NOVEL WEB Chapter 15: Chapter 15 – First Dungeon
The cavern's entrance loomed ahead, jagged edges glowing faintly with crimson light. The air grew colder as I approached, sharp and biting against my fur. The orb in my chest pulsed steadily, syncing with the faint hum emanating from the cave. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, but the steady warmth in my chest urged me forward.
A chime echoed softly, and a glowing text hovered in the darkness:
[Entered: Labyrinth of Echoes]
[Description: A dungeon formed by unstable mana flows. Once a natural cave, it has transformed into a living trial ground for those seeking power—or a grave for the unworthy.]
The words faded, leaving the weight of the warning lingering. I glanced at the orb's soft glow beneath my fur, its pulse steady despite the growing unease in my chest.
"A labyrinth? Like one of those from JRPGs?" I muttered, stepping into the shadows.
"Great."
Now things are getting interesting. I wonder if it's the right decision though. But what's actually a dungeon doing here out in the middle of nowhere.
The orb pulsated and suddenly a system notification appeared.
[Description: A dungeon formed from the forest's lingering mana. What was once a natural cave has become a trial ground for those seeking power—or a grave for the unworthy.]
"Oh," I muttered, my ears twitching as the text faded away.
"Well, that's not ominous at all."
Well, it looks like the orb really wants me to go here for whatever reason. I don't know what's in here but I guess it's fine considering that I wanna change. I want to reach new heights of this world, away from being at the lowest of the fucking food chain.
Before venturing further, I mentally summoned my status. The familiar screen flickered into view:
[Status]
[Name: No Name]
[Race: Red-Eyed Lop]
[Level: 3 (15/30 EXP)]
[HP: 28/28]
[Mana: 34/34]
[Active Skills:]
Bounce Lv. 4Danger Sense Lv. 2Kick Lv. 5Hypnotic Gaze Lv. 2
[Passive Skills:]
Blood Sight Lv. 1
[Title:]
None
"Level 3, huh? Guess I'm not as pathetic as I thought. Though I could really use a few more tricks,"
I muttered, dismissing the screen.
I padded cautiously forward. The air was heavy and damp, pressing against my fur like a wet blanket. The faint hum of energy in the cavern walls grew louder with each step, pulsing in time with the orb's rhythmic thrum.
The transition was immediate. The warmth of the forest gave way to damp, cold air that clung to my fur. The walls shimmered with faint crimson veins, their glow pulsing like a heartbeat. Stalactites above glistened with condensation, droplets falling in a rhythmic patter that echoed eerily in the silence.
As I moved deeper, the ground became uneven. My paws slid against slick stone, streaked with greenish moss that seemed to writhe faintly under my gaze. Small puddles reflected distorted images of the jagged ceiling above, rippling as though disturbed by unseen forces.
The faint hum I'd felt at the entrance intensified, resonating in my chest like a second heartbeat. It wasn't just sound—it was mana, coursing through the very walls of the labyrinth.
I paused, my ears twitching at the faint sound of something shifting in the darkness ahead. My [Danger Sense] hummed, a soft warning at the edge of my awareness. Activating [Blood Sight], the shadows lit up with faint traces of life force, their movements slow but deliberate.
The first glow revealed itself as I crept forward—a translucent, wobbling slime. Its body pulsed faintly, a reddish hue bleeding into its gelatinous form. Its core, a small sphere of energy, floated inside like a trapped ember.
A slime
A small, wobbling slime, its translucent body pulsing faintly with reddish light.
"Perfect," I muttered, crouching low.
The slime lunged as I approached, its movement surprisingly quick. I vaulted over it with [Bounce], twisting midair to land behind it. My hind legs lashed out in a swift [Kick], striking its core directly. The slime rippled violently before bursting apart.
Unlike the ones in the forest, this one glowed faintly with a reddish hue, its gelatinous body rippling as it moved. Its core—a tiny sphere of pulsing energy—was visible, suspended within its translucent form.
I crouched low, coiling my muscles. Stay calm. Observe. Strike.
The slime bounced toward me, and I darted to the side with [Bounce], landing behind it. My hind legs lashed out in a swift [Kick], striking its core directly. The slime wobbled violently before bursting into a puddle of faintly glowing liquid.
[You have defeated a Lesser Slime. Obtained 2 EXP.]
[EXP: 17/30]
The orb pulsed faintly in response, almost approving. But the faint whispers that had been trailing me since I entered grew louder, overlapping in dissonant harmony. They weren't voices, exactly, but their mournful tone sent a shiver down my spine.
"Great," I muttered, shaking slime off my paws.
"Creepy walls, whispering voices, and killer jelly blobs. What's next?"
The corridor opened into a larger chamber, its floor scattered with jagged stalagmites and glowing stones. The walls were lined with shifting crystals that pulsed faintly, their light casting warped shadows.
I hesitated, scanning the room. My [Blood Sight] flickered faintly—there was movement ahead, erratic and fast. My [Danger Sense] buzzed again, sharper this time.
Three figures emerged from the shadows, their forms slick and glistening. More slimes, but larger than the first. Their dark, viscous bodies pulsed with ominous crimson light, their cores flickering erratically as though unstable.
The first slime lunged with unnatural speed, forcing me to dodge. My paws skidded against the damp floor as I twisted midair with [Bounce], narrowly avoiding another attack.
Activating [Hypnotic Gaze], my eyes flared red as I locked onto the second slime. It froze in place, its pulsing body trembling under my control. Wasting no time, I struck the third slime's core with a powerful [Kick]. Its body wobbled violently before collapsing into liquid.
[You have defeated a Crimson Slime. Obtained 5 EXP.]
[EXP: 22/30]
The immobilized slime broke free, lunging at me with a distorted screech. I twisted to the side, my claws raking its core. The blow wasn't clean, and the slime shuddered but didn't dissolve. It lashed out, its gelatinous body elongating unnaturally.
I darted back, panting as the whispers in the chamber grew louder. The crystals lining the walls pulsed brighter, their glow intensifying as the fight dragged on. The slimes moved erratically, their attacks growing more desperate.
"That's enough," I muttered, lunging forward with a final [Kick]. The immobilized slime burst apart, its liquid form dissolving into the stone.
[You have defeated a Crimson Slime. Obtained 5 EXP.]
[EXP: 27/30]
The final slime twisted toward me, its core flickering wildly. I lunged before it could react, my claws striking true. It collapsed into a faintly glowing puddle, leaving the chamber eerily silent.
[You have defeated a Crimson Slime. Obtained 5 EXP.]
[Level Up! 3 → 4.]
[EXP: 2/50]
A rush of warmth spread through my chest, my muscles feeling lighter, my movements sharper. My [Kick] felt more precise, my [Bounce] more fluid. Even the whispers in the chamber seemed to fade slightly, their tone less oppressive.
Oh, I leveled up. Now that's a nice surprise.
The chamber trembled faintly as I moved toward the far wall. A new passage had opened, its jagged edges glowing with soft blue light. The air grew colder as I stepped forward, the faint hum of mana vibrating through the stone.
I paused at the threshold, glancing back at the pulsing crystals. Their light had dimmed, their once-lively glow reduced to faint embers. The dungeon felt alive, shifting with each step I took, its energy responding to my presence.
"Guess you're watching me," I muttered, stepping into the new passage.
"Let's see what else you've got."
I continued hopping on deeper into the dungeon until I finally came across a diverging path.
Now this is a cliché. The problem is, which path should I choose, they kinda look alike not gonna lie.
Without thinking through it any further I chose the right path because it's right. If it's right, then it's the right path.
The journey was quite uneventful aside from the random slime appearances. This all suddenly came to a halt when the passage opened abruptly into a vast chamber, its ceiling stretching high above me. Stalactites hung like jagged teeth, and the floor was littered with uneven rocks, some sharp enough to cut if I stepped wrong.
The walls shimmered faintly, their surfaces lined with jagged crystals that glowed softly with shifting hues of red and orange. As I stepped further in, the light intensified, casting distorted reflections across the chamber.
My ears twitched as a low crackling sound filled the air. At first, I thought it was the crystals themselves, but then I saw it.
The crystals weren't just glowing—they were moving. Their surfaces rippled like water, and as I watched, shapes began to form within them.
At first, the shapes were vague—blurry, liquid-like. But then they stepped free, breaking away from the crystals with a sound like shattering glass.
Reflections of me.
There were three of them, each identical to my current form—crimson streaks on their ears, glowing red eyes, the same confident stance. But there was something wrong. Their movements were too sharp, too fluid, as though they weren't bound by the same rules.
"Oh, great," I muttered.
"Because one of me wasn't enough."
The first reflection lunged without any warning; its movements unnervingly precise. I leapt back with [Bounce], narrowly avoiding the claws aimed at my throat. Landing on the uneven ground sent a jolt of pain through my hind legs, but I kept moving, twisting midair to avoid another strike.
It was fast—faster than me.
The second and third reflections moved to flank me, their eyes glowing brighter as they advanced. I lashed out with [Kick], aiming for the nearest one, but it ducked under the blow, its movements perfectly timed.
"Okay," I muttered,
"This is bad."
I darted backward, putting space between us. My gaze darted around the room, searching for anything I could use to my advantage. The reflections weren't just mimicking my form—they were stronger, faster, and entirely relentless.
As I circled the room, I noticed something strange. The crystals lining the walls pulsed faintly whenever the reflections moved, their light brightening in time with each attack.
My eyes narrowed.
They're connected.
I bolted toward the nearest crystal, dodging a swipe from one of the reflections as I moved. My claws scraped against the crystal's surface, and a sharp hum filled the air. I struck again with [Kick], shattering the crystal into jagged shards.
One of the reflections froze mid-attack, its body trembling before collapsing into liquid.
"So that's how it is," I muttered, dodging another strike.
The remaining two reflections were faster now, their movements more erratic as if compensating for the loss of their ally. I twisted midair to avoid a lunge, landing awkwardly on a jagged rock that cut into my paw.
[HP: 30 → 28]
Ignoring the pain, I darted toward the next crystal. My legs burned as I pushed myself forward, narrowly avoiding the glowing claws of the second reflection.
With a powerful leap, I struck the crystal, shattering it. Another reflection dissolved, leaving only one.
The final reflection hesitated, its movements flickering as I turned toward the last crystal.
"This is the end," I muttered, bounding toward it.
The reflection lunged in a desperate attempt to stop me, but I twisted midair, landing behind it. My hind legs struck the final crystal with all the strength I could muster, and it shattered in an explosion of light.
The remaining reflection let out a distorted wail before collapsing into liquid, leaving the chamber eerily silent.
I stood there, panting, as the adrenaline slowly faded. My paw throbbed where the rock had cut me, and my legs felt like they were on fire.
[You have defeated Crystal Reflections. Obtained 15 EXP.]
"Well," I muttered,
"That was a nightmare."
The chamber trembled faintly as I stepped forward, and a new passage opened in the far wall. It was narrower than the first, its walls jagged and uneven.
The air grew colder as I moved deeper, the faint hum from the first chamber replaced by a rhythmic vibration that I could feel in my chest. Shadows danced along the walls, their movements unnervingly fast, as though they were alive.
The corridor twisted sharply, leading me to another chamber.
This room was smaller but no less ominous. Floating orbs of light drifted lazily through the air, their movements slow and deliberate. Each orb glowed faintly, its light shifting between red and blue hues.
At first, they seemed harmless—peaceful, even. But the moment I stepped into the chamber, they began to move.
The first orb shot toward me, its light brightening as it hummed sharply. I dodged just in time, the orb streaking past me and slamming into the wall. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, and the other orbs shifted, their movements becoming faster and more erratic.
I darted between them, my legs burning with each leap as I tried to avoid their attacks. The orbs moved in patterns, their light flickering in a rhythm that felt deliberate.
My ears twitched as I listened to the hum that filled the room. It wasn't random—it was a melody.
They're following the rhythm.
I crouched low, watching the orbs carefully. Their movements were synchronized with the hum, rising and falling in time with the melody.
As the next orb lunged, I moved in sync with the rhythm, twisting midair to avoid its attack. My hind legs lashed out, striking its glowing core. The orb shattered with a sharp crack, its light dissolving into the air.
The remaining orbs hummed louder, their rhythm shifting as they attacked. I dodged another, using [Bounce] to vault over a cluster of orbs and land near the edge of the chamber.
Each attack followed the melody, their rhythm becoming faster and more chaotic as their numbers dwindled.
I timed my movements carefully, dodging and striking in time with the shifting rhythm. One by one, the orbs shattered, their light fading into nothingness.
As the final orb dissolved, the hum faded, leaving the chamber eerily silent.
A new staircase spiraled downward, its steps glowing faintly with a soft blue light.
The orb in my chest throbbed violently, its rhythm syncing with a deep, guttural growl that echoed from below.
I stared down the staircase, my heart pounding. Whatever waited below, it wasn't going to be as simple as the trials I'd faced so far.
"Well," I muttered, taking a deep breath.
"Let's see what you've got."
The jagged walls of the dungeon glimmered faintly with crimson light as I padded forward. The air grew colder with every step, the faint hum from the crystals growing louder.
Just as I reached the edge of the staircase descending further into the labyrinth, the ground trembled faintly. A low, distant rumble echoed through the chamber, sending a shiver down my spine.
Far below, in the labyrinth's shadowed depths, someone screamed.
------------------------------------------
(???'s POV)
"Gather your gear, Vanguard," Kelsor had said that morning, his voice calm and commanding.
"The Labyrinth of Echoes is active again. This isn't a high-level assignment, but you know the rules. No complacency."
Kelsor's team, the Vanguard, was a seasoned squad from the Guild of Verdant Blades, tasked with clearing low- to mid-tier dungeons. Their current mission: to secure the Labyrinth of Echoes after reports of an adventurer group vanishing within its depths. The guild suspected a mana surge had caused the dungeon to grow unstable, spawning more dangerous creatures.
Their job was simple:
Survey the Dungeon: Ascertain the threat level.Clear the Core Room: Ensure no unstable mana constructs remain.Recover Artifacts: If possible, retrieve items for the guild.
It should have been routine—a novice-tier dungeon was nothing for a group like theirs. But as they descended further into the labyrinth, it became clear that this mission was anything but routine.
The Vanguard's current predicament was anything but manageable.
"On your left, Nira!"
Kelsor bellowed, his voice booming as the team's scout ducked beneath the swiping claws of a shadowy beast.
"I see it!"
Nira snapped, her twin daggers flashing as she sliced upward in a fluid arc. The creature recoiled, its wraith-like form shimmering as her blades passed through it, leaving behind faint streaks of silver light.
Malric, the team's mage, stood at the center of the fray, his staff planted firmly into the ground. The runes carved into its surface glowed a brilliant blue as he chanted, his voice low and resonant:
"By the tides of Aelria, bind and break! [Glacial Chains]!"
Frost erupted from the ground, encasing two of the shadow creatures in jagged, shimmering ice. They shrieked and thrashed, their forms flickering like dying embers.
"Good one, Malric!"
Kelsor barked, bracing his shield as another creature lunged toward him. The impact sent a deafening clang through the chamber, but Kelsor held his ground, his boots digging into the stone.
"Now finish them!"
"On it!" Nira replied, vaulting over Kelsor's shoulder. Her daggers struck true, shattering the frozen creatures into black mist that dissipated into the air.
The momentary victory gave them no reprieve. The chamber's walls pulsed faintly, and the air grew heavier, pressing against their lungs. The faint hum that had been present throughout the labyrinth grew louder, resonating with a dissonant tone that made their ears ache.
"What now?"
Kelsor muttered, his shield arm trembling from exertion.
The shadows ahead coalesced, forming a towering figure that stepped into the dim light. Its body was humanoid but grotesque, made entirely of shifting darkness, with crimson veins of light pulsing along its limbs. A hollow cavity in its chest glowed faintly, like an exposed core of molten energy.
"Mana Construct," Malric said grimly.
"And a big one."
"We can handle it," Kelsor said, though his tone lacked its usual confidence.
The creature let out a guttural roar, shaking the chamber. It swung an arm, its claws cutting through the air in an arc of crimson energy. The Vanguard scattered, narrowly avoiding the blast as it struck the ground, leaving a smoking gash in the stone.
"Malric! Slow it down!"
Kelsor shouted, raising his shield to deflect another attack.
Malric's staff pulsed with energy as he raised it high, his voice rising with urgency:
"By the frozen crown of Vexria, still the unyielding tide! [Frostwave Surge]!"
A wave of icy energy erupted from his staff, engulfing the creature's lower body. Its movements slowed, frost creeping up its legs, but it didn't stop.
"It's too big for that to hold it for long!" Malric warned.
"Then I'll cut it down to size!"
Nira darted in, her movements a blur as she closed the distance. Her daggers flashed, striking the creature's exposed core. Sparks flew as the blades connected, leaving jagged cracks in the glowing cavity.
The construct roared, lashing out with surprising speed. Its claws grazed Nira's arm, sending her spinning through the air before she crashed into the wall.
"Nira!" Kelsor bellowed, rushing to intercept the creature before it could advance further. His shield glowed faintly as he activated his defensive skill, [Fortress Barrier], blocking a powerful strike that sent him sliding backward.
"I'm fine!"
Nira coughed, struggling to her feet. Blood dripped down her arm, but she gritted her teeth, gripping her daggers tightly.
The construct's movements grew more erratic, its roars echoing painfully through the chamber. Malric continued chanting, his magic keeping the creature's legs encased in frost, but his strength was waning.
"We need to finish this—now!"
Kelsor shouted, charging forward with a battle cry. His shield glowed brighter as he slammed into the construct's leg, staggering it.
Nira seized the opening, leaping onto the construct's back. Her daggers struck again and again, widening the cracks in its core.
"Malric! One more spell!" she shouted, her voice strained.
Malric raised his staff, his face pale with exhaustion. His chant wavered as he summoned the last of his mana:
"By the searing light of Solis, strike true! [Blazing Spear]!"
A lance of pure light shot from his staff, piercing the construct's core. The creature let out a deafening wail as the light exploded within it, shattering its form into shards of darkness that dissolved into the air.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Kelsor lowered his shield, his chest heaving as he stared at the remains of the construct.
"That… was no novice dungeon," he muttered.
"No kidding," Nira said, wiping blood from her arm as she staggered toward him.
Malric slumped against the wall, his staff clattering to the ground.
"We need to report this to the guild. Something's changed here. This place… it's not normal."
Kelsor nodded, his gaze hardening.
"We'll regroup at the safe zone. Then we'll—"
His voice trailed off as a faint hum filled the air again. The walls pulsed with light, and the ground beneath their feet trembled.
"Are you kidding me?" Nira groaned, raising her daggers.
But this time, the hum wasn't coming from the dungeon itself.
It was coming from deeper within.