Slime Dungeon (1)

Victoria arrived at the entrance of the Slime Dungeon, the cold, damp air brushing against her skin as she stood on the rough, uneven ground.

She blinked, momentarily disoriented as the swirling mist surrounding the dungeon's entrance parted before her. Instinctively, her hands moved to cover herself, expecting to feel the chill of her bare skin. But instead, she felt the soft, rough texture of fabric against her fingers. Glancing down, she realized she was no longer naked.

A ragged, white toga now hung loosely around her frame, frayed at the edges but providing enough coverage to make her feel less exposed. The material was rough and humble, far beneath the standards of elegance she was accustomed to, but she accepted it for what it was. After all, there was no room for vanity in this strange world where survival was now paramount.

She gave a small, fleeting nod of gratitude and thought silently to herself.

Ava. It must've been her.

There was no other explanation for how she was suddenly clothed. Ava had said little upon sending her to this dungeon, but this act of subtle care did not go unnoticed. Though the smoky wisp was playful, Victoria now understood there was more to Ava than mere amusement. Everything seemed to have a purpose in this world, and Victoria was certain this gesture was no different.

The entrance to the dungeon loomed before her, dark and foreboding, a gaping maw that seemed to swallow the light. A thick mist clung to the rocks, and the distant sound of dripping water echoed through the stone. Victoria inhaled deeply, steadying herself. This was no ordinary place, and the weight of her task settled heavily on her shoulders.

Prove herself.

She reminded herself, her lips pressed into a thin, determined line. There was no room for fear. She was still Victoria Ringstone, the Ruthless Heiress, and she had no intention of faltering.

Just as she took her first step forward, something unexpected happened. A soft ping sounded in her ears, and suddenly, a holographic panel appeared in front of her, flickering slightly in the misty air. She froze, her pitch-black eyes widening slightly in surprise as the panel hovered in her field of vision, projecting a series of words and numbers in faint, glowing light.

The panel read:

Basic Info

Name: Victoria Ringstone

Race: Human

Age: 18

Alias: Ruthless Heiress / Witch

Class: Apprentice Witch

Rank: 1

Victoria stared at the information, her mind quickly processing what she saw.

18?

The number jumped out at her. She was certain she had been older—closer to 21—before she died.

Or did she?

The memory of her death was still fresh, yet distant, like a half-forgotten dream.

Had this strange world returned her to an earlier point in her life?

She didn't have time to dwell on the thought as the panel continued to scroll with more details.

Stats & Attributes

Level (LV): 1

Health (HP): 50/50

Strength (STR): 15

Stamina (STA): 20/20

Chaos Energy (CE): 10/10

Her gaze lingered on the mention of "Chaos Energy."

CE...

She repeated in her mind. It seemed clear that this was the resource she'd rely on for more than just simple combat. As a witch, this energy would likely form the foundation of her abilities—magic that was unfamiliar yet tantalizingly within reach. However, only 10 points? She frowned. It was a low number, likely indicative of her rank.

Level 1...

It was strange to be measured in such a way, like the leveling systems from the games and novels she used to dismiss.

The panel shifted again.

Skills and Abilities

Skill Categories:

Combat Skills:

[Cost STA]

Class Skills:

[Cost CE + 24 hrs cooldown per use]

System Skills: Mapping, Essence Extraction, Arcane Insight, Resource Harvesting

[Free]

A slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she read the list of system skills.

Mapping, Essence Extraction, Arcane Insight, and Resource Harvesting.

They were practical and utilitarian, but she knew better than to underestimate them. Knowledge had always been her greatest asset, and these abilities could provide the information she needed to navigate this dungeon effectively. She had to assume the system was designed to help her succeed—at least in the beginning.

The last section of the panel appeared.

Inventory & Equipment

Items: 0

Artifacts: 0

Weapons: 0

Armor: Toga

Accessories: 0

Familiars & Guardians: N/A

Chaos Manor: N/A

Progress - Loading…

The words "Loading…" blinked slowly at the bottom of the screen, reminding Victoria that this was just the start. She was equipped with next to nothing: a toga for armor, no weapons, no items, no artifacts.

It was the most basic, vulnerable start imaginable.

Victoria took a deep breath, already feeling the weight of the task ahead. She hadn't expected to begin her journey without so much as a weapon in hand or any protective gear beyond the ragged toga she wore. Still, the challenge sparked something familiar inside her—the cold ambition that had driven her in her previous life. Vulnerability was just another starting point, a temporary state that she would soon outgrow.

As her thoughts settled, the system panel that had displayed her stats flickered back into view, this time focusing on the Progress section. A series of quests unfolded before her eyes, each one methodically laid out, the text crisp and clear.

Main Quest (The Call to Adventure)

Objective: Enter the Slime Dungeon and gather initial information about its history and inhabitants.

Tasks:

Speak with the Guardian at the entrance to receive an introductory briefing. Collect and read the first lore scroll found near the entrance. Defeat a few basic slimes to understand their behavior.

Reward: Beginner's equipment and CP.

Victoria studied the words carefully, her mind racing with analysis.

"So, I'm meant to gather information and eliminate a few slimes for study."

The clarity of the tasks appealed to her; there was a refreshing order to it all. For a moment, she allowed herself to feel a flicker of satisfaction. The system presented the quests in a structured and professional manner, almost like a well-organized business strategy. Each task was a stepping stone, a manageable piece of a larger whole. That suited her just fine.

Next, her eyes drifted to the secondary tasks that appeared beneath the main quest.

Side Quests – Cartographer's Challenge

Objective: Map all the hidden areas in the Slime Dungeon.

Tasks:

Discover and document all secret rooms. Create a detailed map of the dungeon's layout.

Reward: Cartographer's compass and CP.

Lore Collector

Objective: Gather all the ancient texts and lore fragments scattered throughout the dungeon.

Tasks:

Find and read all hidden lore texts. Collect lore fragments from various enemies and hidden locations.

Reward: Knowledge-enhancing tome and CP.

Victoria's lips curled slightly as she read through the side quests. Mapping hidden areas and gathering lore? It almost seemed as though the system knew her penchant for knowledge, for controlling the flow of information. Cartographer's Challenge and Lore Collector would clearly be invaluable for her. If she could understand the layout of the dungeon and gather ancient texts, she'd be one step ahead of anyone else who might dare venture into these depths.

Then came the General Daily Quests—simpler tasks, but practical nonetheless.

Daily Slime Hunt

Objective: Defeat 20 basic slimes.

Reward: Slime eradicator potion and CP.

Resource Collection

Objective: Gather 10 units of any resource (herbs, crystals, slime essence).

Reward: Resource bundle and CP.

Victoria's gaze lingered on these daily quests. CP—Chaos Points—were clearly vital.

The system's continuous emphasis on the rewards of CP and its integration into maintaining her powers suggested it was more than just a currency. It was power, and power was something she craved. She wouldn't be here in this dungeon, embarking on this strange journey, if she weren't seeking more of it.

She did a mental double-take on her attributes and the quests' rewards, especially the equipment and CP she stood to gain. It would give her an edge, but she also needed to be cautious. Everything had a cost, and she had learned that well in her previous life.

The CP system meant she would constantly need to manage her resources, balancing power against depletion. It was a careful dance, one she'd have to perfect quickly if she was to succeed here.

After studying the quests for a moment longer, Victoria ran a hand through her raven hair and willed the panel to disappear from her sight. To her surprise, it vanished with a mere thought, the screen fading out of view. A subtle but satisfying sense of control washed over her.

"So, I can call it at will."

That was useful—being able to manage her interface without it constantly cluttering her vision would keep her mind clear.

Now, with her objectives firmly in place, Victoria set her gaze forward and stepped toward the entrance of the dungeon. The mist still swirled around the stone archway, but something else stood out to her this time—something she hadn't noticed before.

A massive stone figure loomed near the entrance, partially obscured by the mist but unmistakable in its imposing form. It was a statue, its surface worn and cracked by time, but its posture was resolute, its arms crossed over its chest. The statue's eyes, though hollow, seemed to watch her approach with silent judgment.

Victoria paused, taking in the details. The Guardian, she concluded swiftly. There was no other explanation. The main quest had instructed her to speak with the Guardian at the entrance, and this towering sentinel certainly fit the role. Despite its immobility, the air around it felt charged, as if it were waiting for her to make the first move.

Stepping closer, she inspected the figure more thoroughly. Its body was made from a type of stone she couldn't immediately identify—something dark and dense, yet faintly glowing with subtle energy. Strange runes were etched along its arms and chest, pulsing with faint light, further confirming its magical nature. This was no ordinary statue.

Victoria crossed her arms as she gazed up at it, her mind already calculating.

"A guardian at the entrance… why post a sentinel here?"

Was it to offer guidance, as the quest suggested, or to serve as a warning to those foolish enough to enter unprepared?

She stood there for a moment longer, contemplating her next move. Whatever this figure was, she would need to engage with it to begin her quest in earnest. Yet, the Guardian seemed to radiate more than just a passive presence. It felt like part of the dungeon itself, woven into the very fabric of the place.

Before taking the next step, Victoria glanced over her shoulder once more, surveying the path she had taken to reach the dungeon's entrance. The air was still thick with mist, but the foreboding sense of the unknown no longer held her back. She was ready. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would conquer them, just as she had done with every obstacle in her previous life.

Taking one last breath, Victoria stepped forward toward the stone Guardian, her mind sharpened, ready to uncover the first piece of this strange puzzle.