This Is Not the Life That I Imagined

Two months had passed since their intense training began. The once daunting workout had become a familiar, part of John, Toby, and Maxwell's daily lives.

The trio had seen remarkable changes in themselves. Physically, their bodies had transformed—muscles more defined, stamina greatly increased.

Talent wise—Toby's once erratic flames danced with greater control, John's talent 'Insanity-Check' shifting of his attributes became smother and Maxwell could now harden parts of his body rather than just his entire body.

Each morning began with the clanging of weights, the rhythmic thuds of feet against the field, and the relentless coaching of Mentor Quinn. The simulation room had become their new testing ground, where their talents were tested and refined under controlled conditions.

Despite the grueling routine, a camaraderie had formed among them. Shared exhaustion, shared goals — the three novices found solace in their shared journey. Even Maxwell, initially distant, had warmed to the subtle bonds woven through sweat and effort.

As they entered the gym to start the day as usual, Mentor Quinn materialized. "Good morning," he greeted with a smile. "Starting from today, your routine will change. Your first task will be issued in an hour. Go get your weapons from your personal storage and meet me at the gate."

They took a moment before replying, "Yes, sir."

As soon as Quinn vanished, John exclaimed in dread, "I knew it was coming. But still, I don't want to fight monsters." 

Toby, almost dancing in excitement, punched the air and shouted, "Yes, finally! I've been waiting for this." 

Maxwell, maintaining his stoic expression, strode toward the door, saying, "Let's go."

Toby jogged after him with a beaming grin. And with dejected face John followed. After retrieving their basic weapons—swords—from storage, they walked to the gate.

First time getting out of the building for nearly two and half month, they felt the refreshing breeze. With their weapon scabbard to their waist and backpack hoisted on their back, they reached the gate. A jeep stopped on front of them as Mentor Quinn voice sounded" get in"

Complied, they got in the car. Quinn voice was unusually stern. "There are essential items that you will need in your first task in the back. Remember what they are because next time you will get it in your own."

"Yes, sir"

"Good. be careful as this is no test, you might really die if you are careless. "Quinn's tone was heavy.

Their faces turn serious and John heart sank.

Quinn continued, "Open the task page, it has been updated."

Complied, the screen showed the following:

(Current task: Clear Level 1 dungeon normal dungeon)

John took a deep breath, his eyes sharpened and asked, "Is there any information about the monsters inside?"

They looked at Quinn, waiting his reply.

"No, it has been discovered recently but we are sure it is level 1 normal level dungeon. So, don't panic and don't make stupid decision, and you will be okay."

Maxwell asked "Mentor, how do we clear the dungeon?"

"Kill every single monster inside, and in a day or two it will vanish" Quinn answered.

Toby wondered, 'So, how big is the dungeon exactly?'

Their stats after the training:

John Howard:

(STR:12 AGL:10. FLX:9.5 VIT:12. INT:11.)

....

Toby Lyons:

(STR: 11. AGL: 11. FLX: 10. VIT: 10. INT:13)

...

Maxwell Ballard:

(STR: 13.5 AGL: 10 FLX: 10 VIT: 11. INT: 10)

The car drove to a desolate road, and after hours of driving, they arrived at the foot of a mountain. Disembarking, Quinn opened the trunk of the car.

They each took a First-Aid kit, four energy bars, two bottles of water, a sleeping bag, glowing sticks, water filter and extra clothes.

Placing everything in their backpack, John asked while looking around "where is the dungeon?" Quinn pointed to a nearby rock. Baffled, John asked, "It's just a rock, isn't it?"

Quinn replied in stern voice "Use your talent and look carefully." To avoid angering Quinn, John quickly used his talent, 'Double Focus Effect One,' shifting his attributes to INT (11 → 16)."

Suddenly, the world become much more detailed in his eyes, then he noticed a weird shift in the air around the rock. "Ah, I see now." John squinting his eyes at the rock.

"Hey, what do you see? Huh, why can't I see the difference?" Toby Looking between the rock and John as he asked.

Quinn hit him lightly on the head. "Close your eyes and focus on sensing the air—you will feel the difference after a while."

Toby and Maxwell closed their eyes while concentrating. After a while, Toby exclaimed. "Wow, I feel it. I feel like the air flow vanishing in the rock direction." Maxwell took a while longer before opening his eyes with surprise as he felt it as well.

"The air flow shifts because it is a portal to the dungeon. Now go—I won't be waiting. Finish the task and call me, someone will fetch you up." Quin said as he rode the car and drove into the distance.

John looked at Toby and Maxwell, "It is our first time fighting together, and we have no idea what's beyond this. So, I want to be clear—don't jump into fighting without surveying the environment."

Toby with a roll of his eyes," Yes, yes grandpa. Can we go now?" Maxwell just nodded, and he made his way forward.

Maxwell in front, the other on his both sides, a step behind entering the portal. they felt as if they passing through a barrier. They felt weightless for a moment before dizziness struck as the environment shifted around them.

They heard a growl around them. John was the first to feel the dizziness subsided. Looking around, he realizes a group of rats-like creature, each as big as a horse, surrounded them.

The environment looked like a shallow, muddy swamp, with twisted trees and large rocks sporadically blocking the view. Murky water glistened between patches of swampy land.

John, now alert, shifted his attribute to strength, unsheathed his sword, while shouting, "Wake up, guys. We have company."

(INT 16-->11, STR 12--> 17)

The first monster lunged forward with its sharp fangs, aiming to rip John apart. "Die" with a swift slash, he cut the monster head and kicked its body away from him.

The other monsters seeing their kind die, growls as they lunged at them. Toby and Maxwell just woke up from their dizziness saw the jaws and ugly monsters in their face, activate their talent without a second thought.

Toby throws a ball of fire at the creature–igniting it—while dodging another monster. Maxwell not bothering with dodging, harden his whole body. His fist crushed a monster skull and sent flying, while another monster's teeth broke from biting Maxwell other arm.

John, not lagging behind, killed another monster with swing of his sword. Shifting to AGL, he dashed out of the encirclement. Swiftly and decisively, he cleaves the monsters left and right. Shifting his attributes rapidly between AGL and STR.

Toby dodged another monster lunge as he concentrated his fire and launch it in the monster's face–charring it. Maxwell gave the monster headbutt—making it dizzy, and with a powerful blow the pummeled the creature.

The fight ended in a few minutes. when the last monster dropped to the ground, their watch vibrated simultaneously. John, his sword still dripping with the blood of the fallen monsters, surveyed the swampy battleground.

The putrid scent of the murky water filled his nostrils, and the squelching of their boots against the muddy ground echoed through the landscape. With a frown in his face, John muttered, "What a disgusting place."

Toby cracked his knuckles, breaking the silence. "WOW, Nice fight guys." His excitement was palpable, a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere of the swamp.

Maxwell remarked while deactivating the hardening of his body. "If all the creatures as weak as this, we'll finish the task fast."

Seething his sword, John pressed the watch to see the notification.

(Monster data updated:

 Name: Gigantic-Rat

 Type: Normal.

 Level:1.

 Stats: STR:9, AGL:8, VIT: basic.

 Behavior: instinctive.

 skills: None).

"Huh, it is weaker than Wild-Fury. Is it only type here?" John mumbled his thoughts.

Toby, scanning the monster data on his own watch, couldn't hide his expectation. "It will be too easy if that's all, let's go."

Maxwell remained silent, but a subtle nod suggested his agreement. Noticing that they didn't spend much stamina, the trio venture deeper into the dungeon.