First Dungeon Dive <2>

Floor 2 echoed with the satisfying thwack of fist against flesh as Zephyr dispatched another group of Kobolds. These dog-shaped humanoids, with their scrawny builds and snarling faces, went down much the same way as the Goblins from the first floor – surprised by his strength and ultimately outmatched. Floor 3 followed suit, the initial novelty of the dungeon wearing off a bit as the repetitive nature of the encounters sunk in.

Reaching Floor 4, however, a change in the atmosphere became evident. The air grew thicker with the stench of decay, and the distant sounds of growls and screeches took on a more menacing tone. Here, he stumbled upon the "Beginners' Road," a long, cavernous hallway notorious for being a popular training ground for new adventurers.

As its name implied, the Beginners' Road was often teeming with low-level monsters, making it a safe haven for fledgling adventurers to hone their skills and collect resources before venturing deeper. The sight that greeted Zephyr, however, deviated from the usual bustling activity.

The once-lively corridor was eerily quiet. Not a single goblin or kobold scurried in the shadows. An unsettling silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the faint drip of water somewhere in the distance.

Intrigued and a hint of caution creeping in, Zephyr cautiously navigated the hallway.

The silence gnawed at him, each step echoing in the emptiness. Had another group of adventurers cleared out the entire area? Or was there something more sinister at play?

With each step, Zephyr's grip tightened on his sword hilt. The silence, once unsettling, now felt oppressive, a suffocating weight pressing down on him. He reached the halfway point of the Beginners' Road, stopping to survey his surroundings.

Every fiber of his being screamed caution. The monsters, the very reason the hallway was so popular, were conspicuously absent.

Suddenly, a tingling sensation prickled at his skin, a familiar hum that resonated deep within him. It was his Aura, reacting to something unseen.

He closed his eyes before opening them again, his eyes went through a change as they glowed a greenish glow. focusing on the sensation. Unlike the ambient mana that permeated the dungeon, this presence felt concentrated, a dense ball of energy pulsing at the end of the hallway.

A low growl rumbled through the cavern, vibrating through the very stones beneath his feet. A flicker of steel flashing in their depths. He deactivated his Arcane Sight – the source of the mana was clear enough now.

He wouldn't let fear paralyze him. He had come to the Dungeon for a challenge, and a challenge, it seemed, had found him.

Taking a deep breath, Zephyr steeled himself.

He tightened his grip on his sword, the familiar weight a source of comfort

amidst the unsettling quiet. With measured steps, he began his approach towards the pulsating mass of mana, the silence broken only by the rhythmic thud of his boots against the stone floor. The air grew thick with anticipation, the silence a pregnant pause before the inevitable storm.

A wave of disgust washed over Zephyr as he rounded the final bend in the hallway. The monstrous parody of a Goblin that stood before him was a grotesque caricature of its former self. Its sickly brown skin, pulsing veins, and malevolent crimson eyes were a testament to the Dungeon's corrupting influence. The stench of decay hung heavy in the air, a grim accompaniment to the creature's gruesome meal.

"A strengthened species," Zephyr muttered, his voice devoid of awe or fear. He recognized the twisted creature for what it was – a predator warped by the Dungeon's magic.

The Goblin, its immense size a clear advantage, finally noticed him. It snapped its head back with a jerk, crimson eyes glinting with a predatory hunger. A chilling cackle, devoid of any humor, erupted from its throat as it hefted a gnarled branch from the ground. The makeshift weapon crackled with an unsettling energy.

Zephyr, unfazed by the creature's display, simply drew his sword with a practiced flourish. The cold metal gleamed in the dim light, a stark contrast to the monstrosity before him. A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. This, he thought, was more like it.

The silence stretched for a tense moment, broken only by the low growl emanating from the Goblin. The air crackled with anticipation, a storm brewing in the cavernous hallway. Zephyr, his expression a mask of cool determination, took a measured step forward, his gaze locked on the twisted creature. This was no ordinary encounter, but a test of his skills. He was ready.

A tense silence shattered as Zephyr launched into action. Bolstered by his Aura, he surged forward with blinding speed, his blade flashing in a silver arc aimed for the creature's leg.

A grimace flickered across his face as the steel connected with a sickening thud. The Goblin's skin, leathery and thick, resisted the blow, leaving only a shallow gash.

The monstrous creature roared in fury, its crimson eyes blazing with rage. It hefted the gnarled branch, bringing it down with a bone-crushing force towards Zephyr. With a practiced ease, Zephyr twisted aside, the air whistling past his ear as the makeshift weapon slammed into the stone floor with a deafening crack. The impact spiderwebbed the cavern floor, a testament to the creature's raw power.

'It's strong,' Zephyr acknowledged, a flicker of respect replacing his initial amusement. 'But slow.' He exploited the creature's lumbering gait, flitting around it like a phantom, his movements blurring with each dodge. He rained down a flurry of strikes, each blow leaving a fresh scar on the Goblin's hide.

The creature, enraged and frustrated, flailed wildly with its massive club. Zephyr danced around the attacks with a practiced grace, his blade a relentless storm of steel. Slowly, the tide of the battle began to turn. The Goblin's initial fury gave way to desperation, its movements growing sluggish with each blow it absorbed.

Seeing an opening, Zephyr channeled his Aura once more, imbuing his blade with a faint blue glow. This time, his strike found its mark, carving a deep gash across the Goblin's chest. The creature roared in pain, its crimson eyes flickering with fear.

However, underestimating an opponent was a luxury Zephyr couldn't afford.

As he pressed his advantage, the Goblin lashed out with a final, desperate swing. The massive club connected squarely with Zephyr's side, sending him flying across the cavern. He slammed into the wall with a sickening crunch, the impact stealing the breath from his lungs.

Pain lanced through him, a sharp crack hinting at a broken rib or two. He gritted his teeth, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. Through the haze of pain, he saw the Goblin lumbering towards him, its club raised high.

Without a moment's hesitation, Zephyr reached for a potion, uncorking it with a practiced hand and downing its contents in one swift gulp. A wave of warmth washed over him, easing the throbbing pain and returning some measure of his strength.

The Goblin brought the club down with a ferocious yell, but Zephyr was already gone. He surged forward with a burst of newfound speed, appearing behind the creature in a blur of motion. Before the Goblin could react, Zephyr's blade flashed, finding the gap between its vertebrae.

A choked gurgle escaped the creature's throat as its head slowly rolled off its shoulders, tumbling to the ground with a heavy thud. The enormous body slumped to the floor, lifeless.

Zephyr stood amidst the dust and debris, his chest heaving, his body aching. He took a deep breath, the metallic tang of blood filling his nostrils. His first true battle within the Dungeon had been a harsh lesson – respect your opponent, never underestimate their desperation.

He slowly sheathed his sword, the weight of the weapon a familiar comfort in his hand. With a weary nod towards the fallen creature, he muttered, "Monster vanquished." Now, with a broken rib and newfound respect for the dangers that lurked beneath the city, Zephyr had a decision to make – press on or return to the surface for a proper recovery.

———[Chapter End]———

A/N: I'm sure some of you have noticed that I've been relying on A.I to write most of my chapters, and frankly it's done a really good job. But I've grown tired of using A.I to write my chapters, it's convenient yes, but that's what makes people lose their edge.

So that's why I've come to make a decision, from now on, I'll rely less on the use of A.I. It's my job as the author to hone my skills when it comes to writing. If I continue on using A.I it'll make it feel cheap for me, and I don't really want that. And that's my choice, I don't know how this will affect my novel except for a visible downgrade to Writing Quality, but I'll try my best to improve and not have to rely on A.I to create great scenes.

And yeah that's about it, Drop some ideas for the novel.