Gigas Core

Trierra, an independent city nestled between three major regions, is often called the "City of Mazes." This is because it has a huge hole in the ground right in its center, which is actually a tower extending deep underground. Trierra is also a central trading hub for the three regions, being a meeting point located right in the middle. It's also a base for adventurers and treasure hunters aiming to explore the underground tower, a legendary structure from the ancient war between gods and demons.

Three regions in the central continent surround Trierra: first, the human Celestria Kingdom, which worships twin goddesses, Athonela and Agnisilia. Second is the Dark Moon Forest, inhabited by dark elves who worship the moon goddess Lunathra. The third region is the grasslands and deserts ruled by the Sandrion Empire, a beastmen tribe that worships the goddess Valthera.

*****

"Thump." Rai stepped through Trierra's city gates, carrying Rafina. He immediately headed to the Adventurers' Guild to drop Rafina off. "Bang!" Rai kicked the door open. All the adventurers inside the guild, consisting of humans, dark elves, and beastmen, turned to look at Rai carrying Rafina. They were all shocked because they knew Rafina, who was part of Julian's group, an A-rank adventurer with an S-rank job.

Ignoring their stares, Rai casually walked in and laid Rafina down on a long bench right next to the mission board. A female dark elf receptionist, seeing Rai, immediately came out from behind the counter and approached him.

"Rai, what happened? Weren't you guys exploring the dungeon at the foot of the mountain?" the receptionist asked.

"Oh, right. There's an S-rank monster in there. Rafina and I barely escaped," Rai replied calmly.

"Huh... an S-rank monster from the tower? If that's true, I need to report this to the Guild Master. But are you sure it's an S-rank monster from the tower?" the receptionist asked, concerned.

"Yeah, its name is Gorgrachne. It's a named S-rank monster. I'm not lying, Trisha," Rai said.

Trisha fell silent, observing Rai's calm, expressionless face in front of her. Then she turned to look at Rafina lying on the bench. She crouched down slightly to examine Rafina. After that, she stood up again and pulled Rai to her counter. Once they were at the counter,

"Okay, Rai, tell me everything. What happened to Julian, Trent, and Alfia?" Trisha asked.

Rai recounted everything, and of course, he didn't mention that he was the one who killed Julian and Alfia. He said that Julian had asked him to escape with the unconscious Rafina, leaving the others behind.

"So that's what happened. Alright, I'll report this to the Guild Master and put together a team to investigate that dungeon. But you're not hurt, are you?" Trisha asked anxiously.

"No, I'm fine. Can I ask you something?" Rai replied casually.

"What?" Trisha asked.

"When can I enter the tower?" Rai asked.

"You're an F-rank adventurer. At the very least, you need to become an S-rank adventurer and then a D-rank treasure hunter," Trisha explained.

"But I'm still F-rank even after three years as an adventurer," Rai protested.

"I'm sorry, I can't do anything about that. You don't have a job, so we can't give you access to larger dungeons, let alone the tower," Trisha replied, looking down.

Rai was silent for a moment, then sighed and looked back at Trisha. He pulled out his adventurer card, placed it on the counter, and then took out some spider legs from his pant pocket.

"Oh, are these your earnings for today?" Trisha asked.

"Yeah, please count them," Rai replied.

Trisha immediately counted them. Then she took Rai's adventurer card and placed it on a stone tablet on her counter. The tablet emitted a yellow light, seemingly scanning Rai's adventurer card. After the light disappeared, Trisha returned the card to Rai.

"Total of 1 gold and 50 silver, it's already added to your balance on the card," Trisha said.

"Alright, thank you, Trisha," Rai replied.

Rai turned, intending to leave, but Trisha quickly leaned over the counter and grabbed Rai's shoulder.

"Wait, Rai, why are you so eager to get into the tower?" Trisha asked.

"I'm looking for someone in there (and levels, of course)," Rai replied curtly.

"Oh, I see. Alright, I'll try to talk to the Guild Master about it," Trisha said.

"Thank you, Trisha," Rai replied with a smile.

After that, Rai walked towards the door, but suddenly a beastman man, a bear-type, blocked his way.

"You want to be a treasure hunter? Someone without a job like you wants to be a treasure hunter and explore the labyrinth tower? Hahahaha, seriously?" the man said, laughing dismissively.

"Sorry, Brody, I'm not in the mood for jokes. Can you please move?" Rai asked.

"Whoa, someone like you shouldn't act so important. How about I teach you a lesson, huh? My job is A-rank barbarian. I'm an A-rank adventurer just like Julian and a future treasure hunter!" Brody boasted, hands on his hips and thrusting his head towards Rai.

Rai, not interested in trouble, chose to step aside to avoid Brody, but Brody immediately blocked him again. Rai took a deep breath and exhaled.

"Move," Rai said firmly, staring sharply at Brody with killing intent.

Brody gasped, and without a word, he immediately moved aside, giving Rai a path. After that, Rai looked back at Brody and smiled.

"Thanks," Rai said.

Rai continued walking, then opened the door and left, leaving Brody stunned and standing frozen in place, staring at the door. Once outside, Rai walked towards his house in the eastern part of the city. He walked while looking at his adventurer card and checking his money balance.

"The only place I haven't entered is that labyrinth tower. I want to know what's in there. If only I could transform into my true form, I could destroy this city in an instant. One more level still feels like 100 more levels," Rai muttered, complaining.

As he walked, he smelled freshly baked bread and the sweet scent from a bakery. He immediately went to the shop to buy a few loaves of bread and took them home. When he reached a rundown alley in the eastern part of the city, Rai stopped in front of a simple house, which was his home. He opened the door and went inside.

"I'm home," Rai greeted.

"Oh, big brother, you're home?" a small human girl, probably around 13, asked, and running towards Rai.

"I brought some bread for you, Erin," Rai replied, handing her the bag of bread.

"Oh, nice, big brother! It'll be perfect with the soup I'm making. Wait a bit, I'm still cooking," Erin said cheerfully, taking the bread.

Rai took off his scarf and hung it on the hook right next to the door. Then he walked in and sat at the dining table. He turned to look at Erin, who was stirring a pot on the stove, standing on a short stool so she could see into her pot. Rai smiled, took a piece of bread, and ate it.