Chapter 86

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 86

Chapter Title: Dungeon

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"This is..."

I thought quietly to myself. No, why is it 5x5 instead of 3x3? Is this because of Body Integration too? I had heard that the [Dungeon System] reflects each person's unique traits.

Let me think this through once more.

Right now, my dantian pulses like a heart, pumping mana throughout my entire body. It tempers my flesh, making it even tougher.

Perion must be involved in that process passively, like a background effect. It means the Perion from the [Notebook]'s memories is integrating with my mana.

That's the source of my reinforced body.

So then.

This [Dungeon System] must be reflecting those traits of mine, amplifying it into some kind of tough system? A strong system? Something along those lines.

I don't know the details. I don't even know what I'm thinking anymore.

I feel like I need to track down the developer and ask.

"What are you thinking so hard about?"

Elise Petra asked right on cue. I shook my head.

Whether it was a glitch or truly Body Integration, it didn't matter. No point in getting caught—it wouldn't do me any favors. If it benefited me, better to keep my mouth shut.

"Here, eat up. It's all cooked."

I handed her a skewer. Elise took it and bit into it. I took a bite of mine and asked,

"How is it?"

Elise just chewed slowly. Munch munch... Munch munch... Like a cow ruminating, deliberately taking her time.

"How is it?"

She just kept chewing. Munch munch. Munch munch.

"If it tastes bad, just put it down."

As I reached out, she stopped me.

"...It has flavor."

Elise admitted it. I nodded in satisfaction and checked another [Dungeon System] feature.

The Dungeon System has all sorts of unique mechanics.

The main ones are [Inventory], [Minimap], [Luck], [Player Shop], [Efficiency], and so on... Among them, I decided to activate the [Minimap] for once, since the SZX-9500 Mana Optics Microscope made it unnecessary until now.

"It didn't used to be like this before..."

I stared at it with a serious gaze.

The minimap was way too detailed.

Normally, the base—no enhancements—'vanilla minimap' just shows a flat map with basic elevation differences.

But my current minimap divides every zone in fine detail. Which areas are highlands, which are lowlands.

Terrain features too. Soil conditions, collapsed buildings, mountain ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ridges—everything's visible at a glance from the minimap alone.

It's definitely different.

A 'boost' to the system that didn't exist before my regression.

Crunch!

The crunchy sound was loud. I startled and turned around. Elise was already munching on her second skewer.

At this rate, she'll eat them all. She's from a wealthy family, so why does she eat like this?

"Finish this and let's go hunt. We need at least 40 to secure first place."

I said that while grabbing three skewers at once.

"That's exactly what I wanted... Hah."

Elise let out an exasperated laugh at the skewers filling my hands.

"...Alright! Everyone, good work."

The dungeon experience wrapped up without incident. Elise and I probably took first place easily. We got 43.

"How was your first time using the Dungeon System? It's a D-rank dungeon, so no special loot drops, but if you got any, congrats. Feel free to take them."

The director laughed heartily.

The only special drop from a D-rank dungeon is an enhancement scroll, and even that's under 0.001% chance.

That's why Elise was so surprised. How did she get an enhancement scroll?

"You all picked up a lot of orbs in the dungeon. You can store them in your inventory or take them out in your pockets. Use them however you like."

Dungeon offices usually take a tax. Up to the legal max of 13%, based on the orb's rank and color.

But today seems like a free pass since it's educational.

"That's the assignment done. I heard next week is the festival. Good work, everyone—rest up!"

The director clapped as he spoke. The seniors clapped back. They looked thrilled at the thought of a full week off.

"The rest will be handled by the person in charge. Mr. Jedric?"

"Yes. Good work, everyone."

Jedric shook hands with the director and took over.

"You all did well. This dungeon experience was meant to introduce you to the [Dungeon System] early. All dungeons discovered on the continent are linked through this system now, so you won't be tackling them outside of it. Dungeons aren't as dangerous as they used to be."

In truth, ever since the [Dungeon System] was invented, high schoolers, college students, and even middle schoolers use them regularly. Anything below C-rank—D or F—is definitely safe.

He continued.

"Some of you might have noticed, but today's assignment was solo play. Contribution based on how you hunted will determine party shares, and those shares set your grades."

Contribution isn't a worry for me. Sure, Elise did all the hunting, but the system counts discovery as solid credit.

"Now, time to hand out mid-festival interim grade reports. They're physical copies, so come up one by one."

Clunk—the classroom shook at his words. The seniors looked around tensely.

"Gail. Gitten."

Jedric called names alphabetically.

"Gerkken. Baran..."

A physical grade report. I felt a flicker of anticipation. Honestly, I hadn't bombed any assignments yet.

"Sion."

I shot up. Took the grade report Jedric handed me.

20.5 out of 23.5. If I ace today's dungeon experience too, that's top-tier. In other words, safe for Edrilla National University's Knight Department.

Of course, internal grades are a factor.

Edrilla National University weighs internals heavily too, so combining GPA and College Board scores, I'd probably tie with kids in the 16-17 CP range.

"Alright. Go rest now. See you in two weeks on Monday."

With that, Jedric dismissed us. The seniors tucked their grade reports away and slipped out quietly.

I folded mine into my pocket.

"...Why is she like that?"

Then I spotted Elise. Her face looked like she had a bad headache, forehead pressed against the wall, grade report crumpled in her fist.

I zoomed in discreetly with the SZX-9500.

I saw the cause.

Everything else was perfect scores, but Mana Space Experience was a 2.7. Her total matched mine.

No, wait. Hers is lower?

Yeah. She's down 3.2 from 23.5, making 20.3.

I'm at 20.5.

A 0.2 difference.

Pfft.

A snicker escaped me. Whip—! Elise whipped around. Her eyes were like a wildcat's.

I turned and bolted out the door.

...The next day.

A clear Saturday noon with a gentle breeze.

Endex campus buzzed with festival excitement.

Every year, from the first Wednesday to Friday of April, Mana Day Festival brings together the six mana high schools in the capital—but it's really a school showdown. Who's the best, who draws the biggest crowds, that sort of thing.

So Endex's main gate would be wide open from Wednesday to Friday, stalls everywhere on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠campus.

"Try our popcorn~!"

Some freshmen were already test-selling. Mostly newbies.

I walked through them. Then I spotted Gerkken Kal Dun at a hotteok stall.

"What're you doing?"

"..."

Gerkken side-eyed me. Just then, a first-year handed him a hotteok and said,

"Big fan, Gerkken sunbae! I read all your scouting reports! Heading straight to Edrilla University, right?"

"Gotta get in first. Thanks."

He took the hotteok. Bit into it and turned to me.

"Eating hotteok."

Probably his answer to my question.

Gerkken loves sweets. Chocolate, hotteok, ice cream, slushies—anything sugary. I know his habits since he was like a master to me.

"Enjoy it."

A twinge of envy hit me. Soon as Gerkken enters Edrilla National University, Theia Esil will spot him and take him as a disciple. He'll skyrocket in her workshop.

Not really jealousy, though. The talent gap between us is firefly versus sun.

"Eating. Heading out."

Gerkken left. I stepped up to the stall in his place.

"...Give me one too."

The freshman glanced at me.

"Sure."

Big temperature difference from how she treated Gerkken. Talent gap again?

"You a first-year?"

"Yeah."

"But honestly, my face isn't that much worse than his, right?"

"Crazy. Here."

"?"

Did she just say crazy?

Anyway, the girl handed me the hotteok. Then waved me off—go away already.

I bit into it.

"Tasty."

"2 ren."

She called the price. I tilted my head.

"Gerkken didn't pay."

"2 ren."

"..."

I handed over a 2-ren bill from my pocket. She snatched it.

"Thanks."

"...Yeah."

I turned and walked off without a word.

But a voice from behind stopped me cold.

—Give me one hotteok too.

A familiar voice.

Not everyday familiar, but one I'd heard before.

I turned slowly—hoping it was a mistake—as slowly as possible.

"Hereee... Hotteok."

It wasn't a mistake.

"Thanks."

The man took the hotteok and smiled at the freshman. She blushed.

"Y-yeah... Are you a college student?"

"Nah. More like, I'm a bit older."

"Oh, really...? Are you an active knight maybe...?"

"No. Just an uncle. Good luck."

With that, hotteok in mouth, he approached me.

Step. Step.

One hand stroking the bandage at his throat, the other waving casually. His name is...

Noah Lusille.

The founder of the [Waning Moon Lodge] I met in Recordak.