Dungeon Conquest
“Yes, your current score is 982 points, Mr. Kim Jehyun. You need to reach 1,000 points to take the 1st floor Ascension Tower exam.”
Kim Jehyun made an oh crap face at the guide's words right in front of him.
—What the hell? Can't you just take the Ascension Tower exam as soon as you hit 1st Circle?
I thought so, but now that I think about it, I had to rack up points first.
The Ascension Tower exam. To take it, not only did you need to advance your circle, but you also had to accumulate points for that floor's exam through various activities. Dungeon conquests, quest completions, research, artifact crafting, completing magic classes—points were awarded for all sorts of things. Only once you hit the required threshold could you take the exam.
I totally forgot about this.
There was a reason Jehyun hadn't thought of it. In his past life, it had taken him forever to reach 1st Circle. By the time he did, he'd already piled up enough points from miscellaneous activities to take the 1st floor exam right away. Same for the 2nd floor.
—What a hassle. Just let people go up based on their circles—why make such a system?
Alkasha spoke in a tone laced with disbelief.
Right? I think I heard it was to encourage outside activities for Magic Tower mages...
—In other words, if you want to enjoy the Tower's perks, earn your keep.
Exactly. The Tower can't just dig into the ground for food either.
Jehyun smacked his lips.
“Well, there's still time before the registration deadline.”
Fortunately, it was a score he could fill with just one dungeon run. Jehyun gazed wistfully at the Magic Tower's 1st floor entrance far in the distance, a mix of regret in his eyes.
Thump.
His heart pounded, a strong pull tugging at him. He could instinctively sense that beyond those doors lay one of the dragon's legacies.
—Ho. Already resonating with the legacy?
Alkasha marveled at Jehyun's reaction. Even inheriting a dragon's legacy, low compatibility would mean years to fully unlock its power. But Jehyun showed no such issue.
—Impressive indeed. This body is impressed once more.
Alkasha admired him anew. Back at the contract, it hadn't dreamed of such potential.
—Incredible learning speed, golden mana, and now legacy compatibility. What are you? Were you a dragon in a past life?
Jehyun chuckled at the question.
If so, would I have been stuck at 2nd Circle for decades?
—That's why it's baffling. Perfect for inheriting dragon power, yet stuck at 2nd Circle? Unfathomable.
Alkasha eyed him perplexedly. Jehyun had no answer—just a shrug, as if to say he didn't know either.
“Anyway... guess I need to hit the dungeon first.”
Acquire Arkanios's first legacy.
Complete the mission to gain eligibility for the legacy.
Missions
—Defeat the boss of a lowest-grade dungeon (F-rank) and obtain its magic stone (1/2)
—????? (2/2)
Duration: None
Reward: Arkanios's first legacy, 500 points
Dungeon conquest. He couldn't just snag the dragon legacy for free—he had to complete the mission and earn eligibility. But since he needed to clear a dungeon for exam points anyway, it was killing two birds with one stone.
“But isn't this too much? I thought it was a gift, like just hand it over.”
—Tsk tsk. Free lunches always come back to bite you.
Jehyun shot Alkasha a baffled look at its shameless words.
“Where's your conscience...”
His eyes narrowed. Alkasha finally waved the white flag.
—Ahem. N-next time, this body will hook you up.
It must have been embarrassing even for it to call this a "gift."
“Okay. Remember you said that. No take-backs later.”
—Kuh... Ruthless brat.
Jehyun refused to take even a single loss. Alkasha trembled at his tenacity. Sure, Jehyun getting stronger was great, but it couldn't shake the feeling of always coming out on the short end.
“Haha, don't get so heated. Me getting stronger benefits us both, right?”
—True, but...
Jehyun soothed Alkasha briefly before heading back to his dorm to gear up for the dungeon.
“No real choices here. Might as well rack up some combat experience while I'm at it.”
—Excellent mindset. Real combat is essential for higher realms.
Dungeons were the fastest way to farm exam points right now. Other options like quests, research, or crafting weren't feasible for a fresh 1st Circle mage like him.
—Plus, solo grinding levels you up fast.
“Sounds good.”
Jehyun was parched for growth. Leveling up would be a nice bonus—actually, more than nice, since higher levels accelerated everything.
“Alright, let's prep.”
* * *
Welcome to Choinz.
The message popped up on Jehyun's smartphone screen. Back at his dorm, his first move for the dungeon run was firing up the Choinz app.
Choinz—the Superhuman Association's app. All mages and ability users had to register upon awakening. Skipping it marked you as an unregistered potential criminal. Most villains operated unregistered, so the Association was strict.
I'm auto-registered via the Tower.
The Magic Tower was one of the world's powerhouses, linked seamlessly to the Association. No need to visit; Jehyun was already in and had app access.
Choinz was a godsend. Communities, dungeon raid teams, mage requests, crafting, research—all in one app.
—Fascinating. So much from that tiny device.
Circle registration unlocked it, so Alkasha was seeing it fresh. A fusion of science and magic, it blew the ancient dragon's mind.
“Alkasha.”
—What?
“You're coming off super bumpkin today.”
—W-what? This body, a bumpkin?
“Yeah, the supreme grimoire, ignorant of the skies, geeking out over a simple app? Shatters my illusions.”
—Kuh, this body never said it was fascinating!
“Huh? Didn't you just say it was? The supreme grimoire wouldn't forget its own words—did I mishear?”
—......
Alkasha quivered at Jehyun's teasing. A month-plus together had made them close enough for casual ribbing.
Jehyun messed with it a bit more before hitting the dungeon raid board. Posts galore seeking teammates.
“Let's see... Oh, King Slime Dungeon? Too far. Pass.”
He scrolled, hunting suitable spots. A perfect one: lowest-grade (F-rank) Kobold Dungeon. But full roster.
“Roster's full.”
Kobolds would've been solid, but oh well.
—Can't solo?
“Need at least one clear record first.”
Shame—no EXP hogging solo. Next time, then. Smacking his lips, he kept scrolling.
Another caught his eye.
[Hamlet Dungeon]
“This works.”
Near the Tower, F-rank Hamlet monsters—the weakest of the weak. Even F-rank solos could handle it. Perfect for boss-killing and stone-grabbing.
Plus, Jehyun knew its hidden piece condition. Worst case, solo the boss via that.
Schedule started tomorrow. Spot-on.
“This it is.”
He submitted his application right away.
* * *
Jehyun arrived at the Hamlet Dungeon portal site. Four others waited. Total five including him—Association-recommended party size.
“Mage Kim Jehyun?”
“Yes.”
“Nice to meet you. I'm Shin Cheolwoo, raid leader.”
The introducer looked barely past twenty, a young ability user. After shaking hands, Jehyun smoothly pulled up Choinz to verify ID.
“Confirmed. First raid, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good pick. Hamlet's solid for a debut.”
Shin Cheolwoo grinned welcomingly.
Then—
“Hey, everyone here? Let's get this show on the road already.”
A boy a couple years younger than Jehyun sulked over.
“Ah, Yesung. Just about to brief and head in now that we're all here.”
“Pfft, I can solo it anyway—why brief? You know I'm busy. Just wing it and go.”
“Uh... Association rules, though...”
“Sigh, make it quick then.”
“R-right.”
Jehyun eyed the scene curiously. The boy—Shin Yesung?—maybe 15 or 16. Shin Cheolwoo looked older, yet treated like a junior.
Hmm.
Probably high status. While Jehyun pondered, the brief wrapped.
“Quit freezing up and move. Mage, right? Lucky you—meeting me on your first run.”
“...?”
Shin Yesung pointed at him. Jehyun blinked—freezing? And lucky why?
“I'm pretty talented, y'know? Watch and learn—I'll show you the ropes.”
“Heh.”
A chuckle escaped Jehyun.
—What a punk. Who teaches who?
Jehyun had Alkasha—the dragon legacy, supreme grimoire. Even if the kid was a prodigy, it'd be firefly to sun... no, less than dust.
“This'll be fun.”
Shin Yesung's antics were like a grub wrinkling its brow. Jehyun smirked.
“You don't look qualified to teach anyone.”
Gazing at the cocky kid, Jehyun thought this dungeon run might not be so boring after all.