Episode 2: Dungeon Survival

"...Seriously? A light novel, huh?"

In the solitude of a restroom cubicle permeated with the stench of human waste and ammonia, I muttered to myself. I had just opened the recently installed "Dungeon Survive" app, and my thoughts unintentionally slipped out.

─────────────────

[Name]: Shion Reita

[Rank]: F

[Skill]: Physical Enhancement Lv1

─────────────────

When I cleared all the notifications that appeared upon opening Dungeon Survive, my status filled the screen. It resembled a game or light novel, displaying a simple status.

"Oh, there's an explanation section here."

On the right side of the screen, there were three lines, and tapping them revealed an explanation section. It contained information about rank, skills, the dungeon, and a mysterious blank section about the app itself.

"...I don't really get the crucial parts."

While the rank and skills were as expected, the explanation about the app itself was blacked out, providing no information. It was an insufficient explanation section. The UI wasn't impressive either, and I wished there was a contact section to file a complaint.

"So, I can challenge a dungeon and gain mysterious abilities called skills. It's like a light novel, perfect for a novel enthusiast like me to digest this inexplicable situation easily."

"...Since installing this app, I've been feeling a surge of power in my body."

A universal sense of power overflowed throughout my body. Although I anticipated it, I double-checked my skill just to be sure. I long-pressed "Physical Enhancement."

─────────────────

Skill: Physical Enhancement

Rank: F

Explanation: Skill to enhance physical abilities.

─────────────────

"Just as plain as it gets."

The explanation was straightforward, just as the name suggested. However, it couldn't be more clear and easy to understand.

I felt an incredible power as if I had become a professional wrestler. I couldn't tell how much stronger I had become, but my physical abilities had undoubtedly improved significantly.

"If I had to wish for something more, I'd prefer magical skills or slightly obscure and chuunibyou-feeling skills... Well, it's too much to ask for more. I should be grateful for gaining a skill."

Being a 15-year-old avid light novel enthusiast, I loved terms like skills and dungeons. While I had enjoyed them only in stories before, now they were becoming a real part of my life. Such an honor wouldn't come twice in my life.

Additionally, there was the 'Lv1' next to the skill. This presumably meant that by defeating monsters in the dungeon, my level would increase like in a game. It felt like a real game, and my excitement grew.

"In light novels and online novels, it's common for the protagonist with a communication disorder to become friendly with the heroine and develop a romantic relationship... Unfortunately, it seems like I'm the first player, meaning there's no one else playing at the moment."

I could only hope that more players would join eventually. Whether there would be a beautiful girl player was an entirely different question. Well, even if there were, the possibility of me, socially awkward, having a normal conversation with other players was low.

Thinking about reality, my mood darkened.

"I might not be able to have a normal conversation now due to my communication issues, but I'm sure I'll awaken if I meet a beautiful girl player. I'll become talkative instantly and quickly get into a romantic relationship. Let's believe that."

With hopeful speculation, I finished my packed lunch.

"Yeah, it's delicious. More than usual."

"Moreover, the fact that I'm the only player at the moment means... I can take the lead, right? I can level up before other players arrive and become stronger ahead of them."

Considering my skill, it was undoubtedly a skill on the side of the supporting character rather than the protagonist. It was explained as an 'F-rank skill,' so I was confident in that deduction. Saying it myself, I felt a little sad.

Since it wasn't a cheat skill, it would be better to make effective use of the current situation where I had a slight lead. In other words, it would be wise to level up before other players appeared.

"Besides, I simply want to challenge a dungeon. I've seen and challenged dungeons countless times in light novels and games, but being able to do it in reality... It's like a dream."

With such muttering, I started to explore the app. When I long-pressed the screen, a button appeared saying, "Challenge the Tutorial Dungeon."

"Let's go... wait, it might be bad to do it here."

I didn't know what the dungeon would be like, but if the entrance to the dungeon was larger than expected... it would be bad to activate it in a restroom cubicle. My family was poor, and if the restroom facilities were damaged... I couldn't afford the repair costs.

"Anyway... should I move to the rooftop?"

Lunch break was ending, with only 5 minutes left.

Since very few students would be lingering, I believed other students had dispersed. Trusting that, I headed towards the rooftop.

... I might end up skipping the next class. But the allure of challenging the dungeon was irresistible.

◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

As I predicted, no one was on the rooftop.

"Now... let's challenge it right away!"

I pressed "Challenge the Tutorial Dungeon." Then...

Gogogogogo...

From the ground right beside me, a bronze gate reminiscent of Rodin's "The Gates of Hell" emerged. It exuded a solemn atmosphere, but surprisingly, its size was quite small, only about 2 meters in height.

"Oh, wow...!"

And the gate swung open.

The interior was as dark as if it had gathered the darkness of the night. A cold wind, akin to the underworld, wafted from the depths of the gate. It had an eerie atmosphere.

Engulfed by a divine yet somewhat frightening ambiance, I hesitated for a moment. I knew that the dungeon of my dreams was behind this gate, but entering required a bit of courage.

"...Phew."

A deep breath, one.

Escaping was not an option at this point.

I had skipped class and deliberately come to this place.

And most importantly, the dungeon I had dreamt of was right in front of me. Despite the reasons to fear, there was no reason to escape.

A deep breath, two.

Finally, my heart began to settle.

Fear was still vivid, but at the same time, curiosity surged even more. Like a toddler, my heart pounded with excitement.

"...Shall we go?"

A bit of fear and a great deal of curiosity.

With conflicting emotions in my chest, I challenged the dungeon.