The bioluminescent moss pulsed gently, like breathing, spreading through the cracks and corners of the rocks. It provided faint illumination to the not-so-wide, dark caves and tunnels.
Deep within the passages, faint and eerie roars...along with the sounds of fierce fighting...echoed from all directions.
Oppression and gloom were the dominant themes here.
It was noisy yet eerie, contradictory but perfectly natural.
One of the three great secret realms of the world, this rugged and endlessly expanding terrain was located in the "Upper Level" of the Dungeon beneath the labyrinth city of Orario.
...The 4th Floor, the Cave Maze.
"Waaaaghhhhhh...!"
A short, evil monster with crimson eyes roared wildly, stretching out its thin, withered claws toward its target.
Facing the sudden attack, the young man wearing a black, full-length hooded cloak flicked his arm. The cloak shifted, revealing full armor beneath it. He stepped forward, extending his right arm and holding a short sword horizontally, while his left arm came up defensively.
His focus sharpened, eyes locked tightly on the monster's movements.
The instant the goblin lunged, the young man thrust forward like a venomous snake.
"Drink!"
With a low shout, the sharp blade pierced straight through the goblin's throat without resistance.
PFFT!
[Bite!]
Black-gloved hands gripped the sword hilt tightly. With a powerful pull, blood sprayed out like a pump.
As if he had anticipated it, the young man twisted his body smoothly, letting the filthy rain of blood graze past him.
With a practiced flick, he wiped the blade clean. Dressed in black light armor with leather armor beneath, he retrieved a rag from his waist pouch and carefully wiped away the remaining blood. Then he half-squatted, took out a dismantling knife, and skillfully extracted a fingernail-sized MAGIC STONE from the monster's body.
He casually tossed it into his [Magic Stone Bag].
Hefting the bag and listening to the crisp clinking sound inside, a faint smile crept onto his lips beneath the hood.
But as if remembering something, he glanced at the corpse on the ground. The smile quickly vanished, replaced by a look of helplessness...as if to say I KNEW IT. He sighed softly and pushed himself upright.
"That's enough for today," he muttered, as though convincing himself.
Fatti Tiltibone...that was the man's name.
Like countless low-ranking adventurers in Orario, he was an insignificant member of this massive group.
Commonly referred to as...otherworldly cattle and horses.
Adventurers of the same rank, who relied on the Dungeon to survive, were as numerous as carp crossing a river. They formed the majority of Orario's population and served as the city's very foundation.
Some people asked: why become an adventurer when your talent is so ORDINARY?
Naturally, there were aspirations.
Setting risks aside, adventurers were a genuinely high-income profession. Even at Level 1, once past the beginner phase, the modest earnings from the upper floors were enough to live comfortably...at the very least, enough to cover daily drinking expenses.
Fatti was a seasoned veteran who had barely made it past the novice stage.
IT'S BEEN TWO AND A HALF YEARS SINCE I LAST GOT ANY REAL "MATERIALS." I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER WHEN THAT WAS. LUCKILY, TODAY I DIDN'T LEAVE EMPTY-HANDED, he complained inwardly as he hung the [Magic Stone Bag] back onto his waist.
After sheathing his cleaned dagger and dismantling knife, tightening his cloak, and checking his old brass pocket watch, he found the time slightly earlier than usual. Still, he decided to return to the surface before dawn.
Never be greedy.
Know when to stop.
Keep a low profile.
Act prudently.
With his hood up and equipment packed, Fatti navigated the labyrinthine passages with practiced ease.
As he walked, he recalled the strange "notification sound" he had heard when killing the monster earlier. The corner of his mouth, hidden beneath his hood and cloak collar, twitched uncontrollably...harder to suppress than an AK.
Soon, he merged into the flow of adventurers heading out, moving along the main passage toward the plaza connected to the exit of the Great Hole.
Early morning and evening...around eight or nine o'clock...were the Dungeon's "rush hours," when adventurers and supporters surged in and out like tides.
As someone who also relied on these endlessly resource-generating dungeons to survive, Fatti blended naturally into the crowd.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the massive backpacks carried by supporters. A trace of unavoidable envy stirred in his heart.
Those spoils came either from fixed multi-person teams or from powerful adventurers roaming below the 9th Floor, possessing ability values of B or higher.
With such strength, even bad luck wouldn't stop them from earning vast sums through magic stones alone.
NO ENVY. CALM AND LOW-KEY. STEADY DEVELOPMENT. IMPULSIVENESS IS THE DEVIL, Fatti warned himself internally.
Just as he was considering where to kill time that evening, a familiar voice called out from the crowd.
"Hey, Fatti! Long time no see. How was your haul today?"
A slender adventurer with a nimble aura stepped forward, tapped Fatti on the shoulder, and greeted him cheerfully.
Fatti recognized him...a tavern drinking buddy...and sighed helplessly.
"You can recognize me even with a hood? What kind of monster eyesight is that?"
"Haha! I'm a senior. That skill comes naturally," the man replied smugly.
Fatti couldn't deny it.
Even Level 1 adventurers who survived the Dungeon had tricks of their own...let alone veterans.
"The usual. Around 3,000 Fali," Fatti replied casually, glancing at the supporter's bulging backpack. "How could I compare to your experienced five-person team? Judging by this, another big harvest?"
"Hehe," the man leaned closer, lowering his voice excitedly. "Three ORC FANGS dropped on the 10th Floor today. That's a jackpot! Forget 10,000...20,000 or even 30,000 Fali might be possible!"
"…"
Fatti's face darkened.
It hurt more to see others get rich than to stay poor himself.
He quickened his pace.
"Hey! See you tonight at [The Abundant Mistress]! Drinks are on me!" the man shouted.
"Understood!" Fatti replied without turning back.
---
After reaching the enormous plaza on the first basement level...a safe zone capable of holding thousands...Fatti ascended the spiral staircase winding along the Great Hole's inner wall. Passing through the magnificent ground hall of the Tower of Babel, he finally ended his day's work.
Stepping outside, a breathtaking view unfolded.
The circular plaza centered on the Tower of Babel connected to bustling main roads and dense city blocks beyond. Clean white-and-gray stone streets, fountains, and green parks complemented one another perfectly.
Adventurers, supporters, tavern girls, street vendors, craftsmen, and drifting smoke under the sunset formed a vivid, fantastical scene.
Yet this sight no longer stirred the awe it once did.
Fatti walked straight toward the [Gold Exchange] near Babel Tower's exit, managed by the [Urban Management Authority].
Minutes later, he reappeared by the fountain, gently weighing the heavy coin pouch in his hand.
WITH TODAY'S INCOME… I'VE FINALLY SAVED ENOUGH.
"System," he whispered,
"Open the panel."