country of nations

The air inside the dungeon was thick with tension and the faint hum of energy. The walls glowed faintly with ancient runes, casting eerie shadows that flickered and danced. Every sound—their footsteps, the distant growls of unseen monsters—seemed amplified, pressing down on them like a physical weight.

JC led the group through a narrow passage, his eyes scanning their surroundings with laser focus. The pendant around his neck glowed softly, reacting to the dungeon's latent power.

"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Mark asked, gripping his weapon tightly. "This place feels like it's alive."

"It is," JC replied, his tone calm but firm. "Dungeons are natural formations of concentrated mana. They're unpredictable, but they're also full of opportunity."

Angel smirked. "Opportunity to die, maybe."

JC stopped suddenly, turning to face the group. "Which is why I brought these."

From his satchel, he pulled out four shimmering stones, each the size of a small apple. They glowed faintly, their colors shifting between shades of blue, green, and purple.

"What are those?" Lissy asked, her voice filled with awe.

"Mana stones," JC explained, holding one up for them to see. "When monsters die, they sometimes drop these. They're rare, and they hold a fraction of the mana that gave the monster its power. If you absorb one, you can gain abilities similar to an elite's."

Jackson's eyes widened. "You mean… we could get powers? Like you?"

JC nodded. "Not exactly like me, but close. These are C-rank stones, so they're not the strongest, but they'll still make you stronger. They'll also bond with you, adapting to your body and enhancing your natural talents."

Mark frowned. "And what's the catch? There's always a catch."

JC hesitated for a moment. "The process can be... intense. It forces your body to adapt to the mana quickly. It's not dangerous, but it's not pleasant either."

"Great," Angel muttered. "So, pain for power. Sounds fair."

JC handed a stone to each of them, his expression serious. "This isn't a decision you should take lightly. If you don't want to do this, I won't force you. But if we're going to survive this dungeon—and whatever comes after—we need every advantage we can get."

The group exchanged nervous glances before one by one, they took the stones.

---

They sat in a circle on the dungeon floor, each holding their stone.

"How do we do this?" Lissy asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Just focus on it," JC instructed. "Close your eyes and let your energy connect with the stone. It'll do the rest."

They followed his instructions, and soon, the air around them crackled with energy. The stones began to glow brighter, their light pulsing in rhythm with their heartbeats.

Mark was the first to cry out, clutching his chest as the stone dissolved into a stream of energy and entered his body. His veins glowed faintly as the mana spread through him, reshaping his very essence.

Lissy and Jackson experienced similar reactions, their faces contorted in pain as the stones' power fused with them. Angel, ever the tough one, gritted her teeth and stayed silent, though her clenched fists betrayed the intensity of the process.

JC watched them closely, ready to intervene if anything went wrong. After what felt like an eternity, the light from the stones faded, and the group slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

---

"How do you feel?" JC asked, helping Lissy to her feet.

"Like I got hit by a truck," she muttered. Then she paused, her eyes widening. "But… I feel stronger. Faster."

Mark flexed his hands, watching as faint sparks of electricity danced across his fingertips. "Whoa. Did I just…?"

"Lightning affinity," JC said, nodding approvingly. "Looks like the stone resonated with your natural energy."

Jackson stared at his hands, which now emitted a faint green glow. "What about me?"

"Wind manipulation," JC replied. "You'll be able to move faster and control air currents. With practice, you might even be able to create barriers or blades of wind."

Lissy held out her palm, and a small flame flickered to life. She stared at it in awe. "Fire…"

"Pyrokinesis," JC confirmed. "It suits you."

Angel smirked as her own abilities manifested—dark tendrils of shadow curling around her fingers. "And this?"

"Shadow affinity," JC said. "It's rare, but powerful. You'll be able to manipulate darkness, maybe even teleport short distances."

Angel's smirk widened. "Nice."

---

JC stepped back, looking at the group with a sense of pride. They were tired, but they were no longer just ordinary people. They were stronger now, more capable.

"This is just the beginning," he said. "The mana stones gave you a head start, but you'll need to train to control your abilities. The deeper we go into this dungeon, the more you'll be tested."

Mark grinned, the sparks in his hands crackling louder. "Bring it on."

Lissy nodded, determination in her eyes. "We're ready."

"Good," JC said, turning toward the next passage. "Because the real challenge starts now."

And with that, they pressed deeper into the dungeon, their newfound powers lighting the way.