Chapter 37: The Dungeon

Tokyo—

The city that suffered the worst damage in Japan lay exposed in a scene of utter devastation.

Among it, I stood on a spot where the ashen-black earth jutted up like a mountain.

When I said I was heading to Tokyo, Sakaki had suggested I ask the Self-Defense Force if they could help out. I politely declined.

I told him straight: "You’d just be a burden." He finally understood when I said the last thing we needed was more casualties.

Right before me, just as Sakaki had said, a massive hole yawned open. A pitch-black abyss, as if welcoming anyone who dared step inside. I probed it with Spatial Perception—sure enough, the tunnel stretched deep underground, twisting and turning like a complex maze.

"Guess 'dungeon' is actually a pretty accurate term... huh..."

I pulled a single职业 board from thin air. The Explorer one. Makes sense—there's a dungeon, so there's a职业 board for it.

I touched the surface of the board to check my职业 skill.

Explorer Lv1

[职业 Skill]

Magic Rank SSS Title: "King of Magic"

Healing Arts Rank SS

Compound Magic Rank B

Mapping Rank F

Hmm... the Explorer's skill is "Mapping"... yeah, that’d definitely come in handy for clearing a dungeon. Spatial Perception gives you a rough idea of space and creature placement, but it can’t handle the fine details.

I stepped forward toward the giant hole. The pitch-black darkness swallowed me whole.

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'What’s this... unease...? Someone’s intruded on my domain...?'

The shadow wavering in the darkness barely registers interest—then instantly reconsiders. No matter how many insects crawl inside, none will ever reach this far… That conclusion didn’t waver.

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Dungeon Level 5—

“Huh… finally made it to level 5… Didn’t expect *this* many undead… Way more than I thought… Way more than I thought…”

I sighed, glancing at the 3D map floating above my right hand. I’d heard they were overflowing, but every one I killed just kept spawning from the walls—nonstop.

So this is where the undead are pouring out from… and attacking the surface world… Yeah, definitely a boss down here.

Still, this 3D map is damn useful. I can see every twist and turn, every enemy’s position—like holding it in my hand. I’m already mapped up to level 8. And—

“Explorers hit max level… That’ll net me a serious chunk of XP…”

I checked my职业 skill.

Explorer Lv99

[职业 Skill]

Mapping Rank F → C

Earned “Skill” Identification (I) × 2, Heat/Cold Resistance (I) × 1

Mapping had climbed to “C.” That’s more than enough to clear this dungeon.

“Now, next职业…”

I already had my next one picked out. I pulled out the职业 board and tapped it. The one I’ve always wanted!

Sage Lv1

HP 1416/1416

MP ∞/∞

Strength 554

Defense 378

Magic Defense 780

Agility 420

Dexterity 711

Intelligence 1568

Luck 563

[职业 Skill]

Magic Rank SSS Title: “King of Magic”

Healing Arts Rank SS

Compound Magic Rank B

Mapping Rank C

Arcane Texts Rank F

S-Rank Sage! I’d been putting off upgrading since growth’s so slow… but with this dungeon offering tons of EXP and a boss to boot, figured now’s the best time to level up.

Sage’s职业 skill… “Arcane Texts,” huh? …Not sure what that means. Eh,’ll figure it out as the rank goes up.

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I’ve been here since long ago… My memories feel like they’re fading, slowly… but it doesn’t matter. I just keep channeling magic into the earth, creating hordes of undead over and over.

That’s all I know. My purpose. No questions. No doubts.

Same routine again today—just endless work in the dark… but suddenly—thousands of flames slice through the blackness, igniting walls, the ground… stealing the darkness away.

“What… the hell—!?”

Looking up, a man stood near the upper floor entrance.

“Nah, just made it brighter, y’know?”