The Calm Before the Storm

(Meanwhile, outside the city ruins)

The blonde-haired girl that had helped Stark before had been waiting outside the city ruins for a bit, checking her surroundings and the people around as they all formed teams or sold items.

"Do you want to team with us Lana?" a group of girls, sparkles in their eyes, spoke, "We are big fans and we can be of help."

Lana dismissed them though, "Sorry, I plan to go alone."

Of course, that was a lie, she obviously had some life-saving items in hand to protect her in case of dangerous situations, so technically she wouldn't be alone, plus it would be great if she could meet someone to team up with, precisely someone that isn't annoying.

The first face that wandered in her mind as she thought of that was Stark's, but she shook it off as she knew that Stark wasn't that strong, at least not strong enough to be at her level.

And then… she entered the 'City Ruins', almost thirty minutes after Stark did, yet there were actually lots of people still outside.

As she entered the ruins, she quickly noticed the presence of the 'Black Sun' and read the panel that informed her about whatever it was doing to this place.

Lana would usually have many bodyguards surrounding her, but in this situation she categorically refused, she would need to survive on her own at one point or another, so she couldn't be protected forever was what she said to her father.

"-224!"

"-271!"

"-182!"

She saw people fight monsters, some dealing good amount of damage, while others less.

For their current level, the average damage that could be dealt was probably from 200 to 300, especially in this first dungeon, meaning it would take a few hits to kill each monster.

Lana on the other hand… She was an archer.

She pulled her bow out of her backpack, as well as some very well crafted arrows, then pointed them at two 'decaying corpses lv6' that were alone, walking towards her.

She fired two arrows at the same time, and then…

"-938! -973!"

The two monsters fell, killed by a single attack.

But it wasn't unexpected…

"Oh wow… she did 900 damage, she must be strong!"

"That's Lana Moonless after all, she has overpowered equipment…"

Lana ignored such talk, after all, she had precisely ordered her father and family to not hand her anything that would give her an advantage, instead she had just an average bow with average arrows, although with better materials.

The other reason this amount of damage wasnt surprising was because…

Lana was level 19, far exceeding the recommended level of this dungeon and most of the people in here, also she had a very good talent.

And so just like that, more and more people started pouring inside the 'City Ruins' rift, now fighting the monsters inside alongside their friends/teammates.

***

(Around the bonfire)

Kent and Bill were extremely considerate, they didn't even ask Stark about his class or about why he didn't have a weapon with him: for them, as long as you came all the way here alone, it meant that you were strong.

"Are you guys teaming?" Stark asked.

"Oh, no," Kent shook his head, "I came here around fifteen minutes ago, and only five minutes later did this guy come," he pointed at Bill.

'Doesn't that mean these guys met like ten minutes ago then immediately began singing together…?' Stark wondered, but of course didn't say that out loud.

"Then you must already be cured from the black sun curse, aren't you?" Stark continued, "Why are you here?"

Kent grinned, clearly enjoying the conversation. "Well, Stalk," he said, using Stark's made-up name, "Look to your right!"

Stark did as he was told, and in the distance he could see a wall of silver fog that took up the entire street, impossible to see beyond it.

"That's the entrance to the mini-boss area, every classifier must traverse it and defeat the monster there, whether in group or solo," Kent pointed at it, "We don't want to risk it as mini-bosses are stronger than normal enemies, so we're waiting for more people!"

Although these guys had the strength to come here all by themselves, making them almost equal to Stark in term of power, they were still not delusional enough to attempt to defeat a mini-boss by themselves.

"Hm…" Stark grinned as in comparison to them, he was actually crazy enough to take on the challenge.

[Black Sun Curse: 0%]

He was completely cured from the curse, but that's not all.

[HP: 400/400]

It seemed like the bonfire also had healing properties, allowing him to be healed.

'Almost feels like a checkpoint before a boss battle,' Stark smiled, 'Unfortunately enough for me though, there are no second chances…'

After discussing with Kent and Bill a bit more, he decided that it was time.

"I think i'll go ahead by myself," he spoke, getting up from his seat.

Kent and Bill looked at each other with widened eyes before looking back at Stark, "Are you sure? I mean, this is basically suicide…"

"I think i'll be fine, if I just sit around and wait for people to help me, then it wouldn't help me in the future, i'd rather risk my life and become stronger by myself," he shrugged as he left the bonfire space, now allowing monsters to sense and attack him.

[You have slain three "Decaying Corpses lv10", gained 3300EXP!]

[You have slain two "Cursed Hounds lv11", gained 2900EXP!]

Seeing him fight up close, Kent and Bill were surprised, they had never heard of someone fight with their fists, even alchemists needed to use potions and items to fight after all.

And yet the numbers that were displayed each time Stark hit an enemy were undeniable.

"-1927!"

[You have slain a "Ghoul lv11", gained 1500EXP]

Right as he reached the edge of the giant silver fog wall, a golden glow envelopped his body.

[Your level has increased to level 6, granting you one skill point and boost in stats]

[Experience: 1300/35000]

He was ready to enter it, but right as he was about to, he heard a voice from behind.

"GOOD LUCK!" Kent shouted, then gave him a thumbs up, "I hope to see you another time, Stalk!"

Stark grinned, he didn't know this guy either, but he couldn't deny he was interesting.

"Goodbye," he whispered before traversing the fog.

[You have entered the mini-boss area, there is no going back from here]