The First Dungeon

The towering walls of Eldoria slowly disappeared behind Adrian.

For the first time in twenty years...

He had nowhere to return.

No palace.

No servants.

No royal guards.

Only the endless wilderness stretched before him.

The morning sun rose over the distant mountains, but its warmth did little to comfort him.

His stomach growled.

The small loaf of bread the little girl had given him was already gone.

"So this is what being homeless feels like..."

He gave a bitter laugh.

"I never even imagined people lived like this."

Perhaps that was why his father often disguised himself and walked among the people.

To understand them.

To become a better king.

"I understand now, Father..."

---

Hours passed.

The road became rough and deserted.

The deeper Adrian ventured into the forest, the stranger the atmosphere became.

Not a single bird sang.

Not a single animal appeared.

Only silence.

Then—

DING!

A blue screen materialized before him.

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Congratulations, Host!

You have reached a Beginner Training Zone.

First Dungeon Available.

Dungeon Name: Goblin Cave

Difficulty: F

Recommended Level: 3

Current Level: 2

Warning: Survival Chance - 62%

Reward: Beginner Treasure Chest, 1,000 EXP, Unknown Item

Would you like to enter?

YES / NO

---

Adrian stared at the glowing screen.

"A dungeon..."

"So they're real."

He had read stories about ancient ruins filled with monsters and treasures.

But those were supposed to be myths.

Yet the system displayed one as casually as if it were a morning chore.

"If I refuse?"

The system answered immediately.

[Host may refuse.]

However...

Without becoming stronger, Host has a 98.7% probability of dying within one month.

Adrian sighed.

"Well..."

"I guess I don't have much of a choice."

He reached out.

YES

---

The world distorted.

The trees disappeared.

The air grew cold.

A blinding light swallowed everything.

When Adrian opened his eyes...

He stood inside a massive underground cave.

Glowing blue crystals illuminated the walls.

Water dripped from the ceiling.

A foul smell lingered in the air.

Then came the sound.

"Graaaah!"

A small green creature jumped out from behind a rock.

Pointed ears.

Yellow eyes.

Rusty dagger.

A goblin.

Then another.

And another.

Five goblins surrounded him.

Adrian tightened his grip on his sword.

"So..."

"This is my first real battle."

---

[Quest Updated]

Clear the Goblin Cave.

Monsters Remaining: 25

Boss: Goblin Chief

Time Limit: None

---

The first goblin charged.

Adrian instinctively raised his sword.

Clang!

The impact nearly knocked the weapon from his hands.

"They're stronger than I expected!"

Another goblin attacked from behind.

[Enhanced Reflexes Activated.]

His body twisted on instinct.

The dagger missed his shoulder by inches.

Adrian slashed.

The goblin collapsed.

---

Goblin Defeated.

+50 EXP

---

"So every kill gives experience..."

Another goblin lunged.

This time Adrian stepped forward instead of back.

His sword cut cleanly across its chest.

The creature let out a shrill scream before dissolving into black particles.

---

+50 EXP

+1 Copper Coin

---

"Coins too?"

The system truly worked like a game.

But unlike a game...

One mistake meant death.

---

Minutes turned into hours.

The deeper Adrian explored the cave, the more goblins appeared.

He was scratched.

Bruised.

Covered in dirt.

His breathing became heavier.

But his movements became smoother.

More confident.

More precise.

---

LEVEL UP!

Current Level: 3

Strength +2

Agility +2

Vitality +2

Mana +1

Skill Points Earned: 5

---

A warm energy surged through Adrian's body.

His fatigue lessened.

His muscles felt lighter.

"So this is what leveling up feels like..."

He smiled.

"For the first time since losing everything..."

"I'm actually becoming stronger."

---

By sunset...

Only one enemy remained.

The Goblin Chief.

The cave trembled.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the tunnels.

A giant goblin emerged from the darkness.

Nearly three meters tall.

Its skin was dark green.

One eye was missing.

A massive iron club rested on its shoulder.

It roared loud enough to shake the crystals on the cave walls.

---

[Boss Encounter]

Goblin Chief

Level: 8

Threat Level: High

Warning: Survival Probability - 31%

---

Adrian swallowed hard.

"...Level eight?"

He was only level three.

The Goblin Chief grinned, exposing rows of jagged teeth.

Then—

It charged.

The ground shook beneath its feet.

Adrian's eyes widened.

The battle for his life...

Had just begun.

---

Next Chapter: The Goblin King's Trial

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