You have defeated the Bone Gatherer, First Floor Boss of the Kaden Dungeon Compound, and have gained 150 EXP. You now have 1548/ 4050 experience remaining until level 8. You have conquered a floor of the Kaden Dungeon Compound for the first time. Approach the pedestal to receive your reward.

Panting, Colin was bent over with his arms planted firmly on his knees for support. After some discussion with Nox, Colin decided that the Dungeon Compound that was a day’s carriage ride away from Willows Cross was a good idea. He needed ways to amplify his strength and abilities, and there were two easy ways to do so.

First, he could start killing players and hope to get lucky with his Hubris Ability. Since players could respawn, Colin wasn’t worried about ethically killing them. His concern was simply because they could come back and come looking for him. This could be a terrible thing if they deduce that he might be the Avenger that everyone was talking about.

The second was this dungeon’s first floor. Apparently, completing it gave an ability that increased the Build characteristic’s effect on his health. Every point of the Build characteristic counted as one point of health, even retroactively increasing when one levels up. The ability Colin was here for would increase the value of each point of the build attribute to one and a quarter towards his total health. Meaning that for every four points of health, Colin would get one extra.

Survivability was very appealing, so Colin agreed with the Goblin that this was a good starting point for his life here.

It had only been two days since he’d become the Antagonist, and as a result, had been trapped in this digital world. He’d tried to call McKenna on the flip phone on his belt but only got the word ‘disconnected’ written across the screen of the device. It took all the effort he had to not try and crush the machine then and there. Venting on a potentially useful tool would fix nothing.

No. If he wanted to get home to McKenna, Colin had to get strong enough to do one of the two tasks. Play his role as Antagonist or find a door with absolutely no clues at all.

His breath returned, Colin stood up straight and looked around the room. Before the fight, it was a large cavern that was carved out of the walls itself. Two tunnels, one at each end of the room, extended out in the darkness. The one in front must have led to the second floor of the Dungeon, which Nox had warned him not to attempt. In the Goblin’s words, ‘you are not ready yet. It would be foolish to try, DevilWalker.’

His attention turned away from the tunnel down to the only new feature in the otherwise empty room.

A pedestal had risen from the floor, stark white in contrast to the tan stone of the walls around him, a shimmering marble of light floating inches off its surface.

Picking up the Mythic Xiphos from where it had fallen, Colin wiped the dirt and ghost slime from the blade on his pants before sliding it into its sheath. The Bone Gatherer had been some kind of ragged, cloaked ghost with a random assortment of bones hovering around its body. A real pain in the ass since his Aligned Strike was the only thing he had that could hurt it.

Approaching the pedestal, Colin remained wary. Even though there was nowhere to hide in the empty room, he would rather be ready for something and have nothing happen than be unprepared.

As he stood only a few feet away, a prompt appeared.

You have completed the first floor of the Kaden Dungeon Compound for the first time and have earned the ability, Improved Vitality 1.

As Colin finished reading, the marble of light shot towards him and passed through his chest and entered his center. His torso warmed noticeably as the power of the ability took hold and spread through his entire system.

The ability Improved Vitality 1 had improved your health from a maximum of 178 to 222.

Smiling at the difference an extra twenty-five percent more health makes, Colin looked at the pedestal again. Underneath where the floating light had been, a single sigil surrounded by a circle sat glowing a soft fluorescent white.

Nox had told him about this aspect of Dungeon Compounds; they all had escape runes etched in at the end of each floor so those who completed it could leave quickly. He, for one, was glad this feature existed. Even with this new energy coursing through his system like two cups of coffee, he still felt done for the day.

The travel here was tedious and time-consuming since Nox refused to Shadow Tunnel, what he said the ability is called, here. He stated that his service for free is over and that actual time spent would be suitable for Colin’s growth. Whatever that meant, Colin met a carriage service just outside one of the gates of Willows Cross that ferried people to and from the town around this Dungeon.

Internal grumbling aside from his exhaustion, Colin placed his hand on the rune. It flashed white, blinding him for a moment and removing him from the dungeon. When he opened his eyes, Colin stood in a cordoned-off area just outside the Dungeon’s entrance. He was not surprised to see the security woman staring at him.

“Are you alone?” the uniformed woman asked, confused.

Colin nodded, and her eyebrows raised. “That’s impressive. A level eight rogue completing the Kaden Dungeon Compound alone. That might be a record,” she said, pulling a small book from her back trouser pocket. She flipped through the pages for a moment and nodded as she looked back up at Colin, “yup. The lowest solo challenger to the Dungeon before now was a level ten Warrior/ Priest. I almost don’t want to count it since he was getting ready to become a paladin, but,” she shrugged. “Still solo.”

“Indeed,” Colin said, nodding along. He actually had no idea some people might keep track of records like this, but in the end, it made sense. People got bored and alleviated that boredom however they could. “Does this come with any sort of reward?”

She smiled, “no, you money-grubbing newbie. Only levels three and four have best record rewards.”

“Good to know,” Colin said. “What are the other records for the other floors?”

She turned a page, “floor two was cleared by a level twenty-six Berzerker/ Mage. The third by a level forty-two Necron-Sword, and the fourth floor by a level sixty Saint Guardian.” She read, looking up at Colin, “You going to try for the records?”

“I might, we will have to see where I’m at in my early level twenties,” he chuckled darkly. Well, see you again.” he said, stepping towards the entrance she stood next to.

“Wait,” she said, putting an arm out to her side, blocking his exit. “Could I get your name for the record?”

Nodding, Colin simply said, “DevilWalker.”

Eyebrows raised, the Guard wrote it down and took a step out of his way. “I do hope to see you challenge the Dungeon again!”

He stepped away from the cordoned-off area and onto the well-worn dirt path that led back to Kaden Dungeon Town. It was a small town whose primary revenue source was the stream of Outworlders and native adventurers who came to the Dungeon. They would usually stay the night, eat, drink, and maybe buy some of the town’s goods. Weapons, armor, consumables like potions, and low-grade magic items could be found or made in this town.

Uninterested in that for the moment, Colin walked until he found the one mile to town road marker and took a sharp right off the road. The game trail had been pointed out to him earlier and had even gotten the tracking skill with the help. His target wasn’t far along the unmarked trail, so after a minute, he came upon a rare specimen of a tree.

According to Nox, it was called a Soul Lantern Oak, and it was a magical variant of a standard oak tree. When the acorns appear, Soul Lantern Oaks only grow a handful that glows like small lanterns when someone dies near the tree. The lore stated that the tree was considered a pure symbol of Soul Magic and Nox confirmed that the tree enhanced spellwork that involved the branch of magic.

Up in the branches of the tree, Nox sat with his back up against the trunk. With his hood down, it was hard to know whether or not the Goblin was asleep or just waiting patiently.

“Were you successful?” Nox asked, his voice easily carrying down to Colin from up in the tree.

“I got the ability,” Colin confirmed.

“Excellent,” Nox said, falling backward into his shadow and the trunk of the tree. When he reappeared, the Alchemyst was walking around the trunk of the tree as if he hadn’t just walked through shadows. With a flourish, Nox conjured his signature cane and clacked it into the packed earth between the roots. “So what’s next, DevilWalker? I’m dying to know.”

Colin took in a deep breath as he collected his thoughts. His first option was, admittedly, the most simple. He could travel to the next nearest Dungeon Compound and conquer its first floor. The next was a fair distance away near a place called The Sandalwood Basin, and it would increase the wisdom attributes effect on mana regeneration. He liked the idea, but from what could tell, even by carriage, it would take weeks to get there.

His next idea was more feasible in the short-term, considering that what he needed was right here.

His only other idea was not in his nature. Slaughter every player that he could reasonably beat in an attempt to gain their abilities. This one had many downsides, including making him possibly known as a player killer at the least and the Antagonist at worst. Hell, Colin considered this one only because he wanted to find out what some of those classes the security woman mentioned were. Necron-Sword sounded awesome.

So back to the second idea.

“Nox,” Colin started. “Think your up for what I asked earlier?”

The Goblin pulled back his hood, revealing his snow-white hair and his brilliantly smiling teeth. His accent was oddly cheery as he responded, “of course. Do you have the three measures of powdered obsidian that I asked for?”

Colin shook his head, “I didn’t, but I did talk to one of the potion makers in town. Who said that its an unusual ingredient so they don’t have it immediately ready. They said they will have it by the morning for an extra ten CB. I paid for it. Good enough?” Colin asked.

Nox nodded, “good enough. So open up your Hubris Ability screen and tell me what it says so we can figure out how to teach you abilities from the Mage Class.”

“Open Hubris Menu,” Colin intoned.

Hubris Menu (this is your first time opening the Hubris Menu. You will get the full ability tutorial this time automatically. If you wish to see this tutorial again, state that you want to see the Hubris Menu tutorial.): The strength of your will and the heights of your ego allow you to ignore the natural laws that govern the paths all creatures in this world take.

How to unlock abilities: You can unlock the abilities and skills from any class that you have unlocked either from learning from someone at least level 50 in the class or killing someone for a chance to unlock it. To learn an ability, the teacher must be willing to teach you and have any starting skills also at level 50. The teacher need only explain the abilities that will be gained beforehand then speak these words while touching your forehead, ‘As a master of the (Insert class name here) Class, I unlock your potential. Become a(insert name of class here) and ascend in power, DevilWalker.’ If a class is unlocked in this way, it has a 100% chance to succeed unless an outside force intervenes.

To take a class, you only need to kill a player and hope your luck will avail you. The chance is equal to your wisdom attribute.

You currently have no unlocked classes. You have 35 Pride Points or PP to spend when you unlock a class.

A little underwhelming, but at least he knew how it worked now. He explained this all to Nox, and the Goblin let out a short peal of backing laughter.

“Ha, of course. This ability forces you to tell someone about your ability for you to unlock it. How totally absurd and perfect!” Nox barked, running a hand absently through his hair. “It seems as if this ability will force you to kill for it to be used.”

Colin nodded in agreement, “yeah, but I’d like to avoid it unless provoked. It should make it less obvious that I’m the Antagonist if I’m not killing willy-nilly.”

The Goblin gave Colin a little bow, “of course, DevilWalker. I yield to your wisdom.”

Rolling his eyes, Colin huffed out a breath and glared at his companion. “Can we get this done, please? Preferably before you show me more of your own style of sarcastic humor.”

“DevilWalker, when you say it like that, all the humor fades away.” Nox said, sagely.

“Yup,” Colin said, a little annoyed. He needed power and knowledge to ‘fulfil his role’ and get home. However, useful Nox was being with information, he was impossible with any other help Colin requested from him. After that lesser Ratling Den, whenever he wanted the Goblin to do something, it offered a price.

For this Mage Class training, Nox was getting three measures of powdered obsidian. When Colin had suggested that Nox Shadow Tunnel them to the Dungeon, he asked for a single measure of minced and dried Skarbek Lily Roots. While he was getting the order for the obsidian, Colin asked about the Skarbek Lily, and the shopkeeper had to look it up in his books. Per measure, the Skarbek Lily Roots were worth two CC each. That’s a hundred American dollars.

The Goblin mimicked Colin’s exasperated eye roll and spoke, “DevilWalker. I understand that you are having an issue coping with how you are now, as you put it, an Outworlder that can’t go back to your world. I promise to help you, but that does not mean you can get, oh goddess, huffy with me.”

A juvenile part of his mind wanted to remain annoyed at the being that was pointing this out to him. He sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to rein in the sarcastic part of his personality and remember that Nox had been the nicest being in this world so far. Outside of their first interaction and the Root Elemental Spider, at least.

The only thing Colin could say without throwing more attitude was simply, “fine. I’ll try.”

“Good,” Nox said. “Now, are you ready to begin?”

When Colin nodded, Nox started talking. “Okay so you mentioned that I needed to explain the class to you first. So first, let us start with the obvious, Mages are usually physically weak. This is because they need to spend their attribute points on intelligence and wisdom instead of their other attributes. You follow?”

Colin nodded again, so Nox pressed on. “This inherent weakness in build and physicality created the need for the only ability that all mages have in common, Empowering Mana. It depends on the magic you unlock when you first become a Mage, but it alters different attributes or effects when active. Like with you, Kinetic would improve your strength attribute when active. This ability always costs one mana per second and stops MP regeneration while active. So activate carefully.”

“Second, all Mages unlock a magic type of their choosing from the four elements when they get their class. Fire, water, earth, and air. Nothing uncommon there. I personally chose earth, but I lived underground at the time. This comes with a subskill to help level up the skill until it gets to level five, and you can create your own spells.”

“Lastly, I’m not sure you know this because you got a unique base class, but every class gets an ability called Dedicated Learner. It gives a small percentage bonus to skill experience when using a skill. For warriors, they get to choose two weapons. Rogues get stealth and another Rogue skill chosen from a list. Mages get their chosen elemental Magic Manipulation skill and another at a later level,” Nox finished, taking in a breath and letting it out.

“That’s the mage class at first level. Unlike the warrior or priest, the Mage class doesn’t really get useful until they level up their chosen element to five so they can get creative with their magic. Trust me, DevilWalker, when I say that you do not want to piss off a mage type class who knows your coming. I’ve heard of a mage who, at level six Water Magic Manipulation, created a spell that created a sheen of ice over the joints of the target. It dealt damage when they shattered,” Nox told Colin, his sharp teeth gleaming in the now setting sunlight.

“Any questions?” The Goblin asked, then before Colin could answer, announced, “excellent, I will make a mage out of you yet. Now, come kneel before me, DevilWalker. I can’t reach your head,” Nox said, gesturing with his hand at their varying heights.

Shrugging, Colin approached the Goblin and took a knee before him. His knee pressed down into a root that stuck out of the ground and was annoyingly uncomfortable. But before he could shift his knee, Nox touched his temple and spoke the words. “As a master of the Mage Class, I unlock your potential. Become a Mage and ascend in power, DevilWalker.”

A white light appeared in the center of the Goblin’s chest, it grew by the second as Nox spoke the words and finished. With the speaking of his name, the light traveled from Nox’s chest, through his arm, and into Colin’s head. When the light dimmed and faded, a new prompt appeared.

Nox Lightsnuffer has taught you the abilities of a Mage and used his authority to make you one yourself. Mage has now been unlocked in your Hubris Menu and the abilities your teacher has told you are available to be unlocked.

“Well, it worked,” Colin told him as Nox pulled his hand away.

“Good,” Nox mused. “What magic did you pick?”

“None yet,” Colin said, confused. “I think I need to check out the menu again to find out what happens next. Hold on.”

Nox said nothing, letting Colin look at the Hubris Menu again.

Hubris Menu: Notes for the player. Parenthesis indicates the Pride Points or PP to Unlock and use. Locked Class traits can be unlocked once the class is bought. Dedicated Learner is omitted from the list due to the player’s class having a similar ability to be chosen.) Available Classes: Mage (5 PP) Elemental Magic Manipulation Skill(10 PP) Empowering Mana Ability(10 PP) Current PP: 35

“Oh, so that’s what the Pride Points are for,” Colin spoke, understanding entering his voice.

“What are Pride Points?” Nox asked, his head tilting curiously.

Colin explained quickly since he was looking at the menu still. Not a lot to think about since he had enough points to buy everything and even have ten left over for something else should he unlock it. He wasn’t sure how the points were scaled yet, but he assumed that he would figure it out.

“Ah, I see,” Nox said, accepting Colin’s explanation. “Well, if you need to spend these Pride Points to get abilities, I’d suggest making getting them one of your focuses. This ability makes your potential almost infinite but costly. How did you get you other points?” Nox inquired.

“The first few points were from when my Determination skill triggered when I was fighting the Columbine Mutator. I was able to stave off death long enough to drink that healing potion you gave me. The second was when I made my Mythic Sword Blank into a Living Mythic Xiphos,” Colin explained.

“Resisting the natural law of the world by dying and refusing it then creating life,” Nox mused. “I will think on this. In the meantime, I’d suggest you hold off on-”

“Too late,” Colin said, having just finished purchasing all three things.

You have unlocked the traits of the Mage Class in your Hubris Menu. You have Purchased the Skill, Elemental Magic Manipulation. To complete this purchase, you must choose one of the following types; Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. You have unlocked the Skill, Water Magic Manipulation Level 1. You have gained the subskill, Frost Shaping Level 1. With this skill, you can take up to 16 fl oz and freeze it into a shape of no real complexity. You have gained the ability, Empowering Mana(Water, Kinetic). Water increases your Dexterity attribute by 1% per Water Magic Manipulation Level. Kinetic increases your strength attribute by 1% per Kinetic Magic Manipulation Level. (Does not stack with the Kinetic Vigor skill).

All awesome, Colin mused as he looked over his new abilities a second time before closing the prompts. He’d chosen water simply for the extra utility that water had in his mind. Pressurized water could cut through steel and could erode anything given enough time. Not to mention that it could be cold, hot, frozen, turned to steam, and maybe even could manipulate the water content in people’s bodies at later levels. Who knows? All the others did have some potential, especially given that the prompt didn’t offer any clues about what it could do.

“Alright, DevilWalker. Your points, your call. I was only going to suggest that we wait to see if you get more points easily or if it would be hard work. We can’t just kill you and hope that your skill will keep you alive. Goddess, we can’t even guarantee that you will get points again the exact same way,” Nox pointed out.

Colin only smiled, “you’re right, Nox. Though I would like to say that I could afford all the abilities, you told me about and still have some leftover. Besides, I have some ideas that I am hoping to play with, and water magic will help.”

“Your choice, DevilWalker,” Nox shrugged. “So, what now?”

“I thought that we would stay in the Dungeon Town tonight then make our way back to Willows Cross on the morning carriage. I have some business left in Willows Cross before I consider leaving for a while,” Colin explained. “After that, I thought we might start making our way to somewhere named BriarThorn.”

“For your Demon’s Favor quest?” Nox questioned.

“Yeah, better safe than sorry to start making our way there now while the Demon remains unerased. Do you know where it is? BriarThorn, specifically,” Colin asked as he started walking back towards the road.

“No, I don’t. Must have been founded after I died. It is so peculiar to come back and find that almost everything has changed. Willows Cross was destroyed and rebuilt, four Demon Lords had come and gone, and even people come from another world for adventure. Sounds like a bad bard’s tale,” The Goblin chuckled.

“It really does,” Colin agreed.

The two shared a small laugh at how idiotic this whole thing sounded out loud. It felt like a moment of comradery that both men were enjoying for the undeniable fact of pure friendship. Neither knew a lot about the world they were in now, and both needed assistance. They complimented each other well, in Colin’s opinion.

Then the amiable air between them was shattered by an arrow that narrowly missed Nox’s left shoulder.

“Shit, I missed ya, you blighter!” yelled out a man from somewhere in the trees in front of them. His accent led Colin to believe the man was Australian, but he could just be from somewhere in the game. Nox sounded like a gruff high-class Englishman.

Three seconds later, another arrow whistled through the air, and the trajectory looked perfectly accurate this time. But instead of sticking into the Goblin’s eye, the arrow passed through his head as if it were as insubstantial as, well, shadow.

“What the fuck?!” the Assie said, a little too loudly.

Now Colin could track the voice and find the player. He was crouching in a tree, maybe thirty to thirty-five feet away wearing soft-looking yet thick padded leather armor. A green hooded cloak covered his head and draped down his back, a longbow sat in his right hand with an arrow held in the opposite.

“What?!” Nox called out to him. “Did you think I was some HobGoblin or Goblin Scavenger? I’m afraid that you made a dire mistake,” Nox said, a ferocious smile playing across his features.

He pointed at the tree bound humanoid, and a shadow enveloped him before becoming two dimensional again. A moment later, the bowman reappeared, falling to the ground in a heap and moaning in pain.

“Fucker, that was unfair,” he said, half moaning as he spoke.

“So was that sneak attack but, oh well. So, I just had a great idea. You will fight my companion here to the death. If you win, I will let you live. If you die, you’re dead anyway. Unless you want to die now, I suggest you do it,” the Goblin said. “Unless my companion disagrees.”

“His funeral, he attacked us first,” Colin shrugged, already dismissing the notion of not fighting this guy. He must be around Colin’s own level, or he’d already be up and moving instead of moaning and groaning. Not to mention Nox wouldn’t be suggesting this unless he stood a chance, right?

“Really dude, you’re choosing a fucking NPC monster over a player?” he wheezed, getting to his feet.

“Yup, and do you know why? It’s because you’re a prick. He may be a blood-thirsty monster, but he’s my blood-thirsty monster. So, are you ready? I have other things to do after this,” Colin said, adding a fake yawn as he finished.

“Fuck you!” he spat. “Fine, you got a deal.” he said, knocking the arrow and losing it at Colin.

Colin dove into a tumble to close the short distance between the two of them and drew his Mythic Xiphos upon standing. He swung the shortsword in a spinning arc that the man deflected with his bow. It successfully stopped the attack from hitting flesh but snapped the bow in two.

Colin pulled back for a second attack, the man dropped his bow and drew a large hunting dagger. He charged at Colin and said, “Blight Blade!”

The Cloaked man’s blade started oozing toxic green fluid from the crossguard and was sprinting towards Colin, blade pointed forward as if to ram it into him. As he reclosed the distance, his hood flew loose, revealing a brush of short blonde hair and unmistakably pointed ears. This guy was an Elf?

Luckily, that detail was less relevant, given that he was in the middle of a fight. “Aligned Strike!” Colin announced, drawing one of his simple daggers. The red haze of evil energy coalesced about the blade, and Colin threw it. It impacted the Aussie Elf’s arm, making him drop the weapon and cry out in pain.

Deciding to end this now before they drew some attention from someone going to or from the Dungeon Compound, Colin stepped up to the Elf and struck the man’s forehead with the crystal pommel of the sword.

The man fell onto his back and, without further thought, plunged the blade into the man’s throat.

It took a few moments for the man to die. With high enough build and health, it was possible to survive even mortal wounds until it was possible to get healed. But this guy stood no chance. With the life literally leaking out of him by the second, it took nearly half a minute for him to expire and Colin to get the prompt.

You have killed an unknown player, and your ability Player Killer 1 has triggered. You gain 312 EXP out of his held experience points to the next level. You now have 1812/ 4050 Experience remaining until level 8. Your Short Blades skill is now level 3. Your damage, attack speed, and reaction time with short blades have increased by a small margin.

“Get his Class?” Nox asked curiously.

“No prompt saying I did so,” Colin paused and opened the menu to be sure. “No.”

“Unfortunate. Better luck next time,” Nox shrugged. “Ready to head into town?”

“Yeah, but you get the bed tonight. I got it last night,” Colin told him.

“Nah, you’ll be the one fighting. You need the sleep more than me,” Nox dismissed.

The two continued back and forth like this for several minutes, neither caring to loot the man’s body since his equipment was not the point and neither cared. When the man’s body vanished a few minutes, no one would know what happened there.