To the Capital

"Sopo wani ganggu pesareanku!?"

One of the dragons spoke ferociously in a language Janu didn't understand. He recalled stories in which some kind of monsters could speak like humans.

'Is it a monster's language?'

'I don't know the words, but somehow I know the meaning. So, it's their grave and I happened to disturb them.'

The two dragons stared at the only human in front of them asking for an explanation. It was such a rare case. Normally, monsters would attack without warning upon seeing humans.

'They don't attack directly. What do they want?'

"I didn't mean to disturb your rest. I sincerely apologize. I will come back to where I'm from. Please, excuse me," Janu turned back and walked away. In his heart he prayed that the dragons would overlook his error.

One of them scoffed.

"Opo kowe kira aku iki bodho?"

/Do you really take us for a fool?!/

Janu petrified and cursed in his heart.

"Sak langkah maneh kowe bakal mati sengsoro."

"Cepakno sewu korban lan patimu bakal ora lara."

/One more step and you'll lose your life miserably./

/Give us one thousand sacrifices and we will make your death less painful./

The two dragons threatened him simultaneously.

'Let's calm down. They're bluffing, right? If they wanted me dead, I would have died several times.'

"What is it that you want from me?" He tried to find out what they wanted.

"Kekekeke… Cah pinter."

"Kowe kayane duwe kadigdayan sing dumunung ing kowe. Kowe oleh bali… nggo saiki."

"Yen wayahe kadigdayanmu uwis katon, balio ndene. Kowe bakal tak enteni."

/Kekekeke… What a smart boy./

/You seem to have an extraordinary power that lies within you. We'll let you leave… For now./

/When your hidden power has awakened, come back here. We will wait for you till then./

'This is it? I don't know what's on their mind. But if I can leave in one piece, don't expect me to come back.'

"Ok, I'll leave for now. I'll be back again, but I cannot promise you when."

"Temtu. Ora masalah."

/Sure. No problem./

Janu was relieved by the turn of events. He couldn't believe what just happened. He almost lost his life and now he was free to go. But just as he turned back, something he couldn't predict happened.

"Roarrr..."

As one of the dragons roared, lightning struck him from behind.

Booom…

Janu, who was struck by the lightning, was thrown forward from the impact. He fell on the ground and almost died.

[Troll's Blood activated]

His HP gradually healed; however, it didn't mean that he was fine. He only escaped death.

"Durung mati, eh. Sampurna. Kowe bakal bali ndene temtune."

/Not dead, eh. Perfect. You will definitely come back here./

One dragon was pleased. The lightning attack wasn't an ordinary strike actually. The dragon placed a curse, or maybe a blessing, in it without Janu realizing it.

"Kekekeke..."

The dragons laughed and that was their goodbye. They disappeared into thin air.

After some time, Janu regained his consciousness. His body shivered and he had a hard time getting back on his foot.

"D*mn!! It's painful."

He could feel his back burnt. His armor was penetrated by the lightning.

He drank a healing potion, but it wasn't quite necessary. The Troll's Blood had restored most of his HP. It was just painful, very painful.

He scanned his back just to find the snake statue was still there but the shadows of the dragons weren't. He left immediately.

***

He arrived at home and could still feel the pain on his back. He took off his clothes and tried to look at his back using a mirror in his mother's room. The scenery was shocking.

"What..!?"

On his back were two marks, like a tattoo. They were the Twin Nagas, coiling at each other.

"It can't be good, right?"

Janu recalled how the dragons tried to kill him back at the cave.

'They were toying with me. They threatened me, let me go, and struck me. What did they really want?'

'Better ask some white mage to check it. But, whom should I ask?'

…

'How about Miss Lina? I'll try asking Uncle Jono for her contact.'

The next day, Janu went to Jono's house.

Ding Dong…

The bell rang.

"Oh, Janu. What perfect timing. Come on in. Your mother just finished cooking."

"That's really perfect."

"Hi, mom. That smells good."

"Oh, hi son. Why didn't you tell me you'd come? I would have cooked your favorite meal."

"Anything you cook is my favorite."

"That's so sweet. I wish Wulan were like you, eating anything I cook."

Everyone laughed at that.

"Where's Uncle Jono, Aunt Tina?"

"He said he had some work to do. It's probably something related to the joint training held in the capital. Your uncle said that you're going to the capital, too, right?"

"That's right. But, I doubt that I will be joining the training. Uncle said that 'other uncles' wanted to see me."

"That's also correct. We're all like family. Of course, your 'other uncles' also want to see you. They're kind of busy, you know. They can't just leave their assigned posts and come here. So, it's only right for you to go."

"Yes, Aunt Tina."

"It will be a good experience for youngsters like you. Oh, right. When you're in the capital, make sure to meet up with Wulan. She'll be happy. You know, she always wants to be a raider. Ohh.. It drives me mad."

Janu and his mother laughed.

"Let's eat before it's cold."

After some time, Jono entered.

"Good evening, Uncle Jono."

"Oh, Janu. What a perfect time. Let's talk for a moment."

"You're going to the capital in two days. Just go to the UR base before 7. You're going together with the team. Don't worry about accomodation."

"Is it really okay?"

"Ha..ha.. Of course."

"Ok, uncle. Thank you very much. Oh, I almost forgot. Do you know Ms. Lina? A white mage from the UR?"

"Ho.. Your son has grown up, Sister Rianna."

"Ha ha ha…"

"That's not it.. There's something I want to ask her."

"Like, say for example, asking to go out?"

The laughter became louder.

"I just want to know about white mage's skills. That's all. Really."

"We were just kidding. Of course, I know her. She's very famous, you know. Carlina Suwandi. I'll just send you her number. You can contact her in her free time. But, I suggest that you text her first."

"Thank you, Uncle. I really appreciate it."

Janu left at about 9 PM.

The next morning Janu texted the white mage, introducing himself and asking if it was possible for him to make a call.

"Hello, Miss Lina. This is Janu. We met at the Goblin Cave around last week. I was one of the miners."

"Yes, I remember you. You were the only one that wasn't affected by the dungeon's curse, right? What is it that you want to talk about?"

"Yes, that's me. I really want to ask about something and possibly ask for your favor. I feel that it's better if I say it directly. Is it possible for us to meet?"

"Uh, okay. I'm at the UR at the moment and I'll finish by 11. Do you mind meeting at the UR?"

"No, problem. I'll be there at 11. Thank you very much."

"Don't mention it."

At the United Raiders.

"Welcome to the United Raiders. How may I help you?"

"Hello, good morning, Miss Maya."

"Janu, right?"

"That's right. You remember my name."

"That's part of the job. Well, even if it wasn't, I would still remember you. Teehee.. So, have you become a raider?"

"Well.. I'm ashamed to admit, but I haven't got any classes yet."

"Don't worry. You've just awakened. I'm sure you'll get a nice class. Do you need anything?"

"I have an appointment with Miss Lina. Where can I see her?"

"Whoaa… that's a new. Are you sure you have an appointment?" The receptionist was suspicious.

"Yes, I do." Janu confirmed. But, actually he was quite surprised with the reaction.

"So… Hmm.. Miss Lina has never met a man before. I mean, she never shows interest in men. But, you.. you have an appointment with her?!"

"Uh, yes. What can possibly be wrong with that?"

"No..no..no.. It's a grave sin. Unless you want all male raiders here to be hostile towards you."

"Ehm..ehmm.."

Maya was shocked upon hearing the sound.

"Oh, hi..hi.. Miss Lina.." she was speaking nervously.

"You didn't spread false rumors again, did you?' Ms Lina asked nicely. She was even smiling.

"N..no..no.. Of course not."

"Hi Janu. Don't believe anything she said about me. Come."

Janu followed Ms Lina from right behind her. He looked at the petrified receptionist while thinking about what actually happened.

Along the way, Janu could feel astonished stares from people. He was wondering why. Lina was beautiful, but it wasn't something weird for a beautiful woman to meet a man. They finally entered a guest room on the third floor.

"Please take a seat. So, have you become a raider?"

"Not yet, Miss Lina."

"Just call me Lina, okay? We're peers."

'How old is she?'

"I'm just 23, you know."

"Oh.."

'Can she read my mind? Better be careful.'

"What is it that you want to talk about?"

"Mmmm.. Let's talk about dungeons first. There's so much to learn and I don't know where to start. I heard dungeons evolve."

"That's indeed true. Dungeons that are not taken care of will have stronger monsters. That's why there are ranks for dungeons. In the past, as far as I know, there were only E-Rank dungeons. People had no idea and they raided dungeons unplanned. Some dungeons that were considered unimportant or unprofitable were just ignored and then evolved into higher-ranked dungeons. When raiders realized this, they started to make a careful plan to reap the best results. They intended to keep some dungeons untouched so they could rise in ranks. So, we have S-Rank dungeons. They are the hardest to deal with and only top guilds have access to them."

"Isn't it unfair?"

"What can we do about it? High rankers flock in the top guilds. Small guilds or raiders unaffiliated to any guilds can't possibly raid them. We don't know what will happen if S-Rank dungeons are not taken care of in time."

"That's right. Are there any strange phenomena inside dungeons?"

"Strange things?.... So far, there are some monsters, sorcerer-type, who can use Curse. Well, dungeons can also curse awakened people, but only to some extent."

"How about unawakened? Can they…?"

"Normal people can't enter dungeons. There's some kind of barrier preventing them from entering even though they want to. Is it about your mother?"

"You know my mother?"

"Of course, I had a chance to treat her at the hospital. Your mother's case is rare. There are several reports of similar cases all over the world. We can't determine the cause or the best cure. We can only give treatment to ease the pain. I'm sorry."

"No..no.. that's not what I mean. I'm glad that my mother was treated by such a capable mage. Thank you, Lina."

"So, you're an A-Rank?" Janu was shocked by her rank despite her age.

"Yes, I think I'm lucky." She smiled adding to his beauty.

Any normal male would definitely fall for her. Janu could only admire her. She's kind, beautiful, and an A-Rank.

"By the way, last time I joined the Lamia Swamp raid."

"I didn't join that raid. Mr. Jono asked me to help with the preparation to the capital."

"Oh, you're going to the capital, too?"

"Yes. We'll have more chances to talk in the future."

"But, I'm not joining the training."

"You're also going to the main headquarters, so of course we'll meet again."

"I'll be in your care, then."

"About the thing I want to ask. Actually, I stayed behind when the raiders and workers had left the Lamia Swamp. There was something there. I don't know whom to ask. You're the only one I could think of."

His last sentence could cause misunderstanding. Lina was flustered, but she didn't want to be overconfident with that.

"Excuse me." Janu suddenly took off his T-shirt at that very moment.

"Kyaaaa…" Lina screamed at the scene in front of her. She closed her eyes and blushing.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry.. I don't have any ill intention. Look at my back."

He turned around and showed her his back.

Lina opened her eyes and was flabbergasted with the dragon tattoo.

"What is it?"

"I got it from the Lamia Swamp. Can you check it? Is it dangerous?."

Lina took her grimoire and chanted a spell.

"Detect."

Janu's back was lit with a yellowish light, but there wasn't any reaction from the dragon tattoo.

"It's strange. Nothing happened. If it's a curse it will manifest into a certain form. How did you get it?"

"I'll tell you, but please promise me that you'll keep it a secret. We still don't know anything."

"Sure. I promise."

"At the Boss Room, there was a snake statue with a human head. The statue was holding a stone dagger in each hand. To tell you the truth, I have Appraisal skill and I used it on the daggers…"

"Wait.. You're not yet a raider, but you already have a skill!? How come?"

"I have no idea. I'm confused, too. When I was awakened I already got this skill."

"Whooaaa… That's a first. There are no reports on such a thing."

"I know right. The stone daggers were actually a weapon. Suddenly, two shadows of twin dragons appeared and attacked me. That's how I got it."

"What a story. It's unbelievable. If you tell other people, they might not believe it."

"So, you don't believe me?"

"I do believe you. You wouldn't come here just to tell me some lies. I'll try to find some info about it."

"Much appreciated. Let's meet again tomorrow."

"Okay, see you."

Janu went home and when the night came he went to sleep. At midnight, something strange happened.

"Uughh…"

In his sleep he felt a burning sensation from the dragon tattoo. It was so hot but he couldn't wake up. His eyes wouldn't open.

He was somehow taken to another world. It was dark and he couldn't see anything. It was just like when he got awakening.

In that darkness, a shadow approached. Even though it was impossible for Janu to see clearly, he could feel the shadow was staring at him.

"It's not the time yet. Come back.. and be careful."

The shadow turned back and walked.

"Wait.. wait.. " Janu called at the shadow. He ran chasing and trying to grab it.

The shadow was surely a man's. It stared at Janu and he couldn't move an inch.

"Just go back."

He then waved his hand and Janu was thrown. He walked again and slowly disappeared.

Janu slowly opened his eyes and he found himself still in his room.

"What just happened?"

'Who was that man?'

'Status Window'

Level: 70

Name: Janu Dewanto

Class: <locked>

SubClass: Magic Enchanter

Title: Daredevil

Available titles:

Undead Killer

Beast King

Monster Hunter

HP : 4,850

MP: 990

Strength: 875 (+)

Vitality: 760 (+)

Intelligence: 810 (+)

Spirit: 785 (+)

Dexterity: 725 (+)

Agility: 340 (+)

Luck: 95 (+)

Available Points: 0

Active Skills

- Appraise <locked>

- Craft <locked>

- Flash <locked>

Equipped Skills

- Vertical Cleave <locked>

- Triple Hit <locked>

- Firestorm <locked>

- Ancient Gladiator (Passive) <locked>

Passive Skills

- Mpu Gandring's Legacy <locked>

- Crit. Dmg Up III <locked>

- Troll's Blood <locked>

- Dual Wield <locked>

Mission:

Clear the One Thousand Temples Eighth Floor

Unlock another subclass

"What!? Wait… My skills are locked!?"

"How come!?"

It was really shocking.

"How if I activate a skill stone? What will happen?"

Janu took a skill stone from the inventory.

'Activate'

[Summon: Dinka (Evolvable) <locked>

Type: Mount, Recon

Rarity: Unique

Description:

Dinka was once an evil being. After losing to Lord Ganesha, a Deva, in a battle, it became a mouse and his Vahana.

Bonus:

Agility +10% in battles

Crit. Hit +10%]

"It's a summoning skill. Evolvable. Mount. Bonuses.

It's too good to be true," Janu couldn't believe what he saw. He almost forgot that his skills were locked.

"Who is Lord Ganesha?"

"Oh, man. It's still locked. I thought it was a wonderful start. I even reached level 70 in about two weeks. 10 more levels and I'll be an equal to an A-Rank raider. With my skills and equipment, I won't lose to an average A-Rank. But every time I feel good, only bad things happen," he lamented.

Janu couldn't sleep anymore that night. He was perturbed by the phenomenon.

He was struck with lightning by a dragon shadow and he got a dragon tattoo. Now his skills were locked and he got no explanation about it.

Early in the morning, he got up but he didn't want to think about his fate. He didn't even want to remember it. He really hoped that it was a dream.

He went to the UR and there were some raiders assembled in the hall.

'Is there a dungeon raid? But, it's too early. They can't be going to the capital, right?'

Among those raiders Janu recognised Nohan, the team leader for the Goblin Cave raid.

While he was walking inside he saw two familiar faces coming to the hall. It was Jono and Lina.

"Greetings, everyone. Now that all of you are here I will briefly explain about our joint training program. This program is held every two years and promising raiders from the United Raiders and the five top guilds in our nation participate in it. Asgard, Garuda Mystic, Red Moon, Abyss Dragon, Four Kings and the UR are sending 10 B and C-Ranks so there are 60 raiders in total. You might wonder, but the UR alone will have a selection for the 10 spots. As you know, the UR is composed of the main headquarters and five branch headquarters, including us, in Five Big Islands. 10 raiders from each of them will compete for the 10 spots. This is a good opportunity so give your best. Miss Lina here will be responsible for our team, so listen to what she says. Any questions?"

"No, sir."

"We also have a guest. Janu, come here. He will join you to the capital. Be good friends with him."

"We meet again, Lina. Hi, everyone. I'm Janu and I will be in your care."

The looks of the male raiders changed drastically. One was curious, three were jealous, two showed disbelief and one had a hostile look.

"Is he the rumored man?"

"To call her by name...unbelievable."

"That guy was super lucky. I wish I was him."

All of them could hear what they were whispering.

One might even wonder if it was intentional.

"You have twenty minutes before departure. Prepare yourselves and head to the plane behind the building."

"Uncle, I'm leaving."

"Take care. If you need anything you can talk to Miss Lina here. When you arrive at the main base, tell Miss Kathryne at the reception Mr. Bimo summons you."

"Alright, Uncle. Thanks for everything."

"Don't mention it."

Janu and Lina walked together.

"Lina.."

"Yes?"

"Something happened. I told you that I have a skill, right?"

"The Appraisal skill?"

"Yup. Now it's locked. I was transferred to another world. I don't know for sure, but I think it's a different world. When I woke up my skill was locked."

"Heh?! What really happened to you? Only strange things that you went through."

"I don't know. This is confusing."

"I'm sure you'll be fine. We can find my sister at the main base. She's a much better White Mage than me. I mean she's a Sage after all."

"A Sage? Your sister is an S-Rank?"

"Sshh.. We'll talk again later."

So they departed from the UR base to the capital by plane.