(Riven POV – Babel Tower, Dungeon Entrance)
The first floor of Babel is lined with shops and stalls, but I only spare them a fleeting glance. I'm not here to shop.
Instead, I make my way past the crowds, down the winding stone stairwell where the real entrance to the Dungeon lies.
The atmosphere changes instantly. The air is thick with tension, even before I see the massive hole in the center of the floor. A ten-meter-wide abyss with a staircase that spirals downward carved along its rim.
The large circular chamber is filled with murmurs as dozens of adventurers linger near the edge of the hole. Some are in groups, checking gear or discussing last-minute strategy. Others stand silent, resting or waiting for something.
'I've got no reason to loiter.' I think, after quickly observing the situation and step onto the stone stairs, each footfall echoing faintly in the gloom.
'Great Sage. If I'm about to be hit by a fatal blow and don't notice in time, take control of my body to avoid it. Also, if I'm in danger and unconscious, or otherwise unable to act, take control of my body and ensure my safety.'
[Command acknowledged.]
It's not that I expect to be knocked out anytime soon... But why would I refuse having a failsafe?
After a few minutes, the descent ends as I arrive on the Dungeon's First Floor.
A large stone cavern stretches out before me, the stone a light blue sheen. Everything is illuminated with a dim fluorescent glow, but it's bright enough to see clearly.
There's still a crowd here, newbie and veteran adventurers clumped together, finalising discussions or psyching themselves up for the journey that lies ahead.
I walk away from the entrance, past the chatter and tension, until their voices fade behind me.
Ten minutes later, it's quiet. There are no longer any adventurers around, but neither are there any monsters.
'It's just me. Alone. In a living labyrinth that wants me dead... how fun.'
I keep walking patiently, knowing I'll run into monsters sooner or later. My steps are slow and steady.
I turn into a new corridor and finally see them.
Three goblins.
They look up the moment I round the bend. Small, green, and ugly creatures with large eyes and long ears. One bares its teeth as it snarls at me. Two carry crude wooden clubs and one is empty-handed but snarling with more attitude than the rest.
I exhale slowly. "Finally."
It's strange, standing here for the first time, knowing this fight could kill me, but my pulse is steady. I don't feel any panic, or fear.
Just clarity.
Adrenaline surges in my limbs as my body recognises the threat. My knife feels light in my hand, and my heart is racing... but not from fear.
'I'm excited?' My lips curl into a small smile.
Since arriving in this world, this is the most excited I've been. I've never been in a fight before, and I slightly regret not having been in one sooner given how wonderful it feels.
The goblins screech and rush me together without hesitation, and I rush towards them as well.
Once they're about 2 meters away, one leaps, raising its club high above its head. Another swings its club towards my legs. The last one jumps towards my legs, trying to tackle me.
I don't slow down, continuing my dash forward as my eyes track their movements.
The airborne goblin's club is descending toward my skull.
I leap mid-run, sailing over the two grounded goblins, and tilt my body slightly to dodge the swing, while thrusting my blade forward, drive it clean into its chest, as blood spills onto my chest.
It shrieks. A short, high-pitched gurgling sound as blood floods its mouth.
My body slams into the goblin midair, my momentum carrying us forward. Unfortunately, I miscalculated the angle, as the club slams, into my side, forcing air from my lungs, as I land hard, cushioned by the goblin's corpse.
I ignore the pain, thanks to IronHeart, and roll on the ground, before springing back to my feet in one motion, my grip tight on my knife.
'A few bruises and scrapes, but I'm fine.' I breathe, air rushing back into my lungs.
I immediately focus on the 2 goblins who are already rushing towards me again. I raise my knife, ready for the second confrontation.
[Notice: Thought Acceleration activated.]
The world grinds to a still, or rather... extreme slowness.
[Analyzing combat exchange... Listing Errors... Unnecessary injuries sustained... Wasted movements compiled... Poor weapon handling complied... Ineffective responses compiled... Inefficient breathing rhythm...]
Great Sage's voice rapidly echoes through my mind as it analyses the entire exchange and compiles everything I did wrong or could've done better.
'Even if I asked it to do this so I could actually improve my skills... Great Sage is quite harsh.' I think in amusement. Despite that, I'm not complaining since I consider this necessary.
[Summary: Combat potential suboptimal. Compiling errors and suggested improvements. Requesting permission to upload.]
'Granted.'
The knowledge hits instantly—details about grip tension, posture corrections, breath timing on impact. All of it is engraved into my mind as though it's something I've always known.
[Notice: Upload complete.]
I smirk slightly as the goblins inch closer—moving at a snail's pace under Thought Acceleration.
'Great. Time for round 2.' I think as I stare at the goblins, looking forward to honing my technique.
The real fight begins now.
[Notice: Thought Acceleration deactivated]
Time resumes and the two remaining goblins are already closing in fast, but I'm already adjusting to the lessons I've learned.
I hold my knife steady, adjusting my grip, while my muscles coil like springs. My breathing evens out. My heartbeat slows as I sharpen my focus.
The goblins screech as they rush me. I brace myself, and the instant they cross the two-meter threshold, I strike first.
My right leg snaps forward, slamming into the face of the club wielding goblin with bone-jarring force. Its shriek cuts short as it hurtles backward, its limbs flailing in the air.
I don't stop. I twist using the momentum, step past the staggering goblin, and drive my knife clean into the throat of the unarmed one. Blood erupts in a sudden spray, drenching my arm. The body drops as I pull the knife out.
'One left.'
Everything starts to dull. My excitement fades into flatness, as the tension and thrill bleeds out of me, like a deflating balloon.
'It's no longer exciting.' I note, watching the last goblin is trying to scramble up, snarling at me as if to warn me of its great threat. I step forward and stomp its hand, wrenching the club free from its grasp, then plunge my knife down with mechanical precision.
The steel pierces its skull with a sickening crunch, pinning the creature to the ground like an insect on display.
It twitches once. Then nothing.
'It only took a moment for a life and death struggle to become child's play.' I lament.
[Notice: Thought Acceleration activated.]
The world slows again, and Great Sage begins its cold analysis.
[Analyzing combat exchange... Inefficient stamina use... Unsustainable equipment use... Several missed opportunities to conclude the battle... Killing method unnecessarily prolonged...]
A steady and rapid voice streams through my mind.
'Precise and brutal as always. So this time it's not my technique, but my method?'
[Summary: Average combat performance. Compiling recommended adjustments. Requesting permission to upload.]
I blink. 'Average? That stings a little.'
I realise I'm getting ahead of myself.
'They were just goblins. It doesn't take much to beat them, but I'll appreciate the small victory regardless.'
'Permission granted.' I think to Great Sage.
Simulations flash through my mind. Images of how I could have used different angles, or achieved more efficient outcomes. In one, I shift slightly, letting two goblins align, and finish both with one sweeping strike across their necks.
[Upload complete. Thought Acceleration deactivated.]
Time resumes again.
I absorb the feedback, mentally bookmarking every lesson. That kind of efficient refinement will stack fast.
'Now, for a different test.'
I kneel beside one of the goblin corpses and place my hand on its chest.
'Predation.'
The body shudders, then vanishes in a swirl of dark mist, sucked into my palm like it was never there.
Three things appear within Stomach—a tiny magic stone, a goblin fang... and something odd. Glimmering, like silver dust.
The magic stone was guaranteed, and I was just lucky to get a drop item.
'What is that?' I wonder, but Great Sage comes to my rescue.
[Answer: It is a manifestation of Exelia within Stomach, from the absorbed monster's body.]
I freeze, brow furrowing.
'Wait... The same exelia used to improve Falna? I thought Falna just absorbed that naturally through the soul.'
[Correct. However, due to the metaphysical properties of Stomach, Exelia, which would normally dissipate, can be preserved and stored.]
My mind reels. 'That shouldn't be possible. Isn't exelia a person's life experience and achievements? How can that be stored? And can I even use it?'
[Answer: Affirmative. Falna utilises only a portion of the relevant, pure experience generated so as not to overload, corrupt or damage their container. Predator's Isolate skill automatically filters out all harmful effects of Exelia. Stored Exelia can be directed manually into your Falna, and infused into specific stats or Development Abilities.]
'...Can I use it on someone else's Falna?'
[Answer: Yes. However, significant quantity loss is expected during transfer.]
I blink slowly. My pulse spikes. IronHeart keeps me calm, but it doesn't take away from the shock.
Transferring Exelia isn't something I need now, nor would I sell it, since I'd likely become a target.
'Great Sage... compared to what I would've absorbed normally, how much Exelia did that goblin give me?'
[Answer: Approximately ten times the standard absorption through Falna alone.]
Ten times.
I exhale slowly, a smile tugging at my lips. IronHeart keeps me from screaming in joy, but even that skill can't take away the joy I feel.
'This changes a lot of things.'
I walk to the remaining goblins.
'Predation.'
They turn into mist, and get absorbed, with 2 magic stones and goblin fangs appearing in Stomach, as well as the clump of Exelia enlarging.
Three goblins. Three drop items.
'Wait...' I pause, suspicion forming. 'I got drop items every single time?'
'Great Sage, does Predator guarantee drop items?'
[Answer: Yes.]
I stare down at the empty floor where the bodies once were. A battlefield swept clean by my own power.
Then I close my eyes.
I take a deep breath.
And I smile.
'Yeah... This is great. Really, really great.'
I confirm the time with Great Sage, and it's only 11 AM.
"It's still early." I murmur.
There's plenty of time left in the day. Technically, I've tested everything I set out to. I understand Great Sage better, figured out how Predator works. I've even learned Exelia can be manipulated.
Logically, I know I should leave now, and return another day with better preparations...
But instead, I find myself descending.
"It'd be a waste to stop after just 3 goblins." I tell myself. "There are too many adventurers up here. It'll be easier to train further down."
It's not a lie... but it isn't the complete truth either.
The real reason is that the first floor isn't enough for me.
There's a thrill to it. It's exciting to be in a fight you might lose. The feeling of my heart racing when I fight is addictive. IronHeart eliminates fear, but it doesn't get rid of the excitement.
I'm starting to crave it the feeling.
(Riven POV – Dungeon, 4th Floor – 5:08 PM)
A body crashes into the dirt where I'd stood half a second earlier, sending up a cloud of dust and stone flying. I rolled out of the way, barely escaping the impact.
Before the dust settles, I turn sharply— my knife drawn—and drive it straight into the snarling maw of a kobold mid-lunge. Its claws rake past my shoulder, but I've already twisted away.
I grip its wrist as its body slackens, using its momentum to whip it sideways—hurling the dead weight into two goblins that had been creeping up behind me with rusted knives drawn.
The goblins go down in a heap, shrieking in protest.
I ignore them, and turn towards the dust, a grin on my face as adrenaline pumps through my veins.
'This makes me feel alive.'
A low hiss cuts through the air.
The dust parts—just enough for me to see the wide-mouthed, scaled silhouette of a Dungeon Lizard, its long tail swaying behind it as it takes slow steps towards me.
My eyes narrow.
'Now we're talking.'
I sprint straight toward it without hesitation. My boots slam against the dungeon floor with familiar confidence.
The lizard charges too, maw stretching open to reveal rows of jagged teeth. It launches forward, faster than the kobold ever was.
I watch with razor focus, understanding how important the timing is.
I sidestep at the last possible second, dropping low as I slide my knife across its throat. The blade doesn't catch—it glides, parting scale and muscle like fabric.
Blood erupts in a hot jet, splashing across my face and chest.
It flies past and collapses behind me with a wet thud, thrashing once, then going still.
I turn calmly, toward the recovering goblins.
They're scrambling to stand, one still pinned beneath the kobold's corpse.
'Too late.'
I bolt toward them and drive my blade clean through the skull of the first, and immediately yank its rusty dagger from its hand and ram it into the chest of the second goblin before it can even raise its own weapon.
Then silence descends on the dungeon once again.
Breathing heavily, I scan the surroundings. There's no movement.
[Notice: Thought Acceleration activated.]
Great Sage's voice hums in the background, already dissecting every move I made.
[Combat analysis in progress... Improved situational awareness... Moderate efficiency gains... Suboptimal stance recovery post-engagement... Slight overextension during kobold throw.]
I take the analysis serious, subconsciously thinking of improvements I could have made.
[Summary: Above average combat performance. Compiling recommended adjustments. Requesting permission to upload.]
A small sense of pride flickers in my chest, only to fade immediately, but I acknowledge it.
'From below to above average. I'll take it.'
"Permission granted."
Simulations dance through my mind—alternate executions, better techniques... I absorb it all.
[Notice: Upload complete. Thought Acceleration deactivated.]
I don't waste time.
"Predation."
The goblins and kobold dissolve into mist, spiraling into me as Predator consumes them. I walk over to the Dungeon Lizard's corpse, repeating the command. Blood pools around my boots—then vanishes.
'Everything is clean again... except me.'
I glance down at myself. There are a few shallow cuts on my arms, but nothing serious. As for the blood...
I simply absorb it with Predator, making myself clean again.
I stretch my shoulder, wincing faintly as a joint pops, and fatigue finally sets in.
'I've been fighting for 6 hours. Even if IronHeart eliminates the feelings of pain and fatigue, it doesn't prevent them.' I sigh.
I'm still human, with all my stats at 0. Even if I took a break every few groups, it's still too much.
I lean against the stone wall for a moment, dragging my fingers through my white hair.
"I've earned a break."
But I already know I'm not done yet.
'I've still got to go back.' I smile wryly.
*************
A/N: Hello Everyone. Please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or powerstones if you have enjoyed the chapter, or book this far. It really helps the book out.
I don't have much to say about this chapter, but how did I do? I focused more on the fight scenes. I'm not sure if I did it correctly, because, all things considered, his stats are still at 0.
You see, his behaviour is mainly because of IronHeart, but he's not stupid. The reason he's relatively unscathed is because this isn't his limit. He hasn't yet used Thought Acceleration while fighting, because he's training. And he's not gonna do anything stupid like fighting monsters that you can't win against, just because of that.
His emotions are suppressed, so he's kinda getting addicted to the thrill of life and death fights, but won't do stupid shit for thrills, don't worry.
I think what I did with Great Sage was awesome. Using it it improve his technique and combat effectiveness is a genius idea (in my opinion). He's not getting stronger, and he's actually putting it effort, rather than power being handed to him, and he's not suddenly gotten stronger. I mean, once he updates his status, that's a different thing. But he'll be someone who actually trains his powers, rather than just being good at everything easy.
Now, about Exelia... Complex stuff. But I've gone with this method. I tried to logic it, so hopefully it makes sense. Anyway, I think I've decided on his advisor, so yay. And I think I've realised how to do the currency, so that's great too.
Do you guys like fight scenes like this? Or should I try something else🤔
Anyway, I hope you all have a great day.