Slowly, I approached the orb, Blackmail in hand. My > showed very little.

Item: crystal orb, unknown energy

Once I was in front of the orb, the system spoke up.

[Floor one complete. On each floor completion, authority is granted. Authority allows choice of floor upon entering from door or residence hall. Current options: floor one, floor two]

[Achievement: first floor conquered by Earth explorer. Reward calculated. Reward: ultra-grade dimensional tunnel]

I remembered the system in the air spoke something about a dimensional tunnel when Keith tried to invade, but nothing changed. I couldn't appraise the tunnel, because there was none. Suddenly, the sphere rose up, letting me pass. I was surprised, though, by what happened next.

[Unknown interference detected. Crystal orb error. Dispatching new orb to floor one. Please stand by.]

For the third time, this interference did something. I never know what's going to happen once this happens. This time it seemed simple. Beneath the orb, a ring suddenly appeared. It had a silver band and, once I picked it up, I could see its face. There was a six-pointed star, shining in a brilliant white light. I picked it up and put it on. As soon as I did, my MP increased by fifty. Next, the ring shone even brighter. On my finger, the ring became a simple silver ring. Trying to move it, I found it wouldn't move. A second later, a bright white light came up from the ring and engulfed the orb.

"Hey! What are you doing? That's part of the dungeon! You can't take that, stupid ring!"

It didn't work, and the light soon retracted into the ring, with the orb gone. From the ring, I heard a soft voice, different than that of the system.

"Hello, and thank you for freeing me. I am not too powerful by myself, so please retrieve my comrades. This ring will allow you to summon and control us when you need to. You can also call forth our powers in a limited quantity, once we are released. We will also help you overtake the dungeon and end the catastrophe, but it will take time. This is the little power that I can grant you."

The system came up, then, with two announcements.

[Notice: new crystal orb was successfully dispatched. If you encounter any issues, tell the orb.]

[New skill acquired: advanced demonic techniques]

"Demonic techniques?" I asked the ring

"You'll see. It'll get more powerful the more of us you save. The level and rank are only system interfaces, but you'll still gain more skills for each of us."

"More skills would be good if I can use it; however, my MP is not high enough for most of these skills. Moreover, my MP regeneration is slow compared to what I may need to use."

"Don't worry; you can use our skills."

"I hope so. I don't know what lies ahead on the second floor."

"Also, I will, from now on, communicate with you telepathically."

The rest of the conversation was in my head, similar to the system.

"like this. Please check out the new skills you can use."

I tried to appraise the first one, but I only got ??? in response.

"Oh, let me help with that. Here."

[Appraise Everything level up! Level 5]

"Now, the MP use decreased to only require MP for significant appraisals, and you can see some of the information hidden from the system."

I tried to > again. This time, I got an adequate response.

Demon summoning

Requirements: void affinity, demon to summon

Description: summon the power of a demon under your command for a limited amount of time

I thought this was too scary to use, so I didn't even try. The next skill was just as mysterious as the first.

Demon claw

Requirements: void affinity

Description: Using the demon's power, transform your hand into a claw. The claw increases your attack by 150% for the duration of use. As the demon recovers its original strength, the increase in attack strength also increases. Weak to heavenly-type monsters, including angels. Cut cannot be stopped.

This looked like a good skill to have. As the recent fights have taken a few more weeks, I decided to take a vacation from the dungeon for a few days. When I returned, I asked the dungeon to send me to floor two.

[Due to issue with previous orb, new reward calculated. result: arc boots]

Arc Boots

Type: item (equipable armor, S)

Description: when equipped, automatically equipped in dungeon. Can be manually equipped outside. Display options: white boots, white sneakers with or without lightening on sides

Requirements: electricity affinity 60%

Effect: speed +5; can quickly move as fast as lightening to designated location in sight; however, no obstructions can be present. Unable to act while moving distance; can use lightening to walk on air

These were awesome boots! I immediately equipped them as white sneakers both inside and outside the dungeon, and they increased my confidence to challenge the second floor!

I arrived in a dimly lit room, made out of bricks. Behind me was a set of stairs leading down into darkness and in the front of the room was a wooden door. I did not see any monsters, nor did my hostility perception detect any. Suddenly, green ooze started coagulating on the walls. As it congealed, I appraised it. My appraisal showed it’s a slime!

Slime

Vitality: 85/85

Skills: split, attract

The skills showed the slime could split into separate entities as well as join back together. When the first slime appeared, I swung Blackmail. My sword went right through the slime. Vitality didn't decrease at all. With my sword not affected, I tried chanting >. The slime split in two, unaffected by my attack. It lunged at me. Barely avoiding, my evasion techniques leveled up, and I learned a new skill: silent steps.

Silent steps

Description: erases steps of caster, including all sound

It wasn't too useful right now, but, if I ever wanted to steal something, it would be a great help with my hide presence. Now, there are four slimes in the room! They surrounded me and pounced. In so doing, they began to attempt to engulf my arms. My one arm was OK because the ring wouldn't let itself be eaten, but my other arm was searing in great pain.

[notice: poison resistance level up! Level 7]

I guess that the slimes were trying to poison me. Even with my increased resistance, I could not stop losing HP. The next spell I attempted was four >. The slimes stopped attacking me. Using this opportunity, I > the slimes. On my first slash, they fell in half but did not disappear. After a few more slashes, the slimes finally began to disappear. Safe for now, I tried something new. According to the description, my mana manipulation should be able to extend outwards to detect enemies. I tried thinking of doing so, and I saw mana strings leave my body. They traveled in all directions, but they stopped as soon as they hit the walls. Hoping that there was something good in the skills shop, I opened it up. Once I did so, I saw two columns.

Class: Skill Lord Class: ??? Elementary Familiar techniques: 20SP

Elementary blacksmithing techniques: 40SP

Elementary potion making techniques: 40SP

Elementary enchanter techniques: 75SP

Elementary spear techniques: 250SP

Elementary bow techniques: 250SP

Elementary death invocation techniques: 1000SP Lie detection: 50SP

Devil transformation: 100SP

Angel's wings: 200SP

Communicate with dead: 500SP

Divine miracle: 2000SP

LOCKED

All of the skills listed are expensive! I only have 20SP, so I can only buy the familiar techniques. Appraisal also doesn't work on any of these. Buying the skill, I wanted to see what I got. My mana threads caught more monsters closing in. My hostility perception also noticed it. I counted six congealing slimes. This time, I wanted to see if my demon claw would work on them. Thinking about it, the arm with my ring turned black and enlarged. My hands turned into claws, with sharp nails extruding from them. The black skin seemed to congeal, itself. Soon, it was much more solid than even the wall. I tried to grab the first slime, and I was able to. It couldn't do anything against this new arm of mine. As such, I squished it until it disappeared. I did the same for the rest of the slimes. When they were all defeated, the only drop I got was a small gemstone, which would look like a diamond cut in half if it hadn't been light green in color. When I touched it, it disappeared. Looking at my status page, it increased by EXP by two and my MP refilled by five.

I heard the ring talking to me soon after.

"Good job activating your demon arm. It looks so pretty. Why don't you go and kill some more with it? It looks so fun."

"Killing is fun? I'm just attacking those who attack me. I'm worried this may affect my father's research."

"Admit it! You were having fun killing the slimes."

"No, I was not. Why are you talking to me, anyway?"

"I can't just talk when I want to have a conversation? How rude!"

"OK, so you just wanted to talk."

"No, that's not it. I wanted to tell you about the new skill you learned."

"So, you did have an ulterior motive for talking? And how do you know my skills?"

"I can see all—even some of what you cannot. I know you are looking for a familiar."

"I just purchased the cheapest skill I could find. What even is a familiar?"

"A familiar is like a pet, except it battles for you. Most people choose them for their prettiness or because they were the best available. Usually, the skill is useless. It takes a while to find a strong familiar, and most don't have the patience."

"So, this familiar can come to the dungeon with me?"

"Yes, of course. Now, I have a deal for you. Feed me some more slimes, and I'll use my power to bring you a strong familiar."

"I'm all for beating slimes, but how would I get this familiar to obey me?"

"You worry too much. Do you see that ring on your finger? That's all you need to have absolute control over the pet I help you get."

Listening to whoever is in this ring, I proceeded to kill slimes in the brick room for the next few days. I only used the demon claw. The slimes also drop EXP shards less than the goblins. I only managed to get two after six days of fighting slimes in this room. Finally, I heard from the ring.

"Delicious. Now that I'm full, I'll help you. To begin, you'll need to use your three skill tickets."

"But I've been saving those in case I really need them. Even if I could, I have no way of giving them to you."

"You don't have to. Just tell the system that you want to use them to summon a potential familiar. I'll do the rest."

"If the system's involved, I guess there won't be any harm. System, please use my three skill tickets to summon a familiar."

[Summoning familiar. Determining affinity. Error. Interference detected. error dump: action: summoning familiar. Interference: demonic interference. Grade: C-. Rebuilding firewall, segregating damaged code. Restoring.]

When the system finished, a large circle suddenly appeared on the ceiling, slowly descending to the floor.

"That was a lot of work! The system is so annoying here! Hopefully, you will soon gain summoning yourself, so that you don't have to pay so much! I can't help you too much more, though. Now that the system has seen me, it will be much harder to act. I was able to upgrade your familiar skills to level two while I was acting. When the child appears, use the familiar contract skill," the ring told me.

When she finished with her instructions, the circle on the ground lit up.

[Notice: determining affinity. Affinity of void highest. Finding suitable monster. Please defeat the monster to make it your familiar.]

Defeat? It was different than what the ring told me to do. I decided that if the ring's actions didn't work, I'd have to fight. A black mist arose from the circle, and I could see the same black patch as when Keith attacked me. She didn't summon Keith as my familiar, did she?

From the black patch, a figure's outline began to take shape. It was bigger than I could calculate, with a head as big as a mountain. It had two blood-red eyes and gigantic fangs protruding from its mouth. Atop its head was a golden crown, the only light in the darkness of the void which soon enveloped the room. On its back were six pairs of wings, alternating between black and red pairs. Rather than arms, there were innumerable snakes wrapped around each other. On his torse, there was ruby red armor, and in his hand, he held a ruby red sword. His lower body had not legs but a serpentine tail.

Appraisal showed ???, and I had no idea what this ring had done! I couldn't even get a grasp on its vitality, so how was I ever going to beat it?

"Hello, master! My name is Typhon. I am pleased you have chosen me as your familiar. I am but a baby now, but I hope to one day be of service to you," said a booming, old, gruff voice befitting such a creature.

Started due to the sound, I winced.

"Sorry, is this form better?"

As soon as he asked, Typhon shortened to the size of a man and grew legs and a long, gray beard. His sword became a walking stick and his crown a top hat.

"Master, I can't stay for long if you don't invoke the contract. I apologize if I am not good enough for you."

"No, no. It's OK."

After responding, I thought >. An arrow appeared on my finger, and I pointed to Typhon. He nodded his head and disappeared, bringing the void with him.

"That's Typhon," said the ring. "Now that he is your familiar, you can summon him with the summon familiar skill, though I would suggest against it until at least the hundredth floor. He is way out of this dungeon's league, and the dungeon may try to reject him. Since the dungeon can't categorize him, I'll show you."

In front of my eyes, a projection similar to appraisal appeared.

Name: Typhon

Race: Void Beast (King)

Level: 500

Vitality: 9,000,000

MP: 671,486,794

"This is just a baby?" I thought incredulously.

I then went back to defeating the slimes that came out of the wall. Satisfied after my next EXP shard, I tried to revert my arm back to normal. While it was always normal in the world, here, it was always in demon form. As soon as I thought of returning it, searing pain shot through my arm, almost incapacitating me. This was the worst pain I've ever felt, worse than the wounds from the swords. Finally, my hand returned to normal. At the same time, I almost missed the announcement from the system.

[Grand achievement: First familiar contract with Earth Explorer. MP +10. HP +10. All stats +5. All familiars of your and summoned monsters are now 10% more effective in combat while in the dungeon. Calculating reward from skill store.]

While lying on the ground, exhausted after reverting my hand back to normal, I was wondering what kind of reward I may receive. I was hoping it was one of the ones that cost thousands of SP, not something small like the lie detection. My wish was granted, but it wasn't a skill I'd seen before.

[Arch Mage skill: Elementary rune techniques has been learned]

Runes. As soon as I learned the skill, I could tell that is what Keith used. When I thought of the figures in the sky, the system chimed in again.

[Skill elementary rune techniques level up! Level 2]

Just thinking about the runes has caused the skill to level up. I next appraised both skills underneath it.

Read ruins

Description: Know what elementary runes do when encountering them, including elementary runic lines

depict ruins

Description: Draw the structure of elementary runes previously seen, without making them into actual runes that could be activated.

Useless. That was my first thought. Even at level two, I couldn't do anything. Either Keith's really strong, or his runic skills are his highest-leveled skills.

"What a great technique. When you get to intermediate level, some of my comrades may be able to tutor you and teach you our demonic runes."

When the ring finished speaking, I opened the wooden door slowly. Cautiously, I peeked into the hallway. At the same time, I readied Blackmail and activated > and >. The hallway I saw in front of me was covered in bricks on both sides. The bottom was sandy, and the top could not be seen clearly. It almost looked like I was looking at the stars in the night sky.

Towards what I thought to be the end of the hallway, I could smell fire burning. When I reached the end, I saw an area to the left that appeared to be carved out of the wall. It was made of mud, and there was a fireplace on the back wall. There was a fire inside, and smoke rose up to the ceiling of the little hole. In front, there was a large anvil. Around the floor, there were a couple large hammers. I did not know what kind of creature was intelligent enough to create this, and I wanted to find out even less.

For a little while, I continued my walk straight. I was not at the end yet, but I had to get up for school. The next night, I went back into the passageway, silently past the carved-out space, and, finally, I reached the end of the hallway. I almost fell down when I did, but, luckily, my shoes saved me. I was able to walk downwards on the air. Looking back up, I saw the tunnel I just came from was atop a wall that was at least 45 meters tall. I would have died if I didn't have these boots!

My next task was to scan the room and find enemies. I did so with my mana manipulation and could feel the presence of eleven enemies. I also saw that there were four ponds of lava in each corner of the room. The lava, though, wasn't spreading. I began walking until I saw my first monster in this room. It looked like a goblin, but it was slightly taller. Its ears were more pointed; its face rounder. It was also a lighter shade of green and had fangs. At the same time, I could see two more monsters ahead. I went pale as I saw they were both goblin knights. It was a tough fight with the first goblin knight on the first floor, and I did not think I could face two at the same time. I was even more surprised that the monster in front of me, according to appraisal, was not a goblin at all. It was a lesser hobgoblin!

Suddenly, my mana manipulation picked up on a projectile coming at me. I was only able to move slightly before it pierced my side. At least I saw that there was purple poison on the arrow tip before it hit!