There wasn't any doubt in my mind. This cave was actually a dungeon. This meant that the beasts present inside were all enhanced by mana. They weren't like the creatures I was getting used to fighting. They were in a league of their own.
Though to me, this dungeon presented another opportunity. The opportunity to earn mana crystals and cores.
Am I ready for this?
Naturally cautious, I didn't want to mindlessly charge into a dungeon. I mean, other players would normally form parties just to enter, and I was currently the weakest player in the game so I had to be careful.
Plus, there was something else that stopped me in my tracks and erased every silly idea I had of entering: I didn't know the threat level of the dungeon.
For all I knew, it could've been an A-ranked dungeon. If that was the case, then it was guaranteed I would die instantly the moment I stepped foot inside.
Another important thing that I forgot is that I didn't even know where I was.
Why was that important?
Well, guilds had contracts with certain kingdoms. With that contract, it is only the members of that guild that can enter the dungeons in that kingdom.
If someone from an opposing guild breached this and entered, then it could easily lead to a guild war. Since I wasn't a part of any guild, if I entered a dungeon that belonged to another guild's territory, then it would mean I would be killed immediately.
Of course, there were kingdoms that didn't have any such agreements with any guild and land masses that were completely free, offering the chance for people like me to enter dungeons in these territories.
Bottom line was, I needed more information and strength before I entered this dungeon or any dungeon for that matter.
After hours of hunting and surviving inside the world of Vesperia, I was beginning to feel a bit tired, so I quickly found somewhere to hide.
There was a steep rock formation next to a steep slope. This area was covered in moss and didn't seem to be visited much.
I squeezed my way through a tiny crevice in the rocks and curled myself up into a ball before I finally logged out.
Opening my eyes, I was back in the same room where I fell asleep. Still a bit groggy, I climbed out of bed, but just then I noticed something: a sharp, needle-like appendage was sticking through the back of my wrist. It reminded me of that hidden blade used in that assassin game.
Is this… my forcipules?
My arm was burning from where it was sticking out. It is common for your body to change as your progress increases in Vesperia. But this was dangerous. If Amelia was on the bed with me when this happened, I could've accidentally poisoned her.
Apart from my forcipules, nowhere else on my body had changed. Though I had to admit, having my exoskeleton cover my body would've been a cool look.
With my heart beating wildly, I slowly reached out and touched my appendage, and immediately a small cut was made on my finger.
The obsidian was sharp. I don't think I can be killed by my own venom... I hope.
"I have to learn how to control this so I don't accidentally hurt someone."
But the information I had on hand was too small.
Maybe I could check the forum, but even then, there was still not enough information available. There was a special university for players created by the Universal Player Association, but just the admission's cost alone was outrageous.
I couldn't afford it now, but maybe when I start earning.
While I contemplated my next move, my forcipules slowly retreated back into my arm like a retractable blade as if it was never there in the first place.
Climbing out of bed, I then made my way out of the room. I couldn't help but notice how much cleaner my apartment was. It was usually a mess with empty energy drink bottles and dirty clothes lying around on the floor, but that was all gone.
My clothes were washed and neatly folded. The trash was empty, and everything was meticulously cleaned to the point where the room seemed to sparkle. Even the air felt fresh.
A sweet scent wafted through the apartment. It smelled delicious. Stepping outside the room, the first thing I noticed was the TV playing an interview with a player from Vesperia. This player was ranked 390.
In this world, players were treated like celebrities, so things like these were common. Most players were filthy rich, even the ones who weren't ranked high.
They also had more rights than the average citizen, and certain laws didn't apply to them, especially if they belonged to a powerful guild.
This was not only because they possessed superhuman strength but also because they were the ones keeping the human race from extinction.
That is why being a player was such a highly sought-after profession, but since it had a high mortality rate and low compatibility, only a few managed to survive in this field.
Amelia was in the kitchen, going about her business. Her blonde hair was tied in a bun and there was a white apron tied around her waist.
"Oh, you're finally awake." She greeted me with a smile.
"I see you're making dinner again."
She nodded her head and smiled.
"Yes, I bought some groceries with the money I got from my new job as a waitress. I know how much you like pasta, so I'm trying to make some for you."
"It smells good," I said as I leaned on the kitchen counter.
Cleaning the apartment. Buying groceries and cooking…
Why does it feel like she is trying to impress me?
If there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that Amelia had never so much as boiled water until she came here. But since she was putting in so much effort, seeing the amount of work she was doing, I couldn't help but feel suspicious.
"So, how did things go in Vesperia?" she asked as she used a large spoon to stir the pot.
"It went well, especially since it's only my second day. How about you? How was your day? You left early this morning."
"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I've never worked before and I kept messing up and breaking dishes but I think I'm improving."
"That's good."
The two of us continued to make small talk until dinner was ready, and the two of us sat down on the floor to eat. The small apartment didn't have anywhere to fit a table nor could I afford one.
"How does it taste?" she asked eagerly as she watched me take the first bite.
Smiling, I reached out and patted her on the head.
"It tastes delicious. You did a good job."
Her face brightened, and even though she tried to hide it, there was a slight redness in her cheeks. Seeing that I was staring at her, she forced a frown and began to speak, her cheeks slightly puffing up into a pout.
"You don't have to go back to Vesperia if you don't want to. With my new job, I can take care of both of us, so you don't have to work. I know it's not much for now, but I'll find a better job soon. And I'm also getting better at cooking and cleaning, right? You saw for yourself. So, what do you say?"