First Dungeon Dive <1>

A week had bled into the bustling life of Orario, and Zephyr felt a sense of belonging bloom within the walls of Twilight Manor. His mornings began with a familiar rhythm – the clanging of his practice blade against the training dummy, the sting of sweat in his eyes, and the steady thrum of his own improving strength.

Tiona, a whirlwind of dark green eyes and boundless energy, had become a fixture in his training routine. Their sparring sessions were a chaotic mix of laughter, grunts, and the occasional stray punch finding its mark. But beyond the playful competition, a genuine camaraderie had begun to form.

Yet, today held a different kind of anticipation. Zephyr had spent the past week meticulously preparing for his first dungeon dive. His advisor, the same woman who had been left speechless by the news of Loki's recruitment, had become a valuable source of knowledge. Days were spent poring over maps of the upper floors, learning the whispers and legends associated with the labyrinth beneath their city.

Floor by floor, he'd meticulously devoured information about the first eighteen levels – the habitats of various monsters, the layouts of corridors and chambers, the whispers of hidden treasures or deadly traps. Armed with this knowledge, Zephyr felt a tremor of excitement course through him. It was time to test his skills, to carve his own path into the heart of the dungeon.

He stood before his training dummy, its dented surface a testament to countless clashes, and took a deep breath. This was just the beginning. Today, he began his ascent. Today, he began his journey to become a true adventurer.

Zephyr emerged from the shower, the warm water washing away the accumulated sweat of his morning training. A sense of steely resolve settled over him as he dried himself off. Today was the day.

He donned his combat gear, a black, form-fitting long sleeve shirt that clung to his well-defined muscles. Over it, he draped his familiar white cloak, a memento of his journey from the village to Orario. His trusty sword was secured on his left hip, its weight a comforting presence.

As he stepped out of his room, a chorus of greetings echoed through the hallway. "Yo, Zephyr!" "Finally tackling the Dungeon, huh?" The Familia members, their faces a mix of amusement and anticipation, cheered him on. Zephyr offered a curt nod in acknowledgement, his focus laser-sharp.

Reaching Loki's office, he rapped on the door with a firm cadence. "Come in," a voice, both playful and authoritative, drifted out.

Zephyr pushed the door open and stepped inside, his posture radiating confidence. "I'm just here to inform you." he began, "I'm heading into the Dungeon."

Loki, perched on her chair with a mischievous glint in her eyes, paused mid-scribble. Her quill hovered over a sheet of parchment, ink dripping down in a playful splatter. "Finally decided to grace the Dungeon with your presence, huh?" she drawled, a hint of amusement lacing her voice.

"Well," she continued, leaning back in her chair, "before you go gallivanting off, pay a visit to the storage room. Get yourself stocked up on potions. You wouldn't want to get caught down there with a scratch and no way to heal it, would you?"

The conversation was brief and to the point. Zephyr, ever the pragmatist, wasted no time heading towards the storage. He grabbed a satchel, securing it to his back, and stocked it with ten Health Potions – a basic necessity for any new adventurer.

An afterthought struck him, and he grabbed a comically large backpack as well. This would hold the spoils of his descent – the Magic Stones dropped by the monsters he defeated. These, he knew, could be exchanged for valuable resources at the Guild.

Armed with his trusty sword, a stock of healing potions, and a hefty backpack, Zephyr stood at the entrance to the Dungeon. A thrill of anticipation coursed through him. Today, the long-awaited date with the labyrinth beneath the city finally began. He took a deep breath, the stale air of the entrance a stark contrast to the crisp morning air he'd left behind.

—————

The damp air of the dungeon clung to Zephyr as he descended the spiral staircase. Light filtered in from above, illuminating the worn stone steps with an ethereal blue glow. Each step brought him closer to the heart of Orario's labyrinth, a thrilling anticipation building in his chest.

"Floor 10, that's the target," he muttered to himself, setting a goal for his first descent. Loki's words about dinner echoed in his mind, reminding him of the camaraderie he found in the Familia. He didn't want to miss that, after all it was Dinner.

Ten minutes later, his boots landed on the solid stone floor of the first level. The familiar blue luminescence of the upper floors bathed the cavern in an otherworldly light. Even with the dim light, his senses were immediately assaulted by the sights and sounds of the dungeon.

A cacophony of growls and chitters filled the air, punctuated by the occasional clang of metal against metal.

Goblins, their grotesque forms illuminated by the blue light, scurried and shrieked in the distance.

Kobolds, small dog humanoids, darted between shadows, their beady eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.

Zephyr felt a surge of adrenaline course through him. This was it. The real deal.

He noticed a distinct difference from the goblins he'd encountered on the surface. These were bigger, their muscles more defined, their eyes crazed with a hunger born of the dungeon's darkness.

A smirk played on his lips. Time to test his mettle.

He opted to test his own strength first, sheathing his sword and approaching a nearby group of goblins. These creatures, notorious for their cowardice on the surface, seemed emboldened by the dungeon. Their wide eyes gleamed with a feral aggression as they charged at him, gnarled sticks charging towards him.

Zephyr sidestepped their clumsy lunge with ease, their lack of coordination betraying their ferocity. He delivered a swift punch to the lead goblin's chest.

The impact should have dropped the creature, but to his surprise, it stumbled back, shaking its head with a guttural roar. The blow had connected, but it hadn't been enough.

"Interesting," Zephyr murmured, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. So, the monsters here were sturdier than their surface counterparts.

He adjusted his strategy, focusing more force into his next punch. This time, the blow connected squarely with the goblin's head, the sickening crack of bone as well as a grotesque head explosion echoed through the cavern. The creature's body exploded with a cloud of ash, leaving behind a purple magic stone.

Zephyr retrieved the stone, a small token of his victory. With a renewed sense of purpose, he moved forward, one tapping each goblin in the group. Man, it felt great killing monsters.

He smacked his fist into the palm of his other hand, a slight smirk painted on his face. "This is just the beginning."

———[Chapter End]———

A/N: Unfortunately, Bell won't be the Record Holder 😔. But who cares, bullshit progression goes brr.

But of course, I'm kidding. His growth will be fast, and frankly world breaking. But each one needs a challenge, I'm opting for a decent fanfiction after all.