Carl scrutinized around the narrow, dark passage for a while before he then slipped forward, blending into the crowd ahead from the shadowy thicket, trying to hide his face deeper and deeper under his hood.
Today was crucial for him—he had to clear his first dungeon no matter what. If he failed, he would also fail the mission his system had assigned.
A mission that already felt nearly impossible. Through the small gap of his lips, he summoned the system, just to double-check his current status—and maybe calm himself down if he saw the familiar notices.
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[Main Quest]:
– Destroy Arcadia Academy.
– Rewards: ?????
[Side Quest]:
– Clear your first dungeon.
– Reward: ?????
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[System Notice]
• Don't get too close to any girl. My husband~
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Carl's heartbeat nearly stopped the moment his eyes locked onto the system notice, ignoring every other word on the screen.
He rubbed his chest lightly and let out a long breath, recalling the look in his wife's eyes. It had been so long since the last time he hugged her, and now they were apart.
Of course, it was a temporary farewell.
His wife had left with her underlings to go somewhere, unable to know with his current power. Overall, his wife was a mysterious girl. However, there was only one thing causing him discomfort. Before they left, those idiots hadn't even allowed him to get close to his wife in that final goodbye; luckily, she then punished them right there—kissing him in front of them.
''Aah! I want it again—a kiss!''
Those troublemakers must've been furious, and he really wanted to witness their expression, just thinking about that, he felt a wave of content run over his mind, but back then, he had only frozen in place like a stupid guy as her lips locked his, and before he knew it, they had all vanished in an instant.
Anyway, it was all in the past now. What mattered was that he had gained the system—its proof was the black dragon tattoo etched across his chest. Maybe it was a mark of love from his wife. More importantly, he could finally level up again after his mana core had been destroyed by someone he'd rather not remember.
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[Name]: Carl Ryan
[Age]: 18
[Class]: Stoker
[Rank]: F [0/1000] (Requires Monster Card)
[Soul Rank]: ★ Dragon (Progress: 00.00%)
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[Attributes] (★)
• Strength: 100 ×1
• Agility: 100 ×1
• Vitality: 100 ×1
• Intelligence: 100 ×1
• Wisdom: 100 ×1
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[Skills]
• Soul-Devouring Flame — Rank: EX
• Flame Breath — Rank: F
• Draconic Physique — Rank: F
• Basic Swordsmanship — Rank: A
[Passive]
• Dragon Senses — Rank: F
•The Will of the Primordial Dragon God — Rank: Unique (∞)
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[Inventory]
Slot 1: Mana Stone (Common) ×1
Slot 2: Water Flask ×1
Slot 3: Gold Coin ×1
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"Perfect… I can do it again!" Carl muttered as he stared at his rank on the system screen, visible only to him.
A faint warmth of pride—thinking of his wife—flickered across his face, only to vanish when he suddenly felt a shove and a loud scolding from behind.
"Hey! Watch where you're looking! Don't block the way!"
Shoved by some random guy, Carl stumbled forward and fell face-first into the dusty lamp-lit walkway. The narrow passage to the dungeon became clogged as the crowd behind him stopped short, hemmed in by potion trees on either side.
"You piece of shit!"
Angry voices erupted all around. Dozens of hostile eyes turned toward Carl. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself up, his own temper flaring—only to realize with horror that his hood had been knocked back during the fall.
The first guy quickly recognized Carl, his lips trembling as if he was about to spit out some nonsense.
Carl's face twisted. The worst had happened—completely unexpected. He managed to grit out:
"...You damn… Don't—"
"It's him! The crippled heir of the Ryan Family—Carl Ryan!"
Carl sighed in boredom.
"Don't say my name…"
He relaxed his mind. Hiding his identity was pointless now, for it had been exposed. Ignoring the noise and chatter about him, Carl simply continued stepping down the walkway, though anger still simmered toward the one who had pushed him earlier.
It seemed someone had noticed him from the very beginning.
"Once I find you, you'll die. I swear it." Carl muttered, scanning the area with [Dragon Senses]. But all he caught was the faint trace of a shallow scent lingering in the air. What a shame—his [Dragon Senses] was only Rank F. If it were higher, that guy would never have escaped his grasp.
Clicking his tongue, Carl shifted his focus forward, this time keeping his concentration sharp, unlike before.
All eyes followed him with curiosity.
"So he's still alive… wandering around all this time, and now he shows up here to join the dungeon." One man rubbed his chin, sizing Carl up from a distance.
"How funny. He once stood at the very peak of status, but then fell overnight—just because he awakened only a one-star Dragon Soul during the ceremony. Meanwhile, his little sister awakened an eight-star Dragon Soul—mythic potential, destined to reach EX-Rank as long as she survives safely."
"Ironic, isn't it?" Another man nodded in agreement.
He raised his eyes again toward Carl and whispered.
"But why is he here? I heard his mana core was destroyed by his little sister… she crippled him during her own soul awakening."
A man beside him shrugged his shoulders.
"Who knows? Don't ever suspect the Ryan Family. They're one of the strongest powers in our world. They could save him or kill him if they wished. A thing like a broken mana core? Maybe not such a big deal for them."
He added quietly, "Maybe they healed him and then cast him out. That would explain why we haven't heard a single thing about him for the past three years."
The rest of the group nodded, comforted by their friend's sharp argument—one they couldn't refute.
They kept gossiping until one guy said:
"So, he has the intention of passing this dungeon to get into Arcadia Academy. But it won't be easy—he's already too old compared to us. Judging by his age, I bet he'll even end up meeting his little sister there."
"Of course… that's if he manages to pass the dungeon."
Another guy laughed in amusement.
"Don't worry. He used to be a genius, sure—but now he's just trash. Honestly, anyone here could bully him."
"Yeah, a one-star Dragon Soul is way too rare. Even a random commoner usually awakens at least a two-star soul."
"Hahaha, you're right. Maybe I should throw a rock at him, just to see what happens."
…
Among them, one particularly handsome guy shook his head.
"Don't be reckless. Even if he only has a one-star Dragon Soul, he still wields a sword and techniques passed down from the Ryan Family since childhood. That's an advantage none of us here could easily match."