Hours of running through the forest, stopping only long enough to catch my breath, leave me exhausted. I can’t afford long breaks—not when it’s that cold, even steam is coming out of my mouth.

  Back on old Earth it was only spring, nights were still cold. System hasn’t changed that. It’s still cold out there after sunset and I’m not eager to find out what hypothermia feels like, even with upgraded physique from level ups.

  It’s exhausting – wandering, sometimes running through forest. Fighting goblin and wolves. Comprehending the integration of the System... Those things aren't easy on one's mind. I am just a boy, you know.

  So yes. I almost missed it at first. But only almost. I was somewhere else in my mind – a little bit off.

  Flashes of light in the distance between the trees were therefore written off as "just" overgrown fireflies. My abnormally intelligent head didn’t even dwelled on the word overgrown. How weird.

  What saved me was nothing else than extreme boredom. Not sure what about others, but I hate being bored. It’s the worst! So I stop, turn around, and head back toward the lights, to see overgrown fireflies. Fireflies or not, at least it’s something.... I mean, could they make me more bored? I don’t think so!

  It, of course, wasn't fireflies. Any kind. Overgrown or not. It wasn’t them.

  ***

  So now, I am standing here, in front of medieval - looking wooden door with an artistically hammered skull emblem in the centre, placed in a moss-covered black stone arch. Two torches, each on one side of the door, set in the stone arch burning with dark purple flame.

  “Hah, overgrown fireflies my ass.”

  Dungeon Door

  I am glad they actually exist and that I had enough luck to find one, even though I did not expect to find a dungeon in this form... I’ve expected something more like a castle, cave or even just a big ass tree... Not just a door, although they are called Door with big D.

  I wonder for what level is this dungeon made... Not like I care too much. I am cold and I have no other option, even without my balls freezing I would go in without much consideration.

  I try the handle. The door sit still, not moving by even an millimetre. Using more strength does not work either. So obviously, when more strength doesn’t work, you need to find another solution... Maybe if I use more strength, they will eventually open? Good idea, in my opinion. I put my legs on the stone arch and pull with all my strength. The door eventually submits, and I fall on my butt.

  Now sitting on my butt in front, Door wide open, revealing a magic view.

  A view of the Sea of Stars. No other name fits.

  It looks beautiful, one little light next to another little light next to another little light and so on. Thousands of little stars-like lights ripple and flow, just like a living ocean, stretching endlessly in all directions. They’re mesmerizing – one light blending into another, shimmering with a faint glow as waves of magenta mist weave between them. It truly looks surreal.

  ... Not me expecting purple, half see through the spinning spiral...

  I get up, seized by the, what I suppose is, portal. Not waiting for anything, I step in.

  At that right moment when my feet should have reached the ground, my vision begin to be filled with the Sea of Stars, literally... and for my step - it never lands.

  A glimpse of the feeling of falling fills my mind, but then I start floating, surrounded by a million little lights, a magenta mist creeping between them, making it look even more fascinating, like a dream – truly, the Sea of Stars. To my disappointment, but also relief, it vanished as quickly as it appeared, making it last just a few seconds.

  My vision darkens.

  At one point, I’m floating in space, and in the next one, I’m standing on the ground again. The teleportation itself is unnoticeable, I’ve been there and now I’m here, that’s it. At these terms, I flip out of the darkness.

  I find myself teleported into the old looking hall. Vaulted ceilings and long, ornate pillars, all made from stone and carved to the smallest details and everything here seems huge.

  My mind is overflowed with excitement

  There is a slowly fading glow under my feet, from, what I suppose is a teleportation runic circle. Two big knights, or at least their armours, stand on the sides of the corridor as if on guard, their helmets empty. I’m not even surprised anymore – they’re at least half the size bigger than a normal human... and the swords? Nearly as big as me! Their armour is not shiny nor very ornate, it more looks like to be created with mainly functionality in mind. Only someone, who wears armour solely for its protection capabilities and not looking at prestige through. Probably a race full of true battle euthanizes. I can respect that.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Dark purple flames blaze from the torches lining the walls, dimly lighting the corridor and creating deep shadows.

  Whole place does have this “scary” aura and I can’t wait what the dungeon is hiding for me... because this place smells like fun!

  There is no point in standing and admiring the beauties of the dungeon so I step forward to the end of the corridor. Door, with the same, just much simpler, skull emblem as was on the dungeon Door, sits at the end of the hallway.

  It leads to what seems like a guardroom.

  Its empty at first glance. I step into the guardhouse, all my senses awake, ready for any surprise. The moment I do, I can hear the eerie sound of bones rattling from the left side of the room, which is hidden by some old weapon stands.

  I rush nowhere. Patiently waiting for the thing to show. I already know that I won’t like what I’ll see.

  A skeleton emerges from behind the weapon stand.

  Skeleton – lvl 5

  A rusty helmet on head and even more rusty sword in its hand. I start to back away, my mind calmly analysing the situation - mainly how, half naked and armed with nothing but a dagger, can I defeat him.

  I am very unsure how to actually kill him... He obviously doesn't have a heart nor a brain that I can strike so my only idea is to just scatter his bones all over this room.

  The dagger clanks upon reaching the ground.

  At that moment, he’s already uncomfortably close to me, swinging his sword widely – exactly what I’ve been expecting and waiting for. I use it to my advantage, ducking low and lunging forward, knocking him down and making us both fall. I end on top of him, quickly recover and grab him by the arms, before he can give me a fucking tetanus from his rusty ass sword. I brace my legs under his skull and start pushing till... Well, at least I planned it till his head flies off, his forearms unfortunately give up first.

  I roll backwards, hitting my head on the ground. Meanwhile, that useless pile of bones is trying to get up off the ground. My eyes meet his eye holes and his mouth open wide as he silently screams at me.

  My vision is still filled with stars, nonetheless I jump at him again, getting a head hit from what remains of his right arm. I completely don’t give a fuck, grabbing him this time by the shoulders, my legs go under his screaming skull. I push. The skeleton won’t let it, thrashing around like an eel and making it hard for me. My feet are slipping from under his chin. When I finally manage to get a good grip, I find out another surprise – his bones are held together more tightly than one would expect.

  Someone might find themselves panicking, but that's no use for me. I don’t panic. It’s not my style. I just simply put more strength into it.

  His neck is really stubborn, not letting go of his head. My muscles are nearly on its limits. Shaking and burning in pain. It kind of reminds me of the start of my day - on the toilet, fighting a very different kind of battle.

  “C’mon, let go, bastard!” I growl.

  Finally, the satisfying sound of cracking vertebrae is music to my ears. A twisted, bone-crunching symphony... Simply lovely.

  With a final push, the skull snaps free, flying across the room and slamming into the wall with a hollow It tumbles to the ground, rolling a few feet before coming to a stop.

  LEVEL UP

  All the remaining bones of the, now headless, skeleton stop being magically held together, disconnect and spread around.

  I pick myself up, brushing dust off my knees. Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed how easy the fight was. I expected more. His fighting skills were on the toddler level, at best, to be honest. Not that I’m complaining – if he’d been competent, I might be already dead.

  One would think that fighting a skeleton with only a dagger could be challenging... apparently not true.

  I retrieve the dagger I dropped earlier, when jumping on our bony... I think he lost a head because of me.

  I throw a quick look at his sword, already knowing it’s junk.

  Short Sword [ common ]

  “[ common ][ garbage ]

  I throw a smirk at that rusty piece of junk and go to check the rest of this guard room, hoping for something more than trash.

  ***

  Calling this place a “guardroom” feels generous. It’s more like a fucking trash yard.

  Like common, where are all the weapons, all the loot? I feel like crying. Not a single piece of gear here is usable. All rusty garbage.

  “What the hell am I supposed to do if there will be more than one skele... WAIT!” Enlightenment struck me.

  I rush back into the teleportation room with the greatest idea I could ever think of.

  ***

  Colossus Sword [ common ]

  A well crafted sword made for regular Colossan soldiers.

  Victory! I’ve acquired a new weapon.

  It really wasn’t easy, though. For one, it’s massive – easily as tall as I am. Secondly, the armour holding it had a grip like iron. If it weren’t for my increased stats from level ups, I wouldn’t be able to get it.

  I hope that no one will come into this dungeon for a long time, to see this mess... As I said, it wasn’t easy. I had to pull it out of its hands. I’ve used all of my strength and unfortunately, the whole armour fell apart... But hey, I’ve got my sword, that’s what matters!

  So only gear, that is not complete garbage, will get a description? Hmm... Actually, if you think about it, it makes sense. Like what would you write as a description for the piece of junk in the guard/trash room.

  Also, it is weird when you think about it. For this, I would say well made, sword to be the same quality as all the rusty shit in the next room. Maybe it needs some magic or enchantment to be [ uncommon ] [ rare ]

  I have to drag the sword behind me, it is too big and heavy for me to wield it normally. I’ll have to use heavy swings since only one even small swing turns me around, so I will have to acquire one swing one kill. That means, swinging with every ounce of power that I have. Seems possible, even when considering the strength that holds skeletons bones together, which is surprisingly very strong, so it should be doable.

  ***

  Earlier, during my previous trash yard tour, I discovered an archway leading to the next room. Dragging my lovely sword behind me, the dagger at my waist, held by the remains of my pyjama top. My next destination is clear.

  I walk through a short corridor and stand before a door. Same look as both doors from before. I'm a little worried about what might be on the other side of the door, but I have nowhere else to go anyway, so fuck it. I open them... And close immediately. Now I’m mad.

  I like surprises, really... but not the ones like this.