NEW EQUIPS, NEW DUNGEON DIVE 34

The morning sun bathed the bustling city of Frontier in a warm glow as I strolled through the lively streets. Today was a day for upgrades, and I couldn't wait to see what the Adventurer Mall had to offer. My magic armor had served me well, but I needed something more advanced, something that could match my skills and agility without weighing me down.

As I entered the Adventurer Mall, I was greeted by the familiar hum of people haggling and browsing various stalls. The smell of freshly baked pastries and the clinking of armor filled the air, creating a unique atmosphere that only an adventurer could appreciate.

I headed straight to the Magic Armor Emporium, eager to find the perfect upgrade. The shopkeeper, a grizzled old adventurer, welcomed me with a nod.

"What can I do for you, young lad?" he asked.

"I'm looking for a new magic armor," I replied. "One that offers enhanced defense, increased speed and agility, but doesn't add to the weight burden."

The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Ah, I see. You're a man who values both protection and mobility. Come, let me show you something."

He led me to a corner of the store where an exquisite set of armor was displayed. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and the enchantments were precisely what I desired.

"This is the Shadow Weave Armor," the shopkeeper said. "It is lightweight, yet its defensive capabilities are unmatched. The enchantments will also grant you increased agility and speed, perfect for a skilled adventurer like yourself."

I tried on the armor, and it felt like a second skin, responding to my movements with ease. It was perfect.

Next on my list was a new magic gun. I had grown tired of the usual pistol-type weapon and wanted to upgrade to a more powerful and accurate magic rifle.

I made my way to the Magic Arsenal, where a wide array of weapons adorned the walls. The shopkeeper, a young sorceress with a mischievous grin, approached me.

"Looking for something special?" she inquired.

"A magic rifle," I said. "One that can hit targets from a distance with pinpoint accuracy."

She nodded and directed me to a display showcasing the Viperstrike Rifle. Its sleek design and intricate runes caught my eye immediately.

"The Viperstrike Rifle is known for its precision and power," she explained. "Its bullets are imbued with arcane energy, allowing them to pierce through defenses with ease."

I took the rifle in my hands, feeling its weight and balance. It was a perfect fit, and I knew it would serve me well in my future endeavors.

The last item on my list was a low-rank necklace space storage, a discreet cover to hide some of my most valuable items. As an adventurer, having a secure storage was essential.

I found what I needed in a small, inconspicuous shop tucked away in a corner. The shopkeeper, an eccentric mage, offered me a necklace that seemed ordinary at first glance.

"This necklace has been imbued with a special enchantment," he said. "It can create a pocket dimension where you can store your belongings securely. To access it, simply touch the pendant while speaking the activation word."

I purchased the necklace, knowing that it would keep my most valuable items safe and hidden from prying eyes.

With my shopping complete, I decided to treat myself to a hearty breakfast and a light dessert at the Adventurer Bar and Restaurant. The place was abuzz with adventurers sharing tales of their latest exploits and celebrating their victories.

I ordered a sumptuous meal, savoring every bite, and then chose a two-seater table near a window. I ordered the most expensive Ubas Noir 1987, along with a selection of cheeses and fruits.

As I sipped the wine, its rich flavors dancing on my tongue, I leaned back in my chair, content. The sounds of conversations and laughter filled the restaurant, creating a vibrant backdrop to my thoughts.

The world of adventurers was a colorful one, filled with stories of bravery, cunning, and camaraderie. It was in these moments, amidst the hustle and bustle, that I felt truly alive.

As I continued to enjoy my meal, I observed the people coming and going, listening to their chatter and dialogues. There was an undeniable sense of unity among adventurers, a shared bond forged through countless challenges and triumphs.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in being part of this peaceful world compared to the past world he's been to, where every day was a new adventure waiting to unfold. With my upgraded equipment and a heart full of determination, I was ready to bathe in the blood of my enemies, monsters or dungeon beasts.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, I finished my snacks and drink and bid farewell to the Adventurer Bar and Restaurant. It was time to continue my journey, to explore new dungeons, and to embrace the thrill of killing again inside a dungeon.

Time to test these new babies.

As I stepped through the mysterious Random Dungeon portal, my senses were immediately assaulted by a dank and eerie atmosphere. I had entered the infamous Russian Roulette of dungeons, a place where there were no walkthroughs or guides to follow. Every step I took would be a test of my wits, my courage, and my abilities.

The darkness enveloped me, but my newly purchased magic armor reacted to the dim surroundings, illuminating the path ahead with a soft blue glow. It was comforting to know that I had equipped myself with the best gear possible for this treacherous adventure.

"Alright, let's see what surprises this dungeon has in store for me," I muttered to myself, a hint of excitement in my voice.

As I ventured deeper, I encountered a horde of slimes swarming towards me. These creatures were known for their tenacity and their ability to engulf adventurers whole. I grinned beneath my helmet, ready for a thrilling fight.

"Come one, come all! Let's see if you can handle the power of Deth Jones!" I taunted, using my alias to instill a sense of fear in these gelatinous foes.

With my magic rifle in hand, I fired a barrage of arcane bullets at the slimes, their gelatinous forms quivering with each hit. The enchantments on my rifle made the bullets even more deadly, ensuring that each shot counted.

"Looks like you guys aren't so tough after all," I mocked, taking careful aim as I dispatched the slimes one by one.

However, my victory was short-lived as the ground beneath me trembled. From the shadows emerged a colossal slime, the mini-boss of this dungeon. Its eyes glowed with malevolence, and I could feel the powerful aura it emanated.

"Oh, you think you're the big boss around here? I beg to differ!" I challenged, activating my magic armor's enhanced agility to dodge the slime's initial attack.

The battle with the mini-boss was intense. The slime was resilient, and its attacks were unpredictable, but I was equally relentless. I used my aura-infused techniques, striking with precision and timing to weaken the monster.

"You're all ooze and no brains!" I taunted, enjoying the exhilaration of combat.

As the mini-boss finally succumbed to my barrage of attacks, I caught my breath, knowing that the real challenge lay ahead. The king of all slimes, the infamous King Slime, awaited me deeper in the dungeon.

My journey continued, and with each step, the air grew heavier with anticipation. I could feel the immense presence of the King Slime lurking nearby. This was the true test of my mettle, and I couldn't afford to be careless.

The chamber before me expanded into a massive arena, and there it was—the King Slime, a towering behemoth with a crown-like crest atop its gelatinous form.

"Well, well, well, looks like the king himself has decided to show up," I quipped, trying to keep my nerves at bay.

The battle against King Slime was an epic struggle. It tested my abilities, my strategy, and my endurance. With every swing of my magic rifle and every maneuver of my magic armor, I fought with all my might.

"You're going to need a whole kingdom to beat me!" I shouted, using my aura to gain an edge over the monstrous foe.

The battle raged on, the arena echoing with the sounds of our clash. The King Slime's attacks were relentless, but I refused to back down. I knew that with my newly acquired gear, I had the upper hand.

"You might be the king, but you're no match for itsumi Deth Jones!" I declared, a burst of adrenaline surging through my veins.

As the battle drew to a close, I found myself standing victorious over the defeated King Slime. I was covered in slime from head to toe, but I couldn't help but revel in my triumph.

"Looks like I'm the new king of this dungeon," I said, wiping the slime off my armor with a grin.

With the dungeon conquered and my victory secure, I made my way back to the portal, my magic storage necklace now laden with the spoils of my adventure. The chatter and dialogues of the monsters and creatures I had faced still echoed in my mind, a testament to the epic battle that had taken place.

"Shit. I still have to go in line to pay the "taxes"....I hate red tape."

As I emerged from the dungeon, the bright sunlight greeted me, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I had faced the Russian Roulette of dungeons and emerged victorious, thanks to my skill, my gear, and a healthy dose of taunting.

Ugh.

The line to pay taxes and declare spoils after exiting the dungeon seemed never-ending. As I stood there, surrounded by other adventurers, I couldn't help but overhear their chatter and conversations. Some were boasting about their conquests, while others grumbled about their losses. It was always a mixed bag of emotions at the tax office.

"Hey, you! Yeah, the guy with the fancy armor! Did you find anything good in there?" a fellow adventurer inquired, eyeing my magic armor with envy.

"Oh, just the usual—some potions and a few magic items," I replied casually, not wanting to reveal the true extent of my spoils.

The adventurer nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response, and turned his attention back to his own inventory. As I moved closer to the counter, I could hear the tax collectors discussing their findings with the adventurers in front of me.

"Ah, so you found a rare gemstone! That's quite the discovery, my friend. You'll need to pay a 10% tax on its value," one of the tax collectors informed an adventurer, who grinned proudly at his find.

I couldn't help but smile as well. The tax collectors had no idea about the hidden treasures stored within my Inventory Space other than the magic storage necklace. If they had any inkling of the wealth it contained, they would surely have a field day calculating the taxes.

The line moved slowly, giving me ample time to eavesdrop on the ongoing conversations.

"Hey, did you hear about that new dungeon opening up tomorrow? They say it's filled with ancient relics and powerful artifacts," one adventurer whispered to his companion.

"I heard about it too! I'm definitely going to give it a try. Maybe I'll find something better than these useless potions," the other replied, holding up a handful of low-level health potions.

As the adventurers chatted away, I kept a close eye on the tax collectors, ensuring that none of them would get suspicious about my nonchalant attitude towards declaring my spoils. So far, I seemed to be getting away with it.

Next to me in the line was a young and eager adventurer, barely out of his teenage years. He seemed nervous, his hands shaking as he prepared his declaration.

"I... I found this magic ring, sir," he stammered, holding up a simple-looking silver ring.

The tax collector took the ring and examined it closely. "Ah, yes. This is a minor magic item. You'll need to pay a 5% tax on its value."

The young adventurer's face fell as he handed over the credits. He seemed disappointed by the low value of the tax but relieved that he hadn't been caught trying to hide it.

With each passing moment, my turn to exit the dungeon felt like a distant memory. However, I remained patient, knowing that my grand haul was worth the wait.

Finally, it was time. I approached the counter again, this time with a casual demeanor as I placed my magic storage necklace on the table.

"Name and declaration, please," the tax collector repeated.

"Deth Jones, and here's my declaration," I said with a smirk, knowing that I was about to fool them all.

The tax collector glanced at the necklace, seemingly unimpressed. "Alright, let's see what you've got."

I carefully opened the necklace, revealing a few seemingly ordinary trinkets and minor potions on the surface.

"Seems pretty standard," the tax collector said, starting to jot down the items.

"Wait, what's that?" he asked, pointing to a seemingly insignificant piece of jewelry hidden at the bottom.

"Oh, that? Just a random drop trash item," I replied, trying my best to sound nonchalant.

The tax collector raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he continued with the declaration, completely unaware of the hidden gems that lay beneath the surface.

As the tax collector finished tallying my declaration, he named the total tax, "2,000 O.C."

I handed over the credits, keeping my excitement in check as I thanked him and walked away with a satisfied grin.

Leaving the tax office, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Not only had I conquered the dungeon, but I had also managed to keep my hidden treasures a secret. It was a day filled with successful exploits, and I couldn't wait to embark on the next adventure that awaited me.

As I prepare to ride back towards Frontier City, starting my Modular Cycle, I overheard more chatter and conversations from other adventurers, discussing their own experiences in the dungeon and how the trials they faced includes lots of puzzles and fetch quests.

It was a reminder that in this world of magic and mystery, there was always something new to discover, and I will be there if there are secret dungeons or treasures....for those things make life worthwhile especially since this is my new second life.