Jerry stares at the dark. The mouse was gone. The lantern is gone. He's alone. "So this is my new reality… Would Greg—"
*Ping*
[You have an unopened basic weapon Crate!]
"Shut up."
[Aren't you excited to know what's in it?]
There was an air of silence as Jerry stared at those floating words. White in colour, just floating, there was no board or a screen for it.
"Fine."
[DING! ⭐]
A small crate appeared before him and it disappeared into the air the moment it landed. What was left was a dagger.
[Weapon Acquired: Dagger (F); +1 Atk]
[Note: Good Luck ❤]
He picked it up, flipped it in his hand and slid his finger against the blade. "Seriously, a dagger?"
[Yes! You can make great use of it.]
"How so?"
[By using it! 😀]
He frowned, "That wasn't very helpful." His back slouched against the wall. He placed the dagger back onto the ground and covered up his face.
[Something wrong?]
"Everything's wrong."
[I see... What's wrong?]
Jerry stared at the wall. The system was quiet. Finally,
Then—
Ping
[DUNGEON EXPERIENCE GAINED: +15]
Jerry blinked. "I didn't do anything."
[AN ADVENTURER KILLED AN INVASIVE MONSTER!]
"Wait, there are other people here?"
[Yes! Would you like me to explain how dungeon EXP works?]
"...Fine."
---
The Explanation:
[DUNGEON LEVELING SYSTEM — EXPLAINED]
[There are three ways for a dungeon to gain experience:]
1. The Boss kills intruders or invasive monsters
2. Intruders kill each other
3. Adventurers kill invasive monsters
[Invasive monsters are creatures that spawn in dungeons but are NOT part of the dungeon's natural ecosystem. 🤓]
[When adventurers kill them, BOTH the adventurer AND the dungeon gain experience! 🤓²]
[It's a win-win! 😀]
Jerry processed those words.
"So... someone else is fighting... somewhere in my dungeon... and I'm getting EXP for it?"
[CORRECT!]
"Without me doing anything?"
[CORRECT!]
"Just... sitting here?"
[CORRECT! 😀]
Jerry looked at the dagger in his hand. At the broken door. At the dark hallway beyond. "So I don't actually have to fight?"
[TECHNICALLY... NO!]
[But sometimes invasive monsters are too strong for adventurers.]
[Then YOU have to help.]
Jerry sighed. "Of course."
His head was low and his eyes were on the dagger.
[Dungeon Experience Gained: +5]
He looked back up, "Wait, if I'm the boss, does that mean they'll kill me?"
[They can try but cannot.]
"Huh? How so?"
[You're a Gateway Boss. Or a training Boss. Your HP cannot go lower than 1. No matter what.]
"So, I'm safe?"
[Yes! You're learning. Congratulations 🎉🥳👏]
He stared at the text before him and blinked, "What strange system uses emojis?"
[The one right in fro—]
"Yea yea I get it."
He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, his muscles relaxing, missing another notification.
[Dungeon Experience Gained: +5]
Followed by a moment of silence...
Suddenly the broken door opened and a man walked in. Somewhat around Jerry's age. Both were in their early twenties.
Due to the noise, Jerry jerked up and met his eyes. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked.
Jerry just nodded.
[OH NO! Jerry, it's an adventurer. I feel sorry for you 😭]
The man approached Jerry with a short sword in his left hand. He didn't seem to notice the floating text between them. He extended his hand to Jerry.
Jerry accepted it and was helped standing up. He gave Jerry a genuine smile, "I'm Juan. I'm an adventurer. Are you too?"
Jerry paused. He didn't answer.
[ATTENTION: Say yes. For now. Don't tell them you're the boss, you might get killed. Better to surprise attack when an opportunity shows up.]
Jerry only read the first three letters and nodded, "Yea yea. I am."
Juan's eyes sparkled, "Oh, what rank? And what are you doing here?"
[Ah shit 💩💩💩. Actually. You can't die so just say you're the boss and fight. Good luck 🤞]
Jerry took a deep gulp. "Actually, I'm the boss."
"Huh?" Juan stared at him with sceptical eyes, "You must be kidding right?"
Jerry ground his teeth and shooks his head "No."
"But you look human."
He nodded.
[He's racist. How can you judge just by a look? 😤]
"And, unarmed."
Showed his dagger.
[He thought you're poor 😬]
"You don't even have armour."
Again nodded.
[Neither do you. 🤨]
Juan's shoulders relaxed.
[Now Surprise Attack 🔪]
They were still holding hands, hearing the sudden command Jerry took a step forward and swung. The dagger's tip glided towards the waist but came to a halt just inches apart.
[Why did you pause?! 😭]
Seeing the chance Juan jumped back. "What the hell? You actually are the boss?" His grip tightened in the halt at hand. "But you… look weak."
[He's attacking your feelings! Ignore him.]
"Screw it. It must be a trick to fool me." Both stood their ground. Juan had a confident stance with a steady grip on his weapon, while Jerry was clearly shaking.
"Tell me if this is a joke. Cause it looks like one."
Jerry shook his head in response. "This isn't a joke. I am the boss of this dungeon."
Juan charged forward, slashing his sword which Jerry dodged just by an inch. But Juan didn't spare a second, taking a step forward he again swung his sword and it hit his abdomen.
The hit wasn't lethal but was enough to draw blood. Jerry stumbled back covering his mouth. "Fuck! It FUCKING hurts!" He muttered.
"I know it is. Tell me honestly. Are you a boss or not?"
Their eyes met, "I… I am."
[That's the spirit—]
[Oh wait, you're dead.]
The short sword had gone straight through his heart.
Jerry looked at himself with wide eyes. At damage dealt by the person in front of him. Juan's expression didn't change. He wasn't looking at Jerry's face, only at the wound he'd made.
[Well… RIP. 💀]