John strode purposefully toward the imposing dungeon entrance, his footsteps echoing with a newfound confidence that reflected a week’s worth of focused exploration around the vast Royal Academy grounds. He was scheduled to meet with a duo of students who had undergone their initial dungeon trials the previous week; their names, unfortunately, escaped him, a recurring problem that had plagued him for as long as he could remember. He briefly considered the idea of keeping a detailed ledger of names, a practical solution he had repeatedly put off. As he traversed the bustling pathways, various individuals attempted to engage him in conversation, their voices vying for his attention. However, John’s thoughts were still preoccupied with the seismic shift that had occurred in his social life following the unexpected launch and runaway success of his fishing app, which had unexpectedly reeled in a substantial fortune. The sudden influx of wealth had dramatically altered the way people interacted with him, and his tolerance for superficial interactions and feigned interest had dwindled to almost nothing. He had inadvertently developed a reputation for being distant and aloof, choosing to engage only with those who genuinely piqued his curiosity, often those blessed with particularly charming appearances. He was completely unconcerned with the perceptions of others, his mind deeply engrossed in these reflections, when a familiar, resonant voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present moment.
“John, it’s good to see you again,” Will, the stern but fair overseer of the talent assessments, greeted him with a warm smile.
“Oh, hi Will,” John replied, snapping back to attention and offering a genuine smile in return. “How have you been?”
So deeply engrossed in his internal musings that he was completely unaware of his surroundings, John hadn’t even registered his arrival at the imposing gateway to the dungeons until he was practically standing at its threshold. As he finally glanced around, a vast expanse of unfamiliar faces greeted him, a diverse collection of individuals representing the numerous guilds of the city. He offered a courteous smile to the gathered throng, and a nearby voice informed him, “John, these are the respected guild leaders. They’re all very interested to see what this year’s cohort of initiates is capable of.”
Distributed throughout the crowd were smaller groups of younger individuals, clearly members of the various guilds, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and nervous energy. The lower-ranking groups waited patiently for their opportunity to enter the dungeons, showing deference to the select few students from the renowned Royal Academy. Amidst the hundreds of people present, the importance of the guild standings was readily apparent, a tangible atmosphere of rivalry and competition permeating the air. For John, however, it seemed to be more a matter of personal pride and long-standing tradition than a strict system of social stratification.
As he surveyed the assembled crowd, his gaze taking in the diverse array of faces and attire, he noticed a rather conspicuous detail: he was the only individual present who wasn’t wearing any form of protective gear. While others were adorned in polished metal armor, reinforced leather vests, or elaborately embroidered magical garments, John stood there in his simple ceremonial robes, completely unarmored and unburdened. He wasn’t concerned in the slightest; he knew he wouldn’t require it. After his transformative experiences with the fly-rod and the nano line, he felt confident that the first floor of the dungeon would present no significant obstacle.
John, having achieved the highest score in the entrance assessments, had earned the distinct honor—and the accompanying pressure—of being the first to enter the dungeon. As the pivotal moment drew near, a sudden surge of anxiety washed over him, a cold wave of apprehension that tightened his chest and quickened his pulse. He took a deep, steadying breath, focusing on calming his racing heart, and mentally steeled himself for what lay ahead.
Okay, let’s do this, he thought, his mind now clear and focused.
With a resolute step, he crossed the threshold into the unknown. The air within the dungeon was thick with the smell of damp earth and decaying stone, a stark contrast to the fresh air of the city. A chill clung to the air, sending a shiver down John's spine. He could hear the dripping of water echoing through the cavernous space, and the faint scuttling of unseen creatures sent a prickle of apprehension across his skin.
As his eyes struggled to adjust to the abrupt shift in light, from the bright daylight to the dim, almost subterranean atmosphere of the dungeon, John found himself standing in an immense, barren space. He was not alone. Three imposing wolves stood before him, their forms casting long, distorted shadows across the rough stone floor. These creatures bore a clear resemblance to the common grey wolf, but their size was truly astonishing. They stood at least twice the height of their ordinary counterparts, their massive frames radiating an aura of raw power. An ethereal countdown, glowing with a soft, otherworldly light, materialized in the air between John and the wolves, marking the tense standoff and amplifying the already palpable tension. Unbeknownst to John, as the inaugural diver into the dungeon’s depths, his initial confrontation was being projected onto a massive screen above the dungeon’s entrance, a spectacle for all those who were yet to enter. This public display was ostensibly intended to inspire hope and courage, demonstrating to the waiting initiates that success within the dungeon was indeed within reach. However, a cynical undercurrent of speculation ran through the crowd. Many whispered that it was nothing more than a clever ploy, a deceptive beacon of ease designed to lure the unwary into the dungeon’s treacherous depths, only to meet their inevitable demise.
As the ethereal countdown dwindled to zero, the tension in the air becoming almost palpable, John maintained a gentle yet firm grip on the fly-rod, his fingers wrapped lightly around the smooth handle. He was acutely aware that any unnecessary tension in his muscles could hinder his speed and agility, and he was prepared to engage his augmented reality mode, slowing down his perception of time if the situation demanded it.
The instant the final digit of the timer vanished, a deafening blast, like the roar of an air horn amplified a hundredfold, reverberated throughout the dungeon chamber, shaking the very stones beneath John’s feet. The three wolves, as if released from a tightly wound spring, immediately began their advance, the alpha wolf making a direct beeline for John, its powerful muscles bunching and releasing with each stride. John could see the hunger in their eyes, the slavering jaws, and the razor-sharp teeth. He felt a surge of adrenaline, his senses heightened, his reflexes sharpened.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
With deliberate footing and an incredibly rapid arc of his thirteen-foot fly-rod, John executed a seamless strike, the nano-line blade whistling through the air with deadly precision. The blade cleaved through all three wolves simultaneously, slicing through their massive forms as if they were made of butter. The severed halves of the wolves landed on the stone floor with heavy, resounding thuds, the sound echoing through the chamber.
That was almost too easy, John thought, surprised by the swiftness of his victory.
A clear, resonant chime broke the sudden silence that followed: Achievement Unlocked: Blinding Speed. By shattering the dungeon’s record for the fastest completion of the first level, John earned a permanent +5 dexterity bonus. Another chime followed: Achievement Unlocked: 3 in 1. For dispatching three formidable foes with a single stroke, John gained a permanent +3 strength bonus. The sheer ease of his victory on this first floor came as no surprise to him; he had anticipated such an outcome after his rigorous training.
The disembodied voice of the dungeon echoed through the chamber, its tone neutral and emotionless: “Would you like to exit this floor or ascend to the next?”
John, with a nonchalant shrug and a casual flick of his wrist, opted for the latter. “Next floor,” he replied simply, his voice calm and even. With a dazzling flash of light, he vanished from the chamber, leaving behind only the echoes of his swift victory.
Outside the imposing facade of the dungeon entrance, Ayna and Alara stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their gazes fixed on the enormous projection screen displaying John’s progress within the dungeon. As John’s rapid attack played out before their eyes, they both gasped simultaneously, their expressions reflecting utter astonishment. They had only ever known his jovial and lighthearted personality during their shared time; they had never suspected he possessed such deadly speed and accuracy. The surrounding crowd watched in stunned silence; the atmosphere so tense you could practically hear a feather falling to the ground. The only sound was the gentle whir of the projection device, until a lone caw from a nearby crow broke the stillness, followed by an immediate explosion of excited whispers and exclamations.
“I can’t believe it…I blinked, and I missed the whole thing!” one observer exclaimed; his voice filled with disbelief.
“How did he accomplish that? He was unbelievably quick! And that’s his very first time entering the dungeon? He fights like someone who’s already conquered the tenth-floor multiple times!” Another observer added, echoing the widespread feeling of amazement.
Will, the strict but approachable overseer of the talent evaluations, was even more profoundly impressed by the young man’s exceptional display. He resolved that as soon as John emerged from the dungeon, he would immediately depart and contact her—the powerful royal queen who resided on the twentieth floor. She needed to be informed of this young man’s extraordinary potential, as she had been actively seeking a compatible partner to overcome the obstacles of the higher, more perilous floors. She had been meticulously scouting the tenth floor for promising candidates who could potentially complement her own substantial skills. Furthermore, Will mused with a touch of anticipation, if this potential collaboration proved successful, he himself would undoubtedly receive a significant reward for uncovering such an exceptionally gifted individual.
Upon reaching the next level, John was immediately confronted by a Minotaur of truly immense stature, its hulking form filling a significant portion of the chamber. The creature hefted a massive, double-bladed axe, the polished metal gleaming ominously in the dim light. The ethereal countdown, now a familiar presence, reverberated off the rough-hewn stone walls, the echoing numbers amplifying the tension. The countdown culminated in a sharp, jarring buzzer that triggered the Minotaur’s deafening bellow, a roar that shook the very air and was clearly intended to intimidate John.
Unfazed by the display of raw power, John snapped his fly-rod in the creature’s direction with lightning-fast speed. A distinct zing resonated through the air as the nano-line, now invisible to the naked eye, shot forth like a blur, finding its way unerringly into the Minotaur’s wide-open mouth, which was still emitting the last vestiges of its roar. Just as the line reached its mark, the very end of the nano-line transformed instantaneously into a razor-sharp arrowhead, the sudden change in form almost imperceptible to the human eye. The arrowhead burrowed deep into the Minotaur’s cranium from behind, piercing through bone and brain with effortless ease. In a swift, fluid motion, John drew back the nano-line using his fly-rod, spinning the reel with practiced efficiency to retrieve the line from the now-slack jaws of the beast, just as the giant figure thudded heavily to the ground, its fall shaking the chamber.
A clear, resonant chime echoed through the sudden silence: Achievement unlocked: One-Second Man. For conquering the second floor in a mere second, an almost unbelievable feat of speed, John received a permanent +5 bonus to his dexterity. Another chime followed immediately: Achievement unlocked: Bully. For vanquishing such a formidable Minotaur completely unscathed, John earned a permanent +5 bonus to his strength.
The disembodied voice of the dungeon echoed through the chamber, its tone still neutral and emotionless: “Exit or ascend to the next level?”
John, with casual confidence and a slight, almost bored, shrug of his shoulders, chose progression. “Next floor,” he stated simply, as if ordering a drink at a tavern. With a brilliant surge of light, he vanished from the chamber, leaving behind the silent testament to his incredible speed and power.
Outside the dungeon entrance, Alana was the first to break the stunned silence that had fallen over them. “Wow,” she breathed, her voice filled with awe and a hint of disbelief. “I simply can’t believe how incredibly powerful John is. I bet he could easily reach the tenth floor if he really wanted to.”
Anya nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed intently on Alana, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I have a proposition,” she said, her voice low and serious. “Let’s make a pact, right here and now, to become sisters in the future. Sharing John…well, it seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement for both of us. With his obvious talent and charisma, he’s undoubtedly going to attract a lot of attention, a lot of admirers.”
Alana chuckled softly, a playful glint in her eyes. “So,” she teased gently, “are we going to be like his personal flock of crows now, constantly vying for his attention?” She flashed a warm smile at Anya, trying to lighten the serious tone of the conversation.
Anya’s giggle echoed through the air, a mix of amusement and genuine affection. “I was thinking more along the lines of forming a formidable team to conquer the thirtieth level together,” she clarified, her voice becoming more confident. “But perhaps we could start by forming a powerful duo on the twentieth. Honestly,” she admitted with a touch of sincerity, “I really don’t think John will even need us to reach the thirtieth floor. He’s just…that talented.”
Alana concurred with a firm nod, her expression reflecting a mixture of admiration and a touch of wistfulness. Meanwhile, Will, having witnessed John’s astonishing feat, exited the dungeon entrance with a sense of urgency. He immediately sent a discreet message to the royal queen, alerting her to keep a close eye on the dungeon’s progress, just in case John managed to accomplish the seemingly impossible and conquer the tenth floor on his very first attempt.
