1 Prologue
Before the first appearance of dungeons which changed the world to its current state, it was a modern world of technology. Cars that travel to a destination with a single thought of the driver, apps that allow one to immerse themself into a virtual reality world and even floating buildings in the air.
The first dungeon was a sign of disaster, backed up with unexpected casualties. Tens of thousands died and according to their categorisation later on, it was mere goblins that were the weakest. The goblins were at the 1st tier of danger out of the six danger tiers.
Ever since then, the appearance of each dungeon caused the Earth to expand miraculously. This soon resulted in a rift between the dungeons and the adventurers guild.
Intruders from the other world occupied the dungeons, acclaiming themselves as dungeon lords as a few humans, joined them with the notion of changing the world.
Even though most of them were at the bottom dungeon tier, there was one human who outshone everyone. He was the first to join the dungeon lords.
Near the outskirts of the town were countless villages. These villages were of poor living conditions and with the current situation, they were prone to attacks from any demons or creatures that took residence in the forests.
They may only be the weakest monsters such as goblins, imps or even just slimes. But even the weakest were lethal enough to kill a human with ease.
The world's currency was changed to three common currencies. Copper, silver and gold coins.
100 copper coins would be equivalent to 1 silver coin.
100 silver coins would be equivalent to 1 gold coin.
This was also the reason why monsters such as slimes were commonly hunted as the slime from their body, can be sold to alchemists for around 20 copper coins each. It might seem like much, but just one small vial of health potion can cost up to 8 copper coins, and one small vial of mana potion costing up to 6 copper coins.
Equipment on the other hand would cost a fortune to those who have not been burning the midnight oil grinding for coins. The lowest rarity dagger would cost an arm, at 80 copper coins plus taking into account the repair fees that differ based on the weapons condition.
Furthermore, when hunting it would take immense skill and caution. In order to stay out of harm's way whilst carefully slaying the creature perfectly to preserve it's precious parts. These parts such as wolf skin or a slime's heart can be sold for a generous amount of coins.
Leading to the stage where most adventurers strive to join a guild for the discounted price of equipment and potions.
Vildred was a young boy, living in a village alone. From what he knows, his parents had passed away since he was of a tender age. It was his recently deceased grandfather who had been taking care of him till the end of the previous year. Three months had passed since then and he had been making a living for himself.
He would wake up at dawn everyday, leaving for work by harvesting herbs. By the time he returned in the afternoon, he would return with a full basket. This earned him about 10 copper coins after selling them. If he was lucky, he could earn up to 12 copper coins.
In the afternoon, he would be forging equipment at the blacksmith which earned him 10 copper coins a day. His hair had already grown long after months, yet he allowed them to flow to his shoulders. His stature was average, but defined from months of physical labour.
During these three months, he had spent time learning about these monsters by buying the books at a sky high price, basic information of each low tier monster costs around 1 silver coin. It covered their weaknesses and traits and how to farm them which explains its price.
Even so, he managed to save up around 12 silver coins, just three more silver coins and he can travel to a town for a guild recruitment test. Oblivious to the fact that the required age was sixteen and up and the minimum need of at least one crystal essence particle.
On that fateful day, he was at the hills gathering herbs as per usual when he saw a girl that caught his eye.
As his eyes raked her figure, he noticed that she was around his age, she had fair skin and was wearing casual clothing. Her snowy hair flowed down one side of her shoulder.
Another one of those perverts? That was her first thought as she took out a sharp dagger from her spatial ring.
What is she doing? Vildred took one final glance before recollecting his thoughts to gather the herbs. Sure she was beautiful, but he was more curious about her identity. He had never seen her in the village.
He turned away from me? Walking up to Vildred with a dagger concealed behind her forearm, she baited him with a question. "What's your name?"
Her voice was gentle and innocent. Vildred paused for a moment to look at her, his eyes full of caution. "What is it that you want? If there's nothing else, please leave."
How dare he speak to me this way! Ever since young, no one had the guts to disrespect her. They would only admire her beauty from afar, she was a rose covered in thorns that can kill without batting an eye.
"Do you need help?" She asked as she attempted to pull a herb out of the ground, only for a hand to grip her wrist.
"What do you think you're doing?" She questioned, forgetting to suppress her aura that might take the life of a mortal against her own intentions.
Vildred released his grip as he gently dug into the soil to remove the herb without touching its roots.. "Sorry about that, but touching the roots of the peacock flower might damage its natural essence."
At this point of time, she just wanted to leave. Especially when she saw the intention of Vildred wanting to be her teacher for today. She may be a genius who has already awakened her soul weapon before awakening her first dark essence particle. But she was clueless when it comes to mundane tasks such as the gathering of herbs.
The dark essence particle contains the same amount of force as a crystal essence particle, but the two energies oppose each other.
Before long, it was afternoon and she was beginning to get interested in the process of harvesting herbs.
"Hey, I have to leave for another job right now." As she gathered the last herb according to the steps he told her, Vildred noticed that it would be his work time at the blacksmith soon.
"Will you be here tomorrow?" She asked with a light blush on her face, she didn't know what this feeling was, but it was the first time someone gave her warmth. Not out of respect for her identity, but as an equal.
"Of course, I'll be here every morning." Vildred replied, a long strand of hair caught in his mouth from the breeze.
"I'll see you here tomorrow then, the name's Charlotte." Before Vildred could even react, she had already sprinted off to the opposite direction of the village.
Maybe she's from the town. That was the conclusion he came to based on the direction she travelled to.
From that day onwards, they met up with each other every single day. At the end of the third month they met, she asked him, "Are you able to meet me here tonight?"
Vildred was surprised by this question and before he could even process his thoughts, he asked anxiously, "Are you leaving?"
It was a feeling Vildred couldn't explain, he just felt a sense of emptiness within him.
Charlotte was about to lie, but she could feel herself panicking when her eyes met his gaze. The more she tried to say those words from her mouth, the more they got stuck in her throat.
"I'm sorry, but my father has ordered for my return." Charlotte choked as tears gushed out of her eyes, her body leaning towards Vildred who pulled her into his embrace. The feeling of his warmth calmed her down as she laid there, her eyes closed to enjoy this moment.
The flow of time seemed to have quickened at this time. With the moon as their representative, he assured Charlotte, "Don't worry, I'll bring you back to my side one day regardless of the setbacks ahead."
After a long period of time, Charlotte finally plucked out the courage to tell Vildred the truth.
She was the daughter of one of the dungeon lords, Azazel. He was in full control of a peak expert dungeon. Protected by tens of 3rd tier danger level monsters such as gargoyles. Hundreds of hobgoblins and thousands of weaker monsters.
To add on to the security, countless traps were laid in place as well.
"Is there a way for me to meet you again one day?" Vildred asked the final question.
"Become a dungeon lord and take part in the dungeon battles three years later. Also, you have to become the dungeon lord in control of a veteran dungeon or you won't even get to meet me." Charlotte said, allowing the tears to flow as she left without turning back.
She wanted to catch a final glimpse of his face, but she lacked the courage to do so. If she hesitates now, it wouldn't be possible for her to leave him.
Before she vanished from his sight, Charlotte threw a scroll towards him.
Vildred caught it easily as he opened it up, speaking to himself, "The forest huh?"
Today was also the big day where all the subsidiary guilds would be opening their doors to new blood with talents. In the town, it was a grand sight with countless people crowding in the assembly area hosted by the five guilds of their respective professions.
Many have merely dreamed of being in an adventurers guild but yet many have failed.
The adventurers guild had a few high requirements that had to be met before the thought of even joining could come across one's mind.
Firstly, money was a big issue for most as they were not blessed with fortune when they were born. They would need equipment that could meet the standards of the guild. Secondly, their physical state had to be above their own tip top condition as subsidiary guilds in the town had very high expectations. And lastly and most importantly, one needs to have a crystal essence particle in order to join.
These crystal essence particles are acquired through the use of crystal essence manuals of the common grade which are given out by the guilds and can allow one to get up to 10 crystal essence particles. These manuals are categorised into 6 rarities and a mythical rarity that was rumoured to be found once every 10 million manuals discovered. The rarities are Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mystical and Demonic, the rarest of them all.
The tests are so mentally and physically straining that some were severely injured when attempting the tests.
