Xavier lay sprawled on the damp ground, the cool moisture seeping through his clothes and chilling him to the bone. A heavy, oppressive silence enveloped the air, punctuated only by the distant, rhythmic dripping of water, each drop echoing like a foreboding reminder of his solitude. As memories began to trickle back, he recalled Dennis's ominous mention of Carragis—yes, that was it, the name sending a shiver down his spine.
"No point in crying over it now," he muttered to himself, groaning as he pushed himself upright. As he surveyed his surroundings, unease settled in his gut. This place felt like a scene straight out of a grimdark anime: dark, grimy, and steeped in a dismal atmosphere that seemed to pulse with hidden dangers.
The walls glistened with a sickly bluish substance that emitted a metallic stench reminiscent of blood, while jagged rocks loomed overhead like watchful sentinels, ready to drop at any moment. Rainwater cascaded from the ceiling in relentless streams, pooling around his feet, as insects skittered across the slick, slimy surfaces. A reptilian creature, its scales glistening in the dim light, slithered into a jagged hole in a nearby boulder, heightening the sense of dread filling the space.
"Monsters should be lurking in a place like this," he murmured, a grim realization creeping in. "I might not make it out alive."
Just then, a sudden, jarring chime resonated in his mind, jolting him from his anxious thoughts.
[Ding! Host Detected.]
[System initializing…]
[Error! Error! Rank too low for the system. Recalibrating… Rank changed! F>SSS!]
The air crackled with energy as notifications flickered to life before him.
"This is unreal," he whispered, a mix of awe and incredulity igniting within him.
[Good day, Host. Welcome to the Summoning System. It has been activated to help you fulfill your desires.]
"Okay," he replied slowly, still grappling with his situational shock.
[Please open your stats.]
Xavier inhaled deeply, focusing intently until the stats materialized before him.
[Summoning System Online!]
[Stats]
Level: 1
Strength: 16/100
Stamina: 15/100
Speed: 20/100
Endurance: 17/100
Dexterity: 14/100
He scanned his stats with growing hope, a determination simmering within him. He had devoured enough light novels to know that this was a unique chance to reshape his fate.
"System?" he asked, curiosity threading through his thoughts. "How do I increase these stats?"
[Complete daily quests and eliminate threats to level up.]
Determination surged within him, muddy dirt smearing across his face as he resolved not to waste this opportunity.
"System?" he pressed again, his mind racing. "My ability is summoning, right? I can summon beasts?"
[Incorrect. You cannot summon beasts.]
Taken aback, Xavier raised an eyebrow. "Then what can I summon?"
[Ding! Newbie gift package available. Do you wish to open? Y/N]
"Yes!" he thought quickly.
[Ding! Gift Opening]
[Zenrokushu Gauntlets (D-rank), Burning Lion Shield (B-rank).]
Surprise washed over him, a grin tugging at his lips. "Wait, are those weapons?"
[Yes, Host. The system is designed to summon ancient weapons from various dimensions. As you level up, more powerful weaponry will be unlocked.]
"Alright," Xavier replied, his excitement building. "How do I equip them?"
[The weapons are stored in your inventory. Please will the inventory to access it.]
He concentrated, willing a holographic interface to manifest, and as it flickered to life, he tapped on the gauntlets. To his amazement, they appeared on his hands, striking red with intricate yellow symbols that pulsed softly in rhythm with his heartbeat, fitting perfectly despite their considerable size.
"Who created these gauntlets?" he inquired, captivated.
[The Zenrokushu Gauntlets were forged by the legendary warrior Dabiri Zenrokushu from the long-lost planet of Phorous. Unlike many of his time, he eschewed traditional weaponry, crafting these instead for hand-to-hand combat.]
"Then why is it D-rank?" he questioned, a hint of skepticism in his tone.
[This weapon is less powerful than those you'll summon as you grow stronger.]
Xavier flexed his fingers, adrenaline coursing through him like wildfire. The promise of power was intoxicating, and he couldn't wait to test the gauntlets and the shield waiting patiently in his inventory.
Reality surged back as the dungeon loomed ahead—a trial he was resolute to conquer.
Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, determination intertwining with fear as he began his descent into the shadows. The darkness was thick, but it was better than the stagnation that awaited him above.
"It's time to move," he whispered, his resolve igniting as he stepped forward into the unknown.