Faced with the goblins surrounding me, I had no choice but to fight back. I swung my sword, which soon lost its blue color, and it ended up slashing the goblin's arm off, but a group still ganged up on me. I somehow woke up, back in my bed, in the middle of the night, unsure of how I survived. I checked my status. Name: Roberto

Race: Human (Earth)

Level: 0 (6/10)

Class:

MP: 6/50

Strength: 11

Endurance: 14

Speed: 8

Luck: 1

Wisdom: 10

Dexterity: 10

SP:2

Titles: None

Skills: Martial arts (F-) 24/100, Appraisal (A) 58/300 elementary sword techniques (F-) (38/100), existence (H) 18/20, critical strike (F+) (3/115)

Magic: absolute frost (SS ice) 0/1000, paralysis eyes (D- electric) 1/125, poison eyes (D- dark) 1/125, light (H) 3/20

Resistances: paralysis 10R, poison 10R, death 1R

Magic affinity:

Ice: 60%

Fire 15%

Water 5%

Electricity 50%

Dark

Warning: Tutorial failure. Please wait 12 hours before continuing

I saw I somehow acquired death resistance, and that there was a strange warning about a tutorial at the bottom of my status screen. As today (it was 1:00 am) was Saturday, I was free to do what I wanted besides mowing the lawn. I wanted to practice my sword technique and, if possible, critical strike. After eight hours, I awoke once more, went to my back yard, and began practicing strikes with my sword against a tree. Each strike did not seem to do much, though. After a couple hours of practicing, I re-checked my status and saw my > was now at a proficiency of 56/100, and I had gained the skill >

My father then walked out to talk to me while I was resting.

"Hey, son, what's up with this early morning practice? Do you have a competition coming up soon?"

"no, I just wanted to practice my sword skills a little."

"Alright, as long as you remember to mow the lawn."

"Yes, Dad, I'll do it soon."

After my father went back inside, I decided to mow the lawn. The rest of the day was uneventful. I drove my sister to her friend's house and did some chores my mother forced me to do. I also went to open gym and practiced my martial arts for an hour. When I went to bed, as a test, I put a lighter in my pocket and a small amount of lighter fluid in the other.

I was exhausted when I went to bed that night. I woke up, and I was in front of the so-called dungeon again. I got out Blackmail. I infused my mana again into the sword, with the same stat boosts at the cost of 15 mana. As soon as I opened the door again, the system messaged me.

[Due to goblin subjugation failure, +3 goblins have spawned. Looking back, I saw the message from last night showed

「goblins defeated 10/20」

As such, I now needed to defeat even more weakened goblins. From the same door, the goblins started pouring out into the hallway… eight in total. I ran with Blackmail into the fray, and the first goblin got hit in the eye thanks to critical strike. Pulling my sword back before killing the goblin, I ran into one of the rooms I have already cleared.

I used > to remove its arm, poured some of the fluid from my pocket onto the arm, and used the lighter to make it catch fire. Quickly, I threw it out of the room. Peeking out the door, I saw a weakened goblin try to touch it. The fire was burning fast and hot. I still had another arm, so I did the same with the second arm. Somehow, this hit a goblin in the head, causing burns to its face. A third goblin tried to pick up the arm, but the fire spread to its arm. I guess goblin skin is somewhat flammable? Even though it seemed to take a while, the goblin eventually was burned enough so as to be out of commission. Seeing the burns on the three goblins, I quickly ran out the door, and using the still living armless goblin as a shield, I rushed forward. With the shield in front, I threw Blackmail at the first weakened goblin, killing it (as it disappeared). It left behind a spell-book scroll and a vile of 10mL of blue liquid. Knowing what this was, I quickly grabbed it while slashing another goblin's neck almost off. It died, anyway, even though its head was only half-way severed. I heard a system message again.

[basic iron sword has evolved into basic magic sword I. Sharpness increased. Mana use decreased by 3. Gained additional attribute: [elemental bestow]: using 10 mana, bestow an element to the sword for 10 seconds. Effects change based on affinity with chosen element].

I quickly drank the potion, restoring my MP by 15 and raising my maximum limit by 15, and I infused mana into the sword again, thinking of electricity. My MP went down by 24, which was a lot, but when I swung the sword, an electric arc enveloped the hallway. It seemed the goblins just stared at the bright arc, giving me a chance to pounce. I threw my shield (weakened goblin) at the closest goblin, knocking it down, and I swung my electric sword down, seemingly electrifying both bodies. I got an EXP shard from this. Finally, there were only two left in the hallway. One went into a running tackle, so I dodged it and used my knife hand to bring it down. I again threw the goblin, which was heavier than the other goblin, onto the last remaining goblin. It took me a few stabs into its eye, but I finally defeated both. I then remembered the skill book from before. As my MP only increased by one, I decided to use my MP to appraise the spell after I learned it. I opened the scroll as usual, and then I appraised the spell.

Fireball

Rank D-

Proficiency: 0/125

Mana use: 10/use

Requirements: fire affinity 15%,

Description: creates a fireball and launches it towards target, dealing damage to enemies in path. By using more mana, size or damage can increase. 25% of burning target if burn resistance is less than 10R, chance increases if using more mana and requires burn resistance proportional to mana input

I finally learned the basic fireball spell, which I couldn't wait for my MP to recover enough to attempt. When I tried the last door, it would not open. Looking at the door I came in by, I saw the counter.

「goblins defeated 16/20」

As there were still four remaining, I went into the room. They were still dancing around the circle, and it looked like there was a scroll in the middle. I used > to attempt to have them attack me, but they still did not even so much as look at me. I snuck up behind one, and I attempted to stab it. My sword barely went through. The goblin seemed mad, so it turned around and attempted to swat me like a fly.

I was not going down so easy. I took its arm over my shoulder and eventually pinned it down with my arm behind its back. After repeated stabbings while the other three goblins continued dancing around the circle, it seemed to have died and left behind a blue shard. I thought it would be an EXP shard, but, upon consuming it and checking my status, it seemed to have brought my MP up by 15. I was excited to try out my new spell, so I kept thinking >. Some words flowed into my head, so I tried saying it out loud.

"Great fire of the world, gather into the palm of my hand. I Roberto command you, extinguish thine enemy! fireball"

When the last word left my mouth, the fireball appeared in my hand and shot towards the closest goblin. It ignited on impact and seemed to cause enough pain for the goblin to notice me. When it looked up, I again tried to stab its neck. Finally, the sword was able to puncture the goblin's neck at the most-burned part. Slowly, the sword entered, and finally, the goblin disappeared. This left only two goblins, the circle, and the scroll in the room. One goblin had on a weird, gray robe and held a staff. Seeing the death of the two goblins in the room, it ran towards the circle. The circle seemed to have some sort of force field around it, as the goblin immediately was killed on impact. Both the robe and staff disappeared with the goblin. The final goblin started staring at me, and I heard a message.

[intimidation resistance raised by 5R]

Maybe it was because the goblin's stare wasn't that intimidating, but I was glad my resistance increased. I appraised the single remaining goblin.

type: monster (goblin)

vitality: 70/70

skills: intimidation Lv 2, basic blunt object techniques Lv 7, body strengthening Lv 5

This was the first monster I've faced with skills, But I was ready. I did not want to go near the circle in the middle, and it seemed to understand not to enter it, as well. I faked walking away, and it started moving around the magic circle. I then waited until it was in front of the circle, and I pushed it in towards the center. Gaining an EXP shard, I heard the sound of glass breaking, and, somehow, I felt it would be safe to approach the scroll. As I did, nothing happened. I slowly opened the scroll, and it seems to have been a summoning spell called void energy summon. Appraisal showed

Void Energy Summon

Rank H

Proficiency: 0/0

Mana use: 0/use

Requirements: ability to connect to the void

Description: brings the energy of the void to the current plane for consummation by the caster

I have never seen a proficiency of 0/0 before, even though the rank is so low, nor do I have any idea what this void is. The system didn't answer when I tried asking. I slowly approached the final room, unsure if it would be more difficult than the last. When I slowly turned the nob and slowly entered, I saw a table like the first two rooms and a projection of a girl, about 13 years of age, with white hair touching the floor and a white robe on. The projection then began speaking, in the same voice as the system.

"Welcome, new explorer. I am the interface with the system. All explorers gain access to this room upon near-completion of the tutorial. By placing your hand on this device, you will unlock new functions."

Suddenly, a device that looked like a hand showed up on the table.

"functions are store: buy and sell "loot" at the store, world-chat: chat with explorers from the same world, and party registration: allows registration of parties from all worlds. Additionally, the system will be optimized based on the current world's knowledge. When finished, please grab the golden orb and present it to the doorway at the end of this hallway. The key will unlock the first floor of the Black Tower and allow you to challenge it. Please remember that death in this dungeon causes more monsters to spawn and requires a cool off period; however, very few dungeons have this setting turned on."

Even though I was confused, I didn't think there would be any harm in placing my hand on the hand-shaped device, so I did so. The projection disappeared, but I heard the system again in my head.

[System optimized for earth. Calculating level from proficiency. Calculating level from resistances. Calculating complete. New value added: HP. HP will show current vitality of explorer. Please check status to determine new values]

[Appraisal has ranked up from A to A+. New skill "Appraisal Blocking" learned: blocks appraisals with a level lower than current appraisal. Please not appraisal skill has become a rank D to rank C ability for the current planet, so maximum level of appraisal blocking is higher than allowed for others on planet]

[Existence has ranked up from H to D due to system reconfiguration. Name has changed to intimidate. New skill "persuasion" learned: chance to persuade target to act in your favor]

[skill rankings removed due to system optimization, appraisal has been changed to appraise everything in conformance with new system data]

I wanted to finish this tutorial first, so I grabbed the golden gem and went to the invisible barrier, assuming this is the thing to be unlocked. Once I brought the key to the barrier, it dispersed. I also heard many more system messages.

[Grand Achievement: first explorer from Earth to enter the dungeon. Title "First Conqueror" obtained. Residence passes obtained]

Suddenly, information about the title appeared in my mind

Title: First Conqueror

Effects:

All stats increase by 5

During level upgrades, stats increase by double

Dual classes unlocked: during class advancement, two classes can be selected

Then, tickets floated down into my hand. Before doing anything with these tickets, I asked the system what classes are. I was told classes allow individuals to learn certain class specific skills and change affinity, MP, stats, and other values. Others can see your classes. Classes also have a hierarchy. It goes apprentice class->class->elder class->master or arc class->grand master/arc class-> lord or emperor class->class saint or saintess. The last one also has a maximum number who can obtain it. Jobs can increase in the hierarchy or an additional job can be added every 20 levels until level 100, starting with level 1. When I was about to walk past the barrier and into a dark cave cavern ahead, I hear the system again.

[system optimization completed. Reward for all explorers: EXP +2]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up! Level 1. All stats increased by +1. SP + 4. Reward: Gained burn resistance Level 1. You may now choose a class. Determining appropriate classes based on battle experience and skills]

Suddenly, a list of potential classes appeared, such as

-apprentice thief

-apprentice mage

-apprentice swordsman

-apprentice potionmaker

-apprentice professor

-ice mage

As ice mage was already a level above the others, I was planning to choose that. I also helped that I may be sooner able to cast . The system went off again, though, before I could pick my classes.

[Error! Unknown interference detected! Class 1 chosen. Class 2 chosen. Classes have been chosen by explorer] [Gained class Skill Lord. Skills can be learned much easier. There is a chance spell ranks can increase. As more skills are learned, skill level upgrades will become easier. All stats decrease 2] [Skill learned: skill progression: activates on level up. Two level up tickets generated which can level up chosen skill. Each skill can only be increased in this manner once] [Skill learned: skill mutation: skills and magic can be combined to make new skills or magic. Mana cost is equal to mana cost of each skill or magic selected+1] [Gained class ???. all elemental affinity increased by 25%. Chance for greater affinity increase per level increase. MP +200 with chance for MP limit increase during level increase. MP cooldown decreased to 30 minutes. All stats +2. Error: further effects unknown] I wasn't sure what this interference was or why I could not choose my own classes, but I was OK with it. I got a lord-level class, and, even though I do not know what the other class is, the effects seem pretty good. After all of these changes, I re-checked my status. It looked very different, but I was glad to see the levels, as it made everything less confusing. I was still surprised, though about the void energy summon skill which showed a level 0 vs. the skill progression skill and skill mutation skill with no level. I was also confused by the new void energy resistance with a negative value. Maybe it meant I would get even more hurt by void energy. Only time could tell what this all meant, so I decided to check it out another day.

Name: Roberto

Race: Human (Earth)

Level: 1 (0/30)

Class: Skill Lord; ???

MP: 205/265

HP: 15/15

Strength: 18

Endurance: 21

Speed: 15

Luck: 6

Wisdom: 17

Dexterity: 17

SP: 10

BTP: $10

Titles: First Conqueror

Skills: Martial arts Lv 4, appraise everything Lv 1, intimidate Lv 1, critical strike Lv 2, skill progression, persuasion Lv 1, skill mutation, appraisal blocking Lv 1

elementary sword techniques Lv 6,

slash, stab, pierce, consecutive strike, sword block

Magic: absolute frost (SS ice) Lv 1, paralysis eyes (D- electric) Lv 2, poison eyes (D- dark) Lv 2, light (H) Lv 3, Fireball (D-) Lv 2, void energy summon Lv 0

Resistances: paralysis Lv 3, poison Lv 3, death Lv 1, intimidation Lv 2, burn Lv 1, void energy summon Lv 0,

Magic affinity:

Ice: 85%

Fire 40%

Water 30%

Electricity 75%%

Dark 25%

Void energy: -1

Next, I wanted to see what the shop could do. As such, I thought of the shop, and A list of items as well as a cost showed up, but the cost was in units of BTP, which I apparently had 10 of. I wasn't sure how to get more BTP, though it seemed like it has something to do with the dungeon. The potions available are below

-recovery potion: increases HP by 10%; 15BTP

-MP regeneration potion: increases MP by 10%; 20BTP

-status fixing potion: possibly removes status ailment; 25BTP

-MP limit potion: raises maximum MP limit (number of uses limited); 11,000BTP

Those were the ones I knew what they did. There were also some spell books, weapons, and armor; however, the weapons were weak such as a dull iron sword, basic iron sword, rusted dagger, and trash spear. The limited armor wasn't too much better, with names such as leather armor for show only, no-protection leggings, broken silver chest guard, and tattered robe. I asked the system why only such terrible items were shown, even though the BTP cost was up to a couple hundred.

[Items available in shop increase in three ways. Way one: find item in dungeon. Way two: level up. Way three: unique conditions]

I tried asking what these unique conditions consisted of, but I wasn't able to get any further answer. It's really frustrating when the system just goes silent and won't tell me the more important information I need to succeed! At least it made sense why the MP limit potion was included, even with its insane price. I decided to venture forth into the cavern when I heard my alarm clock going off. I had forgotten I had to go to my religious service at 8AM this Sunday. My parents and I are part of a small religious organization worshiping a deity known as "The Dragon of the Black Tower" We hear stories of fantasy worlds sometimes, and other times we offer up burnt sacrifices or our blood. It seems, though, that no one knows anything about this dragon.

Too bad I could not explore the dungeon itself. At least I finally finished whatever the tutorial was supposed to be. I wondered, though, if the stat increases had any effect on my real life.