Chapter 3: Dungeon of the Forgotten Sage
The next morning, Kaito woke in a cheap inn room with Fenrir curled at his feet. Golden sunlight filtered through the cracked window. The system's menu hovered silently before his eyes.
[Current Stats]
Class: Apprentice Sage / Battle Strategist
Level: 12
Mana: 9,200 / 9,200
Skills: Arcane Insight, Elemental Mastery, Tactical Multiplication, Reality Perception, Familiar Bond (Fenrir)
"Hmm…" Kaito muttered. "Yesterday I was level one. Now I'm twelve. Either this world's leveling system is broken… or I am."
Fenrir opened one eye. You are, Master.
Kaito smirked. "Fair point."
A loud knock came at the door.
"Excuse me, Mister Sage! The Adventurers' Guild requests your presence!"
Kaito sighed. "Already? Can't I just sleep in for once?"
At the Adventurers' Guild
The guild hall buzzed with activity. Rows of adventurers filled the tables swordsmen, archers, mages all whispering as Kaito walked in.
"That's him, the new guy who soloed ten goblins."
"I heard he made them explode without chanting."
"No way, sages can't do that!"
The receptionist, a cheerful elf named Lyria, smiled nervously. "Ah Mister Kaito, right? The guildmaster wishes to see you. Something about… your power levels?"
Kaito followed her upstairs, where a grizzled old man sat behind a desk littered with scrolls.
"You're the new Sage everyone's talking about," the guildmaster said, eyeing him sharply. "Mind telling me how a novice destroyed a goblin squad in under thirty seconds?"
Kaito shrugged. "I'm… efficient."
The guildmaster grunted. "Efficient, huh? Then maybe you can handle this."
He dropped a parchment on the desk.
[Quest: Investigate the Dungeon of the Forgotten Sage]
Location: Northern Eldoria Ridge. Danger Level: Unknown.
Reward: 500 gold + Sage's Relic.
"Monsters have been spilling out of that dungeon lately," the guildmaster said. "Strong ones. S-Rank adventurers refused to go near it. You seem... different."
Kaito glanced at Fenrir, who wagged his tail. "Alright, fine. I'll check it out."
At the Dungeon Entrance
The dungeon pulsed with blue light, ancient runes etched into its stone. A chilling wind whispered through the entrance.
Fenrir growled softly. Something strong sleeps here.
"Good," Kaito said with a smirk. "I need the XP."
As he entered, his system glowed.
[Environment Detected: Mana Saturation 300%]
Passive Skill Awakened: Arcane Absorption
Regenerates mana from ambient magic. You can now cast endlessly.
"Oh, that's just unfair," Kaito said, laughing quietly.
The first enemy appeared a Stone Wyrm, its scales glistening like steel. Kaito raised a hand.
Skill Activated: Tactical Multiplication
Skill Activated: Elemental Fusion Lightning + Wind = Plasma Tempest
The dungeon trembled as a storm of violet lightning exploded through the corridor. The wyrm disintegrated instantly.
[EXP Gained: 12,900]
[Level Up! Level 12 → Level 20]
"Level twenty already?" Kaito muttered. "Yeah, this system's definitely broken."
Fenrir bounded ahead, tail swishing. There's a chamber ahead, Master.
The Forgotten Chamber
Inside lay a massive crystal throne, cracked and overgrown with roots. Hovering above it was a spectral figure in robes his face hidden, but his aura immense.
"Who dares enter my domain?" the spirit thundered.
Kaito sighed. "Can we skip the drama? I just need your relic."
The spirit's eyes glowed. "Insolent child. You claim the name of Sage but wield foreign power!"
"Guess I'll prove it then."
Kaito raised his palm, eyes narrowing. His tactical class flared, calculating billions of potential outcomes in seconds.
Skill Fusion Initiated:
Battle Strategist + Elemental Mastery = "Strategic Reality Break"
Magic erupted from his body light, shadow, and flame twisting together. Space itself warped as the spirit's defenses shattered under pure strategic precision.
In seconds, the room fell silent. The spirit knelt.
"You… surpass the boundaries of any Sage before you," it said. "Take my power… and the title of Archsage."
The crystal throne dissolved into particles of light.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Title Acquired: Archsage of Arvandor
New Skills Unlocked:
Reality Manipulation (Intermediate) – Alter limited aspects of physical laws.
Command Seal: Fenrir Ascension – Evolve familiar into Divine Beast form.
Strategic Authority – Temporarily rewrite battlefield rules.
Kaito's grin widened. "Now we're talking."
Fenrir's form glowed, expanding into a massive silver wolf wreathed in divine light.
The system chimed again:
[Fenrir evolved to Rank: Divine Familiar]
Fenrir's new voice echoed like thunder. Shall I destroy the world for you, Master?
Kaito laughed. "Nah. Let's start with lunch."
And with that, the new Archsage of Arvandor stepped out of the dungeon, power surging through him and legends already beginning to spread.