LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 8: Dungeon: Rodent's Den
Morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of Nicolas' room, casting golden patterns across the floor. He stirred, the events of the previous day lingering in his mind. Rare affinities, skills with immense potential—yet the weight of secrecy burdened his shoulders. Today was the beginning of a new chapter. He had resolved to test his limits.
"Time to explore a dungeon," Nicolas muttered, pushing himself out of bed.
After a quick breakfast and a brief farewell to Emilia, who was still asleep in the guest room, Nicolas headed to the teleportation station in the bustling heart of Lumen Metropolis.
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The teleportation station stood as a marvel of technology and magic fused together. Towering crystalline pillars pulsed with energy, connecting mages to dungeons scattered across the realm. Nicolas approached a terminal, his hand hovering over a screen as he selected a dungeon: The Infested Warrens.
"Solo, tier-1 mage," the attendant noted with a skeptical glance. "You're either brave or reckless."
"Both," Nicolas said with a smirk before stepping onto the teleportation pad.
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The world shifted in a flash of blue light, and Nicolas found himself in a dimly lit cavern. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the faint scurrying of claws echoed off the stone walls.
The first floor was a sprawling labyrinth of narrow tunnels. From the shadows emerged creatures—Scavenger Rats, their eyes gleaming red, their fur matted and patchy. Each stood about half the height of a man, their sharp teeth gnashing hungrily.
"Time to stretch my muscles," Nicolas murmured, drawing his saber.
The Scavenger Rats charged as a pack, their claws scraping the ground. Nicolas met them head-on, his movements swift and precise. His saber flashed, cutting through the rodents with ease. The baptism had not only strengthened his body but honed his reflexes to near superhuman levels.
One by one, the rats fell. Their dark blood seeped into the ground, but Nicolas felt no satisfaction—this was merely the beginning.
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The second floor opened into a cavernous hall, dimly illuminated by clusters of bioluminescent fungi. Here, the enemies were larger and far more dangerous: Gnawfang Warriors, elite rodents with thick, armor-like hides and razor-sharp claws. Their yellowed fangs dripped with venom as they growled menacingly.
Nicolas tightened his grip on his saber. These were no ordinary monsters; they required strategy.
The first Gnawfang lunged at him, claws swiping in a deadly arc. Nicolas sidestepped, activating Water Blade. A shimmering crescent of water shot forth, slicing into the creature's flank. It shrieked but kept advancing.
"Persistent," Nicolas muttered, switching tactics. He invoked Duststorm, enveloping the area in a whirling cloud of debris, disorienting the Gnawfangs. Moving within the cover, he struck with a combination of saber techniques and elemental skills—Flamethrower to sear their hides, Piercing Icicle to freeze and shatter their limbs.
Despite his skill, the battle dragged on. The Gnawfangs fought with feral cunning, coordinating their attacks. Just as Nicolas began to gain the upper hand, a deafening screech echoed through the hall. From the shadows emerged a group of six more Gnawfangs.
"Damn it," Nicolas cursed, his breath ragged.
The elite rodents encircled him, their glowing eyes filled with predatory hunger. Nicolas clenched his fists, summoning every ounce of his resolve.
"Time for a little foresight," he muttered, activating Glimpse of The Future.
A three-second vision flashed through his mind—he saw the Gnawfangs' coordinated strike, the exact timing of their lunges.
The moment the vision ended, Nicolas sprang into action. He sidestepped one attack, parried another, and unleashed Flame Dragon. A roaring serpent of fire spiraled through the air, engulfing three of the creatures in a blaze.
Still, the fight was taxing. Nicolas used Earthwall to block an incoming barrage, then retaliated with Glacial Lance, impaling the remaining Gnawfangs. As the last one fell, Nicolas collapsed to one knee, his mana reserves dangerously low.
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Panting heavily, Nicolas retreated to a secluded alcove to recover. He consumed a small mana potion and reflected on the battle.
"Reckless," he muttered, shaking his head. "But necessary."
He understood now why tier-1 mages rarely hunted solo in dungeons. The risks were immense, but the rewards—and the experience—were invaluable.
After a brief rest, Nicolas stood, his mana partially restored. The third floor awaited, and he could sense the oppressive aura of the dungeon's boss.
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The final floor was a cavernous chamber, its walls lined with jagged rocks that glowed faintly with a sickly green light. At its center stood the boss: Verminkind Sovereign, a massive rodent towering over ten feet tall, its body rippling with muscle and its eyes gleaming with malevolent intelligence.
The creature let out an ear-splitting roar, and Nicolas could feel the sheer pressure of its presence.
"Let's end this," Nicolas said, his voice steady.
The fight began with a clash of ferocious intensity. The Verminkind Sovereign moved with surprising speed, its claws tearing through the ground as it charged. Nicolas dodged, countering with Hurricane. A violent gust of wind slammed into the boss, forcing it back momentarily.
The Sovereign retaliated by summoning swarms of smaller rats, which Nicolas dispatched with Flamethrower. However, the constant barrage took its toll.
"I need an edge," Nicolas muttered, activating Analysis of The Past on the boss.
In his mind's eye, he saw the creature's origin—how it had absorbed the mana of countless defeated mages, growing stronger over decades. More importantly, he discerned a weakness: a scar on its right side, hidden beneath its fur.
Armed with this knowledge, Nicolas devised a plan. He baited the boss into a reckless charge, then used Earthwall to trap its limbs momentarily. With precision, he launched Glacial Lance at the scar.
The Sovereign howled in pain but remained defiant. Nicolas knew he had to end this quickly.
Activating Glimpse of The Future, he saw the Sovereign's next move—a powerful swipe aimed to crush him. Timing it perfectly, Nicolas ducked under the attack and plunged his saber into the scar, channeling all his remaining mana into a final Flame Dragon.
The fiery serpent erupted, engulfing the boss in a blinding inferno. When the flames subsided, the Verminkind Sovereign lay defeated, its massive body reduced to ash.
From the remains, a crystalline object glowed faintly—the Life Crystal. Nicolas picked it up, a sense of accomplishment washing over him.
"This will be useful," he said, slipping it into his pouch.
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Exiting the dungeon, Nicolas felt a newfound confidence. The journey had been grueling, but it was a testament to his strength and resourcefulness.
This would be his routine for the many days to come. Arduous? Indeed. Effective? Absolutely.