The Newly Emerged Dungeon
As Karen had explained while teaching him mana, everything in this world was infused with mana. This applied to natural objects without exception—earth, trees, even the air itself carried faint traces of it. And occasionally, places existed where mana gathered more densely than in surrounding areas. When that mana became corrupted or distorted for some reason, unique phenomena occurred...
"A dungeon? For real?"
One such phenomenon was the birth of a dungeon. Over-saturated mana warped under its own pressure, influencing the surrounding environment to manifest an independent space.
"Yeah! They say it's pretty big, too. A three-layer stratified dungeon, I think?"
"So that's why the guild's swarming with people."
"Exactly. Everyone from high-rank adventurers to low-rank ones is desperate to dive in—it's a golden opportunity to strike it rich."
Dungeons born from over-saturated mana were often called a path to instant fortune for adventurers. The monsters inside, having absorbed excessive mana beyond their normal capacity, were far stronger than their wild counterparts outside. But in exchange, they yielded mana crystals—dense condensations of that excess power. Artifacts buried in the nearby earth could also get swept up in the process, reborn within the dungeon as naturally enchanted items influenced by its mana. Beyond that, ancient relics hidden in mana-dense zones might surface, or rare vegetation unique to the dungeon could be harvested... In short, a dungeon was a land of opportunity where one could become filthy rich overnight.
"I was just looking for someone to explore the dungeon with... What do you say, Yuseong? Want to party up with me and head in?"
Rikar was tempting him to join for the dungeon dive.
"Doesn't the guild monopolize or control a dungeon right after discovery?"
"Come on, didn't they explain that when you ranked up to D? Higher ranks come with privileges, including dungeon exploration rights."
"Oh."
Now that he mentioned it, yeah, there was that. Yuseong had forgotten all about adventurer privileges, thanks to the guild's reputation as a bunch of quest-brokering fee-suckers.
"Naturally occurring dungeons are jointly managed by local nobles and the guild. From what I hear, the core third layer is strictly controlled, but we should be able to access the first and second layers."
"Ooh."
"Of course, they slap a hefty tax on any mana crystals or loot you sell... Bah, enough of that headache. So, you in or what?"
"Hmm."
Yuseong didn't know much about the politics or rules surrounding dungeons, but it seemed even D-rank adventurers could explore them to some extent. He'd come here planning to pick up a simple quest, but... a dungeon. A real dungeon.
"Gonna be crowded, right?"
"You kidding? Not just local Rivil adventurers—folks are pouring in from other cities. That's why we gotta hustle."
If that was the case... maybe it wasn't so bad. With all those eyes and attention focused there, it didn't seem like a spot where Evil God cultists would slink around.
And... to be blunt...
I'm curious as hell.
Having grown up on 21st-century Earth, playing all sorts of games and devouring fantasy novels, how could he not be dying to see a real dungeon? Plus, with Rikar gazing at him so earnestly, turning him down felt wrong. Among everyone he'd met in this world, Rikar was a rare decent guy. Yuseong wanted to nurture that connection.
"Alright. Let's do it."
"Knew you'd say that!"
"Just us two?"
"Ah, got ahead of myself in the excitement. Didn't expect to run into you like this, so I've already got one other party member lined up."
Another one?
"Whoa! Speak of the dragon. Here she comes!"
Rikar waved cheerfully toward one direction, and Yuseong followed his gaze.
There, atop gray hair, perky beast ears twitched upright. Golden slit pupils gleamed. A slender frame clad in light, agile gear. And poking out from a tailored hole in the back for beastkin equipment, a swishing tail.
"Huh? Uncle Rikar, who's the guy next to you?"
"Yuseong? Let me introduce you. This is Kir, a fellow D-rank adventurer and that rare breed, a rogue."
"Yuseong? Oh! The one Uncle Rikar wanted to recruit?"
The gray-haired woman approached with light steps, flashing a bright smile as she offered a handshake.
"Hiya! Name's Kir. As you can see, cat beastkin!"
"Uh... hi. I'm Yuseong. D-rank adventurer, swordsman, human..."
"Pfft! Don't be so stiff! Just talk casual!"
Offering a handshake right off the bat and insisting on casual speech—she was an open book, this Kir.
Full of energy and super friendly.
After dealing with so many standoffish types lately, she was a breath of fresh air. And unlike the world's average looks, she had a strikingly cute, beautiful face that boosted her first impression even more.
"Yuseong, sorry to rush you right after suggesting this... but got any other commitments? I'd like to head out before more rivals show."
"Got the basics, but... anything else we need?"
"Plan's to camp in the dungeon, so camping gear's a must."
"Camping?"
Yuseong, who'd accepted Rikar's pitch so lightly, let out a groan at the mention of overnighting in the dungeon. Sure, back in his E-rank days, he'd camped out after quests ran long. But this felt like it might drag on.
"Ah, my bad for not explaining sooner. If multi-day camping's an issue..."
"No, that's fine... but there's someone I need to inform."
"Inform? Got a fixed party already? Oho, or married...?"
"Nothing like that. My swordmaster mentor."
"Mentor? Your skills last time were solid. Must be a great teacher."
"Her name's Karen. Former A-rank adventurer..."
"Karen? The Sword Fairy?!"
Rikar, who'd been grinning amiably, went wide-eyed in shock.
"That big a deal?"
"Of course! She didn't build a huge legend like other A-ranks—retired quick after promotion—but no one questions her skill!"
Haren had geeked out similarly last time. Everyone who knew Karen's name sang her praises. He'd figured from the ogre story back in D-rank days, but she might be even more legendary than he'd thought.
"Once, she announced she'd take a disciple based on talent, and swordsmen flocked to her."
"Ooh... You too, Rikar?"
"...Ahem."
Rikar got the cold shoulder, huh. Made sense—Karen's standards were sky-high. And Rikar's real weapon seemed more claw than sword anyway.
"Boo. Don't hog the chat. Who's Karen?"
"Kir, you don't know? The Sword Fairy adventurer..."
Kir wedged in with a pout, and Rikar eagerly launched into an explanation. Yuseong had thought it before, but Rikar really loved sharing knowledge.
Dungeon... and camping.
Coming to the guild for a casual quest, and now this unexpected turn.
...
After getting permission from Rikar and Kir, Yuseong hurried to Karen's mansion and told her he'd be gone a few days for the dungeon.
"Dungeon, huh. Heard about it—figured you might go."
"That okay?"
He'd wanted to inform her about missing sword training, but also hoped for advice.
"I've got the guild scoop, even retired. Still have connections."
From how the vice-branch chief trembled last time, "connections" was an understatement.
"Rough difficulty estimate? No big danger for you. Your skills are C-rank level now. Should handle first layer easy, even some second-layer stuff."
"Really? Any idea what's inside...?"
"Real growth comes from facing the unknown in combat."
She gave a general difficulty rundown but skimped on monster details, eyeing him oddly.
"Not worried about the monsters, though."
"With all the attention, no Evil God cultists, right?"
"True. But that's not my concern."
"What then?"
"You've tangled with cultists so much lately, seems you're only watching for them... Plenty of other dangers out there. Your party trustworthy?"
Realizing her worry, Yuseong pondered before answering.
"Yeah. They seem solid."
Rikar, who'd survived the necromancer mess with him, was reliable. And Kir, handpicked by that Rikar, seemed okay too.
"If the party's good... watch out for other adventurers. Loot-hungry bandits lurk inside, especially for rare finds."
"Got it."
Recalling his chase by bandits en route to Rivil, Yuseong listened gravely.
"Not just bandits—big clans too. They love claiming territory and picking fights. Avoid clashes unless you have to."
"Even with them?"
"Powerhouses throw their weight around everywhere. If I were active, I'd stomp them... but you're not there yet."
Hmm. Like big guilds monopolizing farms in old Earth games? Even without clans, small-time thugs might demand "tolls."
"Dungeons are unstable from mana overload—sudden changes can happen."
"Like what?"
"Layout twists, monsters mutate weirdly... Run if that hits. Got it?"
"You're so worried, but not stopping me."
"I'm your master, not your mom."
Karen poured out concerns, then chuckled and ruffled his hair. Odd for an adult, but her warmth came through—he leaned into it meekly.
"Can't block my disciple's path. Come back safe."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Oh, and if some clan acts too uppity, drop my name. It'll work on guys from my era."
"...Master. What were you like back then?"
"You'd get hurt knowing."
Rikar's earlier hype only fueled his curiosity...
Why retire?
That tattoo? But the Church of Life heals most curses and wounds—what was it?
...
After Yuseong left.
"Dungeon..."
Karen muttered at the door, scratching her head before stepping out.
"Feels like my disciple's gonna get dragged into something weird again."
In her usual outfit, but swapping training bokken for a sheathed silver longsword, she headed off slowly.