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I'm happy to announce that my story has received a contract. At the moment, I don't plan on accepting it right away; I'd like to publish a few more chapters and finalize some of the future plot. On the bad news, I'll be publishing chapters every other day over the next two weeks. This will allow me to save at least twenty chapters, so when the book upgrades to the premium version, even on days when I can't write, I'll still have something to publish.
(This section doesn't count towards the chapter's word count.)
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I moved calmly through the dungeon, following the map they had handed out at the entrance. It was a battered, hand-drawn copy that roughly pointed out the most common areas to find the requested mineral: Raw Verenite. A pretentious name for a mineral barely tougher than iron, in other words, nothing too rare.
Dozens of people had already stormed the nearest zone. Sounds of fighting, shouting, and cursing. It looked like a massacre. Some threw themselves at Grade 1 monsters without any strategy. Others stole minerals from the exhausted, taking advantage of the chaos. A pitiful sight.
"I wonder if we're even savable…" I muttered, turning back.
That annoying task of making everyone happy and cheerful wasn't for me; that's what the Hero would've been good for.
There was no point in joining the crowd. Too much chaos, with the risk of drawing attention too soon.
So I moved to a more secluded area, following an alternate path, reaching a side tunnel. The ceiling was lower, and the muddy ground slowed my steps, but the absence of other participants made it perfect.
After about ten minutes of walking, I ran into my first obstacle: a Cave Trogomorph, a goblin-like creature about my height, with skin covered in stone and a pair of eyes with no pupils.
It didn't waste time. As soon as it heard me, it let out a hoarse cry and lunged at me.
I activated Quick Step and dodged its charge with a sideways dash.
"One strike should be enough."
With a swift motion, my nails extended: Razor Claws. I jumped forward, aimed at the monster's neck, and slashed down with the claws on my fingers.
The hit tore it open. The Trogomorph collapsed to the ground with a gasp.
I stood back up and checked the body. These kinds of monsters fed on stones, and when I checked its stomach, I saw remains of the mineral I was looking for—but they were too damaged to be useful.
I looked up and, a few steps ahead, noticed a small crack in the wall. The bluish streak filtering through it left no doubt.
I approached and started digging patiently. The stone was tough, but with the help of Razor Claws, I could break through the weak spots. In less than five minutes, I held a piece of Raw Verenite, still crusted with dirt.
"One."
I needed three to complete the test.
I kept walking, going even deeper. A couple more Trogomorphs intercepted me, but I took them down easily.
One thing I had started to notice was that my strength was higher than it should be. If I compared it to my past life, when I had the same stats as now, I was stronger. The only guess I had was that my not-quite-human race had something to do with it.
It didn't surprise me much, though. Now I had a core like the dragonkin, and their bodies were superior to other races, even at the same Grade, except for giants, but they were a special case.
When I got the second stone, I started to feel the ground vibrating.
I stopped and stood still.
Then came the sound.
thump… thump… thump…
"Shit."
From the end of the hallway, a creature emerged, not a Grade 1 anymore. This was an Armored Gorlatid, a Grade 2 monster. A huge, four-legged beast with a back covered in bony plates and two tusks curving upward.
The rune, Golden Rule, gave off a slight warmth.
"What a pain…" I whispered, cursing under my breath.
As always, at the worst possible moment.
I had no chance of facing it head-on. I had to act smart.
I dove to the side, seeking cover behind the rocks, while activating Shadow Veil. My body was wrapped in a faint darkness that blurred my outline. The monster slowed down, confused, sniffing the air.
Then a sudden charge.
The Gorlatid rammed blindly, smashing a wall and causing a small collapse.
The falling debris forced me to dodge, deactivating the ability's effect.
The monster charged again. This time, I activated the rune magic Water Wall.
The monster crashed into it, and the water's pressure deflected the charge. Quickly, I activated the rune magic Water Ball, casting the spell at the monster's snout. It veered even more off-course and slammed into the wall.
The debris started falling on the beast, and I took the chance to escape. Knowing how tough that monster was, I doubted it suffered serious damage, but at the very least, it wouldn't follow me.
I slumped against the wall, catching my breath.
"And I'm still alive."
The Golden Rule rune had already deactivated; it seemed that today, bad luck was being a bit kinder than usual.
The third stone was harder to find, but eventually, after twenty minutes of searching and two more fights, I got it.
Three raw Verenites.
I returned to the starting area.
Many had already come back. Some injured, others empty-handed. There were downcast faces, others angry. Someone was already crying.
Max was there, unmoving, with arms crossed.
When I approached, I threw the three stones on the makeshift table.
He said nothing. He examined them, then gave a nod.
"Passed."
I was given a card with a number, then I stepped aside and began watching the others.
The initial number of people had been reduced significantly. Out of the thousand, only about half remained, and just before the time limit, the hundredth person who passed the test arrived.
Max raised his hand calmly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Time's up. The rest... are out."
A scream came from someone in the back. A young man rushed forward, showing two stones.
"I only have two, but I fought! You can't exclude me like this! Please, give me another chance!"
From his state, I could tell he was one of those who had bet everything on joining the Explorers.
Max looked at him with the same impassive expression, then stepped forward.
"This isn't about fairness or unfairness. These are the rules."
The boy shouted something, but before he could get closer, a blade thrown by Max lodged into his throat.
He tried to speak, but only bloody gurgles came out, and soon he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
"Anyone else have something to add?"
At his question, everyone looked down, even those who knew they'd end up deeply in debt.
As they say, life is the last dignity a person has left.
Slowly, the failed participants were escorted out, leaving just us hundred.
"You've passed the first selection, but don't get your hopes up. The next test will determine whether you're worthy of joining the Explorers… or just dead weight."
He signaled, and another member of the Explorers, a tall woman with long black hair tied in a braid, stepped forward.
"Follow me. You'll have one hour to rest and prepare for the duel."
The crowd moved, now more orderly. They led us toward a series of rooms carved into the dungeon itself, an old outpost repurposed for the occasion.
I found myself in one of the stone cells, with a cot, a bowl of water, and a torch dimly lighting the space.
I closed my eyes, thinking. I knew I wouldn't have trouble winning; the problem was making it look like I was just a normal person.
I could limit the strength of my blows and my speed, but not the hardness of my body.
Whatever, I'll make something up.
I spent that hour in silence, keeping my body in a state of active rest. Now and then, shouts came from the other rooms—a mix of nerves and anger.
When the hour ended, a guard knocked on the door and motioned for me to follow.
The hallway was narrow, lit only by torches and glowing crystals. We walked in silence until we reached a large circular chamber, carved from a natural cave in the dungeon. Around the walls were stone seats, already filled with dozens of candidates and Explorers.
In the center, the arena. Flat, sandy, slightly sloped. In the middle, a white circle.
"If you leave the circle or lose consciousness, you lose the duel. If you kill… you still win."
Max stood on a raised platform. His voice echoed clearly through the cavern.
"Let's begin."
Two numbers were called.
Two young men stepped forward. One was armed with a spear, the other with two daggers. The duel was quick: a few strikes, a lucky dodge, a twist, and the guy with the daggers slit the throat of the one with the spear.
I sighed watching it. What's the point of having a long-range weapon if you didn't use it properly?
He held it too far forward, limiting its reach, and because of the spear's size, he greatly reduced his mobility, giving an advantage to the guy with the daggers.
"Winner: candidate 23."
Two more were called. Then two more again.
The duels followed a steady rhythm. Some brutal, others technical. Some collapsed after one hit, others fought like madmen not to fall.
From my point of view, the whole thing was a pitiful show, but there wasn't much I could do. Joining the Explorers was vital.
Finally, after a long wait, it was my turn.