The next day, at the high school grounds, excitement filled the air. Today was the day when the new Awakeners would challenge the Novice Dungeon, a place specially designed for fresh hunters with a level limit of 1 to 8. Beyond the city walls, real raids awaited—wild monsters up to Level 15 roamed freely. But for now, this dungeon was their first step.
When Max arrived at the venue, every student's gaze locked onto him. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Look, it's him… the one who caused that phenomenon during awakening."
"Do you think the crystal glitched?"
"No way… it has to be a hidden class."
Max ignored them all. He didn't care what they thought or said.
The principal soon appeared, gathering the students before the dungeon gate. His voice boomed across the crowd.
"Listen carefully! Today, you will enter the Novice Dungeon. Form your teams according to your class. However—" he paused, his gaze landing on Max and another student, "—Max Morgan and Xiayu will go solo. The two of you are competing for Phoenix Academy's recommendation. Good luck."
Gasps filled the crowd.
"Solo?!"
"Phoenix Academy?!"
Xiayu, a beautiful girl with sharp eyes and a confident smile, walked toward Max. She was already known as a prodigy, having awakened the rare Dual Elementalist class.
She smirked. "Max, let's see who ends up with the higher level after this." Without waiting for his reply, she turned and entered the dungeon.
Max's lips curved slightly. "We'll see."
Then, he too stepped inside.
---
Darkness surrounded him as the dungeon environment formed. The faint glow of moss lit the cavern walls. Not far away, a Level 1 Wild Rabbit appeared, its red eyes glinting.
"Skeleton, arise."
From his Undead Space, a skeleton warrior emerged. Unlike yesterday, no spiritual energy was consumed—summons stored in Undead Space didn't need to be recast. Each skeleton required 10 Spirit to summon, and since he had rested overnight, all his Spirit had recovered. Now he had four skeletons ready.
One skeleton charged forward, cleaving 4 rabbit in half with a single strike.
[Experience Received: 40 Points]
Max nodded with satisfaction. He kept one skeleton at his side while sending the other three to hunt rabbits within his control range—fifty meters.
In no time, six more monsters were slain.
[Level Up! Current Level: 2]
With his Spirit recovered, Max summoned two more skeletons. These were stronger—Level 2 Skeletons. An added bonus of his Necromancer system was that each summon contributed to a mental map inside his head, marking areas they explored. He could see the dungeon's layout without moving himself.
Minutes passed. His Spirit recovered again, and two more skeletons joined the army.
[Level Up! Current Level: 3]
However, Max quickly realized something. Killing monsters below his own level gave no bonus experience. Staying in the rabbit area was useless now.
"Time to move deeper," Max muttered.
The dungeon grew more dangerous the further he went. But with his skeletons acting as shields, he remained safe. His hidden talent allowed him to transfer damage from himself to his summons, ensuring his survival even in risky battles.
Hours passed. The sound of bones clashing against fur, claws, and stone filled the dungeon.
[Level Up! Current Level: 4]
[Level Up! Current Level: 6]
[Level Up! Current Level: 7]
.
[Level Up! Current Level: 9]
By the time he left the dungeon, Max had reached Level 9—an unprecedented result in just four hours.
The dungeon run had a maximum time limit of eight hours. With nothing more to gain, he exited early and sat cross-legged outside the gate, entering meditation.
---
When the principal spotted him, he froze. His eyes went wide as if he had seen a ghost.
"This… this boy… already Level 9?!"
The principal's heart pounded in shock. Max Morgan was no longer just a promising student—he was a monster destined to shake the world.
---