Dungeon Classification
ダンジョン区別
“Ran, Len, do you still remember your promise?”
“Yes mama.”
“Very good. Now be careful you two.”
“Ace please take care of the children.”
“I will.”
We spent the whole day yesterday preparing for the Recommended Quest: Dungeon Mapping. As long as nothing so drastic happens inside the first floor, we should be able to finish it within two days.
“Then Lady Anna we will be heading out.”
“Mama, papa we will be back soon.” Len gave a reserve parting.
“Papa, mama we will take a lot of spoils with us.” Ran on the other hand was already feeling confident.
Without holding anything back, we left the town on the eastern gate, the destination -The Dark Forest.
*****
“As we agreed yesterday, we will forage the forest for our provisions.” Upon entering the Dark Forest, we enacted the very first on the list for our survival: getting provisions. Our goal for the first three to four Bells (Hours) is to fill in each of our ration boxes.
“Then I will bring in some fruits in the area.” Ran then set up her bag at my foot and started to climb at the fruit bearing trees within the vicinity. A wild child from start to finish, this girl.
“Okay, then leave the edible mushrooms and root crops on the ground.” Len then took his backpack, brought out the book on edible foods found in the Dark Forest and meticulously search for edible food on the ground. With his nature, he should not be picking up anything dangerous.
“Okay, then leave the reconnaissance to me, be back at this spot at a Bell’s time.” One hour should be enough for the whole foraging period.
Since it is a good chance to talk about the time scheme of this world, allow me to talk about it. Time here in Resmere move the same in my previous world. 60 minutes make an hour, 24 hours make a day, in turn, 365 days makes up a year and 12 months makes a year.
There is however, no concept of weeks, so no such thing as weekdays and weekends so it is a bit confusing at times. Continuously counting Days from one to 365 and will start again from one for another Year is another difference which at first greatly misled me on reading dates.
Months also do not have names, they are just counted from one to 12, like first Cycle of the Year 4041, 2nd Cycle and so on.
Here is this world’s naming convention:
- 1 ‘Tick’ (equivalent to minutes)
- 60 ‘Ticks’ = 1 Bells (equivalent to hours)
- 24 Bells = 1 Day (Rise of the Sun*)
- 365 Days = 1 Year
- 30 / 31 Days = 1 Cycle of the Moon
- 12 Cycles of the Moon = 1 Year
Keeping in time and making sure that no dangerous beasts approach the area is my sole duty for this excursion. While we were still near the edge of the forest, we did not take chances for any surprise attacks while we are preparing for our foods. With my [MANA], [KI], and visual perception skills range extended I continue to scan the area until the one Bell timeframe lapsed.
“Master, we have all the raw food that we could forage in the area.” Ran was showing a victorious smile. Len also shared her smile, but he went and double-checked everything just in case. Ran pouted but did not seem to mind too much, she figured it would be troublesome if we eat something that is not good for our health.
*****
“Okay, we will head for the lake nearby.” Still part of the first list is clean drinkable water. There are a lot of death caused of dehydration after all.
However, there is another reason why I did not just bring water from the mansion’s water well. Water is essential to all life. It is not just humans who succumb to death when they do not drink water. In fact, in the hierarchy of needs for life to exist, water is at the top. One can still live a few days without eating, however you would not last the same days without water. As if proving my point as soon as we arrive at the lake slightly farther inside the forest, a pack of wolves started to gather quenching their thirst.
“Okay, here is you next mission.” Since the wolves has yet to catch our presence and scents, I gave the twins a rundown of their next mission: Draw CLEAN DRINKABLE water.
“We can hunt those wolves, yes?” With how Ran said it I rather feel bad for the wolves who just came to drink water. However, we still needed proteins for our rations, which we can get free from hunting these wolves.
“We can only offer prayers for the bounty of our meals.” I gave a solemn prayer to the wolves who will become our nutrients. Such is the cruelty of the survival of the fittest. With Len offering the same prayer, Ran also became quite and offered her own. “Remember. Do not get the water dirty.”
“Yes!” with the twin’s affirmations, they proceed to attack the wolves.
The battle was not too one sided, nor was it dragging. It was a normal battle for survival. Ran draw the assorted Forest Wolves away from the lake while Len picked them one by one with his practiced archery. The first to fell, who lagged behind where the ‘Rank F’ threats, [TEEN FOREST WOLVES], the more experienced [ADULT FOREST WOLVES] – ‘Rank E’ threats, took more damage before eventually dying at the hands from the twins.
At the end of the battle, eight wolves were blood let, carved, and rationed. The dismantling process took us 5 Bells, even with the three of us doing the job. The rest of the materials buried, and offerings given to their mounds.
I had started this little ritual when I had hunted in this forest a few days back. After battling in the Nameless Forest at that Mysterious Island (Forest-Island Alliance, I felt a bit guilty killing these Monsters.
I am sure that they are just living just like us. When I first entered this forest, I even had qualms killing the wolves who looked like the kin of Kizuari. However, I am no pacifist nor a saint, the option of not fighting is also not choice I could easily make since I needed to get stronger for me to get home on my previous world.
Instead, I started to pay my respect to these fallen warriors and offer prayers at their mounds.
“Next in the list for survival, our next objective will be preparing our bodies for the battle that awaits us in the dungeon.” With our food problem solved, we then set up camp. This time, I asked the twins to hunt other Monsters that lurk in the forest to get as much experience and feel for battle.
At 16th Bell, which is signaled by one very long chime and 6 short chimes from our wristwatches. We ate, talked about what the battles today and eventually slept on our tents. The next day we will move deeper in the forest, to our main destination: the Dungeon named Dark Forest Dungeon.
*****
In the middle of the Dark Forest where not even the bravest lumberjacks dare to enter, lay the dormant treasure trove, a Dungeon. I had chance upon it by accident when me and Romaria’s had still no choice but to make tables and other furniture for the diner ourselves using the trees that we fell.
When I first saw it that day, I really wanted to venture inside it, but since I could not leave the Romarias alone then, I endured. Right now, me together with the twins are braving through this very dangerous territory to venture and map the first floor. I have to say, I am excited as much as the twins are.
Before entering the dungeon there are a few things we had to confirm. This was part of the quest to map the first floor. Providing knowledge to the other Hunters who will one day enter it, will be our vital role.
“Len, look at all the indicators” Ran, whose excitement could very well be written on her face urged her younger brother to determine the Age, Type, and other specifications for this dungeon with an upbeat voice.
Len took out the book we had bought two days prior to understand this dungeon.
“Let’s see here…” Len, skimming through the book, immediately read the book to stop his sister’s pestering. “No moss on the edge and little to no vines… visible and vibrant Mana Crystals at the entrance… yup it is definitely new!”
Since there is no record on how Monsters become dungeons, details are left to as many theories. Thus, this book only details how to tell the age visually by its surroundings. Apparently, the lack of Moss and other vines was an indication that it was new.
According to the book and its authors, Dungeons are pinnacles of evolution for Monsters. They are also said to be the incarnation of the overall power of Monsters before it becomes a dungeon.
Through this book, we learned that just like how Hunters are ranked. We have learned that dungeons also come with ranks according to its difficulty. Dungeon Rankings interpreted through this system:
- Rank ‘A’ Dungeons are said to have been created from ‘Rank A’ Monsters before they got turned into a dungeon. ‘Rank A’ Dungeons are said to have 30 floors and tend to house ‘Rank B’ boss type Monsters and should have a ‘Rank A’ or higher Monsters as a Dungeon Lord.
- Rank ‘S’ Dungeons are said to have been created from Monsters who are stronger than Monsters ‘Rank A’. Made with 50 floors and tend to house ‘Rank A’ boss type Monsters. The dungeon Lord also takes form of a ‘Rank S’ or higher Monsters.
- Rank ‘SS’ Dungeons are created from Monsters further higher than Monsters ‘Rank A’. With 80 floors that tend to house ‘Rank S’ boss type Monsters. The Dungeon Lord that protects its core is treated as ‘Rank SS’. According to this book, there are only 103 recorded Rank SS Dungeon in all of Resmere.
When Mana Crystals at the entrance is dull in color indicates that it has received less Mana from Source (meaning, the Dungeon Core is farther), so chances of these dungeons are of higher rank.
Vibrant Mana Crystals that only appears only until early 20th or deep on 30th floor indicates a Rank S Dungeon. If the vibrant crystals show late on the 50th floor is an indication of a Rank SS Dungeon
“Hmmm… I wonder what I would make of that dungeon?” If I am to believe this book, then what does it say about the Nameless Dungeon that I had miraculously cleared? I clearly remembered that from the entrance up to the 50th floor I had ventured had vibrant Mana Crystals.
“Master, is something wrong?” Ran was pouting at me for being slow on making the decision to get in.
“No. sorry, I was just thinking about something. Anyways, Len, what Type of dungeon is this, according to the book?” There is no point in thinking about other dungeons. I should focus on the dungeon in front of me. I will investigate dungeons in detail when I chance upon that mysterious island again. For now, I should focus on the twin’s training regime and the dungeon at hand.
“Let see…” Len, after eyeing me suspiciously looked at the surrounding while cross-referencing what ever he finds to the book. “Bronze… Iron…!”
“There is even gold!” Len shouted which made Ran jump ever so slightly.
“Lan, why did you shout all of a sudden!?”
“Sorry, sorry. I think this is a Dungeon Mine.”
There are many types of dungeons. In fact, there are as many types as the dungeon themselves. This is one of the reasons why they are called treasure troves. For this particular Dungeon, it was a Mine. Mine type Dungeons are dungeons that produce minerals. The town will greatly benefit from this. “The town will have to bid these peaceful days, again.”
“Right, this is big news, papa and mama will be delighted to hear this, right Ran?” Len immediately wanted to report it.
“Uhm! Once we are done with this dungeon, we can report our findings.” However, Ran had brought Len to his reign, as her sister was very adamant at entering the dungeon.
We can probably uncover more Information after a few more investigation. However, that should be enough for now. We should get on the dungeon or else we will have a rampaging Ran rushing inside the dungeon on her own.
I then beckoned for the two.
“Remember, since this dungeon is new and so information about it scarce from the start. Never let your guard down. Am I clear?”
“Yes!” the two then answered positively.
After our initial investigations, we finally entered the dungeon. I wonder what we can unearth from this dungeon. Looks like Ran is not the only one excited to enter it.