The moment Charles stepped out of the gymnasium, he felt the weight of the entire world crash onto his shoulders.
Three days.
Just three days before stepping into his first dungeon.
A dungeon where the boss had already sensed him.
Already marked him.
Already wanted him dead.
Charles rubbed his face.
"…I'm dead."
Rift glowed faintly on his wrist.
[Correction: Host is 37% likely to die if unprepared]
[Recommend: Intensive Training]
Charles stared at the glowing system text.
"Thank you, Rift. That REALLY helps."
Rift pulsed proudly as if saying:
> You're welcome.
---
After School — Back Home
Charles arrived at the apartment, exhausted and terrified.
Midnight waited at the door.
"MEOW—!"
The black cat leaped onto Charles's chest like a furry missile.
"Oof—okay, okay, I missed you too! Calm down—"
Midnight sniffed Charles aggressively.
Then hissed.
His fur stood straight up.
"Oh no… don't give me that look. I KNOW the dungeon is dangerous."
Midnight hopped to the floor and stomped toward Charles's bedroom—
slam!
He pushed the door open with his head.
Charles blinked.
"Wait… are you saying… training?"
Midnight meowed twice, tail flicking sharply.
Rift chimed:
[Translation:
The feline demands that Host stop being weak.]
Charles sighed.
"…Yeah, yeah. I know."
---
Training Begins — The First Day
Inside Charles's small bedroom:
A wooden practice sword
An old exercise mat
No space
No proper tools
A single ceiling light flickering
It was pathetic.
But he had no choice.
---
(1) Physical Strength Training
Charles tried push-ups.
One.
Two.
Three—
"G-GAH—my arms—!"
He collapsed.
Midnight facepalmed with his paw.
Rift chimed:
[Host fitness level: 2/100]
[Goal: Reach 5/100 before dungeon]
Charles groaned.
"…I'm weaker than an F-rank snail."
He continued anyway.
Sweat drenched his shirt.
His arms shook.
His lungs burned.
But he kept going.
He had to.
For his brothers.
For his parents.
For survival.
---
(2) Mana Control Practice
Charles sat cross-legged.
He lifted his hand.
A tiny orb of light flickered on his palm—
—and then popped like a bubble.
Midnight hissed at it like it insulted his ancestors.
Rift chimed:
[Host mana stability: Poor]
[Initiate controlled breathing exercises]
Charles followed the rhythm.
Slow inhale.
Slow exhale.
Light formed again—
More stable this time.
"…Nice…" he whispered.
The system made a soft ringing sound:
[Skill Proficiency +1]
[Light Burst — Now more stable]
A tiny win.
But still a win.
---
(3) Buff Skill Testing
Charles raised his hand.
"Holy Fortitude."
A small golden ripple appeared.
Warm. Gentle. Controlled.
Rift pulsed with approval.
[Skill Output: Safe]
[Dungeon-ready: Yes, at minimal intensity]
Charles exhaled thankfully.
"At least something works."
---
Midnight's Idea
Midnight suddenly hopped onto the bed.
Then onto Charles's shoulder.
Then onto his head.
"Midnight…? What are you—?"
Rift translated:
[The feline requests you to cast Light Barrier on him.]
Charles blinked.
"On YOU? Why?"
Rift pulsed:
[To test the defensive compatibility of Host's skills
on awakened familiars.]
"...Oh."
That actually made sense.
Charles raised his hand.
"Light Barrier."
A soft dome of warm light appeared around Midnight.
The cat froze.
Then—
"MEOW!!"
He dashed around the room like a black bullet.
Bouncing off walls.
Rolling on the bed.
Jumping onto the cabinet.
Charles panicked.
"MIDNIGHT STOP THE LIGHT ISN'T A TOY—!"
Midnight rolled onto his back like he found heaven.
Rift chimed:
[Compatibility: Excellent]
[Midnight DEF increases by +35% inside your barrier]
[This synergy will be crucial in the dungeon]
Charles blinked.
"That… actually IS important."
Midnight meowed smugly.
Rift translated:
[The feline demands treats.]
Charles sighed.
"…Later."
---
Night Falls
Charles collapsed onto his bed, exhausted.
Midnight curled on his chest, purring softly.
Rift dimmed like a sleeping heartbeat on his wrist.
Just when Charles thought he could finally relax—
DING.
A new system message appeared.
Charles's eyes widened.
---
[NEW QUEST AVAILABLE]
Title: Prepare for the Rift Beast
Type: Mandatory Survival Quest
Objective:
Strengthen your body + mana before dungeon day.
Requirements:
• Increase HP by 20%
• Increase Mana by 20%
• Practice Light Barrier 100 times
• Practice Light Burst 200 times
• Buff an ally (Midnight or Rift) 50 times
Time Limit: 2 Days
Rewards:
• +20 System Points
• New Skill (Random Divine Support Skill)
• Minor Divine Armor (Beginner Grade)
---
Charles bolted upright.
"DIVINE ARMOR?!"
Midnight and Rift jumped in shock.
Charles stared at the screen with trembling hands.
"A-A Divine Armor…?! That's— That's EXTREMELY OP!"
He wouldn't need to buy anything.
He wouldn't need to beg guilds.
He wouldn't need to expose himself.
He just needed… to train.
Rift chimed:
[Host excitement detected]
[Recommended: Begin training immediately tomorrow morning]
Charles grinned weakly.
"…I guess I'm not sleeping tonight, am I?"
Midnight hissed loudly in agreement.
---