Chapter 4 – “Trial Dungeon: No Reset”

  Mikey landed hard on stone.

  The temperature dropped. The sky was gone.

  This wasn't the empty arena anymore. It felt… real.

  Walls towered around him—cracked stone lined with old blood and fading runes. The air smelled like rust and something that had been dead too long.

  > [Practice Dungeon: Floor 1 – Active]

  [Death Count: 0/5]

  [Trial Condition: Reset All Progress on Fifth Death]

  Nocturnis wasn’t playing games now.

  He took a breath and drew the dull standard-issue dagger from his waist. It felt like a toothpick in his hand.

  > You die five times, you go back to day one. Screw this up and everything resets.

  Something growled from ahead.

  Footsteps—quick, light, clawed.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  He barely moved before the kobold lunged out of the dark, dagger flashing.

  Instinct screamed—he twisted left, blade grazing his cheek. The kobold pivoted mid-air, slashing again.

  Too fast.

  Its knee hit his ribs. He dropped his guard. A claw tore through his neck—

  > [You Died.]

  ---

  The pain stayed behind. The fear didn’t.

  Back at the dungeon entrance, he clutched his throat—intact, but still burning in his mind.

  > Focus. You knew it wouldn’t be easy.

  Second try.

  This time, he didn’t charge in. He crouched low. Listened.

  Scraping claws. Sniffing breath. It was hunting him.

  He waited. Blade low. Steps quiet.

  The kobold appeared.

  Mikey launched first—Dash. Slash. Miss. Slide. Turn. Elbow. Counter.

  The kobold blocked fast—too fast.

  It grinned.

  Mikey feinted left—then hooked the blade upward into its ribs.

  The kobold froze. Choked. Then slumped.

  > [Kill Confirmed.]

  [Gluttony – Energy Absorbed: 2%]

  He blinked.

  > …I felt that.

  The energy passed into him. Not mana. Not power. Just stamina—like stealing a second wind.

  He didn’t smile.

  He just moved forward.

  ---

  The corridor beyond was narrow—spike traps. Shifting tile pattern. He stepped once—click.

  He dove left.

  Spikes shot out of the wall behind him. Barely missed his back.

  He memorized the floor. Counted his steps.

  Step. Step. Pause. Jump. Slide. Roll.

  By the time he crossed, his hoodie was torn and his palms were bleeding—but he was alive.

  Room two.

  Two goblins this time—both armed. One with a short sword. One with a chain.

  They didn’t wait.

  > Good. Neither do I.

  Mikey charged in low, kicked the chain goblin’s ankle out. Slashed upward at its wrist—steel clanged against bone. The chain dropped. The second goblin came from behind—

  He ducked. It swung wild. He kicked its leg, then brought the hilt of his dagger straight into its throat.

  One down.

  The other one shrieked. Mikey dashed in. Didn’t give it a chance to breathe.

  > [Kill Confirmed.]

  [Gluttony – Energy Absorbed: 3%]

  He felt faster now. Just slightly.

  > That’s not adrenaline. That’s the trait doing its job.

  ---

  > [Floor 1 Clear.]

  [Progress Saved. Deaths: 1.]

  Mikey leaned on the wall, chest rising and falling. The fear was still there. But under it?

  Excitement.

  > If I can feel this power... if I can master it...

  He stepped into Floor 2.

  And the door sealed shut behind him.