26. West Gate Station (Patreon)

Luke ran his fingers along the sleek barrel of the Titanfang Repeater, his lips curling into a smirk. The revolver was outstanding. Every detail, from the finely engraved barrel to the smooth yet sturdy grip, spoke of craftsmanship beyond anything he had used before. The weight in his palm was perfect—balanced, solid, and almost as if it had been made just for him. It was more than just a weapon; it was a testament to his progress so far.

And he couldn’t resist the urge to test it.

Fortunately, it was Saturday. The Academy of Berch Gyara followed a strict academic schedule, but weekends were free of classes, allowing students time for rest, personal training, or in Luke’s case, dungeon diving.

He reached into his inventory, pulling out a bronze-colored card that shimmered faintly under the dim light of his room. The Bronze Dungeon Card—his hard-earned reward given to him by Professor Elric Voss for not only claiming first place but shattering the previous record in the Goblin Den. It granted him entry into any Beginner or Adept dungeon throughout the Seluvian Empire, and considering his recent gains, there was no better time to challenge himself.

But first, he needed to find the right dungeon.

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The Academy of Berch Gyara was more than just an institution—it was a self-sustaining city in its own right. Spanning an enormous area, it housed not just students but also merchants, academy staff, craftsmen, and even ordinary citizens. Some were families of students; others were individuals who had built their lives around catering to the academy’s ever-growing community.

While the academy belonged to the Rolhart Kingdom, its prestige extended far beyond a single nation’s borders. Nobles and talented individuals from all across the continent sought admission here, making it a melting pot of cultures, languages, and races. Security was naturally top-tier, ensuring that the children of the influential and the ambitious could study without fear of outside interference.

Navigating such a massive institution required organization, and the academy was divided into five primary sections: the Main Academy, where most lectures, training halls, and dormitories were located, and the four surrounding gates—North, South, East, and West—each with its own function.

Luke’s destination? West Gate Station, the heart of the academy’s dungeon hub.

The academy’s public transit system was designed to accommodate its size. Each major district had its own station, allowing students to travel efficiently. Luke made his way toward the Main Academy Station with a tram, one of the central transport hubs. Even though it was early in the morning, the place was already bustling with activity.

Luke’s gaze flickered toward the grand station building before him, a central hub from which trains and carriages transported people to different sections of the academy.

Students, staff, and a few adventurers filled the area, their footsteps blending into the rhythmic hum of departing trains.

Purchasing a ticket, he stepped onto the platform, waiting as a sleek, mana-powered train glided to a stop before him. Its enchanted rails hummed softly, a testament to the kingdom’s advancements in magitech transportation.

As the train doors slid open, Luke stepped inside, finding a seat near the window. The moment the train jerked forward, his gaze drifted to the passing scenery, his thoughts naturally settling on the academy city’s structure. At this point, Luke had read and seen most of the things there was to see about the whole academy city, mostly from books.

Each gate station had its own distinct character, shaping the city’s flow.

South Gate Station—his very first entry point into Berch Gyara—was the most isolated yet still just as luxurious as any other gate. Unlike the others, it lacked the bustling streets and towering marketplaces. Instead, it stood as a grand, almost ceremonial entrance, lined with marble pillars and regal banners. The area surrounding it was mostly empty, encircled by high borders that marked the academy’s outermost limits. It wasn’t a place where students gathered, but a prestigious checkpoint, designed for first-time arrivals and distinguished guests.

In contrast, North Gate Station was where the true city life thrived. It housed residential districts, markets, and commerce hubs, making it the most crowded and active part of the academy city. Nobles from across the Rolhart Kingdom and beyond had established estates here, their family crests displayed on towering mansions. The streets were lined with shops, workshops, and bustling taverns, while scholars and traders negotiated over rare materials and magical artifacts.

And then came the East Gate Station. It had a different feel—quieter, more reserved. It wasn’t as densely populated as the North, but it wasn’t as empty as the South either. The buildings were modest, with libraries and training halls hidden among its winding paths. It was a place for studious individuals rather than merchants or adventurers, a sanctuary for those who sought knowledge over battle.

The West Gate was a different beast entirely. Unlike the North, which felt like a regular city, the West Gate had a singular purpose—preparing for dungeons. 

As soon as Luke deboarded the train and walked into the city, the differences were clear to him.

There were no street vendors hawking fruits or daily necessities. There were no children playing in alleyways. Instead, the streets were lined with weapon forges, armor shops, and loot exchange centers. Everyone here had a goal—to equip themselves, sell their spoils, or dive into the next dungeon.

Adventurers of all races moved through the district, their weapons and gear reflecting their experience. A group of elves stood near an armor shop, discussing the merits of lightweight versus heavy plate. A muscular orc walked past, his thick arms crossed as he listened to a human merchant try to upsell a battle-axe. A pair of Canthros inspected a row of enchanted gauntlets, their sharp eyes assessing every detail before deciding on a purchase.

Luke took in the sight with quiet appreciation.

This part of the academy did not feel like a school in the slightest—it was a training ground for the elite. Those who thrived here weren’t just students, but also adventurers and mercenaries out for a quest or freelancing to try and hit it big in the dungeons.

Luke couldn’t help but think that before stepping into a dungeon, he needed proper gear.

The academy provided him with decent leather armor during his last expedition into the Goblin Den, but it was borrowed equipment. It had served its purpose, but relying on gear that needed to be returned was inconvenient. If he was going to push himself further, he needed something permanent.

As he scanned the area, his gaze landed on one of the most popular gear shops near the entrance of the district.

The storefront was sleek and modern, its polished exterior standing out against the more rugged, traditional buildings around it. The walls were made of enchanted glass, displaying an impressive collection of armor sets within. Finely crafted plate armor gleamed under magical lighting, while reinforced leather vests and chainmail sets were showcased on mannequins.

Everything about the shop screamed high quality.

Luke petted Szeth sitting on his shoulders, trying to ask for attention, his smirk returning.

"Time to get myself some proper gear."

With that, he stepped inside.

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The moment Luke entered the shop, he was met with the distinct scent of polished leather, well-oiled metal, and faint traces of alchemical preservation solutions used to maintain the equipment. The store was spacious, with neatly arranged shelves and racks displaying a wide variety of gear—nothing extravagant, just well-crafted, reliable equipment designed to withstand the harsh realities of dungeon delving.

To his left, a wall of sheathed weapons gleamed under the dim glow of enchanted lanterns—steel rapiers with ornate yet functional hilts, balanced longbows made from reinforced yew, serrated daggers designed for bleeding effects, and heavy maces with sturdy grips. Some of the weapons had faint magical etchings, but they were simple enchantments—nothing epic or rare, just enhancements for durability or sharper edges.

To his right, armor sets were displayed on mannequins, ranging from chainmail hauberks and leather brigandines to plated gauntlets and reinforced greaves. These were not the flashy, enchanted relics of noble warriors, but practical, affordable choices for adventurers looking to avoid getting skewered on their next outing.

The moment Luke walked further inside, an employee rushed toward him, moving with the practiced efficiency of someone accustomed to high-end clientele. His beady eyes took in every detail—Luke’s well-fitted clothes, his striking features, and most of all, the metallic serpent coiled around his neck.

A student with a familiar? The realization hit the employee instantly.

Most adventurers Luke’s age couldn’t afford a familiar, as only academy students were granted the privilege of bonding with one. That meant Luke wasn’t some common dungeon delver—he was a student of the Academy of Berch Gyara, and judging by his impeccable attire and the refined aura he carried, he was likely from a very wealthy family.

A customer worth fleecing.

Rubbing his hands together with the practiced glee of a man about to strike gold, the employee greeted him, his large mole bobbing on his nose as he spoke.

“Welcome, welcome, young master! You’ve come to the finest gear shop in all of West Gate! We have the best selection of weapons and armor, all crafted by expert blacksmiths and reinforced for durability! Whatever you need, we have it!”

Luke, unimpressed by the overly eager welcome, casually scanned the shelves as he responded, “I need light armor. Something fit for a hunter or ranger class.”

The employee’s eyes lit up. “Ah! A fine choice! Agility is just as important as defense in the dungeon! Right this way, my good sir!”

He led Luke to a separate section of the store, where rows of light armor sets were neatly displayed. Unlike the heavy plate armors meant for knights, these were designed for mobility—hardened leather vests reinforced with iron plates, flexible chainmail interwoven with enchanted silk, and fitted brigandines that provided solid defense without restricting movement.

Luke carefully examined the selections, running his fingers over the material to test its quality. After a moment, he settled on a particular set—a dark gray hunter’s ensemble, complete with:

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• Shadowhide Vest (Common)
   A well-crafted leather vest reinforced with beast-hide, offering decent defense without sacrificing movement.
  
  

  • Defense: 14

  • Agility Bonus: +2

  • Set Effect: “Predator’s Grace” (Wearing at least two pieces of this set increases movement speed by 5%)

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• Shadowhide Greaves (Common)
   Leather greaves embedded with lightweight plates, providing sturdy leg protection without hindering speed.
  
  

  • Defense: 8

  • Agility Bonus: +1

  • Set Effect: “Predator’s Grace” (Wearing at least two pieces of this set increases movement speed by 5%)

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• Shadowhide Gloves (Common)
   Reinforced gloves that improve grip and dexterity while maintaining hand protection.
  
  

  • Defense: 4

  • Dexterity Bonus: +1

  • Set Effect: “Predator’s Grace” (Wearing at least two pieces of this set increases movement speed by 5%)

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Luke nodded in approval. Good craftsmanship, no unnecessary embellishments, and functional bonuses.

“How much?” he asked, turning to the employee.

The man’s mole twitched as he grinned. “Ah, an excellent choice! For such a fine, noble young man like yourself, I’ll give you the best price possible—120 sils for the whole set!”

Luke raised an eyebrow. “120 sils? A family of four can live comfortably for over a month on 80 sils. Are you selling me an armor set or an entire estate?”

The employee chuckled nervously. “Aha… but young master, you must understand—this is high-quality gear, crafted by the finest artisans in the academy city! It’s worth every sil!”

Luke sighed dramatically, shaking his head. “I see. So, you’re not actually selling armor. You’re selling dreams. At this price, I assume the armor also dodges attacks for me, blocks fatal blows, and whispers encouragement in my ear?”

The employee grimaced. “W-well, not exactly—”

“60 sils.” Luke cut him off.

The employee’s face paled as though Luke had just stabbed him in the gut. “60?! Young master, please, we have a shop to run! Not only would we not make a profit, we’d be making a loss at that price!”

Luke tilted his head. “Oh? So you mean to tell me that you bought this armor for more than 60 sils?”

The employee froze, mouth opening and closing like a fish.

Luke smirked. “I’ll take that as a no. 75 sils, final offer.”

The employee let out a long, suffering sigh, as if he had just witnessed his entire bloodline dishonored in real-time. “Fine, fine! 75 sils… I should have just stayed in bed today…”

Luke handed over 7 banknotes and 5 coins, smiling cheerfully as he took his new gear. “Pleasure doing business with you.”

The employee looked like he had just eaten shit.

As Luke stepped out of the shop, feeling victorious, he made his way toward the Dungeon Hall.

The Dungeon Hall was a grand, open plaza, filled with adventurers coming and going, forming groups and preparing for their next dives into the unknown. Unlike the market streets, there were no merchants selling goods—only parties organizing expeditions, warriors checking their weapons, and mages reviewing dungeon maps.

Shouts filled the air—

“Looking for a tank! Beginner 3-star dungeon, guaranteed profit!”

“Need one more DPS for an adept 2-star dungeon!”

“Selling dungeon maps! Know where to find rare loot!”

Luke observed how some adventurers kept asking for party members to farm some particular materials from specific dungeons. His gaze moved about as he noticed a massive mission board to his right.

Dozens of parchment sheets were nailed onto the wooden board, each one listing requests from guilds, merchants, and craftsmen looking for materials from the dungeons.

Some were simple—gathering herbs from the dungeon’s deeper floors, while others required specific monster drops or even rare gear to complete a set.

Just as he was scanning the board, a voice called out from behind him—

“Hey, aren’t you also an academy student? Are you a junior? Why don’t you join our party for the 2-star Beginner Dungeon ‘Spider Cave’? We’ll allow you to keep some of the loot!”

Luke slowly turned his head toward the voice.