Kae

Dungeon Diver CH405

“Well then, try it. Let’s see. You might as well give it a test run in here while I start the collapse and get us out.”

I look down at my sword, then back up to Ember.

“How?”

The dragon starts to pulse red, signifying the mythic grade Plunderer skill is activating, but he responds.

“You either know how to do it, or you need to continue working on raising your capacity. There’s no special technique or secret. It just takes time to build upon your base. If ...

Dungeon Diver CH404

Even with this powerful attack, in a matter of minutes, the massive tear in the shielded walls heals back to as good as new.

I try using the same attack a few more times, tearing massive cracks in the rectangular prison that open the floor and ceiling up to the black void surrounding me. Each time it soars through the darkness and makes it out, but nothing changes.

The walls continuously heal on their own, and I'm left alone in the blank white room.

Letting out a sigh, I whi...

Dungeon Diver CH403

I don’t get hungry or tired for another full day. Not doing overly strenuous activity along with my increased mana control base has made it much easier to go long stretches without these necessities. Other than a few small breaks to get up and stretch or drink water, I gather Qi and train my mana control for an additional 24 hours.

Over 15 million MP is absorbed over the 2 total days, and a good amount of Qi has entered my core, raising my capacity. It's not visibly noticeable, but I ...

Dungeon Diver CH402

Activating my enemy detection skill, I scan the entire dungeon in search of the odd readings Titans give off.

With my more recent mana control and skill upgrades, my skills nearly spread across the entire dungeon as I teleport around from all the old points I used to hunt here.

Finally, a familiar 500-meter radius blank blotch of high-density mana comes into my mind’s eye. There are only two of these blotches in the entire dungeon. Fewer than I hoped for, but one more than I nee...

Dungeon Diver CH401

After a long rest, my eyes finally open.

The white void of the isolation pod that surrounds me fills my vision, and I take in a deep breath of mana-infused air.

I’m unsure how much time exactly has passed, but I do know there can’t be more than 24 hours remaining.

Based on how my joints, muscles, and bones feel, I assume I just slept for roughly 10 to 12 hours. With the massive influx of mana, it's almost like I’ve used my hibernation skill to heal all my fatigue and i...

Dungeon Diver CH400

Slowly but surely, my vision begins to become clear again, and my legs stop trying to give way under me.

I begin to focus on my heart beating and heavy breathing slow back down to normal.

The pain in my body ceases, but most of the fatigue stays the same. Even so, I step off the teleport platform back into the white training room, and the green glow of Abby's rune on the floor dissipates as well.

I accept the incoming hug from Maria and hear her speak in a worried tone.

Dungeon Diver CH399

I pull my hand out of the darkness right through the path it entered, and tight within my grasp is the orange beating heart.

It’s hot to the touch, and the skin on my hand and arms is continuously being melted off and regenerated with my skills.

My mana stores are draining a dense supply from the creature's main power source, and my HP is being brought up to full over and over again as well.

Red Aura from my Hydra’s buff is constantly flowing down my arm to refill the ar...

Dungeon Diver CH398

“It has a heart…”

My eyes lock onto the bright orange energy source beneath its layers of black energy manifested cloak. It avoided being hit there on purpose, so I know this is exactly where I need to land my final blow.

The moment its halves comes back together, the battle is back on instantly

I release another mana blade full of fire, and in response, the monster throws its swirling black balls of energy my way.

The Wraith doesn't bother dodging, but to conser...

Dungeon Diver CH397

With nowhere to run but up. I use two massive air-steps full of wind magic to boost myself upward, nearing the upper limits of the mana-shielded dome.

The orbs follow, but I swing my flaming crimson aura-covered sword downward as there is nowhere left to run. If I can’t block this long-range attack, I might as well just forfeit now… That would be the easy way out.

If I fall below 10% health, I'll be instantly transported outside the ring and lose the match. If I allow that to ...

Dungeon Diver CH396

I start to step back, grab the handle of my sword, and activate all of my stat-boosting skills at once.

However, the other three guards blip over to me faster than I can even react.

Two place their hands on my arms, and another stands at my back, raising a dark black sword of its own, not letting me move anywhere but forward, closer to the 3.5-meter tall Royal Guard.

Its robotic, static tone vibrates through my head again.

“This is an order, from the Dark One.”

Dungeon Diver CH395

The pillars of ice summoned from Maria’s feet and sword nearly fill the entire arena’s dome. However, the unyielding orange aura and ferocious speed of the ghoul tear down her mana and Qi-imbued attacks one by one without slowing down in the slightest.

Over 10 more clashes go by, making bigger and more extreme explosions of blue ice crystals each time. Every clash they have ends with Maria sinking slightly deeper into the ghoul's aura, but activating her Red Hydra’s buff moments b...

Dungeon Diver CH394

“The 8th stage?”

Monk looks back at Maria as he leads us out.

“I’m not sure, I’ve never seen anyone face it. It's probably better that way.”

Each of us nods and doesn't reply after that note. We follow Monk, walking out of the fortress and regaining our mana sense.

Our rings of concealment and alteration activate the moment we step out from the dark tunnel.

Abby and Maria’s faces light up as they take their first breaths of both mana and Qi-infused ...

Dungeon Diver CH393

When I make it back to the dungeon hub in full stealth mode, I look at all the available dungeon entrances for a moment, and my eye catches the B Class gate.

I never really thought twice about it when I was spending most of my time around this place. My level and power were never high enough to even think of going into dungeons like this.

I use my perception and scanning skills to find that the two guards standing in front of the gate are level 556 and 509.

The higher level ...

Dungeon Diver CH392

“Well, let's say I provided all the raw material necessary to make these items, could you and your team get it done?”

She looks down at the papers again, flipping through and making notes on a paper beside them all.

“The volume is way too high for me to do alone. I have a few craftsmen under me, but none of them are high enough grade or level to handle a majority of these orders…”

Bri continues flipping through the papers, so I reply.

“What if I power-level...

Dungeon Diver CH391

I think quickly, reacting to her words and decide to go along with what she thinks this intruder may be. If she thinks I’m from the Association without me having to lead her to believe it, that’s even better.

Stepping forward, I activate my Hush Skill and let it expand just large enough to encompass both of us. The light sounds of magic items clicking together, boxes being taped, and people moving around vanish from our audible senses.

I deactivate my stealth skill, and activa...

Dungeon Diver CH390

The clean and shiny inner city is left behind as I walk into the much more dangerous and less regulated side of town.

Wearing my ring of concealment from Sector 1, the high quality black suit makes it look like I’m not from around these parts. However, as long as no one sees who I really am, I don’t care if I stick out like a sore thumb.

The faint smell of garbage and the suspicious wandering eyes from everyone I pass aren’t a sight I missed very much, but it feels nice to k...

Dungeon Diver CH389

“Sounds good to me.”

While Maria and Abby come to their senses, I square up with Monk and we both pick up our sparring session where we left off.

With Qi powering every step I take, and hot waves of energy filling every punch; Monk and I go at it and spar harder than we ever have before.

Sweat drips down the sides of my forehead, and I even see a droplet or two on Monk’s, with his breathing getting heavier too.

Loud echoing thuds and cracks vibrate through the ro...

Dungeon Diver CH388

The two orange-robed figures stand in front of the same opening in the pyramid-shaped structure.

My initial plan was to walk in myself, and notify Monk that I’d be bringing company, but before I even get close enough to the fortress, a third head emerges from the dark hallway and the kind face motions for all of us to come in.

He holds up three fingers from deep inside the tunnel, then presses one to his lips.

I nod, understanding the message; all three of us approach with...

Dungeon Diver CH387

We board the elevator, and it brings us up a dozen floors in what feels like no more than half a second.

After a light ding and the door quickly opening, all three of us walk out following Abby’s lead into an oval-shaped room with six cylindrical metal pods lining the back wall. There’s nothing else in the room but these.

Five of them have green lights above them, while the pod all the way to my left side has a blue light above it and a timer counting down. It’s currently at...

Dungeon Diver CH386

I make sure to reactivate my Rising Emperor’s domain buff and give Abby Absorption to aid her in farming MCP and more temporary skills as we travel higher up the Labyrinth.

The level 623 Ice wielding Serpent King Boss is taken out in a single blow.

[Level Up]

I gain a single level, bringing me to 609. The excited look on Abby’s face shows she gained a level too.

We’re teleported into the next dungeon, and the scenery isn't like anything I’ve ever seen before. 2024-01-19 00:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post

Dungeon Diver CH385

The floor below my feet is glossy and clear with the faintest blue tint, as if I’m standing on a frozen lake.

Maria and Abby stand on a raised ice sculpture, a creation of the blond-haired hunter’s magic. The entire dungeon around us doesn’t look much different. As I activate my fire to counter the cold, plumes of steam start coming off my body, and each step I take sinks into the ground, lightly melting the icy floor.

After a quick scan of the area, I find dozens of level 6...

Dungeon Diver CH384

“It is Qi.”

I peer up at my partner in the sky and do a full-body scan, expecting to see a monstrous wave of Qi flowing through Ember as well.

Every time I get a new power-up, he seems to know something about it or straight up already have it himself and keep it a secret from me.

However, there’s no such thing in his system. The core where Qi would be is empty. The only thing remotely close is a hint of energy with the same reading as my Red Hydra’s buff circling aro...

Dunegon Diver CH383

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[+1 PP]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[+1 PP]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[+29,046,990 MCP]

After farming the Red Ogre King Boss over three dozen consecutive times along with its two mutant subordinates that spawn with it in the boss room, I raise my level to 599. While dungeon walking back to the portal to face it...

Dungeon Diver CH382

I think about my Rising Emperor’s domain buff and look at Maria to watch the blue text stats notification pop up the moment I summon them into my consciousness.

“Let’s see what happens when I do this…”

I remove the self-regeneration skill from Maria’s status, making all of its buffs and capabilities go away with it.

I stare at her for a moment then raise the question.

“How do you feel? It’s only been a few hours since we were drinking… Is the alcohol ...

Dungeon Diver CH381

I continue to stare down at the floor, pondering what to say back to Lith's offer.

Then, I turn to Maria, and she speaks in a soft tone while still holding onto my left arm from earlier in the meeting.

"Whatever your decision is, I'll follow it."

I nod in response.

"I know. I just need some more time to think about this…."

At all this news, and life-changing decisions that have been thrown at me all of a sudden, I almost feel sick to my stomach.

I turn ba...

Dungeon Diver CH380

Lith repeats most of what Maria already told me back in the hotel suite, just in case anything was missed, recapping where Arie, Chester, Lydia, and Fisher have been. Then, he gets to the point.

“So, my offer to you, as objectively the strongest and most versatile member of your group, is to offer you the position of the new Sector 2 Leader.”

There’s a pause, but he expands on the point.

“I have a team of craftsmen that could work under you, and some of the old leade...

Dungeon Diver CH379

The men on the ground begin foaming at the mouth, while the two Royal Guards freeze in place as my wave of buff-enhanced legendary Intimidation hits them.

They don’t move a muscle as I run forward with my sword trailing black flames.

Given a few more fractions of a second, I would have turned on my Red Hydra’s Buff and sliced the two guards clean in two, but a familiar voice echoes through the white-walled room, causing me to stop my attack.

“Enough, enough. You always...

Dungeon Diver CH378

I stare at the shimmering crystal in Maria's hand, with a million questions still on my mind after the hour-long conversation we just had catching up on everything my teammates have been through while I was away.

Now, I finally have a way into the Inner walls of the city, but I'm hesitant to make the first move.

"How will we get back out? Won't a sudden transport into the city's inner walls alert the wristband system that we're not where we're supposed to be?"

Maria gets up ...

Dungeon Diver CH377

We sit in the middle of the living room of the premium suite, and Maria recounts the events of the past week in full detail.

The fact that my ranked-up buff worked on her without any resistance, and the plumes of green energy coming off of her from my lie detector skill reassure me that everything she’s saying is the truth and her mind isn't altered in any way.

She goes over the battle that took place at the observatory, and I’m impressed with their quick and powerful victory....

Dungeon Diver CH376

A woman with long flowing blond hair, fair skin, and piercing blue eyes approaches our table. The status readings I’m getting from the woman say without a shadow of a doubt, it's the same person I met in the arena.

The Advanced Ice Magic, Red Hydra’s Buff, and unforgettable blue eyes seal the deal.

However, the altered facial features, slight body type changes, and item on her hand that shows up with my Appraisal skill, but isn't present on her status labeled [Ring of Total Al...