Slitstar

Roran looked to the hologram in front of him. It showed a completely white room. That was it.

[Manipulate the dungeon with your mind]

[You can spend Coins on anything you need]

[Your goal is to make it as challenging as possible]

[Other Players will attempt to beat your dungeon]

[They pay a fee before they can enter]

[If they fail, you get to keep the fee]

[If they succeed, you must give double of the fee]

[The dungeons are ranked]

[The higher ranked your dungeon is, the more resources the Keeper with provide]

[Good luck]

[You'll need it]

Roran started to shape his dungeon. Firstly, he wanted an environment which was advantageous to his spider. There were only three to choose from. The forest, which is identical to the Beginner's Dungeon Roran had entered, costed twenty coins; a rocky field, which costed ten coins; and a field with long grass, which costed ten coins.

Roran chose the rocky field. Firstly, it was cheap. Secondly, he had witnessed his spider hurl stones at incredible speeds. The rocks would provide the perfect ammunition. Also, the Players must be slower moving around, as the floor is uneven. This will be a small advantage to his Lower Demon, which has a higher than average agility.

Ten coins were instantly deducted from his status the moment that he made the decision. The room was completely transformed, turning into an exact copy of the image that Roran was shown.

[Please choose the other Players' spawn point]

"Here," Roran pointed to the bottom left corner of the room. This would limit the other Players' space to dodge the rocks

[Please choose the monsters you wish to participate in this dungeon]

[Be warned that for every monster chosen to participate, you must pay a small fee of one coin]

[Also, any injuries that the monsters sustain will have to be treated by the player]

"Lower Demon (Monkey form) and Mutant Spider."

Roran didn't have any other dungeons anyways. Might as well concentrate his forces.

[Please select order of entry]

[Note that entry times must be at least a minute apart]

"Mutant Spider first, and then a minute later, the Lower Demon (Monkey form)"

The plan was that the Mutant Spider could survive very long with its high health, even if it was at a complete disadvantage. And then when the Lower Demon arrives, the combination of the two can eliminate the Player. Of course, the Mutant Spider could have eliminated the Player with its rocks before the Lower Demon even arrived. That would be the optimal situation.

[Choose the spawn points of your monsters]

[Note that they may not be in a seven–meter proximity of the Players' spawn point]

"Here for the Mutant Spider and here for the Lower Demon," Roran said while he pointed. The Mutant Spider would appear ten meters away from the other Player. Thus, the other Player will not approach the Mutant Spider instantly. The Lower Demon was place directly behind the Mutant Spider. If the other Player was fighting the Mutant Spider from its back, like Roran, the Lower Demon would spawn and surprise her/him. If not, then the Lower Demon would spawn completely hidden behind the colossal Mutant Spider.

Either way, an ambush would occur.

[Order any additional things you wish to place]

Roran was mildly surprised. Seems like the system could create anything, if he ordered it.

"Create two five-meter long walls each three meters tall and ten centimeters thick."

The purpose was simple. The walls would be placed like a funnel, leading to the spider. The closer to the spider, the less space there is to dodge. When the Lower Demon spawns, it can climb over the wall, but it would be difficult for the player to go over.

[That would cost three coins]

"How do you calculate the cost?" Roran asked.

[How big it is. The unit is meters cubed]

Roran grinned. He had already found a loophole. To lower the cost, he just had to put a measurement less than a meter. For example, if he put ten centimeters, the total cost would be a tenth of what it was.

[Please check the dungeon settings and confirm]

Roran checked, making sure that he wasn't missing anything, "Okay. I'm done."

[Dungeon completed]

[Please name the dungeon]

Roran pondered a while, then gave a answer, "Demons."

[Dungeon successfully named]

[Now transporting towards Beginner's Contract]

Roran was speechless. He had forgotten about his role as a Mercenary. Seems like he has to finish another Beginner's Mission.

[Info:

Location: The Kingdom of Skyrise

Mission: Eliminate the assassin Slitstar

Client: The Paladin Apollonius Lumen

Reward: 20 Coins

Danger Level: 2]

Brilliant light blinded Roran, only to disappear a moment later.

"I see you have arrived, Lightwielder," a man said. He was outrageously handsome. His hair was completely golden, his features perfectly placed. He was dressed in full steel, but under his armor, you could still see his muscles. He moved with an unparalleled grace, and quite literally, he illuminated the entire room.

"Yes," Roran didn't lose his calm.

"Well then, let me inform you about your mission. Please, sit," He gestured to some chairs nearby.

After Roran sat down, he began to speak, "The Kingdom is plagued by an assassin codenamed Slitstar. Slitstar specifically targets priests, inside their temples. Slitstar appears almost out of thin air, slits the victim's throat, and then disappears without a trace. However, he seems to have one weakness. The element of Light, which weakens him to an incredible extent. I heard that you wielded Light that was powerful beyond comparison, and even leaves mine biting the dust. I completely trust you, but perhaps could you demonstrate?"

Roran abided. He was a little nervous, though. This man seemed to be extremely powerful.

"Let there be light," Roran murmured. Light exploded around him, and then dispersed almost as fast as it came.

The Paladin stood up instantly. His face showed pure shock, but immediately his expression return to normal. This light. He is the chosen one.

"Good. Very good. However, your light is still slightly weak. That is no surprise, of course. You are only a child. When you finish your mission, come back to me and I can teach you some techniques for improvement. Do you need anything else?"

"Could you please give a map of the area? Also please mark out the places where the bodies were found. I would also prefer to have all the information that you have on Slitstar and the victims. Hmmm… Also, some currency in your world, a fake identity and preferably the keys to a place where I can sleep."

"They're all here," The Paladin smiled. He fished them out from a drawer and then handed them to Roran.

"Good luck, Lightwielder."

"Thanks."

Roran walked towards what seemed like a door.

"Wait… The exit is this way…" The Paladin pointed to a wall opposite of where Roran was going, "That is the trash disposal…"

Roran stopped in his tracks awkwardly.

"I'll go there," he chucked drily. However, he couldn't see how he could get out that way.

However, when he approached the wall, he was proven wrong. The wall swung open, rotating on a hinge in the center. It revealed a bustling metropolis. Not much different from Scrycia, Roran noted.

"Well, first thing is to check out all the temples where the priests died," Roran thought to himself, "then I'll check out my sleeping quarters, and look through all the files."

The nearest temple to him was only half a kilometer away. Roran started walking.

Once he arrived, his way was instantly barricaded by two guards.

"Who are you and what business do you have here?" The elder one inquired.

Roran decided that he would like to keep as low as a profile as he could. He held up his identity.

The guards were shocked. They immediately apologized and led Roran in.

"Where did the priest die?"

The younger guard spoke this time, "Here, on the altar."

Roran studied the room. It was completely bare, except for the altar. There was absolutely no place where Slitstar could hide.

"Are there guards outside the temple?" Roran asked. The only entrance was the door.

"24/7."

"What were the guards doing when the priest died?"

"They weren't doing anything they shouldn't," he said, spitting the words.

"Someone's a little defensive," The elder guard said casually. However, he threw a threatening look towards the younger guard.

Suddenly, the younger guard roared. His eyes turned pitch black, and then he charged towards the elder guard. The elder guard didn't react in time. He was already dead when he touched the ground. Blood spurted out from his neck.

Then the younger guard turned to Roran. He sliced towards him. Roran blocked the blow perfectly. The two people dueled for a few rounds, but Roran was already feeling tired. After all, he was still eleven. He had to use Magic.

Roran summoned the element of Earth and cast it over Demon Slayer. He felt the sword grow heavy instantly. Roran put his left hand onto the hilt to support the weight. Then he swung towards the guard, who sliced his sword, to parry. The two swords clashed onto each other. Sparks flew, and in a loud clank, it was over. The guard's sword was shattered into pieces. Roran took Demon Slayer and finished him.