Jack's apartment was a shoebox in all but name. A single narrow window let in the pale, dust-smeared light of the city outside, cutting a diagonal across the cracked tile floor. The walls, once white, had yellowed with age and neglect, and the faint smell of damp clung to the air no matter how long he kept the window open. A battered couch doubled as his bed, pushed against the wall beside a scratched metal table littered with empty instant meal containers and a chipped mug. In the corner, a squat kitchenette held a two-burner stove, a rust-flecked sink, and a dented fridge that hummed louder than the traffic outside.
It wasn't much, but it was all Jack had to his name. Once his parents died in a freak accident, that resulted in their bodies being full of metal, he was left with nothing but a small compensation check. The check wasn't exactly small, but it had only been enough to keep him afloat for 3 years; spending his nights playing games and reading comics.
Jack checked his bank account on his fluorescent screen that brightened his face and the empty room behind him.
'$880 left, huh. I guess I am going to have to get a job.'
His hands moved with a faint shake, being 19 he hadn't worked at all. Really, his age had nothing to do with it, after his parents died he became socially repressed. The few times he goes out to get groceries ends with awkward small talk with cashier's or passerby's.
Muster the same courage he called upon once every few weeks, Jack stood up from his leather-worn chair and stood up. His bones ached after sitting with both his feet on seat part of his chair. Doing a little stretch, he moved towards the fridge to take inventory.
'No milk, eggs, yogurt... Ah what the hell, I might as well take not of what I do have than what I don't.' Jack rapidly scratched his head as he thought.
He didn't even bother to write a list down as he would need everything his eyes gazed on. Before, leaving for the store Jack put on deodorant and a clean pair of clothes.
Walking the short distance through his home he was meet with his thick wooden door, it had a chain lock and a bolt. Undoing chain and turning the bolt he opened the door and found a dream-like sight.
On the other side of the door lay a lichen-covered cave, its walls slick with moisture that clung like a cold sweat. Droplets of water trickled down the stone, pooling into shallow puddles that reflected the dim light. The air was heavy and damp, carrying with it a dank, earthy smell that clung to the back of the throat, making each breath feel like inhaling the scent of decay itself.
Jack just rubbed his eyes, believing everything to be a dream. Unfortunately, when he opened them up they were just met with the exact same sight as seconds before.
Finding his first effort a failure he instead shut the door and reopened it. The same thing.
If he hadn't been interrupted Jack may have tried cutting himself with a sharp object, but something else caught his attention before he could even move.
Door Dungeon System
[Jack Rennard]
[Money: $880]
[Skills: N/A]
[Mana: 10/10]
[Quests] [Chat] [Inventory] [Upgrades] [Shop] [Auction (Locked)]
'I must be dreaming, first a cave then a system.'
Jack had no reason to believe the transparent mass of words in front of him. Who would? Instead he just walked back to his bed and fell down face first, before falling asleep.
His attempt at returning the new developments to dust failed, miserably, instead another screen was clouding his vision.
[001 - Cave Dungeon (F)]
[Time Limit: 29 Days]
[Rewards: Random Skill Book (F), $10,000]
Jack stared blankly, still trying to find a way to disprove the opportunity in front of him. Coming up with nothing, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed a sharp knife from its wooden block.
'This will probably enough to defend myself. I hope...'
Gripping the hilt of the knife tightly he approached the door and found it still wide open, its dim opening still moist.
Jack took his first step, then second, then third, then-
"AHHHH!!!!!"
His body collapsed onto the ground as spears arose from the ground. Blood spilled from his leg as he writhed in pain, leaving him oblivious to the approaching footsteps. Hands clamped down on his arms, forcing them onto the sharp rock, while a vial with red liquid was pressed to his lips.
Jack looked at the culprit and found a woman standing above him, her presence at once jarring and mesmerizing. She had hair the color of midnight silk, flowing over her shoulders in waves that caught the faint glimmer of torchlight. High cheekbones framed a face both delicate and cold, her pale skin smooth as porcelain.
Once the pain subsided Jack finally had breathing room to muster words.
"Thank you." His voice carried shy words and his eyes darted between the woman and the spear trap behind him.
"You owe me, let's go." Her delicate hands wrapped around his wrist and with a strong pull planted him on his slightly numb feet.
It was clear that she wasn't the most talkative, which Jack respected, and the pair walked through the cave with heightened senses. Multiple times Jack pursed his lips to speak, but refrained every time he thought of the girls quiet demeanor.
Eventually the girl spoke first.
"There is a monster in the opening up here, ill distract it and you will stab it." Her words were direct and Jack didn't dare offend her, she had some kind of healing potion and Jack had no clue where she had obtained it.
Her words seemed to be true as in front of them was a torch-lit open cavern that broke up the cramped passageway of the cave. Inside was a tiny green humanoid sitting on the ground rubbing a dagger in it's finger. Before Jack could move the girl already had sprinted into the room and left him to slowly follow behind.