Dungeon Raid (1)

With the sound of his deep voice, Hans was also awakened from his dizziness. He sat up, confused and lightheaded, unable to process what's happening around him.

'Ugh!'

It felt like his head just got out of a whirling wheel spinning at 200 miles per hour. Hans held his head as the headache assaulted his senses. His mood gradually turned grim as he focused his gaze on a small rock, trying to ease his giddiness.

It's not just Hans, the Awakeners were currently experiencing this as well. Some even were forced to walk, only to end up with a few tottering steps before they were knocked on the ground off balance.

"... We are currently in Philadelphia. Our team needs to debrief all of you first before you'll be allowed to go." The lieutenant pulled a small card from his pocket before he raised it to everyone.

"All of you will receive this card which will serve as a ticket if you want to claim your compensation. You'd go to the association and just present this card to them."

Shortly, 10 more armed police entered the ample field. All of them carried large green plastic boxes containing first aid potions before they distributed them to everyone.

Well, as for all civilians, they were carried inside an inn just nearby to rest.

"The potion can ease up your dizziness. Don't worry, it's free of charge."

Everyone received the first aid potion which was stored in a small circle-shaped vial. Hans also received his part as well. He raised it below his eyes and observed the content inside.

'So this is the first aid potion.'

Potions are like medicines or steroids that can boost one's healing capabilities and strength for a short amount of time. Unfortunately, it was overly expensive to the point that even a vial of first aid potion would cost at the minimum of 10,000 USD depending on potency.

The one they have is definitely not cheap.

'Thankfully, it's free.'

The vial contains a blue-colored liquid inside. Hans sat down and immediately opened the thumb size vial's lid. The strong scent of the potion assaulted his nose, before pouring it into his mouth.

Gulp—, gulp—

The potion has no taste on it.

As if drinking cold water, the feeling of the potion flowing down his throat made him cough. Hans threw the now-empty vial down beside him. He exhaled a long deep breath and focused on the changes in his body.

Wriggle—

Slowly, his dizziness vanished, replaced by a soothing and warm feeling. A subtle glow gradually spread to his body before shortly fading after, but had hoped would last much longer.

'This feeling…'

Hans immediately thought of the healing skill. The sensation is quite similar when receiving treatment from that.

Whoosh—

Standing up from his spot, Hans stretched and moved his body left and right. The pain in his neck also subsided after gulping the potion down.

"Hah—"

There was not a single trace of exhaustion remaining. It felt like waking up nicely after a good night's rest. No doubt, the effect is amazing. Not only did it heal his physical pain but also relieved his headache and recharged his stamina.

'Time to go.'

But before that, he needs to be debriefed first. The card is also somewhat important as the compensation may contain money. Didn't the lieutenant say it?

Hans strolled towards a large tent-like thing and entered. The process took him 20 minutes before he safely got out of the tent.

Sniff—

The scent of the humid but fresh air felt rather awesome. Hans took a short glance at his watch before his figure walked away.

.....

Philly is a great place to live in for students, professionals, and families alike. It has good job growth and affordable prices which is enough to sustain one's daily needs.

That is why Hans chose to rent here.

The next day.

Ring—ring—

Hans was awakened by the loud sound of an alarm clock. Although the potion relieved his physical exhaustion, it can't soothe his mentally tired head. Sunlight streamed in through the glass window as the clock turned seven.

'Sigh— another day to live in…'

Hans stood up and straightly prepared for today's plan. Fortunately, the rent for the studio apartment is cheap so he was able to save some for his daily necessities. The association also gave a compensation of 20,000 USD but considering the inflation these past few years, it's not that much.

After washing the plate in the sink Hans opened his status window.

[Name: Hans Luther

Age: 23 Level: 8

Race: Human (95%), ??? (5%)

Potential: ???

Strength: 30

Agility: 20

Stamina: 20

Mana: 22

Unused stats: 24

Talent: Unlock at Level 100

Innate Skill: [Endless Plunder (D)]

Plundered Skill: [Body Enhancement (B)], [Minds Eye (E)], [Acrobat (D)], [Hide (C)]

Skill: No skill.]

[Hide (C )

— cast a small illusion to anything (only works on non-living things)

— can be used to hide your presence

Note: Once the skill was in contact with mana, the skill will immediately be nullified]

Looking at his stats and newly acquired skill, Hans smiled in satisfaction. After leveling up yesterday, he forgot to invest his unused stats to his attributes. Perhaps it's because his mind is too occupied to escape that is why.

'Where should I put this?'

Raiding a dungeon solo would be hard as every dungeon entrance would have an awakened guard stationed beside it. So raiding solo would be out of the question unless he can sneak his way in.

'Hah— forget it.'

Hans raised his hand and tapped the 'add' button beside strength. What he needs right now are damage and defense. As long as he has this, he's pretty much invincible in a red dungeon right?

After investing 20 unused stats to his strength, he divides the four remaining stat points into his agility and stamina.

'Numbers only look nice when they're balanced.'

50 strength and 22 for his agility, stamina, and mana. The balance-like attribute gave him a pointless sense of satisfaction.

Who would want to see 51 or 23 there? Perhaps others might have wanted to but for Hans…

'Meh…'

And with that, the distribution is over.

[Name: Hans Luther

Age: 23 Level: 8

Race: Human (95%), ??? (5%)

Potential: ???

Strength: 50

Agility: 22

Stamina: 22

Mana: 22

Unused stats: 0

Talent: Unlock at Level 100

Innate Skill: [Endless Plunder (D)]

Plundered Skill: [Body Enhancement (B)], [Minds Eye (E)], [Acrobat (D)], [Hide (C)]

Skill: No skill.]

The fact that he couldn't get his other stats to 25 made him a little grim.

Well, what can he do when there are no stat points left?

'It's too low. I need to level up.'

If others saw Hans complaining about his broken stats, they might jump from the flying helicopter without equipping a parachute. Fortunately, they didn't.

'... it's good for now.'

It's still better than nothing.

He ended his thoughts and quickly shifted his gaze to the banknote placed above the small table.

"Sigh…"

Hans couldn't help but let out a long groan. After paying for the rent he'd be left with a small amount. Even if he went back to being a porter, the pay can only sustain his food but not the rental fee. Back in New Jersey, his apartment was a worn-out one, and on top of that, the landlord isn't really unreasonable to raise his rental fee just because he can't pay for a few months.

Nowadays, It would be hard to find a place, unless he lives in the streets that is. Also, it would even be harder to live with 20,000 USD for 2 weeks let alone a month.

That is why…

"I need to earn money."

For now, that will be his priority. And to do that, he'd need to raid dungeons after dungeons.

And this time, he's not the same Hans who'd run at the sight of a single E-rank monster.

...not the same Hans who'd struggle to survive.

But then again, if a stronger monster arrived, he might just change his mind.

...…..

How does a newly awakened E-class Awakened earn money?

The best way is to raid dungeons or become part of a mining team. Of course, the higher the rank, the higher they earn. The more strength they get, the more dungeons they can get into.

However, for an F-class like Hans, venturing in higher rank dungeons would almost be a far-fetched dream. He has neither rank nor experience to prove that he's capable.

Hans leaned on the sofa with a furrowed brow, muttering, "I can use 'Hide' to lower my presence right? And…"

He raised his watch and put it in computer mode. The same monitor, keyboard, and mouse were displayed but Hans was not awed like the last time. He browsed the Awakened forum where various jobs were posted. Scrolling up and down, Hans' expression slowly became grim.

'... Too high...too high… also too high… Why are the requirements too high!?'

Of course, Hans can understand their thoughts. The Awakeners who posted those jobs are there for raids. That is why they are looking for reliable Awakened that can fight or would be useful in a raid. And one of their requirements is to have an E-Class card which he doesn't even have.

'Should I get retested?'

Hans quickly shook his absurd thoughts. It doesn't matter if his rank shot through A-class. He wouldn't want to see his face being in the headlines of the news stations with something like...

'Hans Luther, the former SSS-Class potential Awakened, has regained his former potential?'

Or…

'Is Hans Luther hiding his strength that he even managed to fool the world?'

Who would want his face flaunting in every news outlet or newspaper? That is why the idea is just plain stupid. What's more, A-class awakeners are just as famous as S-Class due to their occasional appearance on televisions.

So if he got retested now, he would be forced into the limelight. Various theories would emerge as he would be squeezed by the people's voices. After all, people love to gossip. By then, it's just a matter of time before his secrets would be discovered.

'An Awakened that can plunder abilities of any species he killed?'

Heh, that would be global shaking news. This is the last thing he doesn't want to happen unless he's stronger than all SS-Class awakeners combined.

'Still, I need to make money somehow.'

As Hans pondered on what he could do, he noticed someone pinging his account.

[We take anyone regardless of classes. Rush only.]

'Jackpot!'

Hans' eyes bug out in surprise at the newly created post. After quickly checking the details, Hans immediately dialed the number written in the description which the other line quickly answered.

"Hello?"

Hans introduced himself as the one who first saw the post.

"Oh, then it's good. I thought we'd wait for more time."

The other line responded with a good tone.

"We're raiding an orange dungeon so we hope you can come here faster as one of our members needs to attend a wedding after."

"Ah yes, I'll be on my way now."

"Thanks."

Hans dropped the phone call, packed some food inside his bag before grabbing himself a taxi. Fortunately, the location is near his house so he wouldn't have to waste so much time.

Just 10 minutes later, Hans arrived at the park where the dungeon is located. He fished out his phone and dialed the number again in a hurry. Shortly after, a group of people gathered under the tree's shade waved their hands towards him.

"Over here!!!"

Five people are waving their hands.

"Are you Hans Jameson?"

The middle-aged man who seemed to be their leader inquired.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, I'm Frederick Scott and this is…"

Fred and Hans shook hands before Fred began to introduce the others who were on the team. The five of them were regular teammates that worked all the time. As such, Hans greeted them with a smile as he secretly studied their appearance.

'All of them are D-Class.'

Thanks to his enhanced senses, he can more or less guess what their strength is.

"Oh, by the way, what class are you?"

A tall and fit woman approached him from the side. Hearing her inquiry, Hans burrowed his hands to his pocket before slowly pulling his awakened card.

"Here."

The woman politely received it as she inspected it carefully.

[Name: Hans Williams

Age: 23

Potential: C-class

Awakened Evaluation: D-Class

….]

"Ahh, so you're a D-Class as well?" Her voice captured everyone's attention, "... then this raid would be easy. We originally only wanted someone to fill the headcount but since you're here, our time would be shortened."

After she observed the card, the woman handed it back.

'Fu— fortunately.'

Hans softly groaned. In fact, that card is somewhat fake. Using the 'hide' skill, Hans secretly altered the words written on his original card. Of course, this trick can be easily seen through. If the woman injects her mana into it, the skill will be nullified.

"What is your position? Please give us some brief info about your role so we can adjust."

"I'm a fighter, I use fists," Hans replied as he raised his now clenched fist.

"Oh! I see." Fred nodded and signaled another member of the team to come, "This is our tanker, you'll be cooperating in front."

Hans nodded as Fred started to fix their role up. Originally they would go with 1 Healer, 2 Mage, 1 Assassin, and a tank, but since there is a Fighter, their team will be much more effective.

"Let's get going. I will explain to you more about dungeons on the way there."

"Thank you."

As they started heading towards the dungeon, Fred shared his helpful information and various stories with Hans. Most of it was about the do's and don'ts when raiding with a team. But quite a few portions of them were about the dungeon they were attacking. Filled with savage wolves, the dungeon, Ferocious Cave, can't be compared to other D-class.

Although it was said that the savage wolves were just mindless beasts, if it's the threat level, it's definitely a top one.

Everyone came to a halt as Fred cheerfully clapped his hands, "Now that we're all set… let's enter."

Soon everyone steps inside the whirling orange-colored portal. Hans glanced at his back, took a long deep breath before cautiously entering the dungeon.

...…

Drip—drip—

Hans glanced around the surroundings as soon as he stepped in. Dungeons that can be entered through portals were always cave-shaped inside. Of course, the inside of the dungeon is a lot bigger than a normal cave. Also, their size varies as well, depending on the difficulty.

'Strange…'

Inside, it was eerily quiet and gloomy. Not only that, the vicinity is darker as well. Fortunately, a mage was here with them, or else they'd be relying on their perception to see.

Sniff—

Hans sniffed the blood mix in the air as his eyes darted around. Inside the dungeon was like an entirely different dimension from reality. Chills send shivers down their spine although awakeners wouldn't feel cold at all.

"Let's move!"

As the team started venturing around, blood-red bodies crouched in the dungeon without anyone noticing.