Vinny

Location: The Dungeon Trial, 1 Dungeon Entrance, Kenton, Floor One

Date: July 17th, 304 PS (Post System)

Time: 7:10 AM

Leaning against the cave wall, I looked around for my teammate, Jack, except I couldn't find him. Maybe he got through the "Trial of the Mind" before I did. I continued onward. I couldn't see where the light was coming from, but I could see through the darkness.

"Maybe this is some kind of spell that's allowing me to see in pitch black," I suggested out loud.

The part of the dungeon I was searching through looked like someone was in a rush to make it, so they hit copy and paste too many times, and created this dark passageway. I quicked my steps to more of a light jog. Before I knew it, I emerged through an opening and into a cavern teeming with monsters. My face lit up with how many monsters I had to choose. Azurvian, an ice-type bird, Crustik, a giant crab, and Gober, a stout goblin, are the most common monsters around the cavern. I saw a green blur off in the distance. Squinting, I was able to focus on the area the blur flew, and my heart leaped. Off in the distance, I watched an Impogon stab a Crustik with a triton and began feeding on it. The Impogon is a humanoid green imp with draconic wings; it holds a triton as its weapon. Now, I need to sneak through the hordes of monsters.

With all the stealth I knew how to use, I drew my daggers, bent my knees, and tiptoed through the vast cavern of monsters.

You are now in Stealth!

Since you have the Stealth skill but are not an Adventurer, you have a 40% chance of being caught.

The notification was another reason I need to become an Adventurer. I have used the Stealth skill a multitude of times, but I can't increase how well I use the ability. MyRune Scratcher skill is the same way - I can use it, and learn how to carve the marks, except I can't use mana, so I cannot increase the skill level of it.

My legs shook with nervousness, so I crept toward a massive boulder to hide from any roaming monsters.

"I can do this, I can do this," I repeated to myself, taking a deep breath after a deep breath.

You are afflicted with the status ailment Hyperventilation.

Lose 1 HP per second

"Get yourself together! - Edna Mode (Incredibles - 2004)"

"What the heck is the Incredibles?" I said in an airy tone.

"Come on, man," Said a recognizable voice from behind me. "Slow, deep breaths." I looked back, and Jack was watching me panic - his face showed his concern.

"Took you...long...enough..." I told him with my hands on my knees. I gazed at my health bar; it was now at 264/300.

"Here, take this potion," Jack offered me a purple potion. I double tapped it to see what it was.

Lemmonaide Antidote

Cure yourself of all ailments

I threw the potion to the ground near my feet, and a dark purple light enveloped my body. I am cured of all status ailments - according to a notification.

"Thanks, dude!" I said with a bold tone. I forgot I was supposed to be keeping my voice down, and an Aracaverde accosted us.

The green spider lunged at me, clicking its mandibles. Before the insectoid monster reached me, Jack smashed it to the ground using his massive shield. With that single hit, the Aracnaverde disappeared, leaving a brown package on the cave floor. A notification stated that I received five experience points flashed through my sight as Jack picked up the monster loot.

"It's a common spider web and some bronze coins," The tank told me. "How do you want to split it?" I held out my hand.

"Hand it to me; I have a void bag. I'll put all the loot into the front pocket. We can split everything at the end of the exams." I offered. My partner handed me the spoils of the fight. "I want an Impogon I saw at the end of the cavern, have you seen something you want?" Jack shrugged.

"I'm determined to bond with something earth-based - the bulkier, the better." I nodded and gave Jack a thumbs up.

"If you don't mind helping me get by, we can hunt for a monster for you as we go. This place has loads of monsters around here." I offered. Jackson's face lit up as he gazed around the room.

"I see the Impogon; the green one, right?" Jack asked, craning his head around the boulder. "We should wade through the river, then climb the rocks to the Impogon's territory." I looked over what the tank was talking. That path won't be easy, except it might be better than traversing the monster-filled dungeon.

"Can you climb with that shield?" I asked Jack.

"I'll manage, plus I think I saw my monster," Jack smirked at me. I raised an eyebrow and asked.

"What monster?" Jack chuckled.

"You'll have to see," He replied.

"Whatever you say," I told him. "I'm fine with the journey. Make sure you keep up." I winked at my teammate and started the trek to my future summon.

I never realized how cold water in a cave would be. The chill ran through my skin and to my bones, but my determination to become an Adventurer overruled my body's longing for warmth. Jack did as he said he would and kept up with me, although he was audibly out of breath. There were a countless number of Abysum and Dreech that attempted to attack us in the water, except a few swift slices from my daggers killed the creatures. I stowed away coins, monster meat, and some commonly found gems into the void bag. Jack defended us from the back. Many Fleech would try to fly around our heads, but Jack was strong enough and swift enough to snatch the pest out of the air and crush it with a single hand.

"Now we climb," I stated. I looked up at the twenty feet of rocks, my teammate and I will have to traverse. Jackson placed his hand on my shoulder.

"You go ahead, my monster is right over here," He told me. A couple of yards away, I saw a green boulder with spikes on it. It took me a moment to realize that it was a monster, Turtem.

"Go get it, I'll be fine," I told Jack. He turned around and pulled his scroll out. I could've watched Jackson bond with the turtle-golem, except I had my creature to bond with - I continued to the Impogon.

I have some experience in free climbing - some. Connor and I climbed the trees in my back yard when we were younger. I went hiking with my father a time or two, and the path would be steep at places. The twenty feet of rocks didn't take long to ascend, and when I reached the top, I gazed over to Jack. He held up a scroll in his right hand and an emerald gem in his left hand.

"Shield Bearer!" Jack cheered. I gave the tank a thumbs up. He told me to get my monster now, and I complied.

I turned around to search for my prey, and my eyes caught the imp within seconds. The green, winged demon sat on the floor, using a Crustik claw to pick at its teeth. I double tapped the air while looking at the Impogon.

Name: Impogon

Element: Life/Spirit

Breed: Imp-Dragon

Level: 1

Unallocated Stat Points: 0

HP: 140/140

SP: 200/200

Strength: 8

Intelligence: 11

Wisdom: 12

Constitution: 6

Agility: 10

Charisma: 8

Happiness: N/A

Happiness Level: N/A

Happiness XP: N/A

Skills:

*You cannot see this*

This creature is both elements I need for my class. I need this Impogon. I pulled the Monster Seal from my belt loop and rolled it open.

"Impogon, I command you to bond with me!" I said with confidence. The seal glowed and surrounded the imp in a turquoise light; my vision went black.

You want to bond with me. What makes you worthy of my power? A voice in the darkness asked - I assume it is the Impogon.

I want to become an Adventurer, preferably a Rune Scratcher. I told the voice.

But you haven't given me a reason. The voice responded, so I thought for a moment. Why do I want to become an Adventurer?

I am from a low-income family, and becoming an Adventurer is all I've wanted to become. I'm only here because of a fluke; bond with me. This response is the best I can think up. I paused for a second and knew the most accurate answer. I'm not worthy of your power.

Sight slowly came back to me, and on the ground sat a smooth, turquoise crystal. In my hand, a scroll. I read the manuscript and couldn't believe my eyes - two classes.