《Scavenger's Ascension [LitRPG]》


 Chapter 1: Fateful Expedition

    "Move, you worthless rat!" Carson¡¯s angry voice sounded from somewhere behind me.


    I shut my eyes tightly, already knowing what would follow. And in the next moment came the whip, mercilessly connecting with my poor skin. I twitched, feeling the inevitable round of searing pain.


    Ah, how I hate that bastard... With a heavy sigh, I slowly opened my eyes and reluctantly resumed the slow march forward.


    The tunnel¡¯s jaws loomed before me, and the only thing separating me from the ever-present darkness was the tiny circle of light emanating from my old trusty lantern.


    It¡¯s fine, just a bunch of old bones, nothing to be afraid of¡­ I tried to convince myself, tightly clutching the small lamp in my trembling hand, straining my ears for any sound that might signal approaching danger.


    Drop¡­ drop¡­ drop¡­


    But no matter how much I tried, the only thing I could pick up was the annoying sound of dripping water, slowly driving me mad.


    Well, there are also those brutes behind me, but I would rather not think about them if I don''t have to.


    Taking a deep breath, I tried to suppress my growing anxiety, forcing myself to continue while watching the flickering flame cast long shadows across the tunnel''s rough walls.


    I was a so-called Scout for the expedition. However, such a noble title didn''t quite epitomize what I truly was - a bait, plain and simple.


    My purpose was also quite simple - when some harrowing abomination would inevitably ambush our small party, I would be its first snack, hopefully giving enough time for the others to get ready.


    Or, more likely, give them enough time to run away¡­ I chuckled to myself as so deep below, there weren''t many things a mere human could face and live to tell the tale.


    My only consolation was that with a bit of luck, any would-be monster would look up at my thin, scrawny figure and pass me up for a more juicy meal further back, but given where I ended up, I''m guessing my luck isn''t any good.


    However, so far, our group hasn''t stumbled upon anything too terrifying except a few mutated rats that named this horrid maze - The Ratways.


    It was a peculiar place¡ªan intricate labyrinth of tunnels dug deep underground. Nobody knew who built them or for what purpose, as they were here long before the Shelter.


    My eyes briefly moved across the countless claw marks and scorch burns¡ª evidence of past battles with the twisted creatures that now inhabited these abandoned corridors.


    I shuddered at the thought of what horrors might now dwell here, trying my best to suppress the growing fear. It was getting harder and harder the further we went, and since I had never been so deep into the Ratways before, my imagination was running wild.


    Yet, I had no other choice but to soldier on unless I wanted to experience the taste of Carson''s whip once again, and I had zero doubts that this sadistic excuse for a man would hesitate even for a second to use it.


    Still, the deeper we went, the bigger the chance of our luck running dry. Thus, holding my breath, I cautiously moved forward, painfully aware that each step could be my last.


    ***


    Damn it! I came to an abrupt stop, spotting what looked like another crossing further down the road.


    Those were the absolute worst since we could be easily ambushed from multiple sides. So, I quickly turned around, frantically signaling for the others to stop.


    Tension hung heavy as Carson, our presumed leader, cursed before taking out a fragile piece of ancient-looking paper from his front pocket with a clear annoyance on his ugly face.


    He then traced the faint lines with a finger, seeking the correct path. The others assembled around him, arguing in a low voice as everyone knew the gravity of choosing the wrong turn.


    Since nobody cared about my opinion, I moved to the side and decided to use this short respite to lean against the tunnel''s wall, loosening some of the pressure from my sore legs.


    Looking at the ragtag mix of thugs and scavengers, I couldn''t help but scoff. I still vividly remember the day when I borrowed the money from Rowan¡ªone of the most powerful gang leaders and the de facto ruler of the Shelter''s Outskirts.


    It was shortly after I finally became an adult, and they threw me out of the orphanage. Back then, I was still full of hopes and dreams about fighting the mighty monsters, awakening some amazing Ability, and becoming a real Hunter.


    In the Outskirts, there were very few opportunities for someone like me, yet despite everything, I still wanted to make a name for myself.


    But when my dreams inevitably clashed with the harsh reality, and I realized I couldn''t pay him back, I ended up like this, no better than a slave forever bound in servitude to the cruel whims of Rowan''s thugs.


    Not long ago, Rowan apparently got his hands on some old map showing a potential hidden depot left over by the Army from when the Shelter was first established, which resulted in this crazy foray into the depths.


    "How much further?" An old, seasoned scavenger whose name I didn''t bother to remember asked Carson in a rasping voice.


    Carson threw a quick glance across his shoulder before confidently answering. "We''re not far... It should be somewhere behind this fork."


    "Then what are we waiting for?" Another one chimed in, smiling crookedly.


    Soon, we were back on the move, me once again walking in the front, albeit reluctantly. I sneaked along the wall, praying that nothing jumped up at me from the darkness. Luckily, it seemed that all the saints stood with us on this day.


    We turned right, entering a straight, spacious corridor that spanned as far as the eye could see. I cautiously looked around, noting the thick layer of dust and grime everywhere, which made it more than clear that nobody had walked through there in a long, long time.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Carson''s mouth widened into a sly grin as he eagerly urged us forward. Then, a massive steel door slowly manifested before us. Holy¡­


    I looked ahead in awe, as, until now, I had not actually believed those wild tales of a hidden treasure trove one bit. But seeing the old gate with my own eyes, I couldn''t help but get giddy, hoping I could steal a few scraps for myself.


    There even was a rusty plate on the wall with a barely readable sign [Supply Depot C-12]


    Carson moved to the front and roughly pushed me aside. "We''re he..." He began eagerly exclaiming.


    But alas, he never got to finish his sentence, as an intense tremor ran through the tunnel right at that moment.


    The thugs¡¯ excited smiles froze on their lips, and we all tensed up. Another tremor followed the first one, and the whole place began violently shaking.


    "Earthquake! Run!" The old, seasoned scavenger shouted from behind.


    He didn¡¯t have to tell me twice. I scrambled back into the main tunnel as the ground quaked and trembled violently beneath my feet, trapping me in its relentless grip.


    Fear twisted everyone¡¯s faces as the quake''s magnitude intensified, shaking us to the core, followed shortly after by a deafening roar in the tunnels.


    Oh, crap! I looked up with widened eyes, struggling to stay upright.


    The ceiling groaned in protest, showering us with dust and debris. Panic set in, and our small group scattered in a desperate attempt to escape the impending doom, yet it looked like we were a moment too late.


    ***


    "Cough, cough." I slowly opened my eyes but immediately realized I couldn''t see anything. Great...


    I scrambled around, trying to locate my lantern, yet I couldn''t find it anywhere. Luckily, I still had a few matches left in my pocket, so I took one out and lit it on a nearby chunk of concrete.


    A tiny flame illuminated my surroundings. Blinking dazedly, I looked around and realized I was in a small cavity supported by a lone steel beam that apparently saved my life, miraculously blocking all the falling debris from burying me alive.


    However, the bad news was that it also trapped my legs, and I couldn''t move at all. I tried to squeeze my way out of its crushing weight, straining my muscles with all my might, but the beam wouldn''t budge.


    Then, the match burned out, submerging me once again in a pitch-black darkness. With growing panic, I strained my ears, listening for any signs that the others had made it out, but all I could hear was a faint echo of my own breath.


    "H...Hello? Is anyone there?" I shouted, not yet giving up hope, but there was no answer.


    It continued like this for several minutes as I frantically tried to find a way to free myself from this concrete hell until I froze, catching the faint sound of someone moving on the other side of the massive pile of rubble.


    "Hey! I''m here! Help me!" I shouted again, and after a while, I could hear the footsteps coming closer.


    And then all my hopes were mercilessly crushed as I heard a rugged laugh followed by a scoff. "Ha! Of all the people, it''s you... But I guess you''ve finally run out of luck. Who would bother digging up a worthless rat like you? Better luck in the next life..."


    When the footsteps began fading into silence, I desperately yelled out. "Hey, Carson! Help me! Don''t leave me here!"


    I shamelessly begged, tears flowing down my cheeks, but he didn''t come back, and after that, I didn''t hear anything else. That bastard... After everything I did for the gang, he will simply leave me to die like that?


    I felt an intense anger bubbling up inside me. I cursed at both Carson for abandoning me as well as that bastard Rowan for sending me here in the first place.


    I also threw into the mix all those high and mighty citizens of the Shelter who never gave me a chance to prove myself, and I had to endure living in such a ruthless society that valued nothing but strength.


    Still, while grimacing, I had to admit that if there was someone to blame, it was me - and my own weakness that led me to this mess.


    Yet, as I lay there for what seemed like hours, my sorrow and anger began slowly morphing into a fierce determination. I refuse to die here! If only to spite them...


    I focused on every bit of strength I had left and tried to lift the beam again. But it didn''t budge. To hell with this!


    I tried again and again until my hands bled, finding strength I didn''t even know I had. I gritted my teeth and screamed as I threw all my energy into it, and then, finally, the beam moved.


    It moved only by a tiny bit, probably thanks to my repeated attempts that seemed to loosen the surrounding debris. But still, it moved! I concentrated, straining every muscle in my body, and the beam finally relented, lifting enough to free one of my trapped legs.


    I collapsed backward, totally exhausted. "Hahaha!" I laughed crazily, a victorious smirk painting my face. This might work! I quickly went back to work with a peculiar feeling I was convinced I would never be able to feel again - a hope.


    Now that I had one leg out, the rest was much more manageable. Instead of relying solely on my arms, I could push with one leg and slowly wrench my other leg out, too.


    One¡­Two¡­Three¡­ ¡°Arghhhh!¡± Then, with one last push, I was finally free. Of course, I had no time to celebrate as I was still buried under a literal mountain of debris, but at least I could move.


    Plus, while hastily patting myself down, I discovered that, as if by some miracle, I hadn''t had anything broken.


    Being now able to move about a little, I decided to light another of my precious matches as I carefully observed my surroundings.


    However, when I slowly turned my sore body around, I couldn¡¯t help but widen my eyes as I realized that the only way back to the Shelter was utterly blocked.


    With a panic tightly gripping my heart, I desperately looked for something, anything that would allow me to escape this concrete grave.


    But before I could fully give in to despair, I discovered that the narrow cavity I was in extended further, and there was a small opening behind me.


    I tried to move toward it, and as I began sifting through the loose debris, my heart leaped in joy. With a little bit of luck, I could maybe, just maybe, squeeze through it. So, I crawled forward, desperately praying that no monster would be waiting for me on the other side.


    After what felt like an eternity but was perhaps only a meter or so, I emerged from the pile of rubble, panting with exhaustion. My match had gone out a long time ago, yet even though I was surrounded by utter darkness, I couldn''t help but smile as I realized I had made it out.


    Quickly lighting up another match, I discovered I was in a somewhat undamaged part of the tunnel. It was the very same corridor we came through not that long ago while searching for that supply depot.


    However, something didn''t quite add up. What''s this? I wondered as I looked to my right, staring at the dark maw of an unfamiliar tunnel.


    I was pretty sure this entrance was not here before. Had it been uncovered by the earthquake? I simply stood there, unsure what to do, as now I had two options in front of me, each equally harrowing.


    Do I continue through the main tunnel, which would lead me deeper underground and further away from the Shelter, or do I take the risk and explore this new path that could harbor unknown dangers but also bring me closer to home?


    Weighing my options briefly, I threw one final dejected look at the insurmountable pile of rubble blocking the way back before taking a deep breath and plunging into the unknown.

 Chapter 2: Peculiar Crystal

    Clenching my teeth, I lit yet another match. Armed with nothing but bitter determination, I slowly moved forward, delving into the empty, dark corridor.


    I tried to walk carefully but also quickly as I had only a couple of matches left in my pocket. After that¡­ Let¡¯s not think about it for now.


    Focusing on the task at hand, I continued through the newly uncovered tunnel that stretched on and on without an end in sight.


    At least I won''t get lost... I chuckled, trying to find humor in this shitty situation I found myself in.


    I was well aware that exploring an unmapped tunnel alone without any proper gear was tantamount to suicide, but at this point, I didn''t really care, willing to grasp any chance, however faint, that could bring me back home.


    Yet before long, my worst fears had manifested, and the last of my matches ran out. Great¡­ now what?


    I carefully turned around, but no matter where I looked, there was nothing but pitch-black darkness.


    Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, briefly weighing my options before I decided to continue. There really was no point in turning back now, so I might as well see this through to the end, whatever horrors may wait for me on the other side.


    With a shiver running down my spine, I braved the all-encompassing darkness, always keeping a firm hold of the tunnel wall so I wouldn¡¯t lose my footing.


    I had already lost count of how many steps I made a while ago. So, I resigned myself to simply watching my legs slowly trudge across the uneven terrain.


    But then, a certain realization dawned on me, and I paused in the middle of a step. Wait... How come I can see?


    I blinked a few times, incredulously watching the eerie tunnel being bathed in a pale blue light. Had I finally lost it?


    After noticing that the source of the strange light was coming from somewhere ahead, I increased my pace, being urged forward with a sense of morbid curiosity, despite the rational side of my brain screaming at me to turn around and run away as fast as possible.


    Yet before I could begin second-guessing my ill-fated decision, the tunnel abruptly ended, and as I emerged from it, I froze.


    I found myself standing in a spacious hall. All around me, pieces of ancient machinery were haphazardly scattered across the floor, along with various broken tools, indicating that this used to be some sort of laboratory.


    Usually, such wondrous discoveries would bring immense joy to the face of any scavenger, as one could get extremely rich by selling all this metal for recycling.


    Yet I paid the precious scrap no attention as my eyes were firmly glued to the very center of the ancient room, where, on the remnants of what looked like an elaborate work table, stood a weird-looking object.


    It was a pure black piece of... Rock? Crystal? Whatever it was, its surface was adorned with peculiar symbols, and more importantly, it was also the source of the strange blue glow.


    Seeing that it shone without any obvious power source, I couldn''t help but gawk at it in awe, as this could mean only one thing¡ªmagic!


    "I''m gonna be so rich!" I exclaimed, not giving a damn if someone - or something might hear me as I hurried to take a closer look.


    The crystal was a perfectly polished piece of semi-transparent black stone about half a meter in diameter. However, as I was approaching it, I paused, suddenly overcome with a weird urge to touch it.


    I shook my head, grimacing, trying to get rid of the strange feeling, but the closer I got, the stronger the urge became.


    What is this weird-ass thing? I tried to resist, battling against this invisible pull, but it soon became unbearable. Then, to my horror, my hand moved seemingly on its own, touching the glassy, smooth surface.


    I tensed, preparing myself for something disastrous to happen, yet nothing changed - at least not for the first few seconds.


    But then, the strange symbols lighted up, momentary blinding me. The air around me started buzzing, and after a brief bout of dizziness, everything went dark.


    ***


    When I finally regained consciousness, I was floating in a vast ocean of impenetrable darkness.


    Panic set in as I realized I couldn''t see, hear, or even move my own body. It was as if I had been swallowed whole by the void itself, my entire existence reduced to a helpless speck in its very depths.


    What is happening? Where am I? I desperately shuffled around, trying to find an answer to what was going on.


    Yet before I fully succumbed to despair, I paused, realizing there was something else here with me.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Focusing on the all-encompassing emptiness around me, I shifted, trying to pinpoint the source of this weird feeling, but then I froze, widening my nonexistent eyes.


    A short distance away, I could perceive a beautiful white crystal gently floating about, bathed in incandescent light.


    It shined brightly yet subtly at the same time. The contrast of the light and the darkness created a mesmerizing spectacle, and I found myself strangely drawn toward the said crystal.


    I was attracted to it like a moth to a flame; I couldn''t quite explain it, but it was as if the crystal itself was calling for me. Like it was always there waiting for me - or someone like me.


    But as soon as I came into contact with it, there was a flash of light followed by an intense, piercing headache that came without any warning and which threatened to consume my very being. "...!" I screamed with all my might, yet there was no sound to be heard.


    Meanwhile, everything around me began to spin, and right when the pain was becoming unbearable, and I thought I was surely going to die, it suddenly stopped.


    And then I heard a weird mechanical voice in my head.


    [Seed acquired! Initializing system...]


    The crystal produced a single profound pulse, almost like a heartbeat, and then everything was drowned by pure light.


    [Fusion complete! Establishing a domain...]


    ***


    Coming to my senses, I found myself lying on a cold, hard surface. I tried to move my stiff limbs only to realize that every single muscle in my sore body was hurting like hell.


    It hurt so much like that one time when I first tried to steal a loaf of bread from a market stall and got caught in the act... Let''s just say the owner wasn''t too happy about it.


    Grimacing, I chased away the unpleasant memory and tiredly lifted myself up, still feeling a bit dizzy.


    But as the piercing headache slowly subsided and I took in my surroundings, I couldn''t help but widen my eyes in fright.


    Where am I? Looking around, I immediately discovered I was in a very strange, unfamiliar place.


    It was a large dome-like structure that looked almost like a natural cave - not that I''ve ever been in one, but I''ve seen illustrations.


    The air gave off a sulfurous odor that reminded me of gunpowder, and the walls were jagged and rough, looking as if they had been ripped from the depths of the Earth itself and haphazardly placed back together.


    Everything was eerily quiet, and the only sound I could hear was the echo of my own footsteps.


    As my eyes traveled inward, I noticed that at the very center of the dome stood a simple pedestal made out of stacked flat rocks, and on it was the same radiant, white crystal that I had seen before in the void.


    It sat there motionlessly, illuminating the whole place with cold, incandescent light, almost like a miniature sun.


    I wanted to take a closer look at it, as it was the only interesting feature in this barren landscape, and I hoped it would give me some clues about how to get back.


    But before I could take the first step toward it, I came to a sudden halt, looking in amazement as strange glyphs suddenly began appearing right in front of my eyes, assembling into perfect rows like some sort of mysterious message.


    Am I going crazy? I thought somberly before trying to focus on the glowing symbols, and for some strange reason, I could understand them perfectly.


    [Name: Jayden] [Race: Human]


    [Level: 1 (Soul Essence: 0/100)]


    [Class: None] [Skills: None ]


    W-What? Is this Magic?


    To say I was taken aback by this sudden development would be an understatement of the century. I tried to make sense of the text before me, but then I registered a few more glyphs at the bottom.


    [Proceed to Class selection]


    Huh? I can pick my own Class? Back in the orphanage, we were taught that the Class is bestowed upon you based on the Ability one awakens. Were they lying to us?


    Feeling overwhelmed with everything that was happening, I decided to save all of my burning questions for later and tried to focus on the bottom line of symbols to see what would happen.


    The glyphs then lit up, transforming into more text.


    [You possess an Aptitude for the following classes:]


    [Scout]


    [Merchant]


    [Scavenger]


    I stared at the few lines of text for a long while as the corner of my mouth twitched.


    What is this crap!? Where is the [Knight]? and the [Paladin]? I furrowed my brows, invoking the names of some of the most famous and sought-after classes I knew from the legendary tales the nuns at the orphanage used to tell us before bed.


    ...or at least a [Brawler], I added with a bitter smile. Well, I guess I never was much of a brawler in the first place. Grimacing, I chased off another unpleasant memory before once again focusing on the shabby selection before me.


    [Scout - The scouts are among the most agile and stealthy explorers, which allows them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. They can move quickly and quietly in any environment, and their keen eyes are specially trained to spot danger from afar as well as gather valuable information about their enemies.]


    [Merchant - The merchants are well-versed in the art of trade and bartering, and their trained eyes are always on the lookout for rare and valuable goods. They are also skilled negotiators who can talk their way out of almost any situation while using their quick wit and knowledge of the market to their advantage.]


    [Scavenger - The scavengers are the ultimate survivors and are most well-known for their resourcefulness. They can make use of even the most mundane items and turn them into valuable tools and equipment. Where others see only scrap, they see treasure, and they are often seen combing through the ruins in search of the said treasure.]


    Looking at the ambiguous descriptions I was provided with, I wasn''t any wiser about their actual capabilities.


    But one thing I knew for sure - the [Merchant] was an instant pass. Although the promise of wealth seemed more than enticing, I was well aware that in a world overrun by monsters, the absence of any substantial fighting ability would be an instant dead sentence.


    The same went for a [Scout]. The ability to move unseen seemed kind of neat, but after experiencing Carson''s ill-fated expedition, the idea of delving headfirst into danger was nothing but horrifying to me.


    So that meant I was left with the [Scavanger] ...Although I wasn''t twice happy about it either, it at least said that the scavengers are experts at survival, and from where I come from, survival is all that matters.


    [You have selected your Class. Processing...]

 Chapter 3: Dire Quest

    After confirming my Class choice, I could feel a sudden surge of energy coursing through my bruised, tired body, as if it were undergoing some profound changes.


    The radiant crystal on the pedestal pulsed with a gentle glow as if acknowledging my selection, but I paid it no attention, my eyes firmly glued to the single line of text that appeared before me.


    [Class: Scavenger (lvl.1)]


    I still couldn''t quite believe it... Me, possessing a true Class.


    With a big grin plastered across my weary face, I examined myself, trying to find what had changed. I stretched my arms and did a few squats, but couldn''t feel much different than a moment ago. It¡¯s probably because I¡¯m still at first level. I reasoned.


    Yet even now, I could feel my eyes getting a tiny bit sharper and my fingers a bit nimbler than before. However, before I could perform some more tests, I was distracted by another line of glyphs.


    [Select a foundational Skill]


    Huh? There¡¯s even a free Skill? Bring it on! With a dark glee, I eagerly accepted the unexpected prompt before widening my eyes in disbelief.


    So many! There were dozens upon dozens of Skills to choose from. It appeared that most of the Skills weren''t tied to the respective Classes, and thus, I could shape my future path however I liked.


    Although as I was skimming through the bountiful selection, I noticed at first glance that some Skills seemed a lot less useful than others, and by choosing the wrong one, I could seriously cripple my progress.


    The problem was that I had only very limited information to work with. Back in the Shelter, everything related to Magic or Classes was a closely guarded secret, so I knew only a few snippets of information that managed to filter out to the masses.


    Sadly, this weird-ass glyph thing didn''t come with any manual, so I was truly on my own.


    Feeling overwhelmed, I simply shook my head and decided to postpone the decision for later as I had an inkling this was something that shouldn''t be rushed.


    And right now, I have a lot more important things to worry about. Namely, to figure out where I was and how the hell I get back.


    This dome-like structure didn''t seem to have any openings¡ªit was all just a rough, solid stone all the way around.


    I worriedly took a look at my meager rations, realizing I had about two days'' worth of food left. Luckily, during the expedition, I had my satchel tightly tied to me to prevent any of my precious possessions from going missing, so it survived the quake just fine.


    The problem was water¡ªI had only a little bit left at the bottom of my bottle, and there was no obvious way to refill it.


    Thus, feeling anxious, and with the unpleasant memory of my previous encounter with the crystal still fresh in my mind, I went on to explore the pedestal and the aforementioned crystal sitting on top, hoping it would give me some clues on how to escape this place.


    I cautiously approached the stone slabs, deciding to first examine the pedestal. Yet I found nothing of interest¡ªit was just what it was: a couple of rocks haphazardly placed atop one another.


    Then, while shielding my eyes from the bright light, I went on to examine the crystal itself.


    However, I quickly found out that there was nothing of note on its surface. So, with no other option, I took a deep breath, and with great reluctance, I moved my fingers closer, briefly touching it again.


    I tensed, yet there was no pull or pulsating light this time. Instead, countless glyphs flew out of it, forming dozens of rows and columns, almost like pages of a giant book.


    I blinked a few times, looking at the strange text before realizing I didn''t understand much of it. There was, however, one tab that caught my eye.


    [Buildings]


    Hmm? What''s this? I narrowed my eyes, watching in awe the very same phenomena as with the Skill Selection shortly before.


    Dozens upon dozens of pages of information instantly appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, presenting me with various options to choose from.


    Once again, I wanted to put it aside for later and close the tab as I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of new information. But then I spotted something that immediately drew my attention.


    [Petty Mana mine - Condensates the pure mana produced by the Seed into various mana crystals. (Build cost: 100 Upkeep: 20)]


    W-What? Reading the short description over and over again, I felt like my own eyes were playing tricks on me. Wait, does this mean what I think it means? This damn thing can produce mana crystals?


    "Hahaha!" I''m gonna be so freaking rich! Without giving it a second thought, I immediately focused on selecting it.


    The text shined faintly before disappearing altogether, and then the whole dome shuddered as the wall on the opposite side of the rocky structure split apart, and a dark hole appeared in the middle before everything calmed down again as if nothing had happened.


    After mustering enough courage, I then went on to explore this strange new development. Feeling apprehensive, I entered the small opening in the dome''s wall and cautiously looked around before I had to pause for a moment to let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting.Stolen story; please report.


    It looked like the crystal''s radiance didn''t quite reach all the way here, shrouding the new tunnel in darkness.


    Yet it also seemed as if the walls themselves were glowing, bathing my surroundings in a pale blue light.


    I crept forward, incredulously watching as the narrow corridor expanded, forming a spacious elongated cave that stretched for at least thirty meters.


    I widened my eyes in awe, looking at the cavern''s smooth, curving walls, which sparkled with an otherworldly glow that seemed to emanate from the rock itself. Raising my head, I couldn''t shake off the feeling of being inside a giant crystal.


    But then, while cautiously observing the thin crystalline formations that hung from the high ceiling above, I saw it.


    Right in the middle of the shimmering cavern, there was a single, faintly glowing mana crystal, seemingly growing from the wall itself.


    My hands were eager to grab it, and with a bit of effort, I was able to pry it out of the smooth wall with a satisfying snap.


    Aren''t you a beauty? I grinned widely. By just selling this little bugger, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about food for at least a month.


    And not the usual cheap junk we in the Outskirts had to get by but the real good stuff they grew in the farms on the upper levels... Just imagining all of that made me drool.


    But at that moment, a sudden thought crossed my agitated mind. What if I could build more of them...


    With a big smile plastered across my face, I quickly bolted out of the Mana mine and ran back toward the glowing crystal with eager anticipation.


    However, as I was about to touch the crystal''s surface once again, I paused, remembering the mine''s brief description.


    Wait... it said something about condensating the mana produced by the seed. That would be this thing, right? I thought as I looked at the big crystal.


    I tried to focus on it, hoping to get more information, and as soon as the thought crossed my mind, several lines of text appeared before me.


    [Petty Seed (lvl. 0) - A tiny seed that seems to pulse with untold potential waits to be planted and cared for by willing hands. (Capacity: 4/100 mana; Production: 80/100 mana per hour)]


    Seeing this, I instantly grimaced. Hmm, I guess I was right. It wouldn''t be that easy... Not only could it store a mere hundred mana, but with the upkeep, I could build, at best, four more mines before the production reached zero.


    I wanted nothing more but to suck this fucker dry; however, I wasn''t stupid enough to actually do it, especially since it looked like this glowing crystal was the only thing holding this dome together.


    Thus, with a sigh, I dismissed the tab and shook my head dejectedly. Such low mana capacity also explained why many of the buildings were greyed out. It turns out I didn''t even have enough mana to build them.


    Not to mention, building nothing but mana mine could be a really dumb decision, as I didn''t even bother to go through most of the other buildings'' descriptions. What if there is something even better?


    Wanting to rectify my previous mistake, I eagerly opened the building''s tab again, trying to go through them one by one to see if there was something even more useful than the mana mine, but then a sudden ringing noise scared me, and the whole place began violently shaking.


    [Alert! Anomaly detected. A rift is forming...]


    My blood froze in my veins as the ground began to shake viciously beneath me, bringing back the unpleasant memories of the recent quake.


    But, while I was busy battling the growing panic, one part of the dome suddenly started glowing, and a thin crack formed on its rugged surface.


    At first, it was just a narrow gap, but then the crack began quickly widening itself until I was left incredulously staring at a large gaping hole whose surface was like a lusterless mirror that reflected nothing but pure darkness.


    Getting a really bad feeling about it, I involuntarily took a few unsteady steps back before I came to my senses.


    Narrowing my eyes, I then focused my mind on the rift, hoping to obtain some clue about it as I did with the other descriptions, and as if to confirm my worries, an ominous description appeared.


    [??? - Lured by the promise of a bountiful feast, an unknown entity forced open a portal to another realm.]


    W-What? Before I had the chance to ponder what any of this could mean, I was assaulted with another round of that annoying high-pitched ringing sound as a new tab popped up in front of my eyes.


    [Emergency Quest!]


    [An unstable rift has formed, allowing monsters to invade the Domain. You must protect the Seed at all costs!]


    [Completion reward: A new Skill; Penalty for failure: Death]


    Wait, wait, wait! What do you mean by death?! I''m too young and beautiful to die! Especially after everything I had to go through to get here in the first place...


    My brain went into overdrive as I frantically read the dire message over and over. "Protect it with what!? There is nothing but rocks!" I angrily exclaimed, feeling overwhelmed by the injustice of it all.


    But then I paused, realizing something. Wait, rocks? I think I saw something there...


    I hurriedly went back to examine the glyphs, skimming through them while searching for one specific Skill I had previously seen. Ah! Got it!


    [Synthesis - The ability to synthesize a construct based on the materials provided.]


    So if I provided suitable material... perhaps some sturdy-looking rocks, would it make a creature out of it? A rocky creature sounds like it would be hard enough to withstand a monster attack or two...


    I had no idea if it would actually work or if there was some better skill that could help me blast the approaching monsters to oblivion, but there was no more time.


    I could feel the ominous energy emanating from the rift, and it looked like it could begin spewing out abominations at any moment.


    So I hurriedly selected Synthesis as my foundational Skill and could feel a wave of energy washing over me, filling my agitated mind with a myriad of new information.


    I immediately realized that I now instinctively knew how to activate the Skill, so without wasting a breath, I focused on a nearby pile of rocks that came loose when the rift broke through the dome''s wall and tried using Synthesis on it.


    Please work, Please work.


    [Error - Requires a power source!]


    Huh? Oh, right! I guess it wouldn''t be that easy...


    With great reluctance, I then took out my most prized possession - the single faintly shimmering mana crystal I had previously collected. And while reassuring myself that I would certainly be able to get more of them in the future if I made it through this alive, I mentally selected it.


    Suddenly, the mana crystal started glowing as it levitated out of my outstretched hand. It stayed in the air for a brief moment before it began to spin rapidly, attracting the surrounding rocks to it as it formed a loose sphere of molten stone.


    Then, the whole thing shined brightly, transforming itself into a new shape, while I received another prompt at the same time.


    [Synthesis successful! - A new construct was created!]

 Chapter 4: Perilous Battle

    Having activated [Synthesis] in a hurry, I watched in awe as the small sphere of molten stone shifted and molded right before my eyes. Soon, it took on a seemingly humanoid form, and as the glow began to subside, I was left staring at a peculiar creature no taller than a child.


    Its tiny body was made entirely out of jagged rocks stacked upon one another like a haphazard tower and supported by two short, stubby legs. Sparks of blue energy crackled between its sharp edges, emanating from the sole mana crystal embedded deep within its chest.


    The creature then turned toward me, and the small, round stone sitting on top of its tiny body tilted a bit as if awaiting my orders. It worked! It freaking worked! Overcame with happiness, I simply stared at the strange creature before remembering the great peril I was currently in.


    First, I quickly focused on the stony construct, wishing to learn more about it, and the information instantly popped into my head.


    [Petty Rock golem (lvl.1)]


    [Skills: Absorb (lvl.1), Shatter (lvl.1)]


    So it''s a golem, huh? I had no idea what any of its Skills did, but I desperately prayed that it would be enough to stop whatever monster might creep out from that portal.


    From the moment the golem manifested itself, I felt a strange connection to it in the back of my mind. When I focused on that sensation, I couldn¡¯t help but widen my eyes, realizing I could now order the golem around with a thought, almost like a puppet.


    "Hehe, I''m going to call you Rocky." I chuckled, watching the pile of stones dance around the Seed¡¯s pedestal.


    Yet my elation didn''t last long. The unpleasant ringing noise continued to increase in intensity until it suddenly stopped, and the rift¡¯s surface began to glisten, pulsing with otherwordly energy.


    I instantly realized that whatever was going to happen was but mere moments from transpiring.


    Thus, full of determination and a desperate will to survive, I commanded Rocky to defend the area in front of the rift while I, equipped with my old trusty knife, stood behind him, ready to deal with any monster that got through.


    The wait was agonizing, with each second feeling like an eternity. My hands trembled as I stared into the glaring abyss; then, the rippling surface parted, giving way to a massive form rapidly emerging from within.


    Was it a dog? A wolf? Whatever it was, it had a glossy silvery fur and a maw full of razor-sharp teeth.


    "E-category?!" I blurted out, my eyes wide open as I took a few steps back out of sheer fright. I¡¯m supposed to fight something like this with nothing but a puny little golem and a rusty knife?


    After that incident a few years back, I never again dared to face anything stronger than the rats swarming the Shelter¡¯s lowest levels in abundance, which were of the weakest F-category.


    Quickly realizing that this time there was no one that could save me, I finally broke out of my stupor, trying my best to come up with a way to kill this damned thing.


    I cautiously observed the silvery wolf, searching for any weaknesses. Yet the wolf stared right back, its eyes flickering with malice as it slowly crept closer while growling menacingly.


    Yeah, that''s a monster, alright... But if I play my cards right and have Rocky withstand its initial charge and then swipe at it from the side, I just might have a chance to make it.


    With a newfound resolve, I moved to the right, positioning myself right behind Rocky while mentally preparing for the monster''s inevitable charge.


    Yet, for some strange reason, the wolf stood motionlessly a short distance from the rift. What¡¯s it waiting for?


    The answer to this question was revealed right the next moment as the rift rippled again, spewing another monstrous wolf and mercilessly shattering any hope of an easy victory.  Well, with some luck, I could maybe manage two of them... probably.


    However, when a third one jumped out of the portal, my jaw dropped, and a cold shiver went down my spine. Oh, C-Crap! Yep, I''m dead... I''m definitely dead.


    I froze, unable to move due to the sheer terror tightly gripping my wildly pounding heart. But while I was busy saying goodbye to my crappy life, Rocky sprung into action.


    As if unfazed by such impossible odds, the tiny golem lunged forward, quickly drawing the attention of two of the monsters. One wolf jumped at it, its sharp claws scraping against Rocky''s sturdy exterior, yet it barely left a mark.


    Rocky, meanwhile, took a swing at the wolf''s snout with his tiny, faintly glowing limb. He appeared to have activated one of his skills, leaving the monster to stagger back, whining in pain.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Seeing this uplifting scene, I, too, tightened the hold on my knife. Not wanting to be bested by such a puny creature, I focused on the third wolf, whose soulless eyes were locked onto me, ready to pounce.


    Oh, shit! Here goes nothing! With a surge of adrenaline, I jumped to the side at the last possible moment, and the next thing I saw was the beast''s teeth snapping shut just mere centimeters from where my leg was just a moment ago.


    The wind rushed past me as the wolf''s massive form flashed by with impossible speed, its claws scraping against the hard rock surface.


    Here''s my chance! Not wasting a moment, I swung my knife at the wolf''s flank with everything I got. I could feel the blade connect with the monster''s silvery fur, but to my dismay, it barely left a scratch.


    The creature then came to an abrupt stop as it turned its ugly head towards me, its eyes glinting with a mad hunger, and before I had a chance to collect myself, it was charging at me again.


    At this point, I was indeed at my wit''s end. These monsters were evidently way above my league, and I couldn¡¯t even make them bleed.


    Still, when faced with the prospect of a certain death, my survival instincts kicked in, and while pumped full of adrenaline, I got ready to intercept the wolf''s charge once again.


    So, when the horrid beast jumped at me, I paid no attention to my shaking legs,  forcing myself to stand still. Knowing that this was probably my only chance to come out of this alive, my hand sprung forward, and right as the wolf''s maw was about to sink into my throat, my knife pierced its right eye.


    The knife, propelled by the wolf''s own insane strength, then slid all the way back into its head.


    With a single pained growl, the beast''s mighty body began twitching before losing its strength and becoming limp. Yet the momentum of its charge still carried it forward, knocking me over.


    Struggling to free myself from under the pile of rancid flesh, I watched as the menacing crimson light slowly disappeared from its other eye, and the monster stopped moving altogether.


    It was now truly and utterly dead. I did it! After finally freeing myself from under the wolf''s corpse, I couldn''t help but grin broadly.


    Still, I had no time to celebrate my momentary victory as the battle was far from over.


    I threw a worried glance over at Rocky, who, all this time, continued to fiercely defend himself against the other two wolves.


    He somehow managed to withstand the monsters'' onslaught till now, but it was obvious that with each crazed charge, he was being pushed back.


    Realizing that I had to do something before it was too late, I quickly began collecting my battered body from the ground.


    But before I could rejoin the ongoing battle, I felt a wave of strange energy flowing into me.


    Experiencing such weird phenomena for the first time, I tensed. Is it coming from the wolf''s corpse?


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.]


    With wide eyes, I listened to the same weird mechanical voice making an announcement.


    As I took a quick look at my status, I saw the counter next to my level was now filled almost halfway to the top.


    Seeing this, a certain realization dawned on me. Wait, so I can get stronger by slaying monsters?


    I had always assumed the Hunters battled the monsters solely for their corpses and the materials they could harvest from them, as I had previously killed plenty of rats. Yet, I never became any stronger while doing so.


    So, does it work only for those with a Class? My head was filled with countless questions, but I forced myself to remain focused on the task at hand. This was not the time to ponder, as I first had to go help Rocky.


    Grimacing, I strained all my muscles, wanting to pry out my knife that was still lodged deep inside the monster''s sturdy skull.


    After a short while of cursing and wiggling it around, I finally managed to do it. However, as I looked at my old trusty knife''s chipped and cracked surface, I couldn''t help but scowl.


    Despite being nothing better than a sharpened piece of scrap metal, it had served me well over the past two years since I left the orphanage.


    Thus, seeing it in such a state filled me with a deep sense of sadness. Yet I couldn''t deny that its time was coming to an end. Come on, buddy! Help me out one last time!


    Taking a deep breath, I ran over to where Rocky was still struggling against the other two wolves. At a glance, it looked like a standstill. The monsters seemed unable to overcome Rocky''s defense, but on the other hand, my golem couldn¡¯t deliver a decisive strike.


    With my own battle over, however, I could now even the odds. Taking advantage of the fact that the monsters were focusing solely on the golem and were not paying me any attention, I jumped at the closest one, kicking it hard in the belly.


    My surprise attack did barely anything other than get the wolf''s attention. But that was precisely what I wanted. Right as the angry monster began turning around to lunge at me, I ordered Rocky to attack.


    The tiny golem faithfully swung its small arm at the crazed beast while activating its attack skill, striking the wolf''s head at point-blank range. The monster''s head caved in, and the wolf collapsed to the ground.


    Not wasting the opportunity, I quickly ran over and furiously stabbed into the hideous wound until it stopped moving altogether.


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.]


    Just one more to go! Rejoicing, I sprung to my feet with renewed vigor. For the first time since this horrid battle started, I felt a sliver of hope that I might actually make it out alive.


    With two wolves dead, the rest turned out to be surprisingly easy. Taking full advantage of our numerical superiority, we surrounded the final beast and then took turns attacking it from both sides.


    The last wolf was already somewhat injured from the previous fight, so when faced with our combined efforts, it didn''t take long before it was brought down, too.


    [You have slain a Petty Death stalker. You have gained +40 Soul Essence.]


    [Your body is brimming with strength. Your power has risen +1]


    [You have completed the emergency quest and obtained a new skill Portal (lvl.1) as a reward.]