Heavenly Unbound [A LitRPG System Survival]

As Sam stepped through the portal, the familiar sensation of being pulled through space enveloped him again. When his feet touched solid ground, the air was different—heavier, with a metallic tang that clung to his senses.

This time, they weren't in a forest.

Sam scanned his surroundings, his eyes narrowing. They had emerged in what appeared to be a medieval city. Stone buildings loomed on either side of the cobblestone streets, their windows shattered and doors hanging loosely on broken hinges. The scent of death was overwhelming, and the silence was deafening, broken only by the faint buzz of flies.

Human corpses littered the ground, their bodies twisted in grotesque angles, as though they had faced a merciless slaughter. Blood pooled in the cracks between the stones, forming trails that led deeper into the city.

As the others stepped out of the portal behind him, murmurs quickly spread through the group:

"What's that smell?" one whispered, their voice trembling.

"Oh no..." another muttered, their eyes wide with horror as they took in the carnage.

Ann covered her mouth and nose, her expression pale. "This is... this is a massacre."

Michael's jaw tightened, his eyes darting from one body to the next. "What happened here?"

Before anyone could answer, a soft chime echoed in the air, drawing their attention.

[DUNGEON QUEST]

Quest Name: Goblins Village - Floor 2

Time Remaining: -

Objective: Investigate the city and uncover the source of the massacre.

Rewards: 5 Energy Potion, Uncommon Equipment.

Sam's eyes scanned the translucent window, his mind racing. The system wasn't giving them much to work with.

"Stay close," Sam said, his voice steady despite the grim scene. "We don't know what's out there yet, but it's not going to be friendly. Stay sharp and be ready for anything."

The group nodded hesitantly, their weapons drawn as they steeled themselves for what lay ahead.

Sam scanned the eerie, blood-soaked streets as Eddie knelt by a set of faint tracks near a toppled cart. "Eddie, can you track anything?" Sam asked, his voice calm but laced with tension.

Eddie frowned, his eyes glowing faintly as he activated his skill. He stood slowly, brushing the dirt off his hands. "There are too many," he said, shaking his head. "It's like a whole army marched through here."

Michael glanced around, his face pale. "An army? Are we supposed to be in some kind of goblin village? Why did we end up in a city instead?"

Sam nodded slightly, sharing Michael's confusion. "That's been bothering me too. Do you think all this... this massacre was caused by goblins?"

Ann chimed in, her spear resting loosely at her side. "I don't think so. Not unless there were tens of thousands of them. Goblins are too weak to pull off something like this." She hesitated, her gaze falling on a nearby corpse. "And... do you think these human bodies are even real?"

The question hung in the air, heavy and unsettling.

Sam's brows furrowed as he considered Ann's words. He looked around again, this time more closely. The corpses, the blood, the eerie silence—it all felt off. Too perfect. Too deliberate.

"It's like..." Sam began, pausing to find the right words. "It's like this entire dungeon is just... fake. A setup. Everything here feels like it's designed for some kind of twisted game."

The group fell silent, each of them grappling with the unsettling realization. The dungeon wasn't just dangerous—it was crafted, and calculated.

Sam's thoughts churned as he stared at the grim scene around them. "If this really is some kind of game," he muttered, half to himself, "then the clue has to be at the center."

He looked up, scanning the skyline of the ruined city for the tallest structure. His eyes landed on a building that rose slightly higher than the others—a crumbling stone tower about fifteen meters tall.

Turning to the group, he said firmly, "Wait here. I'm going to get a better view from the top of that building."

Without waiting for a response, Sam leaped into action. He reached the base of the tower in moments and began climbing, his movements fluid and deliberate as his hands and feet found purchase on the worn stone.

Minutes later, he hauled himself onto the rooftop. The Tower wasn't tall by Earth's standards, but here, in the ancient city, it was high enough to give him a vantage point over most of the area.

Sam rose to his feet and surveyed the city below. What he saw sent a jolt through him.

All around the city, there was movement—small, erratic shapes darting between the ruins. Goblins. Hundreds, maybe thousands of them, scattered across the landscape like a teeming horde.

But that wasn't what caught his attention.

In the center of the city, a massive red rift glowed ominously, its chaotic energy swirling violently. It was similar to the portals they had used, but far more unstable. The edges of the rift flickered erratically, its shape shifting as if it were alive.

And then he noticed the shadows.

One by one, small figures emerged from the rift, their forms becoming clearer as they stepped into the light. Goblins. More and more goblins spilling into the city with every passing moment.

Sam's eyes narrowed. He instantly understood the situation.

The longer we wait, the worse this is going to get, he thought. The goblins will keep coming, overwhelming the city and making it impossible for anyone to survive.

For most people, this would be a death sentence—a hopeless scenario. But for Sam, it was something else entirely.

For me... this is an endless grind.

His lips curled into a faint, determined smirk. The danger was real, but so was the opportunity.

Sam climbed down from the tower, his movements swift and sure, before making his way back to the group. Gathering everyone, he quickly relayed what he had seen and his thoughts on their next course of action.

Michael was the first to speak. "So you're suggesting we secure the rift and use it as a resource point?"

Sam nodded. "Yes. The goblins are respawning there, which means it's a steady supply of experience and potential loot. If we can hold the center, it could push our levels to 25 or even 30."

Michael frowned, considering the idea. "It's risky," he said after a moment. "Even if we succeed, how are we supposed to last long enough? We'll run out of stamina eventually, and then we're as good as dead."

Sam crossed his arms, his expression calm but firm. "I think the dungeon is designed to reward us for completing objectives. If we clear this floor's quest, we'll likely get energy potions. That should help us sustain ourselves."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "That's just an assumption."

"Maybe," Sam admitted. "But it makes sense. The system isn't just about killing us—it's about testing us. There has to be a way to keep going, and this is the most logical path."

Michael let out a breath, nodding slowly. "It does make sense. Alright, let's plan this out carefully."

The group huddled together, laying out their strategy.

Clear the City First: The team would eliminate all the goblins scattered throughout the city to remove the threat of being surrounded.

Michael and Eddie would lead the others in hunting down the goblins.

The spread-out goblins posed less of a risk as long as the team moved cautiously.

Secure the Rift: Sam would remain in the center of the city, holding the rift on his own to prevent new spawns from overwhelming them.

The goal was to keep the rift under control until the rest of the team could grind enough experience and join him.

"How long do you think it'll take to clear the city?" Michael asked, glancing at Eddie and Ann.

Ann tilted her head, thinking. "Maybe two days if we're thorough and careful."

John sighed. "Two days... Will the others outside be okay without us for that long?"

The question hung in the air, and Sam could see the concern in their faces. He met Michael's gaze and then looked at the others. "They'll be fine," he said, though there was a slight edge of worry in his voice. "Their job is just to hold out for a couple more days."

Michael nodded reluctantly. "I gave Dad a gun with a couple dozen bullets. If anything like a bear or a stray goblin shows up, they should be able to handle it."

Sam nodded, his resolve firming. "Then let's not waste any more time. The sooner we start, the sooner we can end this."

The group exchanged determined looks before setting off to put their plan into action.

As Sam approached the rift, its chaotic red glow intensified, pulsing like a living heartbeat. The air around it felt heavy, charged with an unnatural energy that seemed to press against his skin. When he stepped into the center of the area, a system notification appeared before him

[DUNGEON QUEST]

Quest Name: Goblins Village - Floor 2 [Complete]

Time Remaining: -

Objective: Investigate the city and uncover the source of the massacre.

Rewards: 5 Energy Potion, Uncommon Equipment.

Ding!

[System Challenger Title Activated]

You have received additional quest rewards: 1 Common Random Box

Sam smirked. Just as I thought. This rift is the source of the massacre.

Before he could inspect his rewards, a guttural roar echoed through the ruins.

"Gaaaarrr!"

He glanced up, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a massive wave of goblins charging toward him from all directions. Their snarls and battle cries filled the air, their crude weapons gleaming in the chaotic light of the rift.

Sam quickly scanned the area, estimating their numbers. More than a hundred, he thought, his expression remaining calm.

But the sight didn't faze him. Since the moment he gained Grandmist, Sam had stopped fearing exhaustion. Even in prolonged battles, his energy never ran out. The small but potent reserve of Grandmist within his energy core regenerated so quickly that it allowed him to fight endlessly if needed.

This will be the perfect chance to test how well it sustains me over the next two days, Sam thought, his grip tightening on his sword.

As the goblins closed the distance, another chime echoed in his mind, accompanied by a new system notice

Ding!

[DUNGEON QUEST]

Quest Name: Goblins Village - Floor Boss

Time Remaining: -

Objective: Enter the rift and destroy the Rift Core [0 / 1]

Rewards: 1000 Soul Points.

Sam's eyes flicked back to the rift, its chaotic energy swirling violently. So, the rift has a core. That's the end goal.

But before he could deal with the core, there was the small matter of the goblin army rushing toward him.

"Alright," he muttered under his breath, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Let's see how long you can keep up."

As the first wave of goblins neared, Sam readied himself, his sword gleaming under the red glow.