---
The Mistglass Catacombs—an ancient burial site lost beneath time and overgrown forests—had long since become a controlled training ground for first-year students. The outer layers were "safe," cleaned of high-level beasts and seeded with lesser-ranked monsters, while the deeper levels were sealed off behind runes. Or so they claimed.
Rael stood before the dark, vine-entwined archway at the dungeon entrance, the mist rolling out like a breathing beast. A coldness clung to the air, not just physical—but spiritual. Like the place remembered death.
Students chattered behind him, each in their respective squads. This was the Academy's First-Year Initiation Trial, and the reward for the best-performing team? A rare gear selection and top-tier guild recommendation.
He didn't care about the reward. He cared about the experience—literal and figurative.
> "F-Rank monsters or not," Rael muttered, "they're still food for growth."
---
System Prompt – Mistglass Catacombs – Outer Tier Unlocked
Dungeon Type: Spiritual-Echo Variant
Monster Class: F-Rank to E-Rank
Visibility: Low
Mana Distortion: Moderate
Danger Level: Low to Medium
Exploration Objective: Defeat the Dungeon Core Golem
Bonus Objective: Discover 3 or more Lore Nodes
---
Rael's squad, designated Team Theta, assembled near the entrance. He recognized none of them—perfect.
Tessa Marlowe – Healer Class, kind but observant.
Garric Flint – Brawler Class, cocky, eager for brawls.
Elric Dane – Rogue Class, sharp-eyed, silent type. The suspicious one.
"Let's make something clear," Garric said, cracking his knuckles. "I'm the point man. You? You're the quiet type, right, Rael? Don't get in my way."
Rael just nodded. He preferred it that way.
Tessa smiled softly. "Let's all come back alive, okay?"
The four entered.
---
Inside the Dungeon
Mist hung thick in the air, scattering their torchlight. Cracked stones and mossy statues of long-forgotten warriors lined the tunnel walls.
> Step… step… silence…
> Growl...
Rael's ears twitched.
"Left," he whispered.
A shadow lunged from the gloom—a Murkfang Wolf, saliva-slick jaws wide.
Before Garric could even react, Rael blurred forward.
> Integration: Fang Ghosthound
> Skill Activated: Howl Slash (★☆☆☆☆)
A spectral blade of force carved the wolf down the middle.
+40 EXP
Partial Essence Devoured.
Tessa gasped. Elric narrowed his eyes.
"…You're not just a Summoner."
Rael tilted his head. "You say that like it's a problem."
They moved deeper.
---
As they progressed, Rael let Garric take the lead occasionally, allowing him to tire himself out while he silently racked up kills with swift ambushes—each one carefully chosen to harvest experience and energy.
By the time they reached the dungeon's second ring, Rael's stats had risen again.
---
> [Status Panel – Rael Verenth]
Class: Spirit Contractor (Cloaked as Novice Summoner)
Talent: Devour
Level: 5
HP: 138
MP: 270
STR: 17
AGI: 22
INT: 30
TM: 477
Summons:
Fang Ghosthound
Lynx Wraithclaw
New Summon (Integrated): Duskraven Scout
Skill: Piercing Cry (★★☆☆☆)
Passive: +2 INT, Night Vision
---
They discovered their first Lore Node shortly after—a crumbling wall etching written in an ancient tongue. Only Rael could read it.
> "The Spirit Crown was shattered. But a fragment still breathes beneath the world. One day, the Sovereign shall reclaim it…"
His breath caught. The Sovereign? He hadn't seen that word since—
> System Ping: Unknown Keyword Match – "Sovereign"
Data correlation – 1.03% with Host Class Signature
Warning: You are being observed. Caution advised.
He turned—but saw nothing.
Yet… something shifted in the air.
---
Later – The Core Room
The Trial's final objective awaited: a towering Golem made of white stone, eyes glowing with mana.
> [Dungeon Core Golem – F+ Boss]
Level: 10
HP: 850
TM: 1,200
Type: Earthbound – Mana Reinforced
It roared, the chamber shaking as it swung a stone hammer down.
Tessa screamed. Garric charged. Elric melted into the shadows.
Rael?
He stood still—watching.
When Garric got slammed and thrown aside, and Elric's dagger bounced off its skin, Rael acted.
---
> Integration: Lynx Wraithclaw
Skill Activated: Shadow Pounce (★★☆☆☆)
He vanished into the mist and reappeared above the golem's head.
> New Skill – Soul Rend (★★★☆☆) activated through Devour
Rael struck. Mana rippled across the golem's body. A spiritual tear cracked through its core.
The golem roared and collapsed.
---
> Dungeon Cleared!
+450 EXP
Dungeon Loot: Spirit Crystal Shard (x1), E-Rank Spellcore
Bonus Objective: Lore Node Found – Partial Achievement
Level Up: Level 5 → Level 7
New Stat Points Gained
---
They emerged victorious.
Everyone was praising Garric for being the "distraction."
Tessa shyly thanked Rael for his help.
But Elric... Elric said nothing.
He simply stared, eyes narrowed, and walked away.
---
Elsewhere — Academy Archives, Nightfall
Instructor Kael Doran reviewed the Trial records.
"Team Theta… unexpected results. Golem defeated under 3 minutes?"
His brows furrowed. He watched the surveillance glyph again—Rael blurred through the mist, striking with precision far above his rank.
"That's not a F-Rank."
A knock came on the door.
A hooded figure entered.
"Have you found him?" they asked.
Kael's eyes didn't leave the orb. "I think… he's already found us."
---