《Awakened Warmonger》


 Chapter 1 - Falling Down

    "The 32nd floor in the Abaram dungeon was cleared today by Mr. Kamizawa."


    "Mr. Kamizawa can you spare a few words to the aspiring dungeon divers out there listening to our program?" said the the person interviewing he number 1 dungeon diver in the world.


    "Yes, I would like to caution everyone to be more careful with dungeon diving. I know it is profitable and an inspiring profession but the death rate of dungeon divers has been continuously increasing over the years." said Mr. Kamizawa


    I stared on at the TV Channel 1. This was the only channel that you could watch for free in the country.


    Every other channel on TV needed a subscription provider. That in itself was a fairly cheap price. Sadly not one I could afford.


    I take in my room, single room small apartment in a sh*t poor country and minimum wage job that could barely afford life itself.


    It must be nice to be a dungeon diver.


    "So Mr. Kamizawa can you tell us a bit about the 32nd dungeon floor and the difficulties you experienced?" asked the showman


    "Well Ray, you see the 32nd floors mostly covered in flames so fire resistance equipment is of essence but due to guild regulations I can''t say much about the monsters inside, but I can tell you ..."


    *BAM* *BAM*


    "Frank, open the damn door I know you''re not at work" I heard an angry yelling from outside the door.


    ''Dammit, fuck!!! it''s the landlord. And always this timing, can''t I at least watch the rest of the program''


    I wondered for a moment whether I should stay quiet and pretend I''m asleep or out of the room.


    *squick* *squick*


    I look at the door handle trying to be opened but unable since I stuck the key inside.


    *BAM* *BAM* *BAM*


    "Frank open up the damn door, I know you''re inside!!!" I heard the landlord yell angrily again.


    I stood up and looked myself in the mirror hanging on the wall, a slightly older teen, grown a bit chubby withered from long hours at demeaning jobs trying to survive, but still keeping that sharp gleam in the eyes.


    ''Dammit, our contract says she''s not allowed to enter here without a notice, why is she trying to budge my door open.''


    I put on a jacket and open the door. I see my landlord, or rather landlady. The old coot, always so pesky. I swear I''ll move away one day.


    "Okay so this is the room I wanted to show you. You can step inside and have a look you can move in by tomorrow if you like it." the landlady said


    I look behind her noticing a young girl looking about bashful at the situation but saying nothing.


    "Hey why are you bringing people here?" I ask her angry


    "I''m kicking you out as soon as someone is willing to take this place off you. What did you think you''d stay here indefinitely freeloading?" asked the landlady before she shoved me inside bringing inside the young girl to look at the place.


    My room wasn''t anything special. A bed, a TV, and a mirror with a small detached bathroom on the side. A bit of a mess due to the unexpected situation, thought now this might favour me instead.


    "It''s a bit messy" said the young girl


    "Ignore that my love. I will clean it up before you move in. I promise you it will be fixed by the time you move in." said the landlady with a gentle tone


    The girl gave a look around again and looked me in the eyes for a short moment. Then quickly turned her head away and said to the landlady.


    "I''ll take it." my face paled


    I turned to the landlady and quickly begged. " Miss Silener, please give me a few more days. My pay is coming up and I''ll pay you what I owe you please!"This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "You had your chance. Pack up. If you''re not out of here by the end of today I''ll call the police and get you out by force." she said dismissively without a care. I could see the blank look on her face that didn''t care about my life or death.


    I looked on blankly and stood in place staring silently as they left the room past me, going off to sign the papers for the rent.


    *Haaaaah*


    "... and Mr. Kamizawa..." I switched off the TV.


    ''This would have never happened if it weren''t for that idiot. Why did I trust him.''


    I say to myself quietly thinking of that moron going off selling drugs. Why don''t you just work like a normal person. Why did you do that and then ask me to bail you out.


    Fuck*ng moron. I tell myself again. 20 years old with a wife and kids. How can you live like that. And even went and ditched me on everything after all that...


    ''Yeah. I am too trusting. Too good to my friends. That is why I decided I will keep people away. I won''t care about people. It''s as if every sh*tty person is attracted to me''


    Now I gotta deal with this mess. Come on Frank. Start from nothing. Again. No matter how many times you fall. You can rise up. You can try again and again and again. We only need to win 1 time to succeed in life.


    ''Yes. no matter what happens. No matter what happens or how hard it is. As long as it is legal and morally justified I will bear through it.''


    5 hours later.


    I looked outside my apartment, it is night time. The weather is cloudy. I got my belongings out with me. Which is basically just some clothes and anything I can carry. Really what would I do with anything else wandering the streets without a home.


    I looked on as the landlady closed the door. The cold chilling wind brushing against my face and running through my clothes giving me some chills.


    The loud traffic from the cars, the dirty air. I move to the main streets meshing in the crowd of people. Passing by the dark alleyways.


    I''m depressed and the world looks grey. Beggars on the street living miserably. Drunkards fighting, I hear yelling from the distance before quickly deciding to move away from the place.


    I''m headed to work. Yes I don''t have a home. Yes I don''t have money. Yes I am tired. Yes I am depressed. Yes I haven''t eaten in 5 days.


    But, I have a job. And I''m getting paid in a few days. Once I have my paycheck I will be able to eat and if I am lucky find somewhere where I can sleep. If not, I could try to sleep at work or somewhere near the place, or even ask for help from one of my colleagues.


    ''Yes Frank, Don''t give up hope. You don''t trust humanity. You never got anything good from anyone. You''re the only person who has actually given anything to anyone. But, you gotta try. At least try.'' I tell myself. Not believing anyone would help me for even a second. But I wouldn''t forgive myself either if I don''t at least try.


    I reached my job after a 6 hour trek. Walking all night without sleeping and being starved. I finally reach my job, just about when my shift will start to boot.


    I go inside clocking in. I sit down on the table in the canteen and look around.


    ''Who can I talk to to help me out?'' I ask myself


    "Hey guys did you watch the Monster Hunters show last night. They were interviewing Mr. Kamizawa the number 1 dungeon diver who just cleared the 32nd floor in the Abaram Dungeon !!!" said Josh


    "Oh yeah, man that was awesome. I wonder what resources they will find inside the 32nd floor. Do you think it will affect the market prices?" asked Tom


    "No way. They have to find a mine deposit. Look at the history logs. They''re mostly found on every 5th floor somewhere hidden. The chances on the other floors are a lot smaller." said Josh replying


    ''I knew these guys, usually follow the news and they said something about the market. maybe Forex market. A lot of the dungeon resources have been added as free trade. But you need a lot of cash to do it and skill''


    "Hey guys" I go to them. " Can I sit with you for a moment" I ask, with a bit of hope in my voice.


    "Hmmm, yeah, sure. They look at me a bit confused." So I heard you guys talking about the show last night. " I actually didn''t hear the monster description since I was busy. Did you guys manage to catch anything?"


    "Oh yeah, they found some Fire Bats and Salamanders inside. They didn''t say a lot about the special monsters thought. Must be some pretty special drops from them." said Josh who seemed a bit more open than Tom for a conversation.


    We talked about the show for a while and some random topics before I asked them." Guys, listen I have been meaning to ask you for a favour. Is there any chance you have a spare room at your place. I''ve had a bit of an issue with my rent and really need to find a place to stay asap for a few days." I said feeling a bit withered.


    They looked at me for a bit. Obviously becoming uncomfortable a bit with me. " No, sorry man. But I can''t do anything to help you out at this time." Said Josh. Tom just stared blankly and shook his head at me.


    I guess this didn''t work out.


    I went around trying to speak to other colleagues before work began. Sadly none were willing to help out.


    Finally it was time to start working. I went inside and started doing my job as usual. It was pretty hard work inside a warehouse and fast paced environment.


    As I was doing my order mid shift. A manager came to me. "Mr. Nouman?"


    I turned around looking at my manager and replied confirming my surname. "Yes"


    "Mr. Nouman. You haven''t been performing well the past few days. Your performance has been down by 50% of the average expectations." said my manager taking a breath before continuing.


    "Mr. Nouman. I will have to dismiss you from work due to low performance. I am sorry, but this will be your last shift here." said the manager before briskly walking away leaving me too stunned to reply.


    I finished my shift. And walked out of my work palce still being stunned at the events till now.


    I lost my home. I lost my job. I lost a friend. I thought back, having a mid day fantasy. How would it feel like to be a dungeon diver.


    I could hack monster after monster without a care in the world. I could go on TV shows, have good friends to watch my back and look people dead in the eyes without shame and knowing I am indeed standing on the top making a change in the world, being the best of myself.

 Chapter 2 - The Hunt

    I turn away having given my work place one last glance. And start to walk away. I don''t have anywhere to go really. But I don''t want to sit here and have my ex colleagues look at me with pity.


    I strive forward but I become dizzy. Suddenly everything starts to spin. Maybe all the stress from the last few days crashing down on me at this moment.


    I fall down a few tens of meters away from the entrance of my ex job. I unwillingly close my eyes feeling weakness overtaking me.


    Eventually I wake up. It''s night and the sky is dark. I look around. I''m at the same place I fell unconscious. Outside my work place...


    I spent who knows how many hours lying here on the pavement, yet no one called an ambulance for me. Nor apparently came to check up on the guy lying flatly on the ground.


    I get myself standing cursing the last 7 generations of every dut*h bag working here. And staggering for a while begin to move again.


    It''s the dead of night. I''ve got nowhere to sleep, nothing to eat or drink. Neither any money to make use of.


    I remember one of the roads 5 minutes from here had a lot of trees and shrubs on the side. I might be able to make something somewhat comfortable to rest on from the foliage. My head is still killing me.


    ''What an awful headache'' I say to myself. Still taking heavy steps forward.


    I find the shrubs and make a small nest of sorts from the leaves and twigs a bit further on the inside where I will be more unnoticed to relax in somewhat of a comfort.


    As much as the chilly night and cold wind would allow me. But It does wonders for my headache. I''m already feeling much more clear headed.


    I close my eyes listening to the rustling of the leaves. The sparing chirping of birds in the night and some crickets.


    "How much do you want?" I hear a gruff male voice.


    It''s coming from the road I just came from. I stay quiet. Listening in. I didn''t expect there to be people here this late.


    '' I don''t need this bulls*it right now'' I think to myself quietly. This is definitely no good. I try to stay quiet.


    "Hey George, just get me the usual. Level D Crystal, 200 grams. 2 Liters of C class Minotaur... etc. You know the recipe."


    "I thought you''d have learned by now. This thing damages you in the long run. You can''t keep depending on it for much longer. One of these days you''ll lose one of those sport matches you''ve been doing and when they investigate your body you''ll end up in a really bad situation." said the the big guy in the hoodie.


    The other person was really buffed. Looking like a body builder. While this George looked skinny, wearing a hoodie.


    "Either way. Let me check the quality first. I gotta make sure I''m getting the correct goods here." said the buffed guy


    "Yeah, fine." The man with the hoodie handed him a small pouch.


    "Hmmm all seems fine. And yeah. You''re right. The situation will become really bad for me. Especially if I leave loose ends." The buffed guy takes out a knife and goes from the side stabbing the guy in the hoodie.


    I sit quietly almost paralysed. Feeling my legs shaking from witnessing murder in the dread of the night.


    ''F''*ck. if this guy notices me at this moment I''m dead. There are no cameras here. I got no one to look for me. I''ll just be a dead cold corpse.''


    Suddenly the body of the hoodie guy disappears. Vanishing like smoke in the darkness as if it was all an illusion. Leaving the the buffed guy sitting with his hand outstretched.


    Then there''s a short flash near his neck. And blood gushes out.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "Ahhh!" I feel something fly past my head making  a small cut on my cheek and scream out quietly.


    I step back making a ruckass as I step on twigs and rustle the shrubs I was hiding in.


    "Fu*k. Fu*k. Fu*k. Fu*k" I start screaming in my head and dash in the opposite direction from that road.


    *Huff* *Huff*


    This is impossible. That guy must be a dungeon diver. And those resources should be regulated by the guilds. Only people in guilds can dive in dungeons and the resources arer confiscated by the guilds and given to the government.


    There resources can be used to strengthen other people but some of them have side effects and can damage you. But they shouldn''t be sold like this. This in''t something you just stumble upon.


    I run out on a highway. It''s empty both ways. there are some trees on the other side I jump across some barriers and start running again. Hopefully I can lose that guy among the trees.


    "Fu*k. Dungeon Divers are dangerous. I just hope he''s not a tracker type or I''m fu*ked" I turn around to look if there''s anyone chasing me.


    But as I turn back. On the other side of the road stood the guy in the hoodie. Completely still. I rooted my feet to the ground.


    "Fu*k. I won''t be able to get away from this." I try to reach my phone. Maybe I can call the police or something and try to give him the slip for a while...


    ''Do I even know where I am exactly.... well apparently I don''t even have battery'' This has to be the worst luck I''ve had in my life.


    Am I going to die here. Just like this. For nothing. Having lived an insignificant life without accomplishing anything. Being pummeled and humiliated by everyone. I refuse.


    ''I refuse'' I look at the man who is slowly walking to me as if amused.


    "I refuse..." I whisper in a short breath. Yes ''I refuse!''


    I will not go. Not like this. Not now. I take it out of the pocket in my jacket. A small pocket knife. Sharp and effective. Walking down the streets at night has never been safe. Especially with my luck meeting drunk morons.


    Luckily that paranoid precaution has finally come in handy. I dash forward knife in hand at the guy. And make a quick stab forward.


    He dodges to the side. But I wasn''t aiming for him. I hit the pouch on the side tearing into it. A crystal powder spills out.


    The man frowns. but I go in for a dive not stopping my momentum. I grab some of the powder mid air with my free hand. Rolling forward and start running without even looking back. I ingest some of the powder.


    I feel myself getting faster and stronger, each of my steps taking me further and further from my pursuer. Eventually I start jumping from tree to tree as if unaffected by gravity.


    For what seems like hours I keep running having sweat trickle down my body I feel dehydrated. Thought obviously only a few minutes have passed.


    Finally the strength I felt previously disappears and my legs go numb. Instantly I can''t feel my body nor control it and fall face first into the dirt.


    I look forward. Two feet land in front of my head. The man kneels down grabbing me by the throat and takes out a knife.


    *Grrwwwll*


    I hear a growl. The man drops me and takes a battle stance. A fox enters my view. It looks feral and jumps at the man attacking him.


    I watch on dumbly as the fox madly attacks him.But As they keep fighting I notice the fox is really aiming for the pouch on his sides.


    I would run but I can''t move a muscle as much as I want to. I just keep watching them fight, no matter the winner I will come out dead if I don''t move. I need to get away from here now!


    I try to feel my body. Good I can move my left arm a bit. I start trying to drag myself away from here. Hide against some tree and pray to remain undiscovered.


    I don''t have that many other options left beside this. At least I hope this fight doesn''t finish quickly. But from the noise of the battle it seems to be coming to an end. The fox must have gotten tired by now. Crystal powder can only boost you for so long.


    ''I''m a fair distance away at this point, maybe 5 meters. Yeah... Lying to myself isn''t good. I''m doomed.'' I stop for a moment and look at the sky.


    This is the end. There is no hope dragging myself pitifully. The least I can do is look at the stars in the sky for the last moments of my life as I wait for my death to come.


    Seconds tickle by, then minutes. Half an hour later I can finally move a bit and get up from the ground.


    ''Why am I alive?'' I ask myself


    I don''t hear any sound around me. I go back a bit to where the fight took place. There are 2 dead bodies lying in the dirt.


    I move in closer. The fox is dead. But the man. He''s still breathing... I take a step back frightened.


    ''I need to run away!'' was my first thought but, ''Will I be able to run away?'' I asked myself.


    ''I can''t outrun him. He can track me. He wants to kill me. Worst he seems to be recovering...'' I need to kill him.


    I brace myself and take out my knife. I need to do this and I need to do it now, while he isn''t awake.


    I come closer and lift his hood, looking at the young man who doesn''t look like he could hurt anyone. Probably around my age.


    I take a look down at my knife and place it against his throat. Just then he opens his eyes and I no longer hesitated. I didn''t even let my hand shake.


    I had to do this. The moment he opened his eyes. I knew. He will kill me. He will kill me without sparing a thought. I had to end this here. Or this will be my end.


    Blood gushed out of his throat and covered my now shivering hand in a warm sticky liquid. I slowly took it back and look at the bloody hand and knife.


    With some unnatural clarity I wipe the blood of his clothes and start searching his body. The first thing I do is check the pouch and find a but of crystal inside, some vial of blood and herbs.


    I take 2 sharp knifes off him and don''t see much else of value.


    I''m alive.


    "I''m alive!" I say it again this time audibly just to hear it with my ears still in disbelieve.

 Chapter 3 - Events

    I stumbled forward.


    Bloody and traumatized. The previous events sinking in slowly. As I come to realize all that happened.


    I started to gag and shiver from killing someone.


    But I swallowed the vomit coming up my throat. I looked around. I''m alone on the street it all started.


    I spot the dead body of the guy who was the buyer in the deal and vomit creeps up my throat again.


    I look away and run off in another d direction.


    My paycheck should''ve finally been transferred today. I finally have money.


    I quickly go to town. And finally find an ATM after more than an hour walking and looking around.


    I take out all my money from the ATM with some holidays left over I get some 1073.22$ but can only take out 400$ out the ATM.


    I take out the money and go buy new clothes from the supermarket. Having clean clothes I can take out the rest from the bank.


    No one will let me even get inside the bank with worn out clothes covered in dirt and slightly bloody sleeves.


    It wasn''t too difficult thought to mix in the crowd at the supermarket hiding the bloody spots and walking out with new clothes on me throwing the old ones in the bin.


    Getting out of the bank with all my cash I look around for a cafe. I got a charger on me for my phone.


    I can recharge my dead battery and  catch some WiFi over a drink. Doing so I find a cheap place to stay a bit out of my way.


    I text the agent and go sign off the deal. It''s a one room small apartment that costs a flat 500$ a month. Luckily no agent fees.


    I finally get to lie down on a soft bed. After all this shit. I take a shower, shut the curtains and go to sleep.


    *Inside a guild building hall''s Pub*


    "Hello Party Leader Mathew, do you still have that sample of the Level D Crystal you had extracted from your last dungeon dive?" asked the guild messenger amongst the people in the pub.


    Mathew had just ordered a cold beer to relax from the last exhausting expedition. He felt annoyed but looking at the badge on the messenger he was very high ranking. '' I can''t pass this up... Can I?''


    He asked himself knowing he couldn''t ignore this person.


    The messenger continued saying. "I just got back with some routine samples of  that particular crystal and I was ordered by the Guild Head to come and collect the rest of it for research."


    "Hello. Umhh. That will take some time."  I responded a bit annoyed. While sipping on my cold beer. Before continuing.


    "You see we only got a small amount of it. It was actually handed down to us from the party Mr. Kamizawa was in on the 32nd floor recently."


    ''Ahhh that bast*rd media lover. I hate working with that a*shole.  The media should just paint him as a Demon King considering all the requests he has to even move a finger to help another human being'' I reminisce for a bit and continue.


    "But after they examined it they just threw it away like trash. We were the bag carriers and picked it off. Then I gave it to George since he seemed to want it the most." responded Mathew in a cold tone as if speaking about some terrible experience he had in his life.


    The messenger couldn''t imagine why working with the great Mr. Kamizawa''s party would be an unpleasant event. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    "So can we call up George, hopefully he still has it on him. Our researchers were very excited about what they found while examining it." the messenger said gleefully. Thinking of how much their guild could gain if what their scientists said was confirmed.


    "Yeah I''ll call him and give him a heads up. I''m sure he couldn''t have done anything with it only a day after that expedition. But can I ask what makes it so special to have the Guild Head himself give the order. Isn''t it only some Level D Crystal?" asked the party leader as he took out his phone and dialed George.


    The messenger thought about it for a while. It wasn''t like the Guild Head said this was top secret information after all before he responded. "Well the researchers don''t know the exact effects since they didn''t have enough to do live experiments."


    The messenger stayed silent for a bit to make sure Mathew was listening so he could see his expression on what he said after this.


    "But apparently it could be used to awakened some dormant potential in humans. They said it''s composition is vaguely similar to the 30th level Boss Monster."


    Mathew stared at the messenger the phone in his hand almost slipping from his grip into his beer.


    "What?!?" asked Mathew face in disbelieve.


    "Are you certain????" asked Mathew again.


    "Yes." replied the messenger.


    Mathew thought. '' About 0.1% of the power can be stored by the body after consuming a crystal raw. Maybe 1% if used with proper herbs and rituals to process it.''


    ''And the messenger said it''s composition resembled the level 30 boss monster. That thing would constantly regenerate and absorb our magical attacks to strengthen itself. Even the ambient mana in the air wasn''t spared from it''s ability. Even that Kamizawa kid almost died fighting that monstrosity.'' Mathew thought of that life and death battle shivering.


    "Where exactly did you get it from?" asked the messenger pleased with Mathew''s expression.


    Mathew needed a whole minute and a few drinks of his beer before he could continue talking with the messenger. Before replying to the messenger.


    "We found it with some epic grade equipment on the last floor. But it was just some trash stuck with the rest of the stuff Kamizawa''s party took."


    The messenger thought about it for a bit and said. " Nothing on the 32nd level of that place would be ordinary..."


    Mathew looked at the messenger." George isn''t picking up."


    *Inside a gym''s training room*


    It was quiet in the morning. With few people working out. In one corner of the room 3 guys gathered around to talk.


    "Spencer, have you seen Brook today." Asked one of the guys huddled together.


    "Naah Poxy. He''s been out for his meds last night like usual. You know how he is." said Spencer.


    "But he''s usually back for his routine exercises the next day. Working out and getting your adrenaline pumping is the best way to make use of that stuff." Said Poxy


    "James bud you know what Brook''s been up to recently. He''s got that tournament coming up. He''s gonna lose it if he keeps back tracking like this." Poxy said to the guy still bench pressing.


    "Ughhh. Poxy. Yer gonna get your as*ess handed to you if you keep on using that stuff. They''re introducing new tests specifically for taking stuff like that this year." replied James practically ignoring his friends.


    Brook was James''s big brother. And person who introduced him to the gym. He didn''t approve of what Brook was doing to get stronger. But he was his brother.


    Taking crystal from the dungeon wasn''t exactly doping. The military and Dungeon Divers did it after all. But it wasn''t exactly legal in sport either.


    Tournaments are a place to prove humanity''s fundamental strength with nothing but their fists. Taking supplements isn''t exactly fair play.


    After all lifting giant boulders and fighting monsters is quite different than fighting other people. And such spectacular strength can''t be achieved naturally without depending on some special abilities.


    "James grow up. Strength is all that matters. The only disappointing thing would be that we''re just ordinary people and we can''t actually fight monsters or display the prowess of enhanced people or magicians." said Spencer.


    Spencer always admired Brook for his strength. And would charge in head on in any fight he could get himself into.


    Obviously he would reject James idea of fighting with people just by working out in the gym all day and depending on your instincts.


    "The world is more complicated than that. It is a childish idea of giving up an opportunity to gain power on the precursor that it might not be fair to the other guy. Life is not fair and you should grab every chance to advance to be on the top." Spencer said yet again, admonishing James as he had done before.


    While this common dispute between the two was happening. Poxy just stood on the side smirking at them finding the whole thing hilarious after having to go through it hundreds of times.


    "Guys. Look Brook hasn''t been answering us for quite a while. Let''s go check up on his place. If he''s not there. We''ll go check out where the deal happened." Poxy spoke in a lower volume then before.


    "And if something happened to Brook all of you should be prepared. You know these things can get out of hand on some occasions" Poxy continued. Lowering his volume even further making sure no one else in the gym heard them.


    Poxy has always been a bit distant. But he was very close to Brook. And Brook always shared some of the crystal he got with him. Sometimes he''d even accompany him on his deals.


    And if anything happened. He''d be the first one to look for Brook. And if anyone tried to mess with them. He''d be ready to shoot them dead.