In this world, dungeons are categorized by 'Situations'—essentially, the way they function.
For example, there are Open Dungeons and Closed Dungeons.
Although both appear in the same manner, a Closed Dungeon remains confined within the portal where it first emerged. The Awakened individuals ensure that these portals stay there, by periodically clearing them without destroying the Dungeon Core.
This practice is frequently carried out in valuable dungeons, particularly if they do not have female beasts among their ranks—therefore, the creatures inside cannot reproduce. If the said dungeon were to open, its inhabitants would eventually go extinct.
That is why they keep these dungeons closed to have a sustainable source of experience, thanks to the Dungeon Core.
Another reason for maintaining a Closed Dungeon is its proximity to a city. If a dungeon near an urban center is of a very high level, the guilds will work to keep it contained to prevent potential damage.
For example, the Goblin Dungeon that Elliot planned to clear is a Rank E Closed Dungeon. It's located a little way out in the countryside, but it cannot be broken since no goblins or female beasts are inside, meaning they cannot reproduce.
In contrast, Open Dungeons are the opposite. These are either left to naturally breach their deadline, allowing the dungeon to open on its own, or they are forcibly broken by destroying the Dungeon Core—releasing all the beasts within.
Open dungeons vary greatly in size and strength. In fact, they were commonly known as the most dangerous dungeons because they were the most unpredictable. One would never know if a high-level dungeon has appeared there until it's too late.
Near Loen City, several regions contained many of these dungeons.
Of these numerous regions, the one that interested Elliot the most at the moment was the Two-Legged Rat Area.
It was an Open Dungeon located in a wooded, abandoned zone where the beasts roamed freely. Several species of beasts inhabited this region, but the two-legged rats were the most common, making them ideal for his plans.
'Although it is a dangerous area due to the sheer number of these beasts swarming together to attack, I think I should be fine if I take this route.'
While studying the map, Elliot carefully marked the best route he would follow, ensuring it was the right one for the hunt. If he were to encounter many beasts simultaneously, it would be very difficult for him to handle.
After an hour of preparation, he finally stepped out of his room.
But he hadn't taken more than two steps before a small group of peculiar men approached—people who rarely come near these parts of the city.
'Debt collectors'.
Suddenly, he recalled that he had not paid his monthly installment for two months, the allowed time limit.
Since he had been preparing to attempt his third and final Awakening, he naturally had been forced to take on some debt, and now, the consequences had arrived.
And these guys weren't ordinary loan sharks either.
The Debt Collectors were the direct subordinates of the Leader of the Misfits in the city, a Ranked Awakened with excellent contacts in the Awakened Association and the local government.
Rumor had it that even this Leader of the Misfits was a nobleman. In the current era, noble titles were no longer inherited but rather achieved. So, if that man truly had such a title, then he needed to watch out.
And his enforcers—the Debt Collectors—that person's right-hand man, were also members of rich families but considered Misfits. But that didn't mean they were weak. In fact, they were known to be among the strongest groups in the city.
If they were here, it was likely to collect his debt. But Elliot couldn't rule out the possibility that they were here because of his former boss, in case they knew that he had also been sent here. So he had to tread carefully.
They tossed a debt document at his feet as soon as they spotted him.
"You owe $150, Elliot Clark. You have 24 hours to pay up. So, what is it gonna be? Either you settle the debt, or you can start clearing out of the room, and we'll take you to the Boss—he'll decide what to do with you." The one who spoke was the biggest of them and also the most powerful.
'I heard that this group is one of the strongest in the city. Each one of them must have 10 points in their stats.' Elliot frowned.
It was possible for him to beat a few of them in an individual battle, but there were six of them. Fighting them all at once would surely be his undoing.
Although they were misfits, they had reached the upper limit of the power that a Misfit could achieve. Meanwhile, Elliot had just awakened. This wasn't a fight he could afford—at least, not yet. So, it was better to be careful.
Besides, if he beat them, it would attract the attention of the Clarks and possibly even of the noble. It wasn't worth it.
But that didn't mean he had to cower.
Without a word, Elliot started walking again.
"I will personally deliver it to the office within 24 hours. Until then, I don't want to be disturbed."
Elliot brushed past them and continued on his way, leaving them momentarily stunned.
For the first time in over two years, his response wasn't just dismissive—it was outright disrespectful.
Their leader frowned and stepped forward to grab Elliot before he could walk out of reach.
"Listen carefully, you little bastard," he growled. "I know you've been wasting money on gym and martial arts center memberships. I don't care what rubbish is in your head, but payments to us cannot be delayed just because of your stupid whim of wanting to become strong when you are just as worthless as the rest of your coworkers."
The man's grip on Elliot's arm tightened, making him frown. He turned, meeting the leader's gaze with a look so cold and dangerously sharp that it made the man hesitate.
"Do you really care how I spend my money if I'm going to pay you anyway?" Elliot's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. "I don't think you have enough control over me to tell me where I should spend it."
With a sharp jerk, Elliot shook his arm and walked away.
The leader blinked, staring at his own hand in shock.
'What?'
For a brief moment, he had felt a power—one that was slightly greater than his own. It was subtle, but the force behind Elliot's movement had sent a shiver through his bones, but was it possible?
'Impossible.'
"Boss, why did you let him go so easily?" one of his subordinates muttered.
"We should have beaten him up for talking back like that," another added.
"True. That bastard is getting cocky in these last few days; it seems he is begging for a beating."
Their leader sighed, touched his hand a little, and then started to walk.
"We're leaving. He has 24 hours to pay; if he doesn't…" He glanced in the direction Elliot had gone. "We'll kill him."
Although his subordinates did not seem to agree, nobody said anything.
_____
Elliot left the city soon after, following his predetermined route to reach the designated place located deep into the wilderness.
By the time he arrived, night had fallen. The forest around him was quick, the type that only came when few dared to pass through.
Unlike the Closed Dungeons, which required a portal for entry, an Open Dungeon didn't need one to travel through it because that portal was already broken a long time ago. Their corrupted terrain had fused with the real world, transforming the entire region into their own dungeon.
Well, that wasn't usual. In fact, if a dungeon had its own terrain when it was still closed, all the dungeon's terrain could be placed above the preexisting terrain of the normal world.
The latter is quite common.
In fact, some of the most well-known cities in the Kingdom of Arce had once been dungeons. The most famous was Tanafler, a volcanic city that was once a dungeon.
Rumor had it that it was so beautiful that the Kingdom's Saints didn't want to leave it in the hands of the beasts, and so they conquered it, thereby turning it into one of the Great Cities of the Kingdom, the Great Volcanic City of Tanafler.
Although they were only rumors, Elliot had never seen the city himself or met anyone from there.
Right now, his focus was elsewhere.
The moment he arrived in the vicinity of the rat dungeon, Elliot summoned the system.
And it immediately recognized that there were dungeons nearby, and sent him several signs asking if he wanted to challenge one of them.
Among those was the one he was looking for.
[You have found an Open Dungeon of Two-Legged Rats. Do you want to challenge it?]
| You may encounter more people.
| You may encounter beasts from other dungeons.
| You must be careful.
[Do you want to challenge it?]
[Yes] [No]
Elliot did not hesitate to press the Yes button.
He somewhat had an idea as to how the system worked. It held a degree of indirect control over the Awakened, subtly guiding their paths. While there are ways to bypass that control, it was best not to do so while one remained weak unless it was strictly necessary.
Right now, he did not need to break any Game Laws that governed the world, so Elliot accepted it.
He then looked expectantly at the next announcement from the system but was left disappointed.
[You have agreed to enter the Loen City Open Two-Legged Rat Dungeon]
[Good luck]
'No missions, eh.' He sighed. 'I guess it was foolish to expect to get a mission in such a low-ranking dungeon.'
After mocking himself, he began to make his way into the dungeon.
He hadn't even taken more than three steps inside when he felt a chill run down his spine—danger.
He spun around instinctively and raised both his arms to his chest to shield himself from an attack.
CLAWS.
The impact from the claws sent him skidding back, and his muscles tensed against the force.
When he looked up, he found himself facing a one-meter-tall, two-legged rat. Its body was covered with some kind of strange, disgusting-looking liquid, and its claws were dirty but sharp. The rat crouched low, its posture perfect for striking prey off guard.
And it wasn't alone.
In the dim light, several pairs of eyes gleamed from the shadows.
Elliot grinned.
'Looks like I'm in for a good hunt.'