1 An Average Dungeon: Ten Years

Honestly, I would not complain if the outcome depended on me. Even if the result was the same, I would the least have known that it was my own fault and I am to be blamed. And now, what can be said ... out of luck? Even as an excuse it is a weak one.

And yet – this is the reality. I am the weakest. The weakest in a world where I have to risk my life.

It all started ten years ago. As I remember it, in front of me, a twelve-year-old youth, appeared "Origin", as it is now called. Everyone saw it differently. For some, it did not resemble a human being at all, but I saw it as a reflection of myself, with the only difference in the opposite colour scheme.

I don't think I got this "power" by accident. Although, unlike the others, I was not the one the power giving white beam aimed at. I was just trying to protect my friend and shielded her from this strange white light substance. Stupid, stupid human being - I always try to save everyone. How did I feel when, two years later, that girl accused me of taking her ticket to the "special world" from her? Nothing pleasant I must say.

After that incident, when all over the world thousands and thousands were chosen by the "Origin", the world fell into chaos. Someone linked the incident with politics, because only a few dozen countries were subjected to this curse. Others interpreted it as the God's work. Some even tried to explain everything by science.

After that, nothing happened for three years. People were just stewing in their juice. And only a few managed to guess that it was the calm before the storm.

Exactly three years later, on the same day, "Labyrinths" appeared - spatial rifts of unknown origin, and humanity began to explore the new phenomenon causing the monster outbreak from the labyrinths. The so called "chosen people" were summoned over by the unknown forces to resist the monsters.

The first wave of hundreds upon hundreds of labyrinths was the worst. Thousands and thousands of gates have opened across the countries, from which all kinds of horrifying creatures have emerged. The victims numbered in tens of millions, many of whom were the people given the power by the Origin. The second wave was faced with the support of the whole world's armies. The confrontation lasted three months, and still another four million souls were lost around the globe. Finally, by the third wave, the humanity was able to defeat all the monsters and save humanity from yet another tragedy.

Every human being who received the strength from the Origin went through all this madness. I was no exception. A fifteen-year-old boy who did not understand anything, who did not have any superpowers to tell of. Well, someone had to be him - the weakest in the world. And, to my pride, I can say that, being exactly him, I survived in the place where even the strongest have died. Although, it is fair to ask, what could I do to the Dragons!? The Undead Lich!? The only "strength" I have is a terrible luck, but it's been with me ever since I was born. Still, I'm alive. Alive, and I can walk the streets with my head held high up. I am not tormented by remorse, and I have nothing to be ashamed of. Only a few, even of the strongest from those times, can boast of the same thing.

Many died during the outbreaks and some had appeared as the heroes. Some have been hailed as strategic combat units equal to the Nuclear Weapons. Some were called Monsters. Others were immortalized as Saints.

After these events, the world could not be the same. The human inclination to learn everything has revealed that the Labyrinths can be "cleaned" before the outbreak, thus avoiding unnecessary sacrifices. Guilds began to appear, and the people blessed by the Origin began to be called Adventurers. The labyrinths themselves began to be called the "Dungeons". A clear classification of powers based on ranks was formed - "S"; "A"; "B"; "C"; "D"; "E". Of course, I got into the weakest - E rank.

But it was not the end. During this time, a lot has surfaced out from the undercover of the world. For example, many magical-religious orders that have existed in the world for hundreds and thousands of years came out and began to promote their teachings in countries where adventurers did not appear. In addition to adventurers and magicians, one more power has been added to the world - espers with their "special abilities" and a zeal to prove everything with science. Each had its own concepts, strengths, teachings, and therefore each rejected the rest. The world was divided between these parties.

This is the history of this world since the twenty-fifth year of the third millennium. It has been ten years since the Origin manifested itself. During this time, no flying cars appeared, and the streets did not become crowded with robots. But technology hasn't stayed the same. Many new materials from the dungeons, as well as time, did their job.

But this has nothing to do with me. As the refrigerator was breaking down with enviable regularity in my childhood, it is still breaking down the same. The only change is the fact that it became more expensive to fix it afterwards.

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The time was approaching noon. A young black-haired guy walked along the road from a store. His unusual red eyes frowned at the path ahead, and he himself looked somewhat sleepy. His image was not pleasant to the eye, although his appearance was pretty attractive.

"Hey Groot, are you going to the Dungeon?" - a voice with infinite enthusiasm sounded somewhere behind.

The guy didn't seem to hear, since he continued to walk where he was going. True, the speed of his steps slightly increased.

"Hey-hey, Gromov, wait for me!" - This time the voice was much closer.

Realizing that it would not be so easy to get rid of the annoying acquaintance, the red-eyed brunette was forced to stop. Only a heavy sigh testified to his unwillingness to do so.

"Gromov-boy, why are you so angry?" - Finally, an acquaintance ran to the young man and immediately hugged him. - "Ignoring me again! I can be offended like this."

"Two steps back, or I swear to God, I'll break your neck faster than you can call me that again!" - The young man almost growled, with the intent to fulfil his promise.

Of course, he knew that he will not succeed. But this will not stop him from trying to turn his words into reality.

"Alright, Alright" - the acquaintance quickly fulfilled his request. – "Don't be such a bully, we are friends!" - the best friend of the weakest adventurer in the world straightened a lock of his golden hair.

"Stop aping" - the red-eyed sighed and started to move. The acquaintance continued to walk beside him. – "You look too pretty for a guy. Cut your face, or something, then you will resemble a man…Maybe."

"Hey!" - The guy who is often confused with a girl shouted indignantly. – "Even if I get a couple of scars on my face, you think it can ruin my innate god given beauty?" - smiled the most handsome man in the world according to the opinion of the absolute majority of the females in the country.

"You used to be a normal kid, when did you take the wrong path, Gil?

"This is really insulting, whimp-whimp. Well, might it be just the nagging of the unpopular guy here? When was the last time you had a date? Let me guess. Was it... Never? Hahah… I have had a date just yesterday. You should have seen that brunette girl..."

"Yes, Yes. But I'd rather be single, than to have your kind of trashy relationships" - the brunette sighed. – "You sort of just broke up with the last girl, when have you had the time to find a new one?"

"I asked you not to say that about my relationships!" - the blond was indignant. - "As for your question, I never had problems with finding new girlfriends" - the young man abruptly changed his mood, for some reason averted his gaze a little. – "But you didn't answer my question - are you going to the dungeon?" - He quickly changed the subject.

"How did you guess so?"

"Since you were stuck in that dungeon and spent three days without water and food, you usually buy a bunch of provisions before the raid. Didn't like the experience, huh?"

Gromov said nothing. This was the spirit of this "weakest" of adventurers. All the time to get into all sorts of incidents, and each time to have a new experience. For him, there was nothing unusual about being on the brink of death in yet another dungeon.

And still, he managed to survive every time. With severed limbs, on the verge of life and death, but survive.

"Going for the dungeon alone, again? Your glory goes far ahead of you ..."

"Yes, but its fine" - the brunette did not show his emotions. – "In a team, I might not be feeling comfortable, but being by myself, my life will depend only on me alone."

"Should I wish you a good luck?" - the blue-eyed one chuckled, and seeing Gromov's frown, he only smiled at him. - "I hope you get back well, buddy."

"Me too" - Victor Gromov nodded and put forward his fist.

A familiar gesture for two best friends - silently banging their fist, they once again confirmed their friendship.

The blue-eyed blond couldn't help but leave a comment.

"You should have behaved like this from the beginning! If you pretend to be a "tsundere", people around us will be thinking that I'm imposing on you!" - with these words, Gavril Leonov disappeared into a golden glow before the bag of groceries flew into his face.

In such a manner the "weakest" and the "strongest" once again said goodbye.