Chapter 32 32:Dungeon Trial
"Years of research has shown us that Dungeons mostly occur in an area with high-density mana like forests, estuaries, sea sides and bottom of mountains where there is dense mana."
"The Bloodhill forest beside Horizon is rich in mana and many dungeons appear here. For a SS or S-rank dungeon to appear, that environment should have enough mana to support the occurrence of dungeon gates. The Bloodhill forest can support dungeons up to A rank but mostly B-rank dungeons occur and many of you wonder why the capital was built here in a danger-prone area."
"As there is a saying, there is darkness under the lamp. Similarly, due to much of the mana being concentrated here, the mana around the city thins out and no dungeon above E rank could appear there."
"Most of the dungeons that are dislocated primarily lead to the demon realm. I hope it never happens but if you find yourself in a closed dungeon then you should prepare yourself for your trip to the Demon continent."
"You would be taught about that in the second year when you are allowed to take dungeon missions."
Ami explained and stood aside allowing everyone to get a glimpse of the large blue portal that appeared where Ami stood.
"This is an artificial dungeon."
Murmurs leaked and there was a shock on some people\'s faces.
"Yeah, it\'s not impossible to build a dungeon. You just need a couple of mages and many technicians to oversee this."
"Your Dungeon Trial will be overseen by the Security Department of the Student Council."
A man with green hair walked up and greeted them.
His eyes looked dead and there were big dark circles underneath as if he had not got a wink of sleep for several days.
"Nice to see you. I am a third-year student. My name is Ian Herlock and I am in charge of all troublesome things here."He spoke with a sigh.
"Please look after your safety and finish this nuisance so that I can slee….hmmm."His lips were closed by two subordinates beside him who pulled him back.
From his uninterested and tired look, it was easy to discern that he was forced to do this.
After getting an earful from his secretary and Miss Ami, he spoke again, maintaining the same dead expression as if nothing happened.
Without wasting any time he started speaking the rules and information.
Each person was given a bracelet that would record the kills.
Killing a 1-Star monster would grant them 5 points, a 2-Star would give 30 and 3-Star would give 100. The points had subdivisions and also depended on what sub-realm, the monsters were in.
The bracelet also had storage functions and one could store their kills in it. If you lose your bracelet or someone snatched it, the points became his or her.
The rank would be calculated at the end and academy points would be awarded according to their rank.
"The bracelets will protect you in case of danger and teleport you out. Members of the Student council will keep an eye on you."
"Okay get out....I mean, please enter now."Ian changed his speech and walked back which was followed by loud murmurs.
"Let\'s go and beat those monsters."
"I will dominate the dungeon."
"Everyone has one goal which is to get up in the ranks so let\'s bet."
Lucas walked towards the portal while observing the student\'s enthusiasm as if they were going to a picnic and shook his head.
They and he might have similar motives but their end goals were different.
\'You want to kill monsters to get good ranks whereas I want to accumulate experience points to buy things.\'
\'We are not the same bro.\'
Lucas with a heavy gasp stepped inside the gate preparing himself for a sickening feeling that was going to hit them.
.........
Swish!
Landing on the ground with a thud, Lucas held his head taking up a moment to stabilize his dizzy eyesight.
Shooking his head, Lucas raised his chin trying to figure out the surroundings.
Lucas caught the glimpse of the patch of blue sky through the dense canopy of emerald-green foliage. It was as if a giant green blanket had covered the sky above them.
The atmosphere was humid and sticky making him feel nauseated.
"I made a correct decision by not taking breakfast otherwise I would have already emptied my stomach."Lucas swallowed his saliva while taking a pill for his headache.
The headache had become his everyday friend now and would always accompany him on his loneliest journey.
The towering trees seemed to reach the sky and Lucas decided to observe a bit before starting his hunt.
After ten minutes or so, Lucas climbed up a tree and stepped on a branch to survey his surroundings.
Being at a height of 50 metres above the ground, his eyes got a clear view of the area surrounding him.
Students were teleported randomly.
This dungeon was the stage where Diral was going to make his appearance and try to kill a few heirs of the big families.
Frederick, being trapped due to Charles\'s ploy, arrived at the scene late and found the anomaly.
The confrontation was brutal and Frederick found Diral\'s identity by sensing faint chaotic mana with the help of his spear. But, this is not the case now.
Cause Lucas dealt with that guy on the very first day.
"What a pitiful fellow! He was killed even before he could play the act designated to him by destiny."
"And on top of that he died tragically in the hands of nobody. He should be nominated for one of the most pathetic villains of the year."
Clicking his tongue, he turned his gaze around.
His ears perked up on hearing a faint whistling sound from afar.
Despite the inherent danger of hiding in the dark veil forest, some people don\'t give a damn.
"You punk come and meet this master."
"Don\'t waste and hand over your life to me?"
A boy shouted and ran towards a giant rat swinging his sword in the air.
Direwolves, kobolds, basilisks, giant rats, mephitis, and a few similar low-ranked species are placed in this dungeon.
The rat whose body was one and a half metres in length turned his gaze towards the boy running towards him.
"Now die."The boy stomped the ground and launched himself at the giant rat who seemed to be busy eating pine nuts.
Just as the boy slashed down his sword, his hand was whipped by the long and thin tail of the rat sending his sword flying.
"Ahhhhh!"
Sadly this was not the end, the rat turned around, jumped, and slammed its whole body against the boy pressing him down on the hard ground.
The boy flying through the mid-air, squealed in pain as he crashed onto the hard ground
"Get off me."He shouted and swung his fist at the rat but it was caught by the rat\'s mouth.
The boy felt his hands crushed between the rat\'s teeth and tried to pull away.
The emotion of fear and panic surfaced on the boy\'s face and as he tried to shake off the beast, a tearing sound.
SHIIIIING!
Blood splattered and drizzled on the ground.
With a sound akin to tearing to paper, his right arm was torn off from his body. The rat then threw it down and attempted to bite the boy\'s body but before he could do that, the bracelet glowed and the boy was transported along with the arm.
Gasping in shock and fear, Lucas gaped at the sight with his jaw wide open. His legs turned jelly and he clutched the trunk of the tree tightly to avoid falling.
"Too much...This is too much brutality"
"He should have been teleported before his arm was torn off but it happened when the rat went for his forehead."
"Does that mean even if your legs are broken and limbs are cut you are not going to teleport outside until your life is in danger for real?"
"What if the arm that has the bracelet is cut, then how will the safety activate?"
Lucas felt his head spinning around.
Lucas for the first time reevaluated the cruelty and was convinced that treading cautiously while preparing for the worst possible outcome is the best choice.
"No matter what, I can\'t lose my arms."
"Hopefully the absence of Diral has decreased the risk and nothing unexpected will pop out."