The morning air was crisper than the day before, the city bathed in a pale orange glow as the sun began to rise. Ethan stood once more at the dungeon entrance to Rotwood Den, the familiar hum of energy in the air. His chestplate was fastened tight, helmet clipped to his belt, and his mana pouch snug against his side.
It felt different this time—not because the dungeon had changed, but because he had.
He took a breath, steady and calm, then stepped forward.
[You have entered: Rotwood Den – F-Rank Dungeon]
The transition was just as jarring as before—one blink, and the city faded behind him, replaced by the damp, claustrophobic darkness of the underground.
But unlike yesterday, he didn't flinch.
"Let's get to work."
…
Navigating the first corridor, Ethan already felt the contrast. His posture was relaxed, his grip on the spell circuit firm. The smell of mildew and rat musk no longer caught him off guard. He even knew the number of steps until the first group of Feral Rats.
Sure enough, a screech echoed ahead. Three of them skittered around the corner.
Ethan raised a hand and snapped his fingers.
"Fireball."
A glowing orb formed instantly, swirling in his palm, then shot forward like a missile. It collided with the first rat mid-sprint, detonating in a flash of heat. The creature's body was reduced to smoldering flesh before it hit the ground.
The others barely had time to react before a second Fireball followed—this one perfectly aimed at the ground between them. Both were sent flying, limp.
[Mana Crystals Acquired: 3x F-Rank]
He moved deeper, the dungeons' layout imprinted in his mind. Traps that had once caught him off-guard were now second nature. Where he had once hesitated, he now advanced with purpose.
Another ambush point—he remembered the side tunnel where the Fangrat had surprised him yesterday. This time, he stopped ten meters short, narrowed his eyes, and whispered:
"Fireball."
The spell launched and detonated inside the dark tunnel. A surprised shriek echoed from within, followed by a limp body skidding into view.
Ethan chuckled to himself. "Fool me once."
His movements were fluid now—less like a rookie and more like a seasoned hunter. He maintained distance, conserved mana, and moved like he was part of the dungeon rather than a visitor.
He cleared the mid-section in a quarter of the time it had taken him yesterday.
…
The final stretch brought him to the boss chamber once more. The massive Diseased Fangrat, larger than the rest, lumbered into view. Its eyes glowed yellow, and its toxic breath spilled from its maw in green wisps.
But Ethan didn't feel fear.
He felt ready.
"Fireball."
He opened with a triple cast—one at the legs, one at the chest, one to intercept if it leapt. The rat roared and lunged, but Ethan was already moving sideways, using the momentum to guide its path. He baited it into a pillar, where it smashed headfirst.
He didn't hesitate.
"Fireball. Fireball. Fireball."
Explosions rocked the room. The monster's fur caught flame, and it screeched in rage, but its attacks were wild now—sluggish, confused.
Thirty seconds later, it collapsed, its hide still smoldering.
[Boss Defeated: Diseased Fangrat]
[Dungeon Completion: 100%]
Ethan exhaled through his nose. "Textbook."
[Mana Crystal Acquired: 1x F-Rank Boss]
He walked to the crystal and pocketed it. But instead of exiting, he turned and made his way to the outer wall of the boss chamber. He found a flat surface, leaned back against it, and let himself slide to the floor.
His mana was still at around 500.
He cracked his knuckles.
"All right, let's burn some mana."
…
The rest of his training were mechanical—ritualistic. Fireball after Fireball launched at the walls, leaving scorch marks and craters behind. Ethan kept his breathing steady, his mind focused. He cast until his mana dropped to zero.
[Mana Exhaustion Detected]
[Mana Overflow Activated]
[+1 Mana, +1 Spell Power]
He meditated, refilled to full, and repeated.
[+0.01% Fireball Mastery]
[+0.01% Fireball Mastery]
[+0.01% Fireball Mastery]
He didn't care that each cast only gave him a sliver. They added up.
Again. And again. And again.
By the time he exited the dungeon, the sun was overhead. He grabbed a quick meal from a nearby vendor and pulled out his phone.
A new message blinked on the screen.
Lena: Still training. Thinking about doing a dungeon run soon.
Ethan:Be careful when you do go in, I got roughed up pretty bad on my first run.
…
— 4 Days Later —
The routine became his rhythm. Wake up, clear the dungeon, train, sell mana crystals, head home and eat, go to sleep.
Each day began before sunrise. Ethan would stretch, eat, and head to Rotwood Den. The layout never changed, but his approach evolved.
Every day, ten mana exhaustion cycles.
[Mana Exhaustion Detected]
[Mana Overflow Activated]
[+1 Mana, +1 Spell Power]
Mana. Spell Power. Fireball Mastery. All rising steadily.
Each clear of Rotwood Den became faster, more methodical.
He even noticed small changes in the way Fireball felt—warmer, denser, like it was beginning to respond to his will more directly.
On the fourth morning, Ethan stepped into Rotwood Den and felt it immediately. A shift. A tingle at the tips of his fingers as mana coursed with clarity.
He cleared the dungeon in record time and went straight to the training wall.
After three more exhaustion cycles, the moment came.
[Fireball Mastery: 100.00%]
Spell Rank-Up: Fireball (F-Rank) → Fireball (E-Rank)
Ethan felt himself grow a little stronger and froze mid-throw. The fireball hovered at his fingertips, flickering with unstable energy, begging to be released.
He slowly extended his arm and let it fly toward the wall.
BOOM.
The fireball didn't just burn—it detonated. A small shockwave rippled through the air, and bits of stone cracked and crumbled where the blast hit.
His eyes went wide.
"Holy hell…"
He raised his hand and stared at his palm.
Fireball. The same spell—but not the same spell.
His lips curved into a slow, confident smile.
"Finally."