Chapter 35: The First Wave
Before arriving at the dungeon, Fate and his group traversed the dark and eerie forest.
Along the narrow road of the Forest of the Hidden Beasts, the group walked cautiously while discussing the dungeon and the strategy they would use to clear it.
As they moved deeper into the forest, Eugene began speaking about the dungeon.
"The dungeon, The Hollow Bone Cemetery, is a Survival-Type Dungeon."
Fate tilted his head slightly.
"Survival-Type Dungeon? What is that?"
Eugene nodded and began explaining.
"Survival-Type Dungeons are one of the many types of dungeons that exist in this world."
"There are ten different types of dungeons."
He then raised a finger as he began listing them one by one.
1. Themed Dungeon
A dungeon built around a specific theme and has different ways to clear it based on that theme.
It functions almost like a story where challengers are given certain roles.
2. Maze Dungeon
A dungeon made of confusing paths and corridors.
The goal is to navigate the maze and reach the exit or the boss room.
3. Boss Dungeon
A dungeon focused on reaching and defeating a powerful boss monster.
Most rooms eventually lead toward the final boss chamber.
4. Trial Dungeon
A dungeon designed to test the abilities of challengers.
Players must pass trials involving combat, intelligence, endurance, or teamwork.
5. Survival Dungeon
A dungeon where adventurers must survive waves of enemies or dangerous environments for a certain period of time.
6. Defense Dungeon
The objective is to defend a location or artifact from attacking monsters.
7. Exploration Dungeon
A large dungeon filled with many rooms, hidden areas, and treasures.
The goal is to fully explore the dungeon or discover hidden relics.
8. Raid Dungeon
A large-scale dungeon designed for multiple adventurers or teams.
These dungeons usually contain several bosses and multiple stages.
9. Labyrinth Dungeon
Similar to a maze but far larger and often multi-layered.
Some labyrinths even contain shifting paths or magical illusions.
10. Hidden Dungeon
A rare dungeon that appears only under specific conditions such as time, artifacts, or special events.
After explaining the different types of dungeons, Eugene continued speaking about The Hollow Bone Cemetery.
"The enemies that all of you will encounter will mostly be undead-type monsters."
He paused before continuing.
"Skeleton monsters. They are fragile and weak — perfect opponents for beginners."
While walking, Isabelle raised a question.
"Are there any monsters besides skeletons that we might encounter?"
Eugene thought for a moment before answering.
"The Dungeon Scouts reported that skeletons are the most common enemies inside this dungeon."
He continued.
"But they also mentioned that there is a ten percent chance that another undead-type monster may appear."
Dungeon Scouts
– Highly trained individuals who scout dungeons for information.
– They possess a special interference-type skill that allows them to exit a dungeon without fully clearing it.
Eugene continued speaking while they walked through the woods.
"The other monster that you might encounter is called a Grave Echo Brute."
Grave Echo Brute — Undead-Type Monster
– A massive undead creature that drags a large coffin chained to its back.
– It hides within dark crypts and graveyards while mimicking the desperate voices of lost adventurers or trapped victims.
– When someone approaches the coffin to help the supposed "person" inside, the monster ambushes them with overwhelming strength.
Because of this deception, many inexperienced adventurers fall victim to the creature.
Known Abilities:
• Voice Mimicry – Perfectly imitates the voice of a person it has heard before.
• Coffin Trap – Uses the coffin as bait to lure victims closer.
• Undead Strength – Possesses immense physical power despite its decayed body.
After receiving all the information about the dungeon, Isabelle began thinking carefully.
After a few moments, she spoke.
"After carefully analyzing everything, I came up with a plan on how to clear the dungeon."
Kyle immediately became interested.
"What do you have in mind?"
Isabelle then explained her strategy.
"In order for us to clear the dungeon, we will need to survive three waves of skeleton monsters, with the additional ten percent chance of encountering a Grave Echo Brute."
She continued.
"Kyle will stay at the front and act as the tank."
"Fate and I will serve as the close-range damage dealers."
"Lisa will be the long-range damage dealer."
"Meanwhile, Chloe and Autumn will provide support."
Eugene clapped his hands in approval.
"Amazing. Even for someone like me — a member of the Azure Dragon Guard — Miss Isabelle's plan-making is impressive, especially considering the limited information available."
Isabelle simply smiled after hearing the compliment.
Kyle thought about the plan before nodding.
"Alright then. I'll be the tank."
He continued.
"Out of everyone here — excluding Fate — I have the best durability."
Kyle glanced toward Fate.
"Even though Fate could also take that role, he's far more effective as a damage dealer. We'll need that power to clear the dungeon."
Fate nodded.
"Then I'll accept the role of close-range damage dealer."
"Same here," Lisa said as she walked beside them. "I accept my role."
Chloe agreed as well.
Autumn also nodded.
Everyone had accepted the plan.
Back to the Present
Fate and the others stepped into the dungeon.
The moment they entered, the scenery changed.
A dark and misty cemetery stretched before them.
Broken tombstones filled the area while thick fog crawled across the ground.
Fate suddenly felt something strange.
The air felt heavy.
Almost sticky.
Eugene noticed their reactions.
"All of you probably felt that strange sticky sensation the moment we entered."
He continued explaining.
"That is because dungeons contain a much higher density of mana compared to the outside world."
Kyle, Isabelle, and Autumn were struggling to adjust.
Their breathing became slightly heavier.
However—
Eugene, Fate, and Lisa seemed perfectly fine.
There were reasons for this.
Mana Exposure
– A phenomenon where a person is exposed to a higher density of mana than what they are normally accustomed to.
Eugene had experienced Mana Exposure many times before, allowing his body to gradually adapt.
Fate, on the other hand, had a completely different reason.
He was a Dragon.
Dragons were known for their superior mana capacity, mana regeneration, and mana control.
But Lisa's case was different.
Strangely enough, her resistance to the mana density came from her Unique Skill.
Kyle continued breathing heavily but slowly began adjusting.
The same was true for Isabelle and Autumn.
Eventually, Isabelle managed to catch her breath.
Then—
A System Window suddenly appeared before her.
System Window
[Wave 1: 10 Monsters]
Isabelle reacted immediately.
"Everyone! The first wave is starting!"
"Get into your positions!"
Everyone quickly moved.
Meanwhile, Eugene stepped back and distanced himself from the group.
Kyle took position at the front.
Behind him stood Fate and Isabelle with their weapons ready.
Surprisingly—
Fate was not using Aetherfall.
Instead, he was still wielding the Cold-Steel Sword that Vale had given him during the entrance ceremony of Valhalla Academy.
Further behind them were Lisa, Chloe, and Autumn.
Lisa stood in front of the two supporters.
Once everyone was in position—
Silence filled the cemetery.
Not a single sound could be heard.
Then—
Footsteps.
At first faint.
Then louder.
Kyle gripped his claymore Vanguard tightly with both hands.
Fate and Isabelle raised their weapons.
Lisa lifted her staff and began summoning five fireballs.
Behind them, Chloe closed her eyes and began praying to the god she believed in.
Meanwhile, Autumn prepared his potions.
After a few moments—
They appeared.
A group of skeletons charged toward them through the fog.
Fate quickly counted them.
(1... 2... 3... 4... 10!)
"There are ten skeleton monsters!" Fate shouted.
"All of them have bone swords! Some have pieces of armor while others don't, but they're all armed!"
Isabelle quickly analyzed the situation.
"There are no Grave Echo Brutes in sight."
She then spoke firmly.
"Maintain your positions!"
Everyone tightened their grip on their weapons.
The skeletons were getting closer.
When Isabelle saw the distance closing rapidly, she gave the order.
"Lisa! Launch the fireballs!"
Lisa immediately obeyed.
She thrust her staff forward.
The five fireballs shot forward.
Boom!
Small explosions erupted as the fireballs struck the skeletons.
Some skeletons collapsed and remained on the ground.
Others stood back up and continued charging.
Kyle stepped forward.
When the skeletons reached him—
He swung Vanguard.
CRASH!
Two skeletons shattered instantly.
The remaining skeletons were quickly eliminated by Fate and Isabelle.
But one skeleton slipped past them and rushed toward Lisa.
Suddenly—
Three light arrows pierced through the skeleton.
The attacker was revealed.
Chloe Serfort.
Afterward, Autumn quickly handed Lisa a Mana Potion.
Lisa drank it and quickly recovered the mana she had used casting her fireball skill.
At the front, Fate, Isabelle, and Kyle finished off the remaining five skeletons.
After the last skeleton collapsed—
A System Window appeared.
System Window
[Wave 1: Complete]
[Wave 2 Starting In: 1:00]
Clap. Clap.
Everyone turned.
Eugene was standing behind them, clapping.
"Congratulations for clearing Wave One."
He continued.
"You must have all seen the System Window."
Eugene crossed his arms calmly.
"It would be wise for all of you to rest and prepare yourselves for the second wave."
Everyone took Eugene's advice seriously.
They sat down and began recovering their strength.
The next wave was coming.
Chapter 35 End