Book 4: Chapter 2

“Not bad. Not bad at all,” Aaron nodded as he appreciated his status page.

[ Name: Aaron Dober ]

[ Age: 24 ]

[ Race: Human [ Shinigami ] ]

[ Grade: D ]

[ HP: 170700 ]

[ MP: 100000 ]

[ SP: 274200 ]

[ AP: 15101 ]

[ Class: Power Abundant Perfectionist, lvl 101 ]

[ Profession: Ogre Gastronomist, lvl 75 ]

[ Stats ]

[ Strength: 1909 (+1079) ]

[ Vitality: 1707 (+1066) ]

[ Fortitude: 2742 (+1687) ]

[ Dexterity: 1438 (+795) ]

[ Agility: 1661 (+919) ]

[ Intelligence: 1193 (+662) ]

[ Willpower: 1000 (+642) ]

[ Charisma: 850 (+531) ]

[ Perception: 1346 (+743) ]

[ Titles: Shadow Trials Trailblazer, Stamina Control Prodigy, Mana Control Prodigy, Vitality Control Prodigy, Holder of a True Blessing, In the Eyes of the Gods, Aether Wielder, World Overlord, Endurer, Dominator, Challenger, Shadow Trials Hall of Famer, Leviathan Slayer, Pack Leader, Core Prodigy ]

[ Traits: Fate Weaver (Alpha), Major Blessing of Oozagh the Rotund, True Blessing of Yendal the Empty-Handed, Herald of a God, Death Cheat, Pack Alpha ]

[ Racial Skills: Inspect, Lingua Multiversa, World Map. Reap ]

[ Profession Passive Skills (3/3): Mass Produced Cooking!, Conductive Gut, Adipose Fusion ]

[ Profession Active Skills (6/6): Spirit Toes, Oozagh’s Breath, Foul Ichor, Unsightly Degustation, Spirit Tongue, Spirit Hands ]

[ Class Passive Skills (3/4): Soul, Body, and Mind, Equal and Opposite, Girth by Length, Power by Volume ]

[ Class Active Skills (7/8): Soul Shattering Strike, Spectral Projection, Gorgon’s Soul Vortex, Turbocharged Haymaker, Spectral Rush, Spectral Bullet Punch, Bombardier Fist ]

It had been a little while, and things were looking better than ever. D-grade was no laughing matter, and he was just getting started.

“Haha, damn! Look at that! Hang on, that’s three new slots, right? Two actives and one passive? Damn, not bad at all. And those percentage boosts are off the fucking charts! Bloody hell, they really do add up, don’t they?”

“Well, somebody loves themself,” Talia smirked.

“Hey, let me enjoy my moment. I worked hard for this.”

He had worked hard for his status, and seeing the massive buildup of points was a great feeling. But what really caught his attention were the percentage bonuses he had accumulated. He had over a thousand extra stat points for multiple stats. It was all thanks to his Titles, and it really hit home just how powerful Titles were.

Sure, he had felt the difference as he leveled, gaining stats that boosted his strength. But when he was fighting as much as he was, and gradually growing stronger and improving technically with every fight, it was easy to miss the finer details. To overlook a few bonus points here and there. But now, zooming out and taking a moment to appreciate what he had achieved, put everything into perspective. Now, he could understand clearly why some would put so much value in gaining some extra Titles. The difference a good Title could make over the long term could push someone into another level of competency.

And made beating D-grades while he himself had been at E-grade somewhat less impressive. Based on bonus points alone, it wasn’t unreasonable to expect that he could fight a grade above, even if his opponents were mid D-grade, based on how many additional points he had.

Sure, every D-grade level was about three E-grade levels, but still. And he felt a bit of a knot thinking about Yendal and everything she had said.

Yeah, I’m going to have to be better next time I see her.

Sure, maybe he was already on the path to greatness. But he didn’t want to let the martial god down, not after she had granted him her true blessing.

“Wait, twenty-four? Huh?” He blinked, scanning over his status again.

“Something wrong?” Talia asked, wiping her lips with the back of her hand as she got done drinking a potion of Steel Skin.

“Nah, not really. Well, I mean, apparently, I had a birthday. No big deal, but I kinda thought I’d be older before I started forgetting about things like that.”

“Yeah, I guess going through an apocalypse will do that to you. If we see any cakes in here, we can sing you happy birthday. Though, strictly speaking, this makes us even.”

“Even? Oh, right. It’s been what, like half a year since the integration? Probably a bunch of people from Dober have missed important gates. I guess we can have a collective party when we get back.”

“Alright, Mr. Sentimental. If you’re done lamenting your lack of a party, can we get moving?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Aaron said, and flicked over to his rankings as he started walking.

Dungeon Rankings:

Talia Rhineheart

Zero

Aaron Dober

“Wait a minute? What’s with these rankings?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Oh, you just noticed that, huh? I don’t know much more than you. They didn’t exactly explain them. But I’m guessing we only see the rankings of the dungeon participants of the floor we’re on. And since we’re the only ones on the first floor…”

“Right. Makes sense. And since I was sleeping while you and Zero were off exploring, I got left behind?”

“WOOF!”

“You’re not in on this, too, are you, Zero?”

“Woof!”

“Ah, traitors, the both of you. Well, you’ll see. I’m gonna be number one on that list.”

“Not if Zero and I beat you,” Talia grinned.

“Woof!”

“You traitor, Zero!”

It didn’t take the trio long to make it through the winding tunnels before they reached the massive chamber that Talia had mentioned. And just like she had said, the floor was shrouded by darkness, and an ominous power was welling up from deep below.

“Oh, well. Nothing creepy about this. Shall we, then?” Aaron said, stepping up to the ledge.

Although as creepy as descending into a dark hole with an ominous aura pouring out of it was, what he felt wasn’t necessarily power. Had it been, he’d have been more careful, perhaps suggesting a scouting mission with his

[ Spectral Projection ]

Skill, or even just testing out normal spirit walking, with his new passive.

“Just jump straight in?”

“Yep. Might as well,” Aaron shrugged.

“You know, I bet you wouldn’t sound so casual about it if you couldn’t survive death.”

“Huh, maybe,” Aaron shrugged again and stepped out into the darkness.

“Damn you, Aaron Dober,” Talia huffed and followed after.

Dank, musky air rushed past them as they fell through the dark for what felt like a rather long time. Reaching the bottom, they thudded down into a couple of inches of sludgy water that covered the floor.

“Yuck, it stinks down here!” Talia clipped her nose.

“Zero, don’t drink it!” Aaron scolded. “That’s gross!”

“Like you’re one to talk.”

Aaron grimaced. He didn’t have a comeback for that.

“Look, the ominous aura is coming from over there. And we haven’t even been attacked yet. I’d say that’s a win.”

“Then go investigate, Mr. I can’t die,” Talia said, summoning her avatar as she raised her guard. “I’ll keep the rear.”

“Alright. I suppose I deserve that.”

He kept walking, trying to piece together what he was feeling. It was certainly odd, a power he wasn’t familiar with. But it didn’t have the overwhelming and domineering sensation that he had felt from the royal guards.

Whatever this was, if it were hostile, he had a feeling he could handle himself. Besides, he had a bit of a chip on his shoulder now, ever since hitting D-grade.

If something strong was ahead, he would be happy to prove himself against it.

Besides, he wasn’t about to go scouting every potential threat. Sure, they might have had an entire month to clear the stage, but if the floor was the size of a world, then that time could go quickly. And who knew how many potential threats there were lurking about?

“Alright, let’s get this over and done with,” Aaron cracked his knuckles as he walked forward. “Anyone out there? If you wanna fight, say aye. Otherwise, show yourself, and we can have a chat.”

He kept walking when he got no response, and as he crept deeper into the cavern, the ground beneath his feet dried, and he realized he was in a tunnel passage.

“At least this seems to be going somewhere.”

Narrowing his gaze, he spotted a dot of light far in the distance.

“Hey, I think I found the exit!”

Just as he called out to the others, a silhouette stepped into the light.

“Wait, what’s a hunched-over old man doing in here?”

As he got closer, he could see the bearded old man for what he was. A gaunty, wiry, and tired-looking figure, with eyes so wrinkled over, they looked shut.

Aaron glanced around. There was no doubt that the strange aura was coming from this man.

He sure doesn’t look like he’s up for a fight.

Shrugging, he kept going, waving to the man as he approached.

“Are you sure it’s wise to keep going?” Talia called out, and Aaron turned to see that she was only a few paces back now. “There’s something very off about that guy.”

“I know. But what else are we going to do? Besides, as strange as his aura is, I’m not getting the sense that he is overwhelmingly powerful. And we’ve gotta interact with the natives for the Quest. Not like we can keep putting it off.”

Talia huffed, but didn’t interfere.

“Hello?” Aaron waved as he walked forward.

“Greetings, Aaron Dober. You’re just the man I was waiting for,” the old man said, his voice strangely exotic, despite Aaron’s inbuilt translator.

However, this wasn’t the first time Aaron had noticed differences in people’s speech, even though his race skill translated everything for him. He could recognize languages he knew a little bit of, like when Yuki spoke Japanese. The ants also spoke with an unusual cadence. And yet, he hadn’t taken anywhere near as much notice of any of that as he did of this strange man. But rather than bothering him, the way the old man spoke actually interested him. It was almost curly, like the words flowed and wrapped around one another as they tumbled out of his mouth, and they drew him in as if he stood before a great storyteller.

Also, it wasn’t often he met people he couldn’t inspect, and that sent off a few alarm bells.

“Please, Aaron Dober. Come closer so I may see your face with these old and weary eyes.”

Aaron did as he was asked, despite the creepiness of it all. “You were waiting for me? What in the world is going on here? And what do you want? I just got here.”

“Ah, yes, questions, questions, questions. First, shall I introduce myself? My name is Jayden,” the man extended a thin, sickly hand.

“Jayden?” Aaron blinked.

“Yes… is something wrong?”

“No, no. It’s just you don’t really look like a Jayden. But it doesn’t matter. Ignore me. Go on. What were you saying about waiting for me?”

“Waiting for you, yes. You’re correct. Welcome to my domain, Aaron Dober. I am the overlord of this place. A wayward realm cut off from everything. A world between worlds.”

“Yeah, poetic… It’s a Dungeon, right? I’ve been to one before. Special rules and all that. Guess what? There were some people who decided to make that one home, too.”

“Aye, yes. I believe such things are not so uncommon in the multiverse, not that I have ever left this place. But this one is particularly massive and important, at least to me, it is. And not all those who live here within appreciate what they have.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, troubling, isn’t it? But you can help me with this little dilemma. I knew you were coming. I have seen it all. And I have seen the potential you possess to aid me in my troubles. It was fated a millennium ago.”

“Wait, what? You knew I was coming here a thousand years ago?”

“You’re not the only one with a connection to fate, Aaron Dober.”

“Hang on a second. Is that sound like a roundabout way of telling me that you have the fate-bending trait, too?”

“No. I’m a fate seer, not a bender. I can see the many twisting and changing threads of fate. Always in flux. Always delineating. But unlike you, I can see far further along the threads than a few seconds. Though with such a trait, it becomes impossibly hard to follow. A simple change can ruin thousands of years of predictions. Such a troubling trait, in truth.

“Right, the butterfly effect.”

“Exactly. Anyway, now you know how I am aware of your arrival, let’s get to what is important. I know what you seek. Passage down to the next floor, and I can help with that.”

“You can?”

“Yes. This world is massive. Far larger than you can imagine, I am sure of that. But despite everything I do for the people here, there are still a few renegades. And they are a thorn in my side. Help me deal with this problem, and I shall help you with yours.”

Aaron glanced back at Talia, but she just looked at him like this was his decision to make.

He had to at least hear the man out, even if he did give him the creeps. After all, they only came for one thing: to travel down to the next floor. And if this shady character could help them with that, then who was he to complain? This seemed pretty directly related to the Quest, and even if the man was lying, there was a good chance they’d find the way to complete the Quest eventually if they went along with him.

And yet, something told him not to trust this man. Dealing with a rebellion or ending a conflict seemed like something in line with the Shadow Trials that Aaron was so familiar with, but the fact that the “natives” seemed like they would be human, and that at least one of them was able to speak rationally, felt off. There was something strange about this Dungeon…

“Look, let me show you,” Jayden said, turning and waddling down the cavern passage. “Come, follow.”

Before long, they were stepping out of the darkness and into the light. Staring down into a valley that wrapped around itself like a giant ring. Looking up to the sky, Aaron could see the other side of the world bending over itself.

The view reminded him of photos of Earth from space, only if Earth were a narrow band, rather than a globe.

“What did I say? It’s huge, isn’t it? So, can we talk about the deal now?”