Two weeks had passed since Arin returned from the dungeon. Fortunately, for the last two weeks, everything was calm and there were no incidents. The monsters left the village alone, and there were no incidents in the dungeon. Arin had time to think. Right now, he was sitting outside his house, watching the sunrise. He was alone, but only for a short time. Ayan was cooking breakfast nearby. Saira was sitting under a tree, watching Arin. Mira was in the village.
For once, Arin was very happy to have some free time. He looked at his right hand, at the Dungeon Master’s Mark.
Black.
So simple and so terrifying at the same time. Arin moved his hand, then opened his Status. A blue window with text appeared before his eyes, only for him.
[Status]
Name: Arin Rahman
Race: Human
Level: 12
Rank: F
Health: 100/100
Mana: 42/42
Strength: 14
Agility: 16
Defense: 12
Magic: 10
Skills: Basic Swordsmanship, Basic Mana Control, Monster Appraisal, Dungeon Mapping
Titles: None
]
Arin looked at his current statistics. Compared to when he entered the dungeon, he was significantly stronger.
From level 4 to level 12.
That’s an impressive leap, but so far, none of his abilities were exceptionally high. Still, each ability was noticeably improved. He clenched his fist. "So... it turns out that leveling up increases your abilities." With that, Arin explained why he felt stronger in the dungeon. Arin smiled. "Good." He closed the Status window.
Then Arin remembered about the Quest System. It seems it was not explored yet. The first task appeared unexpectedly when the rescue party was in danger.
Save Allies From Impending Doom.
The reward was a Mana Potion.
The reward for completing the dungeon was separate; apparently, it was stored elsewhere since Arin had no idea what it was. And the Dungeon System was only partially known. Arin took a glance around; fortunately, no one was looking. He opened the Quest System. Another blue window appeared before his eyes.
[Quest System]
Arin was about to close it when his eyes fell on the next message.
[Quest Available.]
Arin’s eyes widened in surprise.
"An available quest?"
He opened the quest.
[Quest: Training]
[Objectives]
100 Push-ups
100 Sit-ups
100 Squats
10 km Run
1 Hour Sword Training
1 Hour Mana Training
]
Arin was speechless when he saw the goal. "What?" He double-checked the objectives to make sure he was not hallucinating. No, it was real. Arin exhaled slowly and continued scrolling down.
[Time Limit: 24 Hours]
Arin gave a short nod. "Okay." Then he reached the very bottom of the note and saw the final message.
[Failure Penalty: Death]
Arin was about to dismiss the window when his eyes widened in horror. He stared silently at the message, his mouth hanging open. "You have got to be kidding me." Arin closed the window. Ayan glanced at him over his shoulder. "Is something wrong?" Arin shook his head. "Nothing." "You seem worried," Saira noted. "I’m fine." She studied his face seriously. "You don’t look fine." Arin sighed. "I have something to do today." "What?" Saira asked. "Training." Saira smiled. "That’s good."
Arin looked at her. "Is it?" "Yes," Ayan added. "Training is beneficial." Arin turned to them.
"Why do I have the feeling that neither of you fully understands what you are saying?" Saira smiled. "Because you have not explained yourself." Arin was quiet for a moment; he did not intend to explain. "Never mind."
_____________
One hour later, Arin was lying on his back doing push-ups when his arms began to tremble. He looked up at the sky. "One hundred push-ups... Why did I decide to do this?" "You have completed them," Ayan said. Arin turned his head. "Already?" "Yes," Ayan confirmed. Arin blinked, then realized he had to do the other tasks. "Right," he muttered and sat up. "Next."
Saira watched him. "You could take a break," she said. Arin glanced at her. "Are you worried about me?" "Yes," Saira replied. Arin gave a small smile. "That’s actually nice." Her smile softened, but then she added. "But if you rest too long, you may fail the task." The smile vanished from Arin’s face. "You’re right," he said and stood up. "Let’s go." Ayan nodded.
_________
The squats were tiring, the sit-ups were even more so, but the run almost killed him.
Arin stopped after five kilometers and lay on his back on the road. "I hate running," he groaned. "You have completed five kilometers," said Ayan. "Only five?" said Arin, covering his face with his hands. "Correct," said Ayan. Arin groaned. "I have to do another five." "Indeed," said Ayan. Arin looked at Saira. "You could have encouraged me." "You did it on your own," she replied. "You’re terrible at encouraging people," said Ayan. "I was not trying to encourage you," added Saira. ""You’re worse," said Arin. Saira laughed, then Arin stood up and started running.
One step, then another. His legs were leaden, the air was heavy, but Arin ran. The dungeon had taught him one thing. It was not enough to be alive. It only took him a moment to realize that he survived due to a combination of circumstances: luck, his skills, Ayan, Saira, favorable conditions, and countless other factors. It would not happen again, and Arin did not want to rely on luck..He needed strength.
Real strength.
Enough strength to live without having to rely on fate to grant him another chance at life.
___________
By late afternoon, the physical tasks were done, and Arin was resting on his back on the grass. The tasks were arduous, but they were not as bad as the sparring session with Ayan. Arin got up and took his sword. "Are you ready?" asked Ayan. "No, I’m not," replied Arin. Ayan gave a short nod. "Begin." They faced each other.
CLANG!
Arin barely managed to parry the first strike, but the force pushed him back. Ayan struck again, but Arin sidestepped. The blade barely missed his throat as it passed over his shoulder. Arin turned and struck, but Ayan blocked the attack.
CLANG!
They were not as strong as before, but their footwork was good, their movements spoke of many hours of training. The Basic Swordsmanship skill helped the novice understand the basics of the art: footwork, balance, timing, and positioning. Arin did not become a master, but he moved a little better than before. Ayan blocked another attack. "Better," said Ayan. Arin gave a satisfied smile.
"Really?"
"Yes," said Ayan.
Arin raised his sword. "Again."
___________
An hour later, Arin was sitting on his knees facing the horizon. Now it was time for the final task: Mana Training. Arin closed his eyes and focused on the mana in his body. At first, he had a hard time controlling it, but then he forced it into his palm, and a small glow appeared above his fingers. He opened his eyes. "I can do it." The light flickered, but Arin focused again, and the glow stabilized. He held it for a few seconds, then released it. One second, two, five, ten... and then the glow disappeared. Arin smiled; his mana control had improved. He tried again, and this time, the glow did not flicker.
[Mana Training Complete.]
Arin blinked, then another message appeared.
[Quest Complete.]
He waited for a few seconds, then another message appeared:
[Experience Acquired.]
Arin glanced at it, and his level did not increase immediately. Good, the System was not giving him any advantages.
He had to earn them himself, which was fair enough.
[Reward Acquired.]
Another message appeared.
[Minor Mana Potion ×1]
A small vial of blue liquid appeared in Arin’s hand. He looked at it with a smile.
"A Mana Potion... Not bad."
Arin remembered the Mana Potion he received for saving the rescue party. It was useful, very useful. He smiled.
"At least the rewards are good."
He looked up at the horizon and was about to say something else when he remembered the quest. His smile faded.
"Still... why are all the tasks so hard?"
There was no answer, of course.
Arin sighed.
"Of course."
"Master?" said Ayan.
Quickly hiding the potion, Arin responded:
"Nothing."
"You are hiding something," said Saira.
"Am I?" said Arin.
"Yes," said Saira.
"You’ll survive."
"You’re not making any sense," said Saira.
"I know," said Arin.
Meanwhile, Ayan was preparing dinner. "I believe Master has his reasons," he said to Saira. "You trust him too much," said Saira. "I am his servant," said Ayan. "And I am his servant too," said Saira. Ayan looked at her.." You are much more troublesome." "And you are much more boring," said Saira. Arin looked at them. "Can you two be somewhere else when you argue?" "We can’t," they said in unison. Arin sighed; some things never change.
_________
That night, Arin was sitting outside his house, watching the sunrise. The village was silent; the sun had set behind the mountains. Arin looked at his hand, at the Dungeon Master’s Mark. There were many questions, as always. The System, the mark, the rank, the title of Dungeon Master, the Dungeon Core, the connection with the dungeon, Ayan, Saira... and what else was waiting for him in the depths of the dungeon. He did not know the answers, but it was okay. Arin was silent for a moment, then he smiled. At least he had time. And he hoped so. For now, he was tired, but the world was huge. Mountains, other adventurers, other dungeons... Arin smiled. "I’ll get there eventually."
Far away, in another room, a man was looking at a document. He glanced at his servant, then back at the paper.
Arin Rahman. Human. F rank. Level 12.
He paused, looking over the report.
Arin’s disappearance, his return, the Minotaur, the dragon, the demon, the mark... Everything was written there. The man put the report down on the desk and glanced at his servant. "Anything else?"
His servant shook his head. "Nothing important. The boy has been staying in the village ever since he returned." "And?"He has begun training." The man narrowed his eyes slightly at the last sentence. "Training?" "Yes," said the servant. He looked at Arin’s portrait one last time, then gave a satisfied smile. "Interesting." The servant waited for further instruction, but the man only said: "Continue watching." "Understood." Once again looking at the report, the man muttered:
"The boy survived that dungeon..."
He looked at Arin’s name one last time.
"Let’s see how far he goes." The candle on the desk flickered before the room was immersed in darkness.