Southern District of Eldrath Capital
The southern district buzzed with life. Crowds filled the streets, and the scent of the sea carried through the air.
Restaurants and food stalls lined the roads, each one serving some kind of ocean delicacy.
The horns of ships echoed from the harbor, where sailors loaded and unloaded cargo.
Eldrath's southern docks were famous not only for their view of the endless blue horizon, but also for their fresh seafood and lively atmosphere.
Evo walked down the street, practically drooling at the heavenly smells drifting around him.
After wandering for a bit, he spotted a small stall run by an old man grilling squid skewers.
The aroma alone was enough to break his will.
— Hey, old man! How much for one of those squid skewers?
— Hahaha! A young lad from the academy, eh? Two bronze coins per skewer.
— That cheap, huh? Great! Give me six. Wrap five for the road and leave one out.
— You got it, boy! — the old man said, chuckling as he turned the skewers on the grill.
While he waited, Evo glanced around in amazement at how different this district felt compared to the academy's center.
The streets there were always crowded too, but everyone wore serious faces — people hurried by, hardly speaking to each other.
Here, though, everyone smiled. Strangers greeted each other. Bars and restaurants overflowed with laughter, music, and chatter.
It felt like another world entirely.
— Here you go, lad! — the old man called, handing over the food.
— Thanks, old man. Here, take this as a tip. The smell alone is worth it.
The old man's eyes widened as Evo dropped a gold coin on the counter and walked away, happily chewing on the freshly grilled squid.
— Mmm! This is amazing! I really missed seafood… thank the gods this world has it too.
Otherwise, I'd have to wait until I was strong enough to go back to Earth.
If I ever do make it back… I want to bring my family here. — he thought, glancing down at the paper-wrapped skewers.
He slipped the remaining five into his spatial ring.
— I'll bring some to those two beauties later. It's the least I can do after how much they helped me.
After some walking, he reached a quieter area that connected to a small island offshore.
From a distance, he could already see imperial banners fluttering beside a tent — the guards' post at the dungeon entrance.
As he approached, one of the guards stiffened, eyeing him cautiously until spotting the academy insignia embroidered on his uniform.
The man's stance relaxed immediately.
— Greetings, imperial guard. I'm from the academy. I'm here for the mission. — Evo pulled a certificate and his ID card from his ring and handed them over.
The guard inspected them for a moment, then nodded.
— Everything's in order. You may enter, but be careful.
— Thanks. Though, I expected this place to be crawling with adventurers. Where's everyone?
The man smiled.
— Ah, before minor dungeons open to adventurers, we reserve them for academy students.
It's part of an agreement — easier ones like these are used for training.
If no one clears them within six months, then they're released for adventurer access.
This one's still new, so you've got it all to yourself.
— Got it. Appreciate it. — Evo thanked him and headed inside.
The gate stood tall, made of some unknown material that radiated a foul, corrupt energy.
The sensation crawled over his skin. He drew his sword and called out softly:
— Wake up, glutton. Eat a little before we go in.
He extended his finger. The small creature, Kalythra, sank her fangs into it and began to feed, drinking like through a straw.
After a minute, she released him.
— Full? Good. Let's go. — He pushed the heavy door open, its hinges groaning.
A wave of rot and decay hit his nose.
— Ugh! That smell… these spirits are rotten to the core.
He stepped into the dungeon.
The corridor sloped downward, damp and narrow, its walls slick with moss.
— A bit chilly in here… — he muttered, descending further.
Eventually, a faint light shimmered ahead.
The tunnel opened into a wide chamber filled with jagged rocks and a high ceiling.
Evo narrowed his eyes.
— Corrupted spirits. And a lot of them.
Floating before him were several orbs of pale light, their faces twisted — hollow black eyes and toothy, deranged grins.
They drifted and hissed, releasing a gray smoke that made the air feel heavy.
He raised his sword, but one of the spirits screeched and charged at him.
Attack Prediction flared to life — streams of blue light traced across his body as his senses sharpened.
They came from every direction, gnashing their spectral jaws.
He swung at the nearest one — the blade passed right through.
The spirit slammed into his arm, spreading a burning, inky corruption.
— What the—!? Physical attacks don't work?
Could it be… because they're spirits?
He activated the Eyes of Pride.
[ Target Analysis ]
Name: Corrupted Spirit
Species: Spirit
Level: 22
Weaknesses: Physical Attacks → Null | Sacred Energy → Fatal | Mana Attacks → Effective
— Knew it. Light or Holy element, huh? Too bad I don't have either.
Still… mana attacks should do.
He funneled mana into his sword. The blade gleamed with silver and gold, radiant particles swirling along its edge.
Evo took a stance and lunged.
The first spirit that rushed at him was impaled — and dissolved instantly into ash.
— Just like that elemental stone before… — he murmured, puzzled.
Another came roaring toward his head. His instincts screamed — he ducked just in time.
The spirit zipped over him, and he slashed upward, slicing through it.
It bulged grotesquely, decaying in seconds before bursting into light.
— What the hell is going on with these things…?
Whatever. As long as they die, who cares.
He kept cutting through them, one after another.
Each death triggered bizarre reactions — some turned to dust, others twisted before bursting.
He didn't realize it yet, but those anomalies would later become the foundation of his evolution.
For now, all that mattered was clearing the dungeon.
He gritted his teeth, ignoring the barrage of XP notifications flashing before his eyes.
An hour later, he sat on the cold ground, chest rising and falling heavily.
The air reeked of miasma, fading light drifting like snow.
[ Level: 35 → 40 ]
— Not bad. They were around level 22, so the XP's solid.
A few more missions like this and I'll evolve my Existence to Apprentice.
Let's hope there's something worthwhile behind that door.
He stood, glancing around.
— Good thing this dungeon isn't multilayered. Would've taken forever otherwise.
Kalythra was still nibbling at the leftover mana in the air.
— You gluttonous little thing… hahaha. Eating up every last drop.
She slithered up his leg, curled around his wrist, and fell asleep.
Evo stroked her smooth scales gently.
— At least you helped slow a few of them down.
You've got the same element as me — Time — and you can already slow targets?
Damn it, I'm jealous.
He moved toward the final chamber and opened the door.
At its center floated a glowing white sphere of energy atop a stone pedestal.
— That must be… the dungeon core. I'll need it as proof of conquest.
The room was empty except for another small stand near the back.
He walked around the core and spotted something resting on it — a small black book with white markings.
He narrowed his eyes and activated the Eyes of Pride again.
[ Object Analysis ]
Item: Skill Book
Type: Unknown
Element: None
Rarity: Unique
— Seriously? Not even close to what I wanted. — he groaned.
He'd been hoping for something related to his Time element, but such abilities were nearly mythical.
— Whatever. I've come this far. Let's see what this does.
He infused the book with mana.
It dissolved into particles of light and seeped into his mind.
[ Alert! ]
[ Skill transferring... ]
[ Success! Skill acquired: "The Word." ]
— Hm? "The Word"?
What kind of useless spell is that?