Surface, southern edge of the Noxar Kingdom.
The central square of Blackedge Town was already packed with people.
Large numbers of adventurers clad in armor of various colors and carrying weapons had abandoned their plans to farm gold in the Dungeon, all crowding in front of the Adventurers' Guild, craning their necks to get a better look.
A large open space had been cleared in the center of the crowd, where a Flying Vehicle was parked on the ground.
The machine had a sharp nose, with the cockpit and mechanical structures exposed in the middle of the fuselage; Energy conduits and armor components intertwined.
On both sides of the vehicle were wing-like extended structures, with adjustable flaps underneath. Multiple exhaust ports of the large rear thrusters emitted residual heat.
"Good heavens, what kind of Alchemical Construct is this? It's absolutely domineering!"
"If this thing were driven into the Dungeon, wouldn't it just plow through everything?"
The surrounding adventurers whispered among themselves.
Thales lingered at the back of the crowd, holding supplies in his hand, and patted an adventurer next to him who was standing on tiptoe to watch the commotion.
"Hey, brother, what's going on here? Why is everyone gathered here instead of taking on quests?"
The man didn't turn his head, casually replying, "Isn't it because some big shots have graced our Blackedge Town with their presence! Everyone's here to catch a glimpse."
"Big shots?" Thales frowned. Although Blackedge Town was prosperous, usually only some Silver and Gold Rank adventurers frequented the area. What kind of big shot could warrant such a grand spectacle?
Hearing Thales's confusion, the man finally turned his head, looked Thales up and down, and said with a smirk:
"You haven't just come out of seclusion in the Dungeon, have you? You don't even know about the news that's been buzzing around Blackedge Town lately. The big shots are, of course, the legendary adventurers, Albaz and Ecclesia!"
When he mentioned these two names, the man couldn't help but raise his voice a few notches: "Rumor has it that they played a huge role in the downfall of that warmongering 'Dogmatika Nation' that was stirring up wars everywhere! These are truly formidable figures capable of changing the continent's landscape!"
Upon hearing this, Thales's eyes widened, and his expression became quite dramatic.
He nearly dropped the supplies in his hand, his lips trembling as he muttered to himself, "It's actually those two legendary adventurers... Why would they come to a border town like ours?"
Meanwhile, inside the VIP reception room of the Adventurers' Guild, the guild master was smiling as he received the two distinguished guests before him.
Sitting across from him were a white-haired, dark-skinned boy and a golden-haired girl.
Their attire was not extravagant, appearing to be the most common type of adventuring duo on the continent, but the guild master knew full well the exaggerated rumors surrounding these two.
Their feat of destroying the Dogmatika Nation was enough for any king of any nation to treat them as honored guests.
The white-haired, dark-skinned boy, Albaz, was turning his head to speak softly with the golden-haired girl, Ecclesia.
The two of them had been traveling across this vast continent on their adventures and had just arrived at the southern edge of the Noxar Kingdom in the continent's south today.
Having heard that there was a fairly large intermediate-level Dungeon here, they discussed it and decided to come explore, while also taking in the local customs and culture.
Seeing that the two were in good spirits, the guild master quickly seized the opportunity and spoke respectfully:
"Since you two are planning to explore the Blackedge Dungeon, the guild happens to have some unusual incidents we'd like to entrust you to investigate along the way. As for the reward, the guild will ensure your satisfaction."
Albaz turned his head and said enthusiastically, "What kind of unusual incidents? If it's on our way, we can take a look."
The guild leader breathed a sigh of relief and reported, "It's like this–recently, there have been some strange changes in the dungeon's ecosystem. First, the regional overlord of the sixth floor, the Skeleton Lord, suddenly disappeared."
"We sent several waves of scouts to investigate, but not even a single bone fragment was found. Second, some unknown creatures, never recorded in the guild's bestiary, have appeared in the Misty Water Vein on the fourth floor. Many adventurers have suffered losses there."
Sitting beside Albaz, Ecclesia was holding a piece of Blackedge Town's signature black rye rock salt flatbread in both hands.
She took a big bite, her cheeks puffed out.
Upon hearing the guild leader's words, she blinked her beautiful eyes and offered the remaining half of the flatbread to Albaz's mouth.
Albaz naturally took a bite, chewing as he summoned his attribute interface panel in his mind.
⌜True Name: Albaz⌟
╰ Level: 24 (Humanoid)
╰ Race: Abyss Dragon
╰ Talents: Powerful Physique, Fusion Power, Branding
╰ Skills: Dragonification++++X, (Pseudo) Abyss King (Half) MAX, Strength LV17, Branding Studies++X, Swordsmanship LV16, Jade LV42...
Albaz looked at his long and dazzling list of skills, pondering for a moment.
He turned to Ecclesia and asked softly, "Ecclesia, what do you think? Since we're going to the dungeon anyway, why not take on this commission along the way?"
Ecclesia struggled to swallow the flatbread in her mouth, then smiled gently. "Sure, whatever Albaz decides is fine.
"Besides, helping local adventurers is part of our journey too."
The two exchanged a smile and immediately agreed to take on the investigation commission.
...
Meanwhile, at the entrance of Blackedge Town's Dungeon.
This place was perpetually shrouded in darkness, with moss covering the walls.
A middle-aged adventurer was squatting in a corner with a young adventurer, sorting through the equipment in their backpacks.
The young adventurer, named Ryan, wore a brand-new black iron rank badge on his chest.
At that moment, he was holding a worn-out cloth, repeatedly wiping the cheap iron sword in his hand, his palms slick with sweat.
"Uncle Buck, I... this is my first time entering a dungeon. Is it really okay with just the two of us, both black iron rank?" Ryan's voice trembled slightly, his eyes constantly darting toward the dungeon entrance.
The middle-aged man, known as Buck, blew out a thick puff of smoke as he skillfully cleaned a pile of worn-looking climbing gear.
Ropes, pitons, carabiners–he inspected each piece with meticulous care.
"Ryan, you're too nervous. Put the sword away before you cut yourself, before even encountering any monsters."
Buck tapped his pipe against the sole of his shoe, looked up at the rookie, and began patiently explaining the details of the Blackedge Dungeon.
Buck pointed at the wide entrance, his voice low. "The first floor of this Dungeon is called Glimmering Shallows. It's mainly lit by those glowing mosses, so the light is decent enough.
"The bottom of the ecosystem here is just some Scavenging Slimes and Cave Giant Rats. These things pose very little threat to humans.
"As long as you don't actively stick your hand into a Slime's mouth, you basically won't die.
"This place is a playground and herb-gathering area for beginners. We'll just pass through."
Ryan listened attentively, nodding repeatedly.
Buck continued, "Going further down is the second floor, the Abandoned Mine. That place has a complex environment, full of abandoned mining tunnels and cave-ins. Cunning Goblin tribes have taken up residence there.
"Remember, although Goblins are individually weak, at this level of the ecosystem, social Monsters have begun to appear.
"They set up crude traps and coordinate attacks. Every year, arrogant newcomers die from the sneak attacks of those green-skinned runts."
Goblins?!
Ryan asked nervously, "I've heard Goblins specifically capture human women for breeding. Is that true?"
Buck snorted dismissively and waved his hand. "You believe the nonsense those bards in the taverns spin? Actually, Goblin tribes have their own women. They wouldn't specifically risk being wiped out by powerful humans just to capture human women for breeding.
"If that were really the case, the Goblins in the Dungeon would have been exterminated long ago by armies of furious adventurers."
Just then did Ryan relax.
"After that comes the third floor, called Illusory Mushroom Forest."
Buck's expression turned serious. "It's filled with all kinds of giant mushrooms, and hallucinogenic spores drift through the air. The main Monsters there are Poisonous Fungus Beasts and Vine Snakes.
"Remember, kid, if you go in without a gas mask, you won't make it ten steps before you start hallucinating and end up laughing foolishly, becoming fertilizer for those plants."
"What about the fourth floor?" Ryan asked curiously.
"The fourth floor is Misty Water Vein. Most of that floor is submerged in groundwater, and who knows what kind of nasty things are hiding in the water.
"Very few adventurers risk exploring the fourth floor. It's too easy to have an accident there. Usually, everyone finds a hidden passage and skips directly to the fifth floor.
"This fourth floor is the dividing line between Iron Rank and Silver Rank adventurers."
At this point, Buck emphasized a piece of common knowledge that all adventurers must follow. "Ryan, you must remember the iron rule of the Dungeon:
"All Monsters are restricted by the Stratum Barrier; Lower-level Monsters cannot go to higher levels. For example, a Monster from the sixth floor, no matter how strong, cannot go to the fifth floor.
"And all Monsters are absolutely unable to step outside the Dungeon. They are locked here by invisible rules."
After hearing this, Ryan felt even more puzzled.
He scratched his head, looking at the climbing gear in Buck's hands. "Uncle Buck, since the conventional route gets more dangerous floor by floor, and the fourth floor is Silver Rank territory... how dare we two Iron Ranks go to the higher floors to scavenge? Going there would be suicide."
Buck smiled, slung the climbing rope over his shoulder, and patted Ryan on the back.
"Come with me first."
The two lit torches and entered the Dungeon.
They passed through the first floor and entered the Dungeon's second floor.
Buck led Ryan away from the wide main passage, winding through the intricate mine tunnels. He deliberately chose remote corners thick with dust, places even Goblins avoided.
After walking for over an hour, Buck brought him to an extremely secluded cliff edge on the second level.
Ryan raised his torch and shone it forward, startling himself.
Before them appeared a vertical pit with a diameter of at least a hundred meters!
A piercing, icy wind howled up from the pit's depths, causing the torch flame to flicker wildly as the pit exuded a dangerous aura.
Buck pointed at the pit and whispered, "This... is our shortcut for bottom-tier adventurers. Only a few know about it; a physical passage, carved by some strange force, that goes straight from the second level to the tenth!"
Ryan stumbled back in fear. "Straight... to the tenth level? You must be joking!"
Buck grabbed him. "As long as we're brave enough and have good steel ropes, we can ignore those deadly floor Labyrinths and rappel straight down to the edges of the higher levels!
"After those high-level adventurers finish killing high-level Monsters down there, there are always scraps they don't want. If we can just pick up a little, it'll be enough to make us rich!
"We might even find some Monster Larvae. If we can contract those Monster Larvae, we can take them out of the Dungeon.
"Sometimes, you can even find Demon Race children in the deeper floors."
Ryan looked at the giant hole, his legs trembling uncontrollably.
Ignoring his fear, Buck began securing the main rope tightly to a sturdy rock pillar at the cliff's edge.
He tugged hard to test the rope's firmness, then turned to warn Ryan.
"Listen up, kid. Once we're down there, no greed! We'll only move around the edge of the pit. If we find anything valuable, we climb back up the rope right away!
"Don't you dare take even half a step away from the pit's edge. Any Monster from the deeper floors could tear us to shreds, got it?"
Ryan nodded frantically.
The two helped each other fasten the safety locks on their waists and wound the rope around their descenders.
Buck went over the cliff first. Ryan gritted his teeth and followed.
They began to slide slowly down the steep rock wall.
The surrounding light gradually faded, the temperature plummeted, and a sense of oppression enveloped Ryan.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]