Each group had formed a distinct clique, keeping nervous distance. Emmet and his team were checking all their acquired points and quietly devising a plan for resource distribution. Then, suddenly, in the middle of the room, a strange, obsidian pillar materialized. It stood about the height of a man, emitting a faint, cool hum that resonated in their chests. From its apex, a perfectly rendered holographic image projected—a shimmering, ghost-like figure that was neither clearly human nor purely spectral, defying all known magical or technological understanding in their world. The raiders stared, momentarily stunned by the sight.
It spoke, its voice carrying an unnerving echo: "Good day, Dungeon Raiders. Congratulations on making it this far. The real challenge, however, begins now."
A small drawer opened silently in the center of the construct, revealing a metallic band. The material looked like dark steel but radiated a faint, ancient energy—technological in appearance but fundamentally magical in nature. "Please, each one of you must wear this band."
Emmet reached for one. The metal felt surprisingly warm to the touch, and as he slipped it onto his wrist, he felt a faint, internal thrum—like a captured heartbeat—as his Orb Point Gatherer dissolved and merged with the Chaos Band.
The voice continued: "The band will tally your points, serve as your map, and provide a list of available rewards. You are now in a Safe Zone. No monster can enter. Other Safe Zones exist throughout the dungeon, but to enter them, you will be required to pay using Chaos Stones, which you can purchase with points or gain as a random drop (RNG-based) after defeating a monster."
"The Exit Portal will now be more expensive, requiring 2,000 points each. However, those of you who wish to discontinue your journey may open your portal free of charge right now. For now, please take one band and wear it."
The atmosphere thickened as the final rules were issued.
"Be advised that those who continue to pursue the dungeon while wearing their band are now officially designated Dungeon Raiders. You are strictly forbidden from killing another raider. Doing so will result in your immediate removal from the dungeon, regardless of your reason, and all your points will be forfeited." A collective, nervous silence fell over the room; the stakes of interpersonal conflict had just skyrocketed.
"Your band—the C-Band (Chaos Band)—will serve as your identification, map, and database for any monsters you encounter. Rewards can be claimed inside a Safe Zone like this one. You can also purchase food, weapons, clothing, and miscellaneous items using the C-Base System Unit, which looks identical to this construct."
The construct was a perfectly smooth obsidian pillar, about the height of a man, emitting a faint, cool hum. The shimmering figure projected from its apex was the only indication of its purpose.
"Tampering with any device or using physical violence inside the Safe Zone is strictly prohibited. Doing so will also forfeit your points and remove you from the dungeon.
"Now, for the good news: the lower the dungeon level you reach, the more available items will be presented. Items may include, but are not limited to, weapons, treasures, mechanical blueprints, battle suits, martial arts scrolls, and magic index books. We also offer Elixirs of Strength. These elixirs cannot be used by divinants or modified humans; they are for regular humans only and offer a guaranteed boost in physical strength or traits. Details can be read when accessing the C-Base system using your C-Band. This access provides a faint, shimmering blue data interface, visible only to the wearer.
"There will be two doors available after this. The first door is for those who wish to raid the dungeon using wits and technology—The Learning Room—but point rewards are lower. The other will be for proving your fighting prowess—The Power Room—which will gain you more points per monster slain. After every Safe Zone, you can also opt to enter the door you didn’t choose, allowing you to change paths. This option is only applicable for the next two Safe Zones; after that, you will be locked into your chosen room.
"I am sure you have questions, but I am unable to answer since I am only a recording. Make sure to wear those bands, and good luck, Dungeon Raiders. May you gain great loots."
The image then instantly disappeared, leaving behind only the inert obsidian pillar.
Emmet’s team huddled together, making their final decision. Emmet, along with his core team of eight members, moved toward the first door. The people who had previously joined him seemed to separate, choosing instead to enter the Power Door.
Everyone—both those splitting off and the onlookers—was confused. After witnessing Emmet’s terrifying strength, why would he choose the Learning Door? Emmet knew his strength was wasted on brute force; they needed knowledge and tactical blueprints to truly advance.
Emmet and his team entered it without delay. The cultist group was next, also choosing the Learning Door. Weak-looking individuals with their escorts followed suit. In sharp contrast, the rest of the groups—including the white-robed faction, radiating arrogant confidence, and the brawny, roaring contenders—all strode through the Power Door, believing it would gain them more immediate rewards.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Upon crossing the threshold, the groups were immediately separated. There was a brief, disorienting moment of dizzying darkness and crackling energy.
Those who chose the Learning Room—a total of fifteen people—were instantly transported to a fortified tower. The tower was built of dark, massive stone, with embrasures, arrow loops, and other openings intended for weapons. The air here was colder, and the faint smell of damp stone and ozone hung heavy.
The tower looked heavily armed with various unique siege weapons. Ballistas, loaded with large, unique arrows, were attached to the crenellations (the gaps in the battlement where weapons are mounted). There were vats of Greek Fire (a fantasy setting's equivalent of Molotovs/pitch), oil, pitch, nets, hooks, catapults, kegs of unknown contents, iron spikes, caltrops, tripwires, and other traps.
A prompt appeared before them:
Monster wave will appear in 2 hours.
Monsters killed using any method other than the weapons found in the tower will not gain any points. Your inherent magical or physical abilities will not count for points, only the tower defenses.
Ammunitions and other unlocked items for this tower can be purchased using points and will be instantly available in the large caskets in the middle of the tower. Note that only available items can be used to gain points.
The 15 people in this room will share the total points equally upon completion of this tower defense.
The price of blueprints and other mechanical items is permanently reduced by 50% in the Learning Tower path.
Emmet’s team of eight immediately began surveying every part of the tower. Emmet then approached the cult group, consisting of five members, and the two mysterious Raiders.
"It seems we need to work together and gather our points somehow. We only have less than two hours left," Emmet said.
One of the cultists, named Adon, who also wore a mask like Emmet, replied, "I agree to cooperate. We suggest appointing a leader. If you have anyone in your group you can recommend."
Emmet was amazed by their immediate cooperativeness. The other two Raiders also nodded in agreement.
"Commanding isn't my strong suit, so we don't mind if the leader is from your group," Emmet said. "If you don’t have anyone, I will recommend someone from ours."
Adon, who appeared to be the cultist leader, stepped forward. "I recommend Roan."
A woman stepped forward, introducing herself and revealing her face: "I am Roan. Although I am not a true expert, I have experience commanding mercenary groups and war experience. I will do my best to lead." No one objected, as time was of the essence, and the cult group seemed confident in their choice.
Emmet’s group and the others then introduced their members.
The Defenders:
Roan, moving with the economical steps of a general, immediately established a command structure: "I need three teams of five, designated Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. We must fill the most necessary roles: Heavy Weaponry, Ranged Attack, and Support/Melee Defense.
Alpha Team: You're on the Ballista and heavy siege weapons.
Beta Team: Cover the battlements with bows and poison darts.
Gamma Team: You're the support and close-quarters defense—check the oil reserves and barricades!"
She pointed. "Two members of Beta Team—Eyes up! You are now designated Lookouts. Give me constant reports on the size, speed, and composition of the wave. I need to know the moment they cross the halfway mark!"
"Gamma Team, report immediately on the status of our fire reserves. How many barrels of oil and how much pitch are ready to pour? How much explosive powder is armed? Confirm that the caltrops are ready for deployment at the foot of the wall!"
Emmet, with his "unwoven eyes," immediately volunteered to be on the lookout. Gamma Team was mostly composed of Emmet’s group, with the rest assigned to Alpha.
"Lookouts, mark the Kill Line at 300 paces! Ballista Team (Alpha), you do NOT fire until the first wave crosses the 300-pace line. You are targeting the largest, most armored, or most magical threats first. Do not waste a bolt on a skirmisher!"
"Archers (Beta), hold fire until the 150-pace line, then target the front ranks and leaders. Use armor-piercing bolts only on armored foes; conserve poison for anything that looks too fast to hit twice."
"Gamma Team: Deploy the Caltrops now, 50 paces out from the wall, where the terrain is clear. Then, move to prepare the fire barrels. Do not drop them yet—wait for the Burn Order!"
"Everyone: If you see anything flying, carrying a siege weapon, or casting a spell—you call it out with its location (North/South Wall, High/Low)! Flying threats are Ballista Priority 1! Do not let them reach the battlements!"
"Final instruction: The fire barrels and explosive powder are for two scenarios only: One—a concentrated breach at the gate, or Two—if the monster wave reaches the base of the tower and is attempting to climb. Everyone understood that the 'Burn Order' meant the enemy had reached the final, critical line. I will give the Burn Order when I see that concentrated mass. Until then, those reserves are sacred!"
They all agreed to pool and share points to purchase items. Roan specifically instructed, "Don’t hesitate to use your true power if you are in danger. Gaining points is important, but surviving is the main goal."
"As of now, we do not know how many waves will come or what kind of monsters will appear. We will evaluate, adjust, and change instructions as needed."
Emmet couldn’t help but appreciate how efficient a commander Roan was. Everyone had immediately gotten to work, and not one person had complained. The crisp, immediate compliance of the team showcased excellent leadership.
Good sirs and kind ladies, I beg a small favor of thee… If by some miracle you have trudged this far into my humble tale, might I implore you to grant me a scrap of kindness? Please, rate my poor novel and leave an honest review.Your words shall either be the torch that keeps me writing through the dark, or the whisper of the universe telling me to lay down my quill, for I am unworthy. The story is free, my heart poured into every line, and this is all I ask in return.I kneel before you, hat in hand, pleading—pretty please, spare a thought for this desperate author and leave a review…
<3 JLance
Good sirs and kind ladies, I beg a small favor of thee… If by some miracle you have trudged this far into my humble tale, might I implore you to grant me a scrap of kindness? Please, rate my poor novel and leave an honest review.Your words shall either be the torch that keeps me writing through the dark, or the whisper of the universe telling me to lay down my quill, for I am unworthy. The story is free, my heart poured into every line, and this is all I ask in return.I kneel before you, hat in hand, pleading—pretty please, spare a thought for this desperate author and leave a review…
<3 JLance