Primordial Lust System

Elsewhere at the edges of Maelstrom City.

"You here too, to challenge the Slime Grime Dungeon?"

"Yeah, I heard this one is the toughest, but it grants more dungeon points, allowing us to level up faster."

"Yeah, the slimy bastards are tough, especially resilient against physical attacks. Most warriors get fucked when they go alone."

"I just want to get in a team. I don't know if anyone will accept me... I'm an E-rank talent."

"Huh? E-rank? And you decided to try out this dungeon of all places, courting death! Good luck getting anyone to accept you in."

"Wait... don't leave me..."

***

"Hmm, Slime Grime Dungeon?" Aurelian hummed in thought, noticing all the commotion buzzing around the entry. It was far more crowded than the previous ones he had visited, but he did pick up morsels of information here and there as he walked through the crowd, making his way to the entry point.

"Wait, young adventurer, would you mind joining us to clear the dungeon as a group?" A voice suddenly called from behind him. Without turning, he scanned the figure with his sphere of soul detection once she crossed the five-meter radius.

A young girl, seemingly in her early twenties, with a head full of chestnut hair that gave way to bright amber eyes, a cheerful smile coloring her face.

A deeper glance with his appraisal revealed her level, 19, which made him arch his eyes in surprise.

"We're only missing one member to make up the basic eight-number group for optimal safety," she murmured as she circled over, appearing before him, stealing a glance at the face beneath the cloak. She froze, momentarily stunned.

"What?" Aurelian breathed, his voice gruff. Pairing up in groups wouldn't benefit him. What he needed most were dungeon points, and grouping up would mean sharing kills, loot, and so on. The disadvantages piled up the more he thought about it, which was why the idea had never crossed his mind.

"It's... nothing..." the girl whispered, regaining her focus before muttering under her breath, "It's just your eyes... they're beautiful." She spoke absentmindedly, her blush deepening as she caught the implication of her words.

Clearing her throat, she tried to keep up a serious front, which Aurelian only found more amusing. "I'm Sara, from the White Lotus Adventurer Guild."

"Oh," Aurelian breathed subconsciously, things suddenly making sense. Those who failed, or didn't even qualify, to join the academy often joined guilds, the White Lotus being one of them.

That explained her relatively high level. He assumed she had awakened the previous year.

"Huh? If you're worried for your safety, don't worry, we'll protect you, as long as you have a decent talent." She continued, quickly noting his face drop. She couldn't blame him; it wasn't their fault most adventurer guilds were associated with failures. Those joining had no other option left.

"No, I think I'll do pretty well just on my own," Aurelian breathed, before continuing forward, giving her no further chance to persuade him. He left her behind, dumbfounded.

"Hmm, another arrogant bastard? I bet he won't last a full hour in there before he gets devoured." A tall youth, part of Sara's group and holding a massive shield, snickered in disdain, watching Aurelian's figure fade into the distance.

"Don't waste your time on him. He thinks he's hot shit right now. He's about to learn his ego can't kill monsters," Marcus, the leader of their group, added, a twinge of jealousy burning in his eyes. He had seen how Sara looked at Aurelian, and he wasn't happy. With someone like him in their team, Marcus's chances of courting her would have dipped significantly.

"It's not that," Sara breathed, walking back to her group, paying them no mind. "It's just that I couldn't see through his level." She muttered, sinking deep into thought.

Strange... the aura of a newly awakened hovered around his presence. Was he hiding his level with an artifact of some sort, or was his level actually higher than hers?

Her eyes widened at the second thought before she shoved it aside the moment it surfaced. It was too absurd... or was it?

"Argh, Sara, stop overthinking things already. Let's head into the dungeon. We don't need anybody else. Let's roll in, it's about time we finally cleared the dungeon." Another girl with short blonde hair spluttered, already growing tired of the charade.

Her figure straightened before moving out. The others followed suit.

***

"15 gold, huh?" Aurelian breathed, a grimace lining his lips as he handed over the coins. His heart dropped. He was damned sure going to make his excursion worth every fucking dime. He groaned, his figure vanishing as he stepped into the swirling green portal.

It was finally time he pushed for E-rank.

His figure had hardly blinked out of vision before the swirling green portal glitched, its color shimmering into an entrancing orange glow. The sudden shift immediately drawing the crowd's attention.

"Holy shit! Look, the dungeon's energy level is spiking!"

"The fuck?" One of the guards groaned, shifting his attention. His eyes shrank before his figure flickered, appearing at a makeshift tent not far away.

"Sir, there's an emergency!"

A moment of silence passed before the figure inside stirred awake, a raspy voice following. "It better be, for you to interrupt my nap. What is it this time?" He yawned, his voice dropping to a low drawl.

"The dungeon portal's energy is rising. We suspect it's about to... evolve to E-rank."

"Wait, what?" The figure snapped, eyes narrowing. "Has the dungeon entered lockdown?"

"Yes, sir. The portal's color has already shifted to orange. Nobody from the outside can enter, and nobody from the inside can exit without slaying the dungeon boss."

"Argh! Goddamnit!" The figure cursed, straightening up. "Convey my orders! Everyone who has yet to enter must exit the periphery of the dungeon area. Create a lockdown around the area too. Once the dungeon finishes its evolution without being cleared, a dungeon break will occur, we must be ready for that!"

"Now spread the news."

"Yes, captain!" The guard voiced, before muttering, "What about those who've already entered?"

The captain paused before sighing. "Consider them as good as dead. Their fates are sealed."