. As you progress through each subsequent level, your cultivation will be significantly enhanced, allowing you to grow stronger and more proficient in your chosen talents. The rewards you receive are tailored to each individual’s unique journey on a given floor, meaning what you find might be different from what another adventurer finds. It’s important to remember that you must enter the dungeons alone—no groups, teams, or parties are permitted. Your own unique skills and abilities are what will determine your success or failure. After successfully clearing a floor, you have a choice: you can either claim the beast cores you’ve acquired and leave the dungeon, or you can choose to press on to the next level. You are free to revisit any level you have previously cleared to train or gather more resources, but once you choose to advance to a new floor, there is no turning back. You must either succeed or fail; there is no option to retreat. Keep that in mind,” she emphasized, her tone becoming more serious. “Additionally, if you manage to conquer several floors in a single attempt without leaving the dungeon, you will earn bonus rewards based on the highest floor you have reached. However,” she added, her voice laced with a note of warning, “many adventurers fall victim to their own ambition in this regard, attempting to clear multiple levels at once in pursuit of the greatest prizes. This often leads to their downfall.”
Stolen story; please report.
John listened intently, his mind racing with questions. "What kind of creatures can I expect to encounter in the dungeons?" he asked.
"That depends on the dungeon and the level," Anya replied. "But generally, you'll find a variety of magical beasts, from goblins and skeletons on the lower levels to powerful dragons and demons on the higher floors."
Elara shuddered. "Some of the creatures are truly terrifying. I once saw a man emerge from a dungeon with his arm half-eaten by a giant spider."
John gulped, but his curiosity outweighed his fear. He was eager to test his skills against these creatures and prove his worth as a cultivator.
"And what about these beast cores?" he asked. "What exactly are they?"
Anya explained that beast cores were the source of a creature's magical power. "They can be used for a variety of purposes," she said. "Alchemists use them to create potions and enchantments, while others use them to enhance their own cultivation."
John nodded, his mind buzzing with possibilities. He couldn't wait to get his hands on some beast cores and see what he could do with them.
Upon successfully conquering the first floor of a dungeon, adventurers are rewarded with a personalized stat sheet, a crucial tool that unlocks access to various titles and achievements, each providing unique enhancements and bonuses. This stat sheet significantly boosts combat capabilities by granting the adventurer ten additional points to distribute among five core attributes: strength, which governs physical power; dexterity, which influences agility and reflexes; intelligence, which enhances magical aptitude and strategic thinking; wisdom, which governs perception and insight; and constitution, which determines overall health and resilience. The Academy mandates three months of rigorous training for all aspiring dungeon delvers before their initial entry, a requirement put in place because many underestimate the inherent dangers and complexities of dungeon combat. Within the dungeons, once a floor is entered, there is no turning back. It must be either conquered or it will result in the adventurer’s death. All defeated monsters yield valuable beast cores, which can be sold back to the Academy for currency or retained for personal use. Some adventurers choose to utilize these cores in alchemical processes, crafting powerful potions or imbuing items with magical properties. Successfully completing a floor marks the adventurer’s left hand with a glowing number, indicating the highest floor they have conquered. It’s crucial to understand that this number reflects the most challenging floor overcome, not the adventurer’s personal level or overall power. Adventurers are free to repeat the first floor indefinitely, honing their skills and gathering resources. However, true leveling up, the increase in personal power and abilities, occurs only after completing a floor and is directly based on the adventurer’s performance within that floor.
John paused for a moment, absorbing the information and formulating a plan. “So, if I understand correctly,” he said, his voice thoughtful, “on the very first day of classes, we’re expected to clear the first floor of a dungeon. That’s actually quite a clever tactic on the Academy’s part. If a student can’t even manage to conquer the first floor, then they’re clearly not ready for the rigorous training that awaits them. It’s a practical way to filter out those who aren’t truly dedicated.” He nodded to himself, a sense of understanding dawning on his face. The Academy’s methods were becoming clearer. His initial task was now crystal clear: focused and dedicated training.
With his concerns about damaging the fly-rod now completely alleviated, thanks to the girls’ reassurance, he decided to incorporate it fully into his practice. Moreover, the existence of the nano line opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for his training. Intrigued by its potential, John turned his thoughts to Max, posing a specific question. “Max,” he inquired, his voice filled with curiosity, “with this nano line, is it possible for you to manipulate the individual nano-machines that make up its structure? For example,” he continued, elaborating on his idea, “if I were to attach a heavy sinker to the end of the line, could you then control the nano-machines to transform a section of the line into a razor-sharp blade? Or perhaps even weave it into a section of barbed wire? Or even something as simple as altering its color to make it less visible underwater?”
Max’s voice responded in his mind, calm and confident as always. “Yes,” he replied without hesitation. “I can easily accomplish all of those modifications, John. The nano-machines are highly adaptable and responsive to my commands.”
John now possessed a concrete training plan, a clear path forward that he would need to forge with Max’s invaluable assistance. With his entire future, his very life within this new world, hanging precariously in the balance in less than a week’s time, the true gravity of his situation finally began to sink in. The initial excitement and wonder he had felt upon arriving at the Academy gave way to a steely resolve. No longer content to simply drift along with the current, allowing events to unfold around him without his active participation, John resolved to return to his private courtyard and begin intensive training immediately.
As nightfall descended upon the city, gradually silencing the daytime clamor of merchants and students, the courtyard became a secluded sanctuary bathed in the soft glow of the moon. John was there, diligently practicing and refining his emerging fighting technique, the rhythmic whoosh of his fly-rod cutting through the still night air.
John began his training by focusing on the nano line, instructing Max to manipulate its form into a razor-sharp sword’s edge. With a subtle shift in its molecular structure, the nano line transformed, extending and solidifying into a weapon comparable to a thirteen-foot longsword. The remarkable thing about this transformation was the weapon’s weightlessness. Despite its immense length, it felt as light as a feather in John’s hand, allowing for incredible speed and maneuverability. The edge, however, was anything but light. It was razor-sharp, surpassing the keenness of any known blade, capable of slicing through virtually any material with effortless ease. The added benefit of being able to resummon the line and rod if damaged ensured that John’s unique weapon remained in perpetually immaculate condition.
Throughout the week, John dedicated himself to mastering the intricacies of the fly-rod, diligently integrating traditional sword fighting techniques into his novel fly-chi style under Max’s constant guidance and analysis. With each passing day, John’s mental and physical acuity intensified, his reflexes sharpening and his mind becoming more focused and disciplined. The rigorous training eventually led to a profound epiphany about the fundamental nature of this cultivation world: true strength, he realized, was not bestowed by external forces or inherited through lineage; it was garnered through dedicated self-cultivation, through the constant pushing of one’s own limits. This revelation was exhilarating for John, filling him with a sense of purpose and empowerment. Despite the inherent risks that lay ahead in the dungeons, he felt truly alive for the first time in his life, finally embracing the authentic essence of existence.
With the first rays of dawn painting the sky in hues of soft pink and gold, John began his day with a gentle workout, a series of fluid movements designed to awaken his body and stimulate his blood flow. This was followed by a series of stretches, each one revealing a newfound level of agility that far surpassed his flexibility from just earlier in the week. The rigorous training under Max’s expert tutelage had honed his combat prowess to a razor’s edge in what felt like no time at all. The difference between the John of a week ago and the John of today was striking.
Post-workout, John donned the Royal Guild’s ceremonial robe, the crisp white fabric bordered with intricate gold trim that shimmered in the morning light. He pulled his hair back into a sleek ponytail, placed his wide-brimmed hat atop his head, and with a flick of his wrist, materialized his fly-rod. As he stepped out of his private courtyard, a rather unexpected companion made its appearance. A large crow, its black feathers gleaming in the morning sun, swooped down from a nearby rooftop and landed gracefully on the end of the fly-rod, then hopped onto John’s right shoulder, settling there as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The sight of John, adorned in the ceremonial robes, with a crow perched regally on his shoulder, was a peculiar yet wondrous spectacle. John himself exuded an aura of quiet awe and deep curiosity, fully embracing the oddity of the moment.
