As the world plunged into chaos and destruction, a powerful being suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stopped "The End". Some call him a god, while others refer to him as a monster.
500 years later, people developed a special ability. An ability that can manifest one's own statistics, this ability was called "Leveling".
My name is Jin, just somebody who happens to be the weakest "Leveler". Levelers are the people who can "Level Up". You need to complete "Quests", accomplish "Achievements", and slay "Monsters" in order to level up. I haven't slain a single monster in my entire life because I fear them. In order to live, I became a dungeon porter, and my first assignment happens to be today.
Jin's POV
Hi, I'm Jin! Today, I'm going to accompany a party of Levelers while they go into the dungeon. Even if I fear monsters in these dungeons, I still have to work to survive. I only accompany Levelers in level 5 dungeons at most because farther than that, I think my life will be in big danger.
"Oi Jin! Still working as a porter huh?" Eva said. Eva has been my partner for years. She's also a porter like me but she's level 10, while I'm... level 1.
"Yeah, it's been rough lately so I need to work twice as hard" I replied. The prices in the market rose lately, so my present income isn't going to be enough.
"Don't push yourself too hard, you might end up in the hospital and pay ten times more" She said.
"Well, I can't argue with that. Don't worry, I won't" I replied.
"I don't have work at the moment, mind if I accompany you?" She asked. My salary will be halved if I let her, but Eva has saved me many times. There's no way I can repay her, so I think...
"Not at all, but the Leveler Party is still missing. Where are they? They should've been here by now" I said.
"That's unusual, parties tend to be an hour early to prepare, and the dungeon will open in a minute. Are you sure they're coming?" She asked. I'm not sure either. If those brats won't come, my salary will be deducted. Ugh, Life why are you so harsh?!
"I don't know either, my apologies" I said.
"Yeah yeah, as always... Oh look, are those the ones you've been waiting?" She pointed to a group of people coming their way to the dungeon.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, we encountered some troubles along the way. By the way, the name's Emray, the Team Captain" He said and offered his hand.
"Eva, and here's Jin" They shake hands.
"I thought we only hired one porter?" A girl at the back said.
"I thought so too" Captain Emray added.
"I will be accompanying Jin in the meantime. Don't worry, you don't have to pay me" Eva said.
"If that's the case, sorry about that" Emray replied. What's with the apologies?
"Captain, the dungeon will be opening in a minute" A guy said.
"Kyan, can you give them some of our spare lenses?" Captain Emray said and Kyan followed.
"These are lenses that enables you to see the stats of monsters as well as Levelers. It also enables you to see their levels, if their level turns out to be red, don't ever think of approaching them. Got it?" Kyan explained. If a leveler or a monster's level is red, it means they're far too strong for you. It means if you fight them, it's the end for you. Kyan must be their scout. Scouts tend to know a vast array of information. They're like walking books.
"Got it" I replied and wore the lenses.
"So what level is this dungeon?" Eva asked.
"3 or 4 maybe" Emray answered. As the dungeon was still preparing to open, I scanned the party to check their levels.
[Eva level 10 Mage]
Eva is still on level 10, it seems she stopped leveling up and focused on being a porter.
[Emray level 16 Fighter]
Oh so captain is a fighter type. I wonder what his fighting style is. He doesn't seem to be holding any weapon.
[Kyan level 13 Mage]
Kyan, their scout, is level 13. It seems there is a vast difference of power between him and the captain.
[Heart level 14 Mage]
That woman earlier is also a mage type. Level 14, she's also quite strong.
"Hey porter, quit scanning my stats. Level 1? If your life will be in danger, I won't take responsibility. Is that clear?" Heart said. This woman is hot headed.
"Yes ma'am" I replied.
"Hey woman, acting so high and mighty just because you're level 14. Pathetic" Eva said. Damn Eva, let it go.
"Oh, so Miss Level 10 is protecting Porter Level 1? How Romantic. B***h, I hate romance!" She exclaimed.
"Quit it Heart, don't underestimate those who are lower leveled than you. They might be hiding some top notch skills" A man said.
"Whatever Mark, forget it. That woman is not worth my time" Heart replied.
[Mark level 16 Tank]
Oh, a tank! Tanks are rare these days, there are only a few people who are willing to take the hit.
"Oh bring it B***h!" Eva provoked. Ugh, Eva stop it already.
"It's ok Eva, stop it" I said.
"Yeah yeah, the dungeon is opening anyway." Eva said.
[Dungeon Open]
The dungeon is now open. Captain Emray's party is already heading inside.
"Eva, we should get in too" I said. She answered with a nod and entered. Seems she's still mad.
[You have entered the dungeon]
[Joining 'Spectre']
So Spectre is the name of their party. Sounds cool.
[Temporary Membership Approved]
So I'm now part of this party. Let's Go!
"Heart, surroundings? Kyan, scout the area ahead" The captain is already commanding them. So Heart the Hot Headed is the team's navigator.
"Giant rainbow crystals, cold temperature, quartz is common. I think this is a lair of the Quartz Crabs" Heart explained. She tallied all the factors, analyzed the surroundings, has a vast knowledge about geography and an absolute deduction. She's a great navigator, but she missed on one thing, the smell of carcasses in the area.
"Quartz Crabs huh? Easy to kill but too many, they move in groups, so area of effect spells should be very effective" The Captain said.
"I think Quartz Crabs aren't here captain." I said.
"You defy my deduction Level 1?" Heart asked.
"Do you smell the carcasses? Quartz Crabs aren't carnivorous, so they don't eat other monsters. I think another monster in the food chain had already been devouring them" I explained.
"Well if that's the case, maybe you should reconsider your roles captain" Eva added.
"You little-" Heart was going to say something but Kyan butted in.
"Scout report, two hell hounds are spotted 6 o'clock while three orc grunts are spotted 12. Another enemy has been spotted, a Cyclops at 3 o'clock and an unknown species at 9. All of the Quartz Crabs have been annihilated and the creatures are approaching us" Kyan explained. The knowledge of the scouts are terrifying.
"Well, you seem to be wrong, Miss Navigator" Mark joked and Heart just huffed.
"Tank, Support, at 9. Brawler at 12. Artillery and Hitter at 6. Me and navigator at 3. Take your positions!" As Captain Emray commanded, everyone took their positions. Eva and I just stood at the center of all of them.
The Cyclops came first.
[Monster Name: Cyclops]
[Monster Level: 4]
[Cyclops are carnivorous monsters that possesses only a single eye. Their giant like body can easily squash enemies.]
"Captain, the Cyclops is approaching at rapid speed. I think it's hungry" Heart said.
"Well, bye bye Mister Cyclops" Captain jumped and punched the air.
[Captain used Explosive Punch]
Woah, so Captain is a boxer.
[Cyclops was defeated]
"Great job Captain!" Heart exclaimed.
"You too" Emray answered.
The orcs came second.
[Monster Name: Orc]
[Monster Name: Orc]
[Monster Name: Orc]
[Monster Level: 3]
[Monster Level: 3]
[Monster Level: 3]
[Orcs are carnivorous monsters. They kill their enemies without hesitation and eat their corpses]
Their brawler held his sword and concentrated. I didn't think I scanned him before, let us see his level.
[James level 14 Fighter]
Level 14, versus three level 3 Orcs. It would be a piece of cake for him. He swung his sword and in an instant, all of the orcs vanished.
[James used Heaven Splitter]
As I thought so.
[Orc was defeated]
[Orc was defeated]
[Orc was defeated]
Then the hell hounds came next. Saliva coming out from their mouths, ready to rip the flesh of their enemies.
[Monster Name: Hell Hound]
[Monster Name: Hell Hound]
[Monster Level: 10]
[Monster Level: 10]
[Hell Hounds are vicious monsters living at the very entrance of Death City]
Now let us scan our Hitter and Artillery.
[Jasmine level 18 Ranger]
That artillery surpasses the Captain's Level! She must be very strong.
[Andrei level 16 Assassin]
He's the same level as the captain. Captain must've intended these two to fight the highest level of monsters. As expected as of the captain.
"I'm gonna take the left, you take the right" Andrei said.
"Got It. Target locked" Jasmine replied.
In an instant, the hell hounds dropped dead on the ground. Wait, why weren't there any spell notifications?
"Those two didn't use any spells. It's pure skill" Eva said. The F! Those are the skill of a high leveler.
"Kyan, you said there would be an enemy at 9 o'clock" Captain said.
"I'm sure there is... But, where is it?" Kyan replied "Something's not right"
"Of course there isn't, you're mistaken you dumb head!" Heart said.
"There is. I felt it, a powerful aura." Jasmine said.
"Me too" Andrei added.
"If both of you felt it, it must be strong" Captain said and looked at the place where the enemy was supposed to appear.
So this monster is powerful... But, why didn't I feel any fear? In all my life, I always fear these monsters, but now I don't... Is it because these people are strong?
"Everyone in position. It's coming" Captain said as they split up. I can also feel it, a strong presence is approaching.
"Jin, stay close" Eva said as all of them prepare to fight the enemy.
"Captain!" Heart shouted as Captain Emray flew into a distance.
"My minions were defeated easily, but what do we have here? Just a group of weaklings" He doesn't look like a monster, but rather looked more like a... human.
[Monster Name: Cerberus]
[Monster Level: 80]
[Cerberus is the loyal servant of Hades, the keeper of Hell. Cerberus came from the Death City. He devours his victims leaving nothing, not even their souls]
"Cerberus? I thought Cerberus is a-" Heart stopped.
"A three headed dog?!" He said as he laughed mockingly. The support quickly ran to the captain in an attempt to heal him, but Cerberus just raised his finger and she fell asleep.
"James! Andrei!" Mark shouted as the three of them tried to attack. All of them collapsed with just a snap from Cerberus.
"You piece of shi-" Jasmine tried to shoot him but Cerberus quickly teleported behind her and knocked her out.
[Kyan used summon]
"Kill him Lotus!" Kyan shouted and ordered his puppet to attack Cerberus but it just disappeared. Cerberus then blasts Kyan with a powerful black beam.
"Puny humans. Stop attacking me and just listen" Cerberus said.
"Jin, just stay at the back" Eva said.
"What do you want?" Heart asked while crying.
I scanned the surroundings. Only the three of us as well as Cerberus were left standing, the rest being unconscious. I thought this is just a level 4 dungeon, goddamn it!
[Eva used Lightning Spear]
"Eva!" I looked at her extending her hands and looking at Cerberus.
"This human can't understand eh? I guess I have to get rid of you first" Cerberus extended his hands, with his palm facing our direction. A black beam came out coming towards us.
[Jane used Globe]
"Jane!" Heart shouted, looking at the support. She's awake? I thought she was put to sleep a while ago.
[Jane level 11 Support]
Only a level away from Eva, at least she stopped Cerberus' attack.
"You're awake? Don't piss me off" Cerberus tried to attack once again, but a creature of greater power appeared behind him. Sh*t we're screwed.
"Cerberus, enough." The figure said.
"Master Hades, what brings you here?" Cerberus said. Hades?! Ugh, why do I feel dizzy?
"Eva, I-" I looked at Eva lying on the floor with Heart beside her. What happened?
[Monster Name: Hades]
[Monster Level: 800]
[Hades *****************]
I'm so dizzy. Everything is spinning.
"Cerberus, I just need a--------"
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[System Offline]
[User Undetected]