Elysia in Another World

Chapter 2 - First Dungeon Dive P2

The transition was quick, a sudden shift from the calm blue of the system room to the dimly lit old stone of floor 21's castle interior. A cool breeze rushed through, a musty smell filling their noses as they looked around.

"So this is the dungeon?" Alaira asked. "It's like an old castle from the history books of Terra."

"That's just this area of the dungeon," Kye said. "Other floors are different. Some are open plains, some are frozen wastelands, some are rocky canyons, some are hellscapes, and so on. Floor 21 to 30 is a classic castle dungeon theme with no open area. The whole place is stone pathways and rooms."

"There are plenty of monsters and magic traps," Alethea said, "so we need to be on the lookout." She paused a moment before turning to the other four. "Remember what we told you about the monsters in dungeons?"

Liliana quickly began explaining, "They are constructs created by the system populating the dungeons for-"

"Not that."

"They have levels and statuses of their own!" Alaira added with a light cheer at the end.

"Not that."

"Then what?" Rika asked. "We could guess and get it wrong, but I feel as though you're thinking of something more important and less obvious than common knowledge."

Alethea nodded, her expression turning serious. "There are monsters that look human. You must not hesitate if you face one. Humanoid monsters will try to kill you."

"You suddenly seem very scary, Alethea," Alaira said.

"She's right," Ginchiyo said flatly. "The message she's trying to convey is that nothing you come across inside the dungeons will be friendly. Everything in here is adversity. Dungeons serve two purposes for we Atlanteans. One is to provide an environment for us to train and grow, but the other is to be a place that..." she shook her head and looked at Kye, "Perhaps the one that created the dungeon can speak on the second."

Kye nodded and said, "Atlantis has known nothing but peace for ten million years. This is among the longest lasting empires in Elysium history, with only five other grand civilizations surpassing it in that regard, and that's only because they've existed longer. Peace is ideal for economic growth and the people's prosperity, but it is also the biggest example of victory defeats you. Without conflict, people don't learn the importance of defense. You can learn how to fight in dojos, but you cannot learn how to apply that knowledge in real circumstances, only theoreticals."

"Right," Alethea continued. "If you want to back out, now is the time. Otherwise, you will have to learn how to overcome not only the monsters in the dungeon but also yourself. Until you learn how to fight not just against sparring partners but real enemies with the intent to kill them, your biggest enemy is yourself."

The four looked away from her, each making a pained expression. Alaira held her left hand on her right arm that had started shaking. "Deep down, I had hoped that you were not being serious when you told us about such things before... but you're serious, aren't you?"

Kye and Alethea nodded.

"Perhaps it will be better to go find such enemies and show them," Ginchiyo said. "Good choice, by the way, starting on floor 21, rather than 41. You did this just so they would get a chance to acclimate."

"Not just for that, but yes," Kye said.

"Remember girls, once we step outside the safe zone, I will not be fighting for you, only observing. I will only step in if your HP drops to ten percent. By the way, Kye, add me to your party."

Kye quickly tapped through her party interface and sent the invitation.

<<Party Invitation>>
<Accept>
<Refuse>