The next day-evening-Shopkeeper bedroom.
Naruto awoke after several hours. Opening his eyes, he felt disoriented and started to look everywhere.
The realization hit him. Moving the blanket, he looked at his arm.
Looking at his whole arm intact, Naruto let out a sigh of relief. That pain was horrendous.
Getting up off the bed, he took off his jacket and went out of the bedroom. He needed to thank the Dwarf.
As he left the house, he noticed that there was no light outside and only the faint illumination from the 3 moons in the sky could be seen.
"Every time I see this it's awesome. How ironic that a place where I need to fight for my life could be so beautiful"
The light passed through the trees while Naruto admired it. This scene made him forget the previous fight.
Naruto continued watching the sky until he heard footsteps behind him. Turning, he saw that the Dwarf had a cup on his hand as he walked towards him.
"Even me who has been here for eons is still amazed by it. Destroying is easy but creating tens of places like this is something I can't do."
"Hey, thanks for helping me. I entered thinking it would be easy, but..." Shaking his head, Naruto didn't continue.
"Don't worry about that. I thought the same, what happened to end up in that state?" The Dwarf looked at him with curiosity.
"Huf, fine, let's take a seat and I will tell you."
Both walked to the fountain and took a seat. They waited until Naruto began to talk.
"I entered the district confident, thinking that it would be easy. And in fact, it was." He let out a hollow laugh "I found the part of the [Wooden key] and continued to the inner circle. I noticed that the rats in the fourth district were different. They were faster and used their claws as weapons."
"They were hard on the newbies who lived in peaceful worlds. But you managed it, didn't you?"
"Yep, I used some weeks to get accustomed to their attacks, thinking the boss will be similar to them. When I thought that I was ready, I made the challenge. The fight was easy. At first, I didn't know why the arena was too small compared to the previous one. I just needed to kill 4 rats and..."Naruto gritted his teeth."Fer- I needed to kill Fer. The fight was short, I killed the other rats in just a few seconds, I was much faster than them.
As I killed them, the same thing happened as with Daiv---Fer entered into the second phase. He was fast, but I was faster than him. I beat him up and he couldn't defend against me. The gap between us was too big but something felt wrong.
I told you that the last time I was fighting with Daiv, in the last 50HP he started to change but I killed him before it, right?"
The Dwarf nodded. "Don't tell me that you let him complete his transformation."
Naruto turned with shame. "Ah-haha, I was too confident and wanted to know what happened... I thought that he was only at 8HP, and nothing could go wrong. The transformation only took seconds, but he felt like something different, as he wasn't just a rat, but something more. His aura changed and even the way his body moved did, he just stood there, which I thought was meaningless, but the timer the system put up wasn't just a decoration."
Naruto clenched his fists."He started to slowly move towards me, and I just retreated; the pressure he gave was something I only felt a few times before. I stepped back until my back touched the wall, then, he disappeared. He began to attack me, it was much faster and stronger than before."
Naruto had anger in his eyes as he continued."He destroyed my boots in a few hits, and I couldn't do anything to stop him. My legs were covered in injuries and only the pain kept me awake. With only 3 seconds remaining, he landed his last attack on me.
It was much faster and I couldn't even react to that. I protected one of my arms thinking that he will attack it, how wrong could I be. As he was waiting for that, he attacked my other arm and almost cut it off. But I noticed it, he didn't attack at his max capability. At the last moment, he stopped, or I would have lost my arm. The timer ended and his body disappeared into dust."
Hugging his knees, Naruto continued. "He died, but only for the timer. I didn't win, I just survived against him, it was just a game for him. Even the system told me that I just survived, not won. I didn't regret it, that happened because I was too confident."
He almost died but he didn't feel fear, heh, how curious. And to think that she let them fight.
The Dwarf replied to him. "Of course it would be hard, that's something you weren't supposed to fight. The system is right, you survived and that's fine. As long as you have that in mind and the fear doesn't consume you, that's enough." The Dwarf patted him on the back."It's fine, kid. It was more dangerous, but the rewards were more generous, weren't they?"
Naruto rubbed his head with shame "Hahaha, well, that's true. I got two feats and an achievement doing that and obtained a lot of stats."
"Then just continue with the hard work, you're doing it well." Getting up from his seat, he ruffled Naruto's hair. "Just go to sleep, tomorrow you can continue."
"Mm, good night." Naruto did the same and went to the bedroom. He didn't know where the Dwarf slept, but he didn't ask for that.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Naruto saw his inner Fountain. As he could see, the mist covered almost half of the space.
Opening his status window, he compared.
[Vitality: 68% (yellow)]
[Strength: 53%]
[Dexterity: 67.5%]
[Agility: 73%]
[Spiritual energy: 17.4]
[Mind: 87% (Yellow)]
[Adaptability: 94% (yellow)]
[HP: 1020/1020]
[Stamina: 22.7]
[Red Chakra: 23.7(yellow)]
[Chakra: 592(yellow)---[10000(?)]]
"So, there's a different at 25? But how can I tell the difference? My [Mind] is almost green, and [Vitality] has a long way to go to 100%. Ugh, I guess I'll find out when the time comes. I need to take some time to practice, since Agility is now my highest stat."
Confused but with a clear objective, Naruto started meditating.
Two hours later he stopped and went to sleep.
The next day.
Naruto was already in the field practicing his control, he needed to increase [Dexterity] to be on par with or even higher than [Agility]. He didn't know, but his control was near a Genin level, it was inexpert and inefficient, but he could use it because of the monstrous amount of chakra he used, otherwise he couldn't use his fight style.
Now he wanted to use it to cover more parts of his body, his current control is just enough to use it without hurting his limbs, but he didn't know how to fortify his body in the right way, it was just an instinctive use of it.
He tried to control the fox chakra since he felt that it was stronger than the normal one but the emotions he felt when he tried it, make him desist his efforts.
The red chakra was hard to use because he couldn't use it like the normal one to enhance him, at least for now, he only knew how to use it to heal injuries. Ego always talked about the
So, he only meditated and tried to regulate his emotions. Since he was here, many times he had moments when he wanted just to give up but it's getting better since he could take his time to meditate as he did before.
At school Iruka always talked to them saying to not seek revenge, he didn't pay much attention to that, until he discovered the truth. Iruka was telling him, they were afraid of the beast he had inside.
So, no one wants me to seek revenge after all that? Fine, I won't seek it in everyone, but those who were responsible for my life will pay
Every time he remembered that, the rage filled his mind, he knew that he couldn't be like that forever and he was trying to fix it. To not be afraid when he was in front of them.
The Dwarf noticed it. It was impossible not to, Naruto was covered by a thin layer of red chakra, it was different from the one he used. It was the fox chakra.
This kid hides a lot of rage in his small body, I hope he could do it
Naruto continued his days like that, he didn't forget the leaf training and now he was trying to do the same but with small branches.
Before continuing with the training, Naruto leveled up.
[You obtain 2 points from the level up and 2 by surviving against the fragment]
Okay, just put these in [Intelligence]
[Your [Intelligence] has increased in 1] [You have 1 point left]
[Intelligence: 19(Colourless)]
This time the effect was even better, he felt that now he could increase the proficiency faster.
He continued like that for almost two weeks until he ran out of food.
When the time came, he asked the Dwarf for the products. This time he had a lot of gold. The Dwarf bought him the claws for 35 each stack and how he has 455G.
"Do you have something new for me? My boots were destroyed, and I think that the next one will be a [Strength] user.
"Just look at that, I think they were some pieces of armor, but I don't think you can buy more than 1."
Naruto nodded and continued looking at the small icons in the stall. He found some good things, but he didn't have enough gold for it. Only two pieces were available.
[Leather vest] [+2 defense] [Useful for a novice fighter] 400G
[Leather britches] [+2 defense] [Useful for a novice fighter] 400G
Naruto's mouth twisted seeing the prices, but he knew that was worth it. With pain in his heart, he bought the vest. If he lost his legs in the middle of a fight, he could crawl and do something, but if he received a direct hit on his chest, he would probably die without doing anything.
"Mm that's good, remember to repair the other pieces or it will be broken soon."
Looking at his equipment, Naruto could see that his gloves and the cloth armor were almost broken.
[Cloth armor] [Defense +1] [Can block minor scratches] [2/15]
[Leather gloves] [ Defense +1] [Can block some animal teeth, it has not much value] [5/30] 100
Looking at the price to repair the gloves, Naruto asked the Dwarf.
"Hey, can I sell you the cloth armor?"
"I'll give you 100G, just sell me Daiv's teeth, you have a better one."
"Ughh, fine. Take it, it better be worth it" Naruto muttered.
+150G
Pressing the repair button, Naruto could see how the scratches visibly disappeared. He had more gold(205) but he saved it, there was nothing more to buy.
Naruto wanted to continue his training but without food, he couldn't do anything. And the Dwarf couldn't sell it to him.
Letting out a sigh, he looked at his stats.
[Vitality: 70% (yellow)]
[Strength: 56%]
[Dexterity: 73.7%]
[Agility: 74%]
[Spiritual energy: 18]
[Mind: 90% (Yellow)]
[Adaptability: 95% (yellow)]
[HP: 1050/1050]
[Stamina: 23.3]
[Red Chakra: 24.2(yellow)]
[Chakra: 629(yellow)---[10000(?)]]
The progress made him satisfied, at least the control almost reached agility. The rat meat helped him a bit to increase his base stats, but without enough quantity he couldn't continue.
The red chakra grew a bit faster with it, but not as before. The closer he was to 25%, it felt harder to increase it.
Closing his status, he turned to the Dwarf.
"I think it's time to continue, this time I won't be careless. Wait for me."
"Sure, good luck, kid."
"Thanks." Naruto entered the dungeon as the Dwarf waved his hand.
[Change of location: First floor- first district]
He didn't stop at the message, he knew what he needed to do. Kill the royal guard and find the second piece of the key. Other things didn't matter.
Without paying attention to them, Naruto started to run through the passages. This district was similar to the others and he continued searching for the key.
The first day he was doing that and looking for a bedroom. Since he had enough strength, he could just walk in the passages without being noticed.
The first day he didn't find the key, and he continued like that for another 3 days until he realized that maybe the key wasn't in this district. The last option was the first one.
Knowing that, he left the zone and went deeper to the inner circle. His augmented agility and dexterity made it easy for him to avoid the rats if he wanted and on the fourth day in the dungeon, he arrived at the bedroom beside the arena.
"Well, it's time to see what these beasts have to offer."
Using his armor pieces, Naruto had [3+3 defense]. At least for this floor, it was enough, even if he fought against the fragments.
Leaving the bedroom, Naruto began to wander in the district. After some minutes he found his first victim.
[Big rat: 70 HP] It was similar in size to the first ones.
"Mm it wasn't supposed to be the strength type? I guess I need to meet the guard to know it. But first I need to practice with these dudes." Clenching his fists, Naruto was ready. He didn't treat them with contempt as before. Fer taught him a lesson.
Now he was trying to use his eyes and follow their movement, it was hard because he was always fighting with the advantage of the chakra. Now he was fighting them in tight places, at least to learn how to dodge better.
After the rat was exhausted, he killed it and continued with the other. They dropped their skin as the first district he was in.
Once he was sure that he could follow their movements without any difficulty even if he was standing there, he tried the next step.
Receiving a direct hit from them without any chakra, just his naked body.
Taking a deep breath, he unequipped his armor and appeared in front of the rat. The rat was confused but didn't wait and landed a direct blow against Naruto.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto tried to use his arm to defend himself, but the power was something he didn't expect. This is the first time he received a hit without using chakra.
Just that hit dropped his HP by more than 100 points.
[924/1050]HP
"Hisss--- why does this bastard do so much damage?" Naruto let out a cold breath, the pain was real, and he could feel that his arm was almost useless until he put it in his place. The hit dislocated his arm.
Taking a deep breath, he put strength on his hand and move it to its place again. Channeling red chakra into the area, the swelling decreased and his HP was restored in a few seconds.
But the consumption was high, it was easy because the injuries were minor, when it was something to break bones or cut his arm like the last time, red chakra could only maintain the zone until it received treatment.
"Let's continue, stupid vermin."
Naruto began his other training: becoming a punching bag for rats, it was a social work letting them clear their stress.
It was an experience he thought he had for the first time, but it felt so familiar for an unknown reason.
As he continued like that, he didn't notice that some people were watching him.
------------------------------
In a cottage, the silhouette of a woman was resting in the courtyard with a screen in front of her.
Since Naruto entered the dungeon, she was watching him on that screen.
"Pff-hahaha, what is he doing? Did Fer terrify him that much? What a cute kid." She let out a joyful laugh, it was so fun seeing this kid. He had so much talent but at the same time he looked like he didn't know anything, just like a blank sheet.
"I want to see what your expression will be when you receive the floor reward, Naruto." She was so interested in seeing a kid growing under her care, and a kid who was so fun to watch just made it better.
The laugh could be heard from the house every time Naruto passed through a trial.
-------------------------------
It was the same in the tower-floor zero.
Corvinus was watching Naruto since he noticed that the kid took so much time and didn't clear the first floor.
When he used his eyes and looked at the giant dungeon, his mouth twisted.
Of course he would take so long if he was in that place.
"And she didn't let him obtain skills, with all the stupid things this kid does, he should obtain at least 3..." Rubbing his forehead with annoyance, Corvinus didn't know what to think.
"But... at least it's fun, she just wants this, doesn't she? Haha" Without being able to sleep, Corvinus used all his day to watch Naruto.
It was like watching a TV series.
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First floor-Dungeon
After the rats beat him up for a week, Naruto just killed some of them and stopped the training. He was ready for the fight, if the Royal Guard wasn't as fast as Fer, he was confident that he could kill him.
[Do you want to challenge the Royal Guard?]
He didn't respond, just pulled the door and entered.
Without paying attention, Naruto walked to the deeper zone. As in the previous arenas, he picked up the paralyzing arrows. His resistance was only [28%] at this point.
As he continued and saw how the arena was illuminated, a new ambience filled the arena.
In front of him was the royal guard, but this was different.
He didn't have any guard protecting him, he just was waiting for him, staring at the arena's door.
[Royal Guard- Marc 250 HP]
None of them said a word, just started the fight.
Naruto knew what he needed to do. Just do it until it begins.
Marc tried to catch up to Naruto, but his speed was too slow for that, Naruto just continued landing hits on him until his HP was below the mark.
[Marc recovers a fragment of his soul and enters in the third phase] [Unable to recover his identity][Marc deals x8 DMG for 60s]
[Marc 35HP]
"X8? Are you serious? Just one hit and I will agonize on the ground."
Marc replied to him with a smile. He just stood on two legs like a human.
"This will hurt." He said that, but the determination in his eyes just grew stronger.
He could just stand there and wait until Marc died by himself, but he wanted to kill him, even if it was an insignificant fragment of the warrior he was a long time ago.
Looking at his own HP and the potions, Naruto felt more confident. He could only use one, but it would be enough unless he died in one hit.
Taking a deep breath, Naruto charged against Marc.
Now he was using his chakra in a violent state, he couldn't control it properly, but it was the only way he could increase his defense and not die in one hit.
Naruto tried to feint him and attack with his guard down, but Marc was calm the whole time.
[46s]
Marc just occasionally, but every time Naruto needed to dodge it. Those hits were directly to his weak points like his ribs, heart.
But it wasn't the same with Naruto, even if he attacked faster, Marc knew how to respond to it and the dmg was 1 or 0 most of the time.
[Marc 29/35]
[37s]
Continuing like that wasn't even an option, the only result would be Marc dying by himself.
Naruto tried to distract him with stones or hit his legs, but nothing worked. The Taijutsu Iruka taught him was so fragile against someone more experienced. It wasn't the fight style fault. It was just because Naruto wasn't good enough at it.
[24s]
[Marc 25/35]
No, I need to win. It's just a hit, I can survive, only one hit and that's all. The potion will save me, it's now or never.
Gritting his teeth, Naruto made a decision and channeled his chakra throughout his whole body. His poor control made it impossible to stay intact in that state and his HP was consumed every second.
[You take 2dmg] [You take 2dmg] [You take 2dmg] ... His slow HP regeneration was only [0.7 HP/s]
Without losing time, Naruto started to land hits on Marc. He only needed one to connect and that's all, the fear he felt from Fer was on his mind and he didn't want to take any strike from these dudes.
[17s]
[Marc 23/35]
No, I can't continue like that... just do it, I can.
With that thought in mind, Naruto stopped dodging, and the moment Marc was trying to divert his attack, he used his other fist and hit him.
[You take 920 dmg]
As Marc's fist hit him, the chakra dispersed, unable to resist it. The impact was enough to make Naruto cough blood, but he continued.
Marc had a smile seeing his fist hitting Naruto, even if he watched Naruto's fist approaching him.
[Marc takes 28 dmg] [Marc has died]
Marc disappeared into dust, the smile didn't leave his face until the end.
[You have won against the Royal Guard-Marc] [You obtained 400 gold] [You have achieved a victory against a challenging opponent.] [Your strength permanently increases by 15%. [Your agility permanently increases by 6%, unable to increase it more] [Your Dexterity permanently increases by 6.3%, unable to increase it more.] [Unable to increase the other stats. You have obtained a clue to the hidden secret and a Soul Fragment(empty)x2] [You have achieved a feat(unrated) in your history]x2 [You have achieved a feat(low-fragment) in your history]x2 [You have earned an achievement [I survive and won: Won against a fragment for the first time]] [The fourth district stopped the changes. You can leave the dungeon now.]
Naruto knelt down trying to recover, but his chest felt that it would collapse in the next second. Marc's fist mark was printed on the vest.
"Kuh... this hurts..." Taking out the health potion, Naruto immediately used it and continued with the red chakra and the water, he used every recourse to heal himself.
As he felt better, he began to look at the rewards. It was even more for killing him, but it was much more difficult. If his [Vitality] didn't have a whole level above, he wouldn't survive that.
"Hah... I won, but even that is only a low feat? Come on..."
Naruto complained, but he moved his sore body to Marc's ashes.
[Soul fragment: strength 10 %] [You have obtained the Royal Guard- Marc skin: It has imbued the protector will, even if is only a fragment is enough to craft a decent armor] [You have obtained the meat of the Royal Guard]x2 [You have obtained the teeth of the Royal Guard] [You have obtained a skill fragment]
Using the soul fragment, Naruto looked at his stats.
[Strength: 80%]
[Dexterity: 80%]
[Agility: 80%]
[Adaptability: 96% (yellow)]
He had a bitter smile looking at that. Just a fight was enough to surpass months of hard work, but the price if he didn't make it, he would be death.
"Now I truly understand why they said that this place rewarded you, huh. Just come back, there's no time to stop, just go kill the last one."
Walking to the wall, it disappeared by itself and Naruto was once again in the fountain.
Filled again his bottle, he drank it again and went directly to the bedroom.
Tomorrow he will enter again.
---------------------------------
The "Fragments" as the trace of a previous climber it's something I think it's interesting and fun. You can kill it before he ended his transformation, but if you wanted another challenge, you can let him do it and fight against the shadow of a warrior.
I've made a minor change in the ch 27 adding a new tier, Green!
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Thanks for reading!
Have a nice day.