First Visitors

"Is this the place?"

"It should be. It fits what he described."

I watched my uninvited guests enter my cave. They were a party of three that consisted of a young mage, a small stature dual dagger user, and a good looking swordsman. All males.

The mage, wearing a flame patterned robe and holding a black staff, should be around my age. Perhaps a bit older since he was already a full fledged adventurer. Next to him was the swordsman in light armor, who gave an impression he could easily cut me in half using the big two-handed sword on his back. I estimated he was in his mid-twenties. Then the last one, walking at the very front and acting as their scout was the short dual dagger guy. One of his weapons already unsheathed in his hand while the other was left hanging on his waist. It was a bit hard to guess his age as he had a baby face, but he was probably about the same with the swordsman.

"Hey, this is a dungeon! We're clearly in the wrong place," the mage exclaimed as soon as they passed the entrance.

"No, man, I'm positive we're in the right place," the short scout denied.

"Then how do you explain this dungeon? It's unthinkable for an Archmage like Mahzin to mistake a dungeon as a mere cave. Clearly you led us to the wrong place!"

(Wait, Mahzin? Did he say Archmage Mahzin?)

"Listen, I followed that geezer's track here, and this place fits what he said. I didn't make a mistake, okay?"

"No way. You just don't want to admit it, do you?"

"The hell, man. I told you this is the right place. What's wrong with you?"

"That's my question. Why're you still denying the obvious?"

"Enough! Shut it, you two!"

Hearing a commanding tone from the swordsman, the other two immediately stopped their bickering, although they were still glaring at each other. I supposed the blond swordsman was their leader.

(So, um, not only father's an archmage, he also told you about this place and you're here following his track? What's going on here?)

"Let's check this dungeon first," the leader said, taking over the lead. "If I remember correctly, the old man said he put his son in the corner, left from the entrance. Well, there's nothing there, unsurprisingly."

(Huh? You guys are here looking for me? Why?)

"Hey, Zod, my man, you aren't doubting me too, are you?" the scout questioned.

"No way, Kreis," the swordsman, Zod, shook his head. "I know your tracking skill the best. Despite that old man being drunk when he told us, you were doing great finding this place."

"I doubt it's the same cave he told us, though," the mage grunted.

Zod shook his head. "Let's say you're right, then what? You don't expect us to comb the entire forest, do you?"

"We can continue following his track. Like you said, he was drunk when he told us. Maybe he mixed up places. Maybe there's another cave."

"Fine, we'll do as you say," the swordsman yielded, "BUT only if we've enough time to spare. We're to meet Lady Viarissa the day after tomorrow, remember? Trust me, you don't want to make her wait," he added.

(Oh, Viarissa? My childhood friend Viarissa? Right, she became an adventurer too. Are they acquaintances?)

"What do you mean if we've enough time to spare?" the mage frowned. "We've plenty, it's still in the morning. Even if we only find the cave by tomorrow, it's more than enough to reach Khuzan long before the meeting time," the mage said.

"The thing is, we're in a dungeon, Loen. What do adventurers like us do when we're in a dungeon? We dive in! We raid it! So finding your little cave has to wait," the party leader explained as if it was the most natural thing to do. "Kreis, check what the guild says about this dungeon… Oh, you're already on it?"

"Hehe, I knew you'd ask that, man," Kreis the scout replied as he quickly flipped his notes to the last page. Once done, he put it back to his bag and grinned. "Guess what I found."

"What?"

"Nothing! There's no record of an active dungeon around this area, an unknown dungeon! We really hit the jackpot!"

"You sure?"

"Triple sure! I've checked the notes thrice, and I just updated it in the last guild branch we visited. Unless the geezer has reported it, we're bound to be the first!"

Hearing that, the swordsman followed his friend's example grinning ear to ear. "I think it's unlikely he's reported it," he said, but then knitted his brows. "However, if the old man's really an archmage, we'll probably have to forget about having a good harvest and can only loot whatever is left, if any."

"Nah, I don't think you need to worry, man. The geezer didn't look like an adventurer at all, I bet he doesn't know a thing about a dungeon, let alone harvesting what's inside. He won't mistake a dungeon for an ordinary cave in the first place otherwise."

"I hope you're right."

"Hey, although he isn't an adventurer, he's still an archmage, all right. There's no way he could miss the abnormal amount of mana in the air. He'd know right away this cave is a dungeon… Are you listening? Hey, what're you doing?" the mage, Loen, who had tried to express his opinion, frowned at being ignored.

"See here, Zod. The geezer's track ends here," Kreis pointed at a section on the ground. "As I said, no need to worry. The geezer never went deeper, I'm positive."

"Okay, good," Zod grinned.

(I see, so the amount of mana in the air can be used to identify a dungeon… I did think it was a bit thick. Still, if someone aspires to be an adventurer like me didn't know, I won't be surprised if father didn't either. That mage called Loen gives father too much credit. Is he a fan or something?)

"Anyway, what's this being the first you were talking about?" Loen asked, trying to fit in the conversation again. Not only did the other two decide to postpone the search he had suggested, they also talked in a language he did not understand, so he was unhappy.

"Hehe, most adventurers retire unable to be the first in their entire career, man. Yet, here you are, still a newbie and already meet such a rare opportunity. What a lucky guy. Hey Zod, maybe we should consider recruiting Loen as a permanent member of our party."

Zod the swordsman shrugged. "Are you sure? You're the one who always complained about him."

"Don't keep ignoring me! What's so special about being the first?"

"Alright alright, sorry," Zod smiled at the getting impatient youngster. "Do you know that discovering a new dungeon can grant you a reward?"

"Of course, who doesn't? But I doubt the sum would be enough to make seasoned adventurers like yourself grinning non-stop."

"Then what about the dungeon's threat level quest?"

"… The quest given by the guild to assess the threat level of a newly discovered dungeon? The guild decides who'll be dispatched, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, normally. However, I'm a Silver-rank, a qualified assessor. As the discoverer, I can choose to assess the dungeon myself."

"Oh, I didn't know. Let me guess, the guild pays very high for this quest? That's the reason both of you're grinning non-stop, is that right?"

"Yep. It's a priority quest, after all. The Adventurer Admin Office regards the dungeon's threat level seriously and even subsidizes every guild for this quest."

"I see. What about me and Kreis? We aren't Silver-rank yet, are we eligible for the reward? If we do, how much will our shares be?"

Kreis put his arm around Loen's neck. "We do, but don't count it yet, man. You haven't heard the best part of being the first."

"And that is?"

"Hehe. What's the best reward when raiding a dungeon?" the baby-faced scout chuckled instead of answering directly.

"… The dungeon core? We'll need to conquer the dungeon in that case, won't we?"

"That's so, but who can beat us when we're the only ones who know this dungeon?"

"Only for now," the mage replied indifferently, dismissing Kreis' hand from his shoulder. Turning to Zod again, he asked, "So, how much both the discovery and the assessment rewards?"

"Not sure why you disregard the dungeon core, an opportunity to get one isn't easy to come by, you know," the swordsman shook his head. "Well, while the dungeon discovery gives a fixed reward, the threat level quest has some variables. The eventual threat level, number of party members involved, your adventurer rank, number of settlements in vicinity, the level of those settlements, and so on. Nevertheless, your share for both rewards should be about the price of a smaller mansion in a level 5 town within the empire, give or take. Double that amount if we can get at least a decent size dungeon core, or higher if the core is bigger," he explained.

"Wow, that much?" Loen was impressed. "Level 5 is a medium-sized town. If I go to a level 4 small town instead, I'd be able to buy a huge mansion. Eh, hold a sec. That isn't right. If the eventual threat level matters, won't the assessors try to manipulate the result?"

"Not really. I told you, the Adventurer Admin Office takes the dungeon's threat level seriously. Any fraudster found will face severe consequences, including revokement of their adventurer licenses and bounty on their heads in worse cases. Take my word, affronting one of the most influential organizations for a meager additional sum of money is really not worth it, especially since the original rewards are already generous."

"I see, you're right. Still, if I take this quest as an indication, I bet you must have many properties under your name. Is that right, Zod?"

"You think so?" Zod laughed. "Then let me enlighten you. We adventurers may make a lot of money, but we also spend as much. Good equipment doesn't come cheap, neither the maintenance and repair costs. And since the equipment is the lifeline in our job, most adventurers invested their wealth in equipment, including me. There are also potions and food expenses, which are very essential. Thus you'll find that, with the exception of those Gold-rankers and beyond whose equipment is mostly complete, most adventurers remain broke."

"I… see…" Loen looked disappointed.

"Hmm." After a brief ponder, the swordsman decided to help his junior. "Loen, you should've graduated from your rankless status with the last escort quest, right? But not officially until we're back. As a rankless, the dungeon's threat level quest is way beyond your rank, so although your monetary rewards aren't as much as mine or Kreis', it'll give you lots of merit points, close to your next promotion. Let's see, if you perform at least as good as in the last quest, I don't mind writing a good note in my report for additional points, which will allow you a double-promotion. You'll receive a Copper-rank badge instead of an Iron-rank once we're back."

Loen's eyes lit up. "Are you for real? You're going to do that?"

"Why not?" Zod shrugged. "Your combat capability is quite good, you're also a fast learner. I must remind you, though, Copper-rank is considered middle-tier, getting a promotion won't be as easy anymore. Just look at how long Kreis' been stuck there."

"Hey!"

"I know that."

"Whatever, man. Today's assessment quest will give me enough points to promote. I'll be a Silver myself once we're back," Kreis harrumphed.

"You still need to pass the written test," Zod reminded.

"C'mon, man. You don't seriously think I'll fail such a test, do you? …Or do you?"

"Who knows," Zod shrugged with a playful smile. "Ha ha. Alright, check your equipment, you two. Today we'll be entitled Conqueror of Dungeon. Hopefully the core isn't too small," the swordsman said, his charming grin was now full of battle lust.

(Damn, here they come!)

"Hold a sec. We're going to conquer the dungeon? Right away? Just like that?" the mage asked in astonishment.

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? That's my question! We haven't made any preparations yet, have we? Even if we temporarily ignore our food needs, at least I must replenish my mana potions stock first - they won't last for half a day of intense battle as of now. Look, I understand if it's just a quick check to determine its threat level, but to aim to conquer from the start? Tell me, how this isn't a ridiculous plan?" Loen frowned.

(Ooh, nice argument. Good Loen, please convince your party to back off and I'll remember your name.)

Zod and Kreis blinked and looked at each other before Kreis burst into laughter while Zod scratched his own cheek. Their reaction flustered the mage, his face was as red as the flame pattern on his robe.

"A ha ha ha ha. So that's why you disregard my notion to count the dungeon core as reward. Man, you think we've to go back to report first? Ha ha ha…"

"Kreis, that's enough," Zod shook his head. "Loen, from what you've seen so far, what do you think this dungeon's threat level is?"

"I… Honestly, I don't know," Loen admitted. "Isn't that what we're going to investigate?"

"Not quite. Every assessor has enough experience under their belt to roughly estimate a dungeon's threat level with a glance, to investigate further is to confirm that early judgement." After a brief pause, Zod asked again, "Do you know a dungeon's growth follows a curving graph?"

"Yeah?"

"This dungeon, no matter how I look, is still in the earliest stage, at the slowest phase of its growth. Upon a closer look, I even dare to say this is a 'virgin' dungeon - it's never been exposed to humans or other sentient beings. Well, except the old man Mahzin, but as Kreis pointed out the old man never went deeper, so we can safely assume there isn't much exchange between him and the dungeon. However, as the old man mistook this dungeon for a cave--"

"I doubt it."

"This is important. Fine, let's say it's just my assumption. Can I continue?"

"Okay…"

"Good. Assuming the old man really mistook this dungeon for a cave and left his son's corpse here, it would've been absorbed and empowered the dungeon without a doubt. It happened just last night, however, so it's possible there's no apparent changes yet. Now, based on what I've said, what do you think the threat level of this dungeon would be?"

"… In the case of a young and virgin dungeon, it should be E, right? Assuming it has absorbed the Archmage Mahzin's son, unlikely as it might be, well, it'd depend on how powerful of a mage that son was. Or maybe not. I guess, unless he's a powerful archmage, it probably won't be enough to elevate a virgin dungeon's threat level to E+. So I think it's still within level E."

Zod nodded. "Good deduction. Threat level E, the lowest. The will of a dungeon of that level can control small animals but too stupid to set traps or think of any strategy. It can only throw every animal under its influence from the front by instinct. In the worst case, there'll be animals strong enough to resist the dungeon's weak influence, that may pose a real danger to us. It's rare, however, an existence as such would usually take the dungeon core for themselves. Still, even if that's the case, with the three of us here, what other preparation do you think we need?" he smiled confidently.

"I see. If you put it that way, it does seem doable."

"Doesn't it?" the swordsman gave a knowing smile. "Okay, is there anything else? No? We'll move out then. Oh, before that, Loen, is this your first time exploring a dungeon?"

"No, my teacher once brought his disciples into a dungeon for a live combat experience, escorted by some hired adventurers. It's my first time entering as an adventurer myself, though. Is there anything I need to take notes of?"

"Hmm. Just avoid using your favorite Fire-Element Magic in a closed environment as much as possible, I heard they produce poisonous gas. Don't use light orb or other light source either, if they're destroyed during a battle it may cause a temporary blind when our eyes are adjusting. It can be fatal. Channeling mana to enhance your eyes should be sufficient. Lastly, confidence is good but keep your head clear all the time. Whatever happens, don't let your guard down and stay in formation, you can never be too careful in a dungeon."

"Understood."

"Good. Let's go then."

(Sigh. It's inevitable. Thankfully they took their time for all those talks.)

I did not idling while their conversation took place and managed to find a way to alter the dungeon layout. Actually, it was not difficult at all once I figured out the method. It was just like how I used the Ground-Element Magic to reshape soil and rock, but somehow applying it to the dungeon was much easier. All I needed was willing it, and it would shape following my design up to the fine details. Moreover, it cost much less mana!

Unfortunately, my time was heavily restricted and my mana was not unlimited. At least the number of paths had now increased - it was no longer one straight way from the entrance to the heart chamber, and the distance between rooms was much further. Out of all, the second corridor between the second and third room was where I put most of my effort, it was an authentic maze I was quite satisfied with.

(Not bad. But it's a question if this is enough against experienced opponents like them. I better prepare another card.

(Let's see… Out of all animals within my reach, bats are most suitable to distract or annoy the enemies but they lack lethality. On the other hand, snakes can be deadly in a 'right circumstance', but creating this 'right circumstance' is a challenge itself. Other than those two kinds are pretty much useless, they're too small to inflict any damage. That's including the poisonous ones, since there's no way they don't bring antidotes.

(No, wait, I don't want them dead, I should avoid poison to begin with. Father sends them to find me for a reason and I need to find it out.

(Luckily, with Viarissa's name coming forward, I think I now have a real chance to negotiate with the adventurers. The serious talk can only begin after they surrender, though.

(… I know, why don't I dig a deep pit? It must be very deep that it was impossible to climb. It must also be very wide, so they can't climb up by jumping from one wall to the other. The wall's surface must also be very smooth and slippery.

(Eh, I don't think it's difficult to make. I'm sure I can build such a pit almost instantly. Fu fu fu… If I suddenly remove their footing and replace it with the pit, they won't have a chance to escape.

(Oh, right, I better practice first. If I fail in my first attempt, they'll be on alert and it'd be difficult to get another chance.

(Let's try it in the front of the last room… There, as expected, eezy peezy. Now to the real deal.

(…

(… … Huh?

(It's not working? Why?

(… It's really not working no matter how many times I tried.

(One more time in another place…

(There, it works. Why didn't it work with the adventurers?

(Once again!

(… It's still not working. Why!? Did they bring some kind of amulet or something? Or, no way, there's a hidden rule? I see, that's possible.)

There were some unwritten rules about the dungeon. For example, while rearranging the dungeon layout, I found that the heart chamber had to be connected to the entrance somehow, or I could have just isolated the heart chamber otherwise. Fortunately, putting a thick door was allowed or it would be a real headache.

(This… will be tricky. At least the second corridor's maze will buy me some time.)