22. First Dungeon (Patreon)

The rhythmic hum of the train filled the cabin as Luke stared out the window, watching the mesmerizing scenery pass by. This was the first time he had used the train since arriving at the academy, as most of the facilities—including the academy market—were within reach of the trams. Yet, even after all this time, the experience remained just as refreshing. The train soared through the sky, cutting through clouds, before descending and gliding over rivers like a phantom ship. It was a marvel of Eldoria’s technology, seamlessly blending magic and human engineering.

Seated nearby, Jasmine absentmindedly flipped through a notebook, her usual method of preemptively studying for any challenges ahead. Trenton, on the other hand, leaned back, eyes closed as if he were catching up on lost sleep. Across from them, Roy and Alice were in quiet discussion with their own friends, while others in the class chattered excitedly about their upcoming expedition. Some speculated about the dungeon’s difficulty, while others exchanged strategies based on secondhand knowledge from upperclassmen.

Luke had heard whispers of the Dungeonbound Station before. Unlike South Gate Station or Main Academy Station, which were sprawling and filled with travelers from all walks of life, this one was smaller—its function solely to facilitate dungeon expeditions. The station came into view as the train began its descent, and soon the smooth transition from airborne travel to solid ground sent a barely perceptible tremor through the carriage. The train slowed and finally came to a halt with a soft hiss of steam.

Even at a glance, it was clear that security here was much tighter. Armed guards patrolled every corner, their armor enchanted with runic inscriptions that faintly glowed. Magical surveillance constructs hovered overhead, scanning each passenger as they disembarked. Unlike other stations, where commerce and civilian life flourished, Dungeonbound Station had an air of strict efficiency. Every structure was fortified, and various checkpoints ensured that only authorized personnel or academy students could pass beyond certain areas. Everything was in place to ensure safety, minimizing any potential dungeon-related incidents.

Professor Yorth Vale and Professor Elric stood at the forefront, accompanied by four assistant professors. Yorth’s stern gaze swept over the students as he performed a quick headcount. Satisfied that no one was missing, he gave a sharp nod.

“Follow me,” he commanded.

The students fell into step behind him as they moved through the underground passageways. The corridors were dimly lit, resembling an old subway system, but the air here was cleaner, maintained by magic-infused ventilation. Along the walls, ancient inscriptions pulsed with a faint blue light, reinforcing the structure against any potential dungeon anomalies. As they walked, murmurs of anticipation rippled through the group. For many, this was their first real step into Eldoria’s dungeon system—a trial that would separate the strong from the weak.

Finally, they emerged into a vast open area, and the sight before them made several students gasp.

The dungeon entrance area was unlike anything they had seen before. Three colossal gates stood in a perfectly maintained formation, shimmering with an ethereal glow. The first gate gleamed with a soft green light, signifying the Beginner Dungeon. The second, a deep blue hue, represented the Adept Dungeon. And the third, a foreboding violet, marked the Veteran Dungeon. These were no ordinary portals—each had been stabilized through advanced human engineering, reinforced with magic to ensure minimal leakage of dungeon energy. Protective barriers surrounded the gates, designed to prevent unauthorized access. Several academy officials stood guard, monitoring the flow of adventurers who came to challenge the dungeons.

“Take a good look,” Yorth’s voice rang out, commanding everyone’s attention. “These gates lead to three dungeons: Beginner (1 star), Adept (1 star), and Veteran (1 star). You’ll only be concerned with the Beginner Dungeon for now. And before you ask, no, you are not allowed to attempt the other two.” His sharp gaze swept over the students, as if daring anyone to protest. “If you value your life, you will not break this rule.”

Silence followed his words, and then he continued. “Many of you already know this, but I will reiterate for those who do not. Dungeons are classified by rank and stars, with each level presenting its own set of dangers. The Beginner Dungeon is designed for those new to dungeon combat, but do not take it lightly, even a 1 star Beginner Dungeon is the grave of many new adventurers. Complacency is the first step toward death.”

He let his words sink in before moving on. “Today, you will be forming squads of five to tackle the 1 star Beginner Dungeon. This dungeon is owned and maintained by the academy, meaning it is regulated and its hazards are well-documented. However, that does not mean it is easy.”

Yorth gestured toward the green-gate dungeon. “The dungeon you’ll be entering is a Goblin Den. Within, you will encounter goblins wielding crude weapons. These creatures may only be half the size of an average human, but they are fast, vicious, and operate in groups. Their intelligence is comparable to that of a three-year-old human, but do not mistake them for children.”

Some students exchanged uneasy glances.

“They are cruel creatures,” Yorth continued, his tone darkening. “Unlike beasts, which kill for survival, goblins take pleasure in torturing their prey. They will break a target’s will before finishing them off. They are not the strongest monsters in Eldoria, but they are among the most vile.”

A collective gulp rippled through the students. No matter how much experience they had gained from hunting captured beasts in controlled environments, the thought of fighting intelligent, sadistic creatures unsettled them.

Yorth pressed on. “Your goal in this dungeon is simple: survive and adapt. Your teams should be well-balanced. Ideally, each squad should have two close combatants—fighters who can take and deal damage—two long-range damage dealers such as mages or archers, and one healer.”

His words were practical, yet they carried a sense of warning. “Clearing this dungeon typically rewards participants with an increase of one to two points in a particular stat, along with some gold and low-tier equipment. While the latter may not be worth much, the guaranteed stat increase makes this dungeon one of the most efficient methods for growth.”

The students were beginning to grasp the importance of this opportunity, but Yorth wasn’t finished. “Additionally, defeating the mini-boss—Goblin Brute—will grant your entire party an extra two to three stat points. However, do not assume you can take him down easily. He is stronger than the average goblin and far more aggressive.”

Luke absorbed this information calmly, already strategizing in his head. The benefits were clear—this dungeon was the fastest way to steadily improve one’s stats. However, there was a limit to its effectiveness.

“Some of you may be wondering if you should attempt this dungeon solo,” Yorth said, as if reading their thoughts. “Let me save you the trouble. The stat rewards remain the same whether you clear the dungeon alone, with a three-man team, or with a full five-man squad. The only additional benefits of soloing would be the extra gold and equipment drops, but given that the Goblin Den has few of either, it is not worth it.”

A few students who had been considering solo runs frowned at the revelation.

“Form your teams wisely,” Yorth concluded. “Once you have your groups, we begin.”

As teams started to form, Jasmine and Trenton naturally gravitated toward Luke, standing beside him as if their team had already been decided long before. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a silent agreement forged through their shared experiences. However, their assumptions were quickly shattered when Professor Yorth approached.

"Luke, come with me," Yorth ordered, his expression unreadable.

Luke frowned slightly, a sense of unease creeping into his chest. "Professor?"

Yorth didn’t explain. Instead, he turned to Jasmine and Trenton. "You two, find another team. Luke won’t be joining you."

Jasmine's eyebrows shot up, and Trenton scowled. "Wait, what?" Jasmine asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "We always work together. Why does Luke have to—"

"This is not up for discussion," Yorth cut her off with a tone that brooked no argument.

Luke’s frown deepened. The unease he felt solidified into something heavier. Jasmine and Trenton looked like lost puppies, their confidence visibly shaken. Still, they nodded hesitantly and stepped back.

Following Yorth to a quieter corner of the station, Luke’s mind raced with possibilities. Was he being removed from the test? Was something wrong?

Yorth turned to face him, his piercing gaze settling on Luke. "You're going to be soloing this dungeon."

Luke's mind went blank for a moment before he inwardly screamed, Fuck! On the outside, of course, he remained the very image of composure.

"Why?" he asked, his tone measured. "You just told everyone not to solo because the risks far outweigh the rewards."

Yorth’s lips curled into a faint smile, one that sent a chill down Luke’s spine. "Orders from the principal. He also asked me to deliver a message."

With that, Yorth pulled out a beautifully packaged letter and handed it to Luke.

Luke didn’t hesitate. He tore the envelope open with ruthless efficiency, unfolded the letter, and read the simple yet infuriating lines:

[Hope you had fun during this past peaceful month. I'm assigning you your first dungeon—the first of many, of course. I hope to see you pass with flying colors. Hahaha.]

Luke could practically hear the principal's laughter echoing in his head. His jaw clenched, and he muttered curses under his breath.

Before he could dwell on his frustration, a loud voice interrupted.

"Why does he get to solo the dungeon and I don’t?"

Luke sighed inwardly. Great, just what I needed.

The voice belonged to none other than Grukthar, the leader of orcish candidates. His towering figure was impossible to ignore, and his loud declaration instantly drew the attention of the entire class.

Professor Yorth and Professor Elric both stepped forward. A slight crease formed on Yorth’s forehead, betraying his irritation.

"This arrangement was made by the principal," Yorth said coolly. "You have no right to interfere."

Grukthar wasn’t satisfied. He pointed a thick finger at Luke. "I could kill that pipsqueak with my eyes closed! How does he get special treatment?"

The air around them grew noticeably colder. Yorth’s expression darkened as he took a deliberate step forward. Grukthar, despite his bravado, swallowed hard.

"Try being the top in the practical, theory, and familiar exams before you complain," Yorth said, his voice like ice.

Grukthar’s lips twisted in frustration, but he didn’t back down. Yorth, his patience running thin, suddenly smiled—a smile that sent a shiver down Luke’s spine.

"How about this," Yorth proposed, his brow twitching in irritation. "I’ll let you go solo as well. Of course, you’ll need to sign a death waiver form in case you die. And if you manage to outperform Luke, I’ll personally pass you in all theory exams. No need to take another test."

Grukthar’s face lit up at the opportunity. Theory tests were his Achilles' heel. Despite being one of the top combatants, his abysmal scores had always dragged him down. This was his chance to escape that burden entirely.

"Deal!" he barked, grabbing the waiver form and signing it without hesitation. "No way I’m dying to some puny goblins!"

Luke watched the scene unfold and suddenly remembered why Grukthar was so confident. Orcs are practically an upgrade in every department compared to goblins in any RPG. If his world had similar creatures, then he must see this as a mere warm-up.

Turning to Yorth, Luke whispered, "Was that really a good idea? Giving someone a free pass on all theory tests if they outperform me?"

Yorth closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them with a chilling smile. "Who said I’d be giving him a free pass? That dumbass has clearly never encountered goblin traps before. You’re not going to lose to someone like him, are you?"

Luke felt an involuntary shiver down his spine. "Of course not."

As the teams began entering the dungeon portals one by one, Luke's turn finally came. He stood before the glowing gateway, staring at the swirling energy that marked the entrance to his trial.

Taking a deep breath, he extended his hand into the portal first. A cold yet strangely pleasant sensation washed over his skin. Satisfied, he stepped forward, allowing the energy to engulf him completely.

The world distorted around him, colors shifting and merging. When his vision cleared, he found himself standing outside a dark den, surrounded by a dense forest. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decayed leaves, the distant echoes of unknown creatures rumbling within the trees. He felt the weight of solitude settling upon him.

Then, without warning, system notifications flooded his vision—something that had become a rare occurrence over the past month.

------------------

You have ventured into a dungeon designed for groups alone!

The first perk of the Ultimate Gunner System has been activated!

If you venture solo in a group dungeon, your rewards will be multiplied by the maximum allowable party size!

------------------

Dungeon Max Capacity: 5

Current Reward Multiplier: 5x

------------------

Achievement Unlocked!

"Solo Yolo in a Group Dungeon!"

Reward: Kalthoff Repeater (Uncommon) (15 rounds).

------------------

Luke couldn't hold back his smile as he stared at the glowing notification in front of him. His excitement bubbled over, his mind racing with possibilities.

"To think there are system perks like this... and they're this broken?" he mused, his eyes shining with exhilaration. "I guess I need to start hunting for more perks."

The dungeon reward multiplier was beyond anything he could have expected. A fivefold increase in loot, just because he was entering solo? That was the kind of benefit that could completely change his trajectory. Higher-ranked dungeons with even greater maximum entry capacities would be hell to clear alone, but the rewards... oh, the rewards. They were tempting enough to make him momentarily forget just how insane solo-clearing a high-difficulty dungeon would be.

Then his gaze flickered to the second reward, and his heart skipped a beat.

A gun.

Not just any gun—a multi-shot firearm.

Finally!

Luke nearly jumped in excitement as he reached into his inventory and pulled out the Kalthoff Repeater (Uncommon). The sleek, well-crafted firearm gleamed in the dungeon's artificial daylight, its polished metal surface reflecting his eager expression.

He had been worried. Worried that his single-shot flintlock pistol wouldn't be able to keep up with the sheer number of goblins he was about to face. Reloading every single time he fired was a hassle, a massive limitation in a high-mob dungeon. And then, as if the system had read his mind, it delivered exactly what he needed.

------------------

Kalthoff Repeater

Type: Firearm

Attack Power: 71-93 Base Physical Pierce Damage (+Bullet Damage)

Range: 34-106 meters

Scaling: Dexterity C-

Accuracy: 75%

Durability: 100/100

Rarity: Uncommon

Details: A cutting-edge repeating firearm capable of firing up to 15 rounds before requiring a reload. Unlike single-shot flintlock weapons, this repeater uses an advanced magazine system, significantly improving fire rate and combat efficiency. Its rapid-fire capability makes it a formidable weapon on the battlefield, surpassing conventional firearms in both efficiency and firepower.

------------------

Luke scanned the stats with greedy eyes, an uncontrollable grin spreading across his face. His days of suffering through single-shot reload times were finally over. Sure, the firepower of this repeater didn't quite match his precious Rare-ranked flintlock pistol, and it lacked any inherent skills, but that didn’t matter. This was a perfect weapon for clearing mobs.

He instantly set to work, loading the repeater with 15 lead balls, a strange satisfaction flowing through him as he did. The smooth clinking of metal on metal sent shivers down his spine. Over the past month, he'd made sure to stockpile as many lead balls as possible—his inventory stacked similar items, and he took full advantage of that fact. Right now, he had well over ten thousand lead balls stored away. He could fire away without worrying about running out.

As he finished loading, he cradled the gun in his hands, stroking the barrel with an almost reverent touch. His grin widened into something more feral, a spark of anticipation flickering in his eyes.

"Get ready to become my practice dummies, you green fucks," he muttered, rolling his shoulders as he felt the weight of his new weapon settle into his grip.