It had been a full week since their arrival in this world. The bustling settlement continued to grow, with more advancements taking shape.
Life surged through the settlement, its inhabitants now more capable and refined warriors than they had been seven days ago—regardless of their temperament.
Within the settlement, irrespective of combat styles, guild or party affiliations, professions, or personal ambitions, every person had shed blood in the forests, battling various creatures. Their levels rose. Stat points were gained and distributed in ways that suited their fighting styles.
Settling into this new life had been difficult for many, but they persisted, each for their own reasons.
They became stronger.
They formed bonds.
Rivalries bloomed.
And as they pushed further into the great unknown, they carved their place into this world.
Blood dripped from their bodies as creatures fell to their blades, their skills manifesting the power of their Force Alignment into reality.
Despite their unwilling involvement with the system, they couldn’t deny its fantastical nature. The system, as intrusive as it was, made survival far easier than it otherwise would have been.
Stockholm syndrome took root in many of the participants. First, they had condemned the system for their predicament, cursing its existence. But as time passed, as they saw its usefulness in guiding them, equipping them, and making their journey out of this land possible, resentment gave way to begrudging acceptance.
Clang!
Slash!
Huff. Huff. Huff.
A swordsman wiped the sweat from his brow, steadying his breathing. His blade, chipped from repeated use, dripped with the blood of the creatures they were battling.
Water surged through the air as one of his teammates struck the incoming creatures, dousing them mid-charge.
[Chitter Monkeys]
Level Range: 1–3
Hyperactive monkeys of varying sizes, covered in thin brown fur with oversized ears and twitching tails. Naturally curious, they travel in large groups, their ceaseless chittering filling the air.
Their erratic, unpredictable movements made them difficult to hit, and their numbers made them a constant nuisance.
The battle continued.
The creatures’ bodies littered the ground around them, their corpses remaining as EXP surged into the team members, each one eager at the prospect of leveling up.
A knightly figure, now weary, deactivated his Crystal Force and slumped onto a nearby rock, letting out an exasperated breath.
“Cheeky monkeys, these guys are. Can’t even call them little,” he joked, shaking his head.
Nearby, Keira, using her Eldertide Force, moved between her teammates, soothing their wounds with her water-infused healing abilities. A cool mist enveloped the air around her hands as she passed them over cuts and bruises, each injury fading under the force’s natural restorative properties.
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“They weren’t hard to take down,” she remarked, “but they sure were annoying. Really hoping they don’t carry rabies. A few of the bastards bit me.”
Her Eldertide Force, a minor healing element tied to water-infused restoration, proved invaluable in prolonged skirmishes. By drawing upon water’s natural purity and adaptability, she could cleanse wounds and restore vitality with relative ease.
As the team took a moment to recover, the forest fell into a temporary lull.
But they knew better than to relax for long.
Jackson, the knightly figure, stood up and commanded, “Alright, let’s bring the bodies of these creatures back. The people at the settlement can decide how to make use of them.”
He pointed to two of his teammates, instructing them to carry the corpses while the rest continued their exploration.
Similar scenes like this one were taking place all over the forest.
Boars, monkeys, wolves, and other creatures littered the ground, their corpses piling up as the participants cut through them. Blood from both humans and monsters seeped into the soil, marking the battlefield of this new world.
Many teams returned from the forest, their arms burdened with corpses and damaged gear.
The corpses were taken in one direction—to be studied and dissected. The damaged equipment went another, to be repaired.
Ironically, many weapons and armor pieces were smashed repeatedly with hammers as part of their restoration process.
Those with backgrounds in science, zoology, or biology back on Earth were practically giddy at the opportunity to study entirely new species.
The prospect of examining unfamiliar creatures, breaking down their biology, and documenting never-before-seen anatomy filled them with excitement.
But there was one issue—
Cutting through the bodies was a nightmare.
The tools they had on hand were woefully insufficient. Knives dulled quickly. Saws chipped. Even force-enhanced weapons struggled to make precise incisions without damaging sensitive parts and organs.
Some took this challenge seriously, attempting to create more efficient methods for dissection. Others?
They didn’t care much about precision.
With manic grins, they hacked away at the corpses, more interested in the thrill of discovery than any sort of professional documentation.
Whether their efforts would lead to meaningful advancements or just a horrifying mess was yet to be seen.
But it wasn’t only the creatures’ corpses that led to new discoveries.
The flora of this world was equally mysterious.
Mystical trees were cut down, their unique structures studied. The limits of their uses were tested, from their durability to their potential as building materials. Daily, woodworkers carved bows, arrows, and crude furniture, slowly refining their craft.
Meanwhile, the discovery of ores sent waves of excitement through the settlement.
New minerals—ones that could serve as alternatives to iron and steel—were unearthed. Some bore properties that reminded participants of the legendary metals found in comics, like Marvel’s Vibranium or DC’s Nth Metal.
The entire settlement buzzed with discovery.
Everywhere, there were new opportunities—whether in biology, alchemy, blacksmithing, or architecture.
And at the center of all these discoveries, whether it was wood, ores, or even corpses, one undeniable truth stood out—everything was infused with Aether.
Even food became a point of fascination.
Chefs and cooks couldn’t contain their excitement as they tested the limits of their ingredients. If Aether existed in everything, then surely, food could be used to enhance abilities?
The idea of food providing buffs sent waves of excitement through the settlement.
Of course, the unlucky recipients of these culinary experiments—the ones who volunteered (or were pressured into it)—were less than thrilled.
More than a few had to run into the forest to "handle business" after tasting a dish that… did not agree with them.
But failure didn’t stop the chefs.
The hunt for edible, stat-boosting food had begun.
And as the settlement continued to evolve, one thing became abundantly clear—
They weren’t just surviving anymore.
They were building something greater.
Deep in the forest…
Creatures lay still. Some bore wounds from weapons. Others? Their bodies looked as if they had been pummeled to death by nothing but raw force.
Atop the massive corpse of a wild boar, a lean but well-built man sat, his muscles taut and conditioned despite his average height.
His gaze, as if filled with nothing, looked straight ahead, unfocused yet unwavering.
A distortion in the air shimmered before him.
He had read the details over and over again.
[Grade F Dungeon]
[Level Requirement: Level 5 Minimum]
[Recommended Party: At Least 5 Members]
[Danger Level: Moderate]
Standing atop the boar, he stretched, rolling his shoulders before adjusting the leather gauntlets on his hands. The pads strapped to his arms and legs were tightened as he cracked his neck.
Yawning, he hopped off the boar.
His status screen flickered before him.
[Level 3]
He smirked.
“Level 5, huh? Not much of a difference. I’ll be fine.”
And with that—he stepped into the dungeon. Alone.
