42 Something's wrong.
I sat there amidst the scorching and blistering terrain for a few moments, contemplating whether to proceed further.
The rising heat assaulting me didn't make my decision any easier. It only served to aggravate me further.
'There is also the stupid dungeon.' I paused for a second. That was my main concern.
'I don't know what could happen... The entire thing can collapse on me for all I know.'
I shook my head, this whole reconsidering thing I was going through sounded pretty stupid.
How would I grow stronger if I don't challenge myself?
Limits are meant to be surpassed!
"Let's do this shit." The grin I had on grew wider and wider the further I lifted my hand in the air in encouragement.
[PyroStrider- LVl5]
HP: 3100
MP: -
The PyroStriders were pre-historic looking large bipedal birds. It uncannily resembled the Phorusrhacidae, more commonly known as terror birds— or just simply a very fucking big two-legged carnivous bird.
Their beaks were metallic, and their claws measured several inches. Their rough looking feathers were of crimson red and fiery orange colour. Skulls thick, and eyes glowing red. It would have made for an interesting mount; if not for the fire that surrounded it.
The BigBird's legs were pseudo turbo boosters. The thing was fast, incredibly so. Sadly, it had to attack me at some point.
That would be the moment when I would time a counterattack. It would inevitably try to pick me apart with its claws or shred me with its razor teeth decorated beak.
The possibility of simply overwhelming it with pure strength or even magic existed, but I didn't dare to waste precious resources.
I learned not to underestimate the dungeon by now. I wouldn't want to be caught lacking, only for some kind of massive bullshit to ambush me out of nowhere.
The dungeon seemed to really hate my guts so far.
Every descent was a leap of faith at best— a death trip at worst.
But that wouldn't stop me, would it?
Rather, I must say that l feel quite honoured to grab Miss Dungeon's entire attention.
[Fire Drake-Lvl5]
HP: 3200
MP: 800
My musings were briskly interrupted when a pack of fire drakes closed in on me. They were still over-glorified large lizards, but these at least had the decency to be able to properly breathe fire. Way tougher scales were also a decent bonus.
The combined Fire breath of the four drakes was what greeted me. Usually, I would simply choose to dodge these kinds of slow attacks. But I had another thing in mind this time.
I applied a healthy dose of MP to form a strong wind current. My silver hair fluttered along the resulting wind gusts.
*Swoosh*
The previous fiery breath disappeared into the air as shaky cinders.
The bunch of them stopped for a moment in pure puzzlement at what happened. But that didn't last long, it seems they didn't learn anything because the next instant they started charging their breath attacks again, yet again.
I was not impressed.
Deciding that was enough, I didn't let them breathe out that weak fire they wanted to so much. The moment the fire was about to come out of their jaws was when I again applied some wind magic. This time with some water mixed in. It would be more appropriate to call mist, I suppose.
Just as surmised, that didn't go exceedingly well for the lizards, the high pressure of the steam explosion made sure of that. The poor bastards exploded like overstuffed balloons.
"Not so fire-resistant from the inside, Heh?" I smirked looking at the bits and pieces laying on the dungeon floor.
After that little escapade with the drakes, I was left wondering around on the 41st floor. All I managed to find were previously spawned monsters, as such, no new ones spawned from the ceiling, floor, or even the dungeon walls to harvest my soul as usual. I was surprised that show of MP wastage didn't provoke the dungeon to send some my way.
It was frankly underwhelming.
If any adventurer had heard that, they would be rolling around in intense, unadulterated rage. No doubt cursing up to my tenth generation like some Xianxia Young master.
'Is the dungeon starting to play nice?' I thought internally but immediately came out of that thought.
No, it probably wouldn't randomly do that. Why would it?
The 42nd floor was much better, new monsters spawned consistently. I couldn't help but notice that they were indeed way less than the usual amount I would be welcomed by, however.
[Elite Hellhound-Lv 5]
HP: 3400
MP: 700
It was a much bigger and much meaner hellhound just as its name would suggest, with much larger jaws and tougher claws. Its hide looked resilient, and it was in fact so. No longer was it completely focused on spewing little fireballs that barely did any damage like its middle floor counterpart.
The big black dog was an agile and vicious predator when its magic was deemed useless. The instincts that it had were what carried it... It was the toughest normal monster I have yet to face so far.
It put up an impressive fight, especially when in groups. Their teamwork was noteworthy but just wasn't enough to pressure me enough to panic. I'm sure that stupid Udaeus would be rolling in its grave if I weren't able to take care of these puppies.
Some time passed with me just slaughtering monsters as usual with no major hiccups.
'Is there some sort of limit on how much the dungeon can interfere?' I thought pensively. 'Maybe it exhausted its 'interference bar' for the day.?'
" But why would the rewards from the daily quest be so much better than normal?" I rejoined confused.
Things weren't adding up.
I didn't like when things didn't add up, it usually means something majorly wrong is happening. That wasn't something I wanted to happen when I'm in the dungeon.
My guard was raised higher than it has ever been before. Fear of the unknown is the Kryptonite of all intelligent lifeforms. And I was no different in that regard.
Albeit, I wouldn't let that fear consume and grip my heart. I couldn't let it. Improvement requires change, and change requires challenging oneself.
I treaded on not knowing what could possibly be awaiting me. The difference now was that I was more confident.
-------------------
[Akagi Ken]
Level:4
HP: 4500-->4660
MP: 2090-->2330
Unallocated Stat points: 132
Valis: ~10mil
-Strength: S910-->EX1060
-Endurance: S999-->EX1140
-Dexterity: EX1020-->EX1260
-Agility: EX1020-->EX1260
-Magic: EX1010-->EX1106
Skills: Gamers Mind - Gamers Body - Instinct - Mind's Eye (True) - Mage - Mystery- MasterSmith- One-Handed Sword Mastery - Rejuvenation - Shapeshifting - Mixing- HeadPatting.
Magic: Ele magic - Non-Ele magic - Inventory- Space-Time magic.
[MasterSwordsman: Lv4.]
[MasterElementalist: Lv1-->Lv2]
If you feel like supporting me, or reading up to 10chs ahead: patr3on.com/MunirSM
