The train rattled through the early morning haze, carrying Yuuto toward Yamanashi. His stop was the closest station to the Goblin Cave—an entry-level dungeon, popular with first-timers for its easy access and strong guild oversight.
Even at dawn, the train car was packed with other young explorers, their new gear gleaming under the dull fluorescent lights. Some chatted nervously, others sat with tight grips on their weapon cases. The air buzzed with anticipation, thick with a mix of hope and fear.
Yuuto, in contrast, sat alone in a corner seat. His clothing was plain, almost like workwear, and his only weapon—a simple iron dagger—hung at his side. Compared to the others, he looked like he didn't belong. No one spoke to him, and that suited him just fine.
He needed to focus. To adapt.
The rhythm of the train's wheels pulsed through the floor and into his body—a steady beat that sharpened his nerves without rattling them. Eyes closed, he mentally reviewed his plan.
First: survive.
Second: test out his skill.
Third: kill at least one monster and bring back a material.
No pushing himself. The moment anything felt wrong, he'd retreat. That was the only way a solo E-rank, level one explorer like him could hope to make it back alive.
At the station, he followed the crowd to a bus that wound its way deeper into the forest. The final stop was a cluster of prefab buildings at the dungeon's edge—part guild outpost, part mountain hut. A rest area, a small shop, an infirmary.
He showed his adventurer card at the reception.
"Tajima Yuuto-sama, right? E-rank... entering solo?" the clerk asked, glancing at him with thinly veiled pity.
"Yes," Yuuto replied quietly.
A sigh, then a sheet of paper slid across the desk. "Sign here, please. By entering alone, you acknowledge the guild is not liable for anything that happens inside. Recovery of remains is not guaranteed."
So if I die, that's it.
He scanned the form, signed, and handed it back. There was no turning back.
"Good luck," the clerk said, flat and hollow.
Beyond the outpost stood the dungeon entrance—a massive, dark mouth carved into the mountainside. Other teams nearby were doing stretches, checking gear, chanting in circles. Yuuto kept his distance, ducking behind a rock to quietly recheck his pack.
Water bottle. Nutrition bars. Rope. First-aid kit. Headlamp.
Good enough.
Taking a long breath, he stepped toward the cave.
A cold, damp breeze kissed his skin as he crossed the threshold. From within came a soft hum—half silence, half whisper. The faint scent of iron and rot clung to the air.
So this is a dungeon.
Up until now, it was just something on screens and forums. Now, he was standing inside one. Fear tightened his chest. His feet wanted to turn around.
But he didn't move.
He remembered their laughter yesterday—the mockery. If he ran now, he'd always be the guy who backed down. The loser.
No. I have to do this.
He stepped forward.
Blue-white light glowed faintly from magic stones embedded in the cave walls, just enough to see ahead. Still, it was hard to tell where his next step would land. He flicked on his headlamp and moved carefully.
Moist rock walls. Water dripping from the ceiling. Each drop echoed sharp and loud.
After a short walk, he entered a wider space—the size of a classroom. A few teams had claimed it as a base, checking maps and warming up. When they noticed Yuuto, their eyes narrowed. Solo, poorly equipped, clearly E-rank. To them, he probably looked suicidal.
Ignoring their stares, he skirted the edge of the room and entered a tunnel on the other side.
The path ahead was simple, easy to follow. Once alone, the silence deepened. Only his footsteps and breathing remained. His heartbeat thudded like a drum.
Time to try the skill.
He stopped, focused, and whispered, "Sort."
A small tug drained his MP. Then, the world changed.
Text overlays shimmered into view like a video game HUD:
[Passage: Straight 50m, left curve ahead]
[Wall: Nothing notable]
[Ceiling: Some weak spots. Low chance of falling rocks]
He looked down. More text lit up near his feet.
[Trap: Sticky liquid. Slows movement]
[Trap: Wire trigger. Drops small rocks]
Trap highlights.
Without the skill, he would've walked right into them. He carefully stepped between the glowing zones. With this alone, his survival odds had just doubled.
At the end of the corridor, another open chamber appeared. In the center sat a blue, jelly-like creature. Quivering. Translucent. The size of a basketball.
A slime.
The weakest monster in Goblin Cave. A practice dummy for rookies.
Yuuto gripped his dagger.
This was it. His first fight. The opponent was weak. He could do this.
He inched closer. The slime noticed and began to wobble forward.
It was slow. Too slow to be a real threat.
Just a few more steps. Close enough to strike.
His throat went dry with tension. He braced himself, raised his foot—and then—
Splat!
Something shot from the slime like a bullet. A blob of acid zipped through the air, grazing his cheek.
Sssst. A tiny burn. Then pain.
He touched the wound—wet, slick, and bleeding.
What the hell?
None of the guides said slimes could attack from range.
While he stood frozen in shock, the slime began to ripple again.
It was preparing another shot.
No time.
Fear gripped his thoughts. He couldn't move. Couldn't think. This was real combat. This was the fear of dying.
This wasn't like sitting in an office. Here, one wrong move could mean death.
And now, the second acid shot was coming straight at him.
All he could do was watch.