danmachi: skill gacha system

Chapter 7: Preparing for the Dungeon and the Test of Strength

John knew that, despite his wealth and newfound skills, the Dungeon was a place where even the strongest adventurers could meet their end. While his Temporal Mobility would give him an edge, he wasn't about to rely solely on it. Safety was paramount, and in a place like the Dungeon, preparation meant the difference between life and death.

He wasn't new to combat—he'd trained in various fields throughout his life—but this was something different. The Dungeon wasn't just a place to make money or gain fame. It was a place where survival required strategy, intelligence, and a deep understanding of the enemies within.

Shopping for the Best Gear

John stepped into the Hephaestus Familia's Weapon Shop in Orario, walking with purpose. The air was thick with the scent of polished metal and leather. Sword blades, armor sets, and magical accessories lined the walls. He had a mission: to buy the best equipment available.

He spoke with one of Hephaestus' skilled smiths, who immediately recognized him. "Ah, the merchant king himself. I've heard about your recent rise. Looking for some top-tier gear?"

"I need the best," John replied without hesitation. "Something that will give me the highest chance of surviving in the Dungeon. I plan to explore up to floor 27. Can you provide the equipment for that?"

The smith led him over to a collection of high-tier Level 3 gear—armor and weapons designed for adventurers of significant skill.

Weapons:

Sword of the Twin Moons (Cost: 100,000 Valis)

A sleek, lightweight sword that increases attack speed by 20% and grants a small agility boost with each strike. This sword had been forged with the highest quality materials, and its design enhanced reaction speed, making it ideal for swift strikes in combat.

Dagger of the Furious Tempest (Cost: 100,000 Valis)

A secondary weapon meant for fast, agile combat. It provided a minor evasion boost, allowing the user to dodge attacks more effectively, while its lightweight design enabled quick strikes from multiple angles.

Armor:

Meteorite Plate (Cost: 500,000 Valis)

This heavy armor was forged from rare meteorite metal. It provided excellent protection against physical attacks while maintaining a reasonable level of agility for a Level 3 adventurer. The armor was lightweight compared to standard heavy armor and had a passive effect that boosted endurance slightly.

Swiftfoot Boots (Cost: 50,000 Valis)

These boots granted an enhancement to movement speed by 15%, making it easier to navigate the Dungeon, especially in tight situations. The boots also improved agility in combat, allowing John to move faster on his feet.

Magic Item:

Soulbound Magic Blade of the Serpent King (Cost: 100,000,000 Valis)

This blade was an exceptional find, forged by the most skilled of blacksmiths with the rarest of materials. The Soulbound Magic Blade wasn't just a regular enchanted weapon—it was imbued with a variety of abilities. It could channel magic into strikes, allowing John to enhance his attacks with elemental forces like wind, fire, or lightning. Additionally, it had a versatile enchantment that allowed him to activate a temporary defensive barrier when wielded, making it one of the most formidable weapons for any adventurer.

John handed over the required Valis for the gear, and the smith packed it all up for him. He felt ready, the weight of his decision pressing upon him. As he exited the shop, he couldn't help but feel the thrill of what awaited him.

The Entrance to the Dungeon

With his gear packed and equipped, John made his way to the Dungeon's entrance, ready to face the unknown.

The entrance loomed large, a dark abyss that had swallowed many before him. He could hear the distant sounds of adventurers shouting, the clang of weapons, and the roars of monsters from deep within the Dungeon. His heart raced slightly, not out of fear, but excitement. It was time to test his abilities and see if his intellect and skills were enough to succeed.

He didn't think about his Falna right now. The process of getting it updated had already been done by Hestia, and he knew that his stats were decent—especially his Magic stat, which had risen to a solid 30. The Temporal Mobility skill had already proven to be a tremendous asset in helping him perfect his strategy.

The Journey Begins:

John moved through the first few floors with relative ease. His agility and swift strike allowed him to slice through the Goblins and Kobolds without breaking a sweat. The first 10 floors were a breeze. He would carefully observe the monsters, memorizing their attack patterns. When they made their move, he would step back in time, taking a mental note of what went wrong, then repeat the encounter, executing a perfect counter every time.

He felt as though he was playing a game, rewinding time to perfect his decisions. The Temporal Mobility skill allowed him to return to a previous moment, observing exactly where he'd made a mistake or missed a critical strike. He corrected his stance, positioning, and attacks, and when the moment came again, he was flawless.

Each encounter helped him perfect his skills, while his intellect and analytical mind ensured that he understood everything about his foes. His memory of the monsters' attacks was flawless, and each time he rewound, he could anticipate their moves before they made them.

By the time he reached the 18th floor, John had passed through a series of Minotaurs, Treants, and Harpy-like monsters. He felt confident, knowing that the Floor 17 boss, the Goliath, had already been slain by adventurers. This was Danmachi canon: each floor boss was unique, and while the Floor 17 Boss (Goliath) could have been challenging, John knew it was dead—as per the Dungeon's rules.

Floor 18:

By the time John reached floor 18, the environment had started to get more challenging. The monsters here were tougher, smarter, and more aggressive. Floor 18 was home to Giant Ants, known for their teamwork and coordinated attacks.

John didn't panic. Instead, he carefully studied their movements from the shadows. As the ants closed in, he let them get close enough to engage. Then, he rewound time, observing their movements once more, finding the exact moment where they faltered. When the ants charged again, John used his superior speed and the Soulbound Magic Blade to strike from the shadows, cutting down the ants one by one.

The fight wasn't easy, but John's ability to predict and rewind gave him an immense advantage. The Temporal Mobility skill helped him get a deeper understanding of his enemies' behaviors and patterns. After every misstep, he was able to go back and fix it, leading him to victory in what would have been a tough encounter for most adventurers.

Floor 27: The First Real Test

When John finally reached floor 27, he was ready for a real challenge. This floor was home to Giant Lizards, tough, reptilian creatures with heavy armor-like scales. The air was thick with tension, but John's swiftness and intellect gave him an edge.

He stood still, studying the Giant Lizards' movements, analyzing how they coordinated their attacks. John waited for them to make the first move, and when they did, he immediately rewound time to analyze how they attacked. He found an opening—a weak spot in their defensive armor—and he immediately capitalized on it.

The fight was challenging, but with his skills and repeated rewinds, he eventually defeated the Giant Lizards, making it through floor 27 with minimal difficulty.

John took a moment to breathe, feeling the weight of his journey. He had made it this far, but he knew that the real challenge had only just begun.

End of Chapter 7

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-Gachadevildog & Master of systems