"Hmm, so the exchange rate is about 1 Eris to 1 Valis... Well, I guess that works."
After leaving the Adventurers' Guild, Adam tossed his coin purse in his hand before tucking it into his chest. He had just exchanged a small piece of gold for about V$100,000 (V$=Valis) — roughly the same price he'd get in the Parallel World.
"Well then, I should buy some provisions and medicine... Actually, let's get something to eat first."
Though his feet were originally headed toward supplies, they deliberately turned toward the food stalls lining both sides of the road.
The colorful foods, enthusiastic vendor calls, and enticing aromas created an irresistible trinity of temptation.
A foodie through and through! Food comes first!
"Oh oh oh, so these are fried potato balls? They're really... really... quite ordinary." Adam said, disappointment clear in his voice as he examined the steaming food in his hand.
Despite his high expectations, the bland taste — even with added salt — left much to be desired.
These fried potato balls couldn't even match Ram's steamed sweet potatoes. The disappointment was written all over his face.
"...Well, let's go buy supplies and then explore the dungeon."
He wolfed down the potato balls in a few bites and strode toward the shop displaying medicinal goods.
He should have visited the Hostess of Fertility or the Entertainment District first — places where people gathered to chat and boast — to collect information. But his eagerness to explore won out, and he decided to check out the Dungeon beneath Babel first.
Walking out of the medicine shop with just one small bottle of potion.
"A bottle of all-purpose medicine costs 80,000 Valis... so expensive." Adam muttered, examining the tiny potion bottle in his hand, which actually cost 80,000 Eris.
And this potion was even diluted!
Indeed, being a Pharmacist (Alchemist) is still the most profitable profession. This is a truth that remains constant across worlds.
He didn't need to prepare anything else, just a few pieces of dried food would suffice. Compared to the expensive potions, these provisions were unbelievably cheap.
Looking at the sky, the sun was about to set.
At this time of day, most adventurers had finished their work and were heading home. Adam, however, walked in the opposite direction.
His presence didn't draw curious looks or surprise. In Orario, several lone wolves operated at night, and his unremarkable attire helped him blend in.
The Dungeon — or rather, Babel.
This cone-shaped structure of immense height stood at the center of the labyrinth city Orario. Each descending level grew both wider and taller.
Good, this follows the laws of physics.
At ground level stood a palace-like entrance building where adventurers began their expeditions. The upper floor even offered showers for their return — very convenient.
"Alright, better go and return before dark." He twisted his neck and rubbed his shoulders before eagerly walking into the "dangerous" Dungeon.
Upon entering, he faced a deep, dark well that gaped like a hungry mouth, ready to swallow unwary visitors whole. It emanated an aura of unknown dangers and carried a frightening atmosphere.
A spiral staircase wound down from the entrance, clinging to the stone walls as it descended. Whether adventurers had built it or it was part of the original Dungeon remained a mystery.
With no light penetrating the depths, visibility was severely limited. While this might terrify ordinary novice Adventurers, Adam's 〔Perception〕 skill made it no obstacle.
Following the stairs downward, he smoothly arrived at the 1st Floor.
Suddenly, a sense of constriction and oppression welled up from deep within him, and a strange rhythm — like a heartbeat — appeared in Adam's keen perception.
— This Dungeon is alive.
Only now, facing it directly, did he truly understand the meaning of that saying.
Setting aside his previous dismissive attitude, he remained vigilant despite being only on the first floor.
You should know: as a Transmigrator, your first adventure should involve Monster Groups, Irregular Situations, Monster Swarms, or a Monster Rex — otherwise, you can hardly call yourself one.
Yet in reality, he encountered only low-level monsters: Goblins and Kobolds.
As for their origin — the wall split open like a cesarean section, with the Dungeon mother "squeezing" out her monster children. These 'children' emerged fully mature, skipping any developmental period.
This newly born Goblin matched exactly those from the Parallel world in both appearance and temperament.
It possessed long pointed ears, a hooked nose, and goldfish eyes, with green skin and a perpetually hunched posture. Upon spotting humans, it roared and charged forward, as if channeling its Dungeon mother's rage and contempt for humankind.
It appeared extremely agitated. To help it calm down, Adam offered some assistance.
With one clean strike, he severed the Goblin's head. He watched as it turned to ash and vanished, leaving only a small stone that fell to the ground with a light ting sound — returning to its Dungeon mother's embrace.
Weak. This Goblin was terrifyingly weak. Could it really provide experience points?
Taking out his Adventurer Card from his chest, he found no increase in experience points. The kill hadn't contributed to his growth.
"Well, I'll need to go deeper then."
He had expected this. At his current level, even Giant Toads — stronger than Goblins — no longer provided experience, so this outcome was natural.
He wanted to confirm whether he could gain experience points by venturing into deeper levels and defeating stronger monsters.
He casually picked up the magic stone, about the size of a fingernail, and stored it in his chest. Though small and seemingly worthless, he believed in maintaining frugality and avoiding waste.
Moreover, he wanted to carefully study these magic stones.
Just as he pocketed the stone, the dungeon wall split open again. Another monster emerged from within.
This time, instead of a goblin, it was a Kobold — similar to the dogmen in the Parallel.
"Well then, shall we continue?"
The vast difference in strength made Adam feel like he was strolling through an empty realm. He dispatched the newly born monsters back to their Dungeon mother's belly as easily as cutting vegetables.
If not for the few stones they left behind, there would be no proof they had ever existed in this world.
Having confirmed he wasn't gaining any experience, he decided to explore deeper into the Dungeon.
As he approached the entrance to the 2nd Floor, he heard continuous howling echoing from the depths.
The sound grew clearer as it approached.
"Aaaaah, aaaah—waaaaah—!"
The voice reverberated through the empty dungeon, laden with panic.
"Hm?" He was stunned for a moment before quickly regaining his composure.
Low-level monsters posed no threat to him, and helping a novice Adventurer could earn him a favor and possibly a reward — why not?
However, when the two met...
The youth, covered in black blood from head to toe, ran past Adam while screaming, not even glancing back as he fled.
"Eh, what's going on?"
This situation left him bewildered.
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