Chosen Dungeon

Pro sat quietly as he pondered over which dungeon to choose.

The 'Fairy Tale' dungeon was the trial dungeon he completed before. He had experience, but at the same time, this dungeon was a randomized dungeon.

Hence, his experience wouldn't matter if he was unlucky. For example, if he ended up with the Little Mermaid dungeon, Pro might have to worry if he would drown under the sea.

Other traversers may have ways to solve environmental issues like these, but Pro doesn't. At least, not at the moment.

So, Pro decided to skip the 'Fairy Tale' dungeon for now. He only had two more tries. Since the risks are basically the same, Pro believed that he should give the other dungeons a try.

Ocean Journey. This seemed like a relaxing cruise ride, but Pro had a feeling it won't be that simple.

Just the fact that this was a group dungeon already adds a lots of variables. Different from a solo dungeon, Pro will have to be wary of other adventurers in a group dungeon.

After all, dungeons always had open-world PvP. It was just a question of 'is it worth it' to sow a cause for revenge.

Pro didn't really have any teammates to 'carry' him through a group dungeon like this.

Don't think that the friendly Tu Fu would invite him along. After class broke up, the fatty simply said that they can get together after clearing the remaining two dungeons. Then, Pro hasn't seen the fatty since.

Although the fatty acted friendly, he wasn't one that was dumb enough to drag a weakling along in a dungeon.

After all, they were just classmates who had met not long ago. The fatty was willing to use simple information to establish a friendly relationship with Pro, but Pro can't expect others to take care of him in a life and death situation.

However, this way of getting along was just right for Pro. If the fatty was overly friendly, Pro may have to suspect that he had some ulterior motives.

Moving down the list, Seven Wonders was also a group dungeon like the Ocean Journey. However, this was seemed to have a heavy taste of mystery solving.

If Pro recalled correctly, anything to do with seven wonders in any school is a cause for concern. After all, the hidden mysteries are usually ones in the genre of horror.

"For now, I'm still in the upgrading stage. I don't really have anything that can keep me safe enough from other traversers. Before heading into a group dungeon, I should rack up some merits and at least get a bit stronger to increase my chance of survival when faced with other traversers."

So, Pro locked his eyes on the only solo dungeon available outside of the 'Fairy Tale' dungeon.

Temple Run. It was a name that matched a certain, addictive mobile game in Pro's previous life. However, there wasn't enough information to determine exactly what it was.

According to the description, it seems like an escape room type of situation.

Pro didn't believe he was a smart type, especially since his grades were average. However, Pro knew he didn't have much choice. Plus, it was just escaping.

"In the worst case, I'll just dig my way out with my corrosion spell. I'm sure there should be no problems right?" Pro mumbled to himself as he bowed his head in thought.

Minutes later, Pro sat up straight and made his decision.

Tapping on 'Temple Run' on the holographic interface, a holographic document was pulled up. The document displayed the location of the dungeon entrance, some general precautions, and a large, blurred area with a price tag of 25 merits.

Pro looked away from the locked content as he cursed inwardly.

In the end, Pro left the Adventurer's Guild empty-handed and made his way towards the adventurer's bazaar. After a round where he failed to pick up any leeks, Pro sighed as he returned to his dorms.

After a relaxing bath, Pro climbed into the soft bed to rest while cycling the NE Quick Growth method. He needed to recover as much negative energy as possible. At the same time, he needs to let his soul rest.

This was just necessary precaution before a dungeon, lest he capsized in the gutter due to being exhausted at a critical moment.

Many hours later, a refreshed Pro stepped out of his dorms and headed towards the specified dungeon entrance in the temples district.

Arriving at his destination, Pro looked up and locked his eyes on a mechanical block structure similar to the one enclosing the 'Fairy Tale' dungeon. It seemed out-of-place when placed next to the rolls of different temples lining the nearby street.

Compared to the temples nearby, this area was fairly dull and solemn as there wasn't a crowd bustling about here.

Law enforcers silently stood in place to guard the entry gate, and their eyes locked onto Pro who approached.

"Insert your identity card into the terminal over there. Once you do so, one of your entry qualifications will be deducted whether you enter or not," one of the law enforcers said in an emotionless tone as he pointed towards a card slot embedded in the wall next to the gate.

Before the first dungeon began, the trial dungeon chance was already automatically deducted. So, there was no need to go through an extra tedious step.

Here, this was a necessary procedure for all the newbie dungeons. It was mainly to automate the process because the school didn't have enough staff to keep track of all the newbies. They would rather start a new class for a new batch of newbies.

However, this process was only limited to these protected dungeons in the safe zone.

Outside in the wild, there was no verification except from the dungeons themselves, assuming they had special entry requirements.

Of course, other facilities in the safe zone also use a similar automated process, so Pro was already familiar with this.

After giving a quick thanks to the law enforcer for his explanation and hard work, Pro calmly strolled up to insert his card while ignoring the strange looks coming from the law enforcers.

Beep.

[One newcomer dungeon qualification deducted. Please step through the gate within one minute.]

Psssh. The nearby gate split open as faint traces of red mist leaked out.

Inside the enclosed mechanical structure, an eastern-styled, dilapidated temple silently sat alone like a meditating monk. Cracks lined the walls and floors forming the temple as it seemed like a gust of wind could send the ancient temple toppling over.

There was a gloomy feel radiating from the temple as if some horror was hidden within. However, a swirling, misty red portal completely obscured the entrance to the temple along with the secrets within.

A stone path led up to this entrance. Surrounding this stone path on both sides was a small front garden with withered plants.

It seems that it has been a long time since there was anyone managing these plants. It is a mystery how they still stayed in a withered form instead of returning to the soil.

Pro frowned a bit, but he still stepped forward and through the gate.

Walking on the short stone path, it didn't take long for Pro to arrive at the entrance of the temple.

Standing in front of the red portal, Pro hesitated as he heard the mechanical gate slowly slamming shut behind him.

This atmosphere really gave Pro a boss-fight kind of feeling.

However, there was no time limit after coming in.

So, Pro ran around and observed his surrounding. He strolled around the small area and examined the temple from all angles in hopes of some clues or loopholes, but to no avail.

The small gaps in the walls and holes in the paper windows only revealed an interior obscured by flowing, deep red mist.

The mist flowed unobstructed within the temple, but there seemed to be an invisible barrier that kept the mist from leaving the temple. It was unknown how the mist wasn't leaking out, but Pro didn't have any intention of solving this mystery at the moment.

"Hmm ... seems I will probably have to escape from this temple somehow, and all clues should show up within when the dungeon starts. I assume I will be able to dig through the temple walls ..."

Pro wanted to try, but he held back.

Don't think that he could do whatever he wants just because there were no law enforcers around. Although Pro couldn't find them, Pro knew there were hidden 'cameras' around.

There may be none within the dungeons, but in the guarded area where the portal resides, the fatty Tu Fu had inadvertently reminded him that he had discovered multiple hidden 'eyes' observing them when they went to the 'Fairy Tale' dungeon.

So, Pro was afraid he would be fined big time for destroying public property. He was already poor. He didn't need another debt on his back.

"Guess I'll have to figure out everything once inside and plow through anything thrown my way. I have some experience from reading online novels. It will come in handy right? Worst case, I'll just descend ... of course, try to avoid it if I didn't have to."

Coming before the portal once more, Pro glanced at the deep red portal that was inviting him into the temple. It was like a gaping mouth awaiting the entry of its prey.

Taking a deep breath, Pro firmed his determination before he bravely stepped into the portal.

His surroundings blurred as a force pulled Pro in. It was the familiar feeling of being sent into a dungeon space.

Suddenly, Pro could feel an intangible force swiftly invade his soul body before drilling into his spiritual realm.

Wait. This feels different from his dungeon entry before! Something is wrong!

However, before Pro could think further, a switch seemed to have been flipped and his vision blacked out.

Hu. Hu. Hu.

Pro's eyes snapped opened as he stared down at himself sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

Pro's brows furrowed as a frown appeared on his face. Ignoring the surroundings, Pro swiftly delved into his spiritual realm.

Okay? It seems his spiritual realm wasn't damaged in any way? Everything was still here-

Wait.

Something was missing.

Pro's heart shuddered as he searched his spiritual realm in shock.

His golden finger had disappeared! Where was his book?!