The sun had just risen when Qin Lan and Lin Yue arrived at the gates of Gloomy Corridor—one of the three free novice dungeons in Jingzhou.
The place was already buzzing with activity.
All the freshly awakened combat and auxiliary professionals from the city's nine high schools had gathered here, chatting nervously, checking gear, or just soaking in the surreal atmosphere. This was it—their very first dungeon run.
Life profession students like blacksmiths and alchemists weren't around, of course. They didn't fight; instead, they'd be starting their journey in places like the Blacksmith Hall or Talisman Hall.
Lin Yue held her brand-new sword proudly. "Feels kinda serious now, huh?" she said, glancing at the looming stone gate ahead.
Qin Lan nodded, adjusting the cheap zither strapped to her back. No one knew it was just a cover—the real one, the Ancient Zither, was bound to her soul.
She wasn't supposed to be here. Musicians didn't enter dungeons. But she came anyway.
Just then, a hush spread through the crowd. Everyone turned as a well-dressed man stepped onto a small platform.
"That's the City Lord," someone whispered.
Unlike military types who ran war-front cities, the City Lord of Jingzhou had more of a...manager vibe. He looked calm, refined—even a bit scholarly.
He raised a hand, and his voice carried over the square.
"Welcome, new awakeners. Today, you step into a world transformed by dungeons, towers, and the laws of the Game.
A hundred years ago, everything changed. Now, it's your turn to walk the path of power. Fight bravely, and more importantly, fight wisely."
The speech wasn't long, but it hit the right notes. The air felt heavier with meaning after that.
Down near the base of the platform, Qin Lan noticed a group of people in stylish robes and armor—they weren't students.
"Guild scouts," Lin Yue whispered. "They're looking to snatch up the best talents early."
Qin Lan looked down. No one was looking at her. No surprise. What guild would want a Musician?
As the City Lord wrapped up his speech, he glanced toward the looming gates of Gloomy Corridor with a faint, knowing smile.
"Well then," he said, his voice calm but laced with challenge. "The dungeon opens now. Let's see if any of you can break the record for the fastest clearance. There is a heavenly reward waiting, after all."
The heavy stone doors of the dungeon began to creak open, letting out a cold, stale gust of air. A few teachers and officials started calling out names, grouping students into parties for the trial.
And just like that—the real challenge began.
The rows outside the dungeon buzzed with excitement and nerves. Groups of students from all nine high schools in Jingzhou huddled together, some whispering strategies, others just soaking in the moment. It wasn't every day you stood at the gates of your very first dungeon.
One by one, teams were called forward by the city officials. Each group stepped into the shimmering arch of light at the dungeon gate and disappeared. The air grew more tense with every name that was called.
Eventually, it was their turn.
"Qin Lan, Lin Yue—Third High School!"
Lin Yue immediately grabbed Qin Lan's hand. "Let's go, Lan Lan."
Qin Lan gave a quiet nod, her heart thudding in her chest. Together, they stepped into the portal, their figures swallowed by the glow.
---
The world around them shifted in an instant.
They emerged inside a long, shadow-drenched corridor. The walls were cracked stone, lined with broken sconces that flickered with dim, greenish-blue flames. A damp, rotting smell hung in the air—like a tomb sealed too long. Dark ivy crawled over the stones, and the sound of distant groaning echoed faintly from somewhere ahead.
Qin Lan blinked, adjusting to the gloomy atmosphere. "This place feels… haunted."
A transparent screen popped up in front of them:
Note: Each team has entered a separate space. No interaction between groups is possible. Dungeon ranking will be determined based on clearance time.
Suddenly—
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The silence shattered as the side doors along the corridor burst open with violent force. Rotten wood splintered, and zombie soldiers staggered out—armor rusted, limbs twitching unnaturally, eyes glowing faintly green.
There were at least a dozen of them.
[Enemy: Zombie Soldier – Level 1]
Health: 100
Attack: 10
Defense: 2
Speed: Slow
Type: Ordinary
Skill: [Lunge] – A clumsy forward thrust that deals base damage. Easy to dodge if alert.
Lin Yue stepped forward immediately, sword in hand. "I'll take the front. You support me, Lan Lan—play it safe!"
Qin Lan took a breath and lifted her cheap zither. The ancient one remained safely hidden in her mind, waiting. She plucked a string.
A subtle hum echoed through the corridor.
The moment the first wave began, six zombie soldiers shuffled out from the side rooms, their red eyes glowing faintly in the dim corridor light.
"These must be level 1 zombies," Lin Yue muttered, raising her sword.
Qin Lan nodded, "Let's do this."
Lin Yue dashed in first, slashing at a zombie's side.
–34!
The zombie grunted and clawed back, scraping her arm.
–11 HP
"Tougher than I thought."
Qin Lan plucked her zither with focused fingers.
[Sound Wave Attack – Activated]
A blast of sound rippled forward in a cone, striking three zombies.
–50, –48, –53!
Lin Yue quickly followed up.
–36! –39!
One zombie collapsed. The two worked in tandem, taking down each undead methodically—Qin Lan chipping away groups, and Lin Yue landing the finishing blows.
But with two zombies still standing, Lin Yue took another hit.
–13 HP
"I'm getting a bit low," she said.
Qin Lan's fingers danced across the strings again.
[Healing Wave – Activated]
A soft, radiant melody filled the corridor. A warm light enveloped Lin Yue.
+50 HP
"Lan Lan, you're the best!" Lin Yue grinned, back in perfect shape.
Soon, the last zombie dropped to the ground.
+EXP: 100
+Copper Coins: 12
A warm glow surged around them both.
Ding! Level Up – Level 2
"Looks like clearing each wave levels us up completely," Qin Lan noted. "No wonder the dungeon only allows up to level 10."
As they caught their breath, the stone door ahead creaked open again.
From the side rooms emerged twelve zombies this time—twice the number from the first wave.
"They're increasing the count per wave to make sure we get enough experience…" Qin Lan muttered.
Lin Yue raised her sword with a confident smirk, "Then let's double our effort too."
They charged into wave two.
The dull groans of the final zombie echoed as Lin Yue's blade slashed clean through its neck. The monster crumpled with a wet thud, joining the growing pile of lifeless corpses behind them.
Wave after wave had come relentlessly.
From six… to twelve… to twenty-four… and now forty-eight zombies in the fourth wave. The numbers had doubled each time, and though none of them were elites, their sheer volume had tested both girls' endurance.
Qin Lan sat on a nearby step, wiping sweat from her brow. Her fingers were sore from constant strumming.
"Sound Wave Attack" had become their best crowd-control tool, while her Healing Wave kept Lin Yue on her feet.
Lin Yue panted, planting her sword into the floor for support. Her clothes were stained with dust and monster blood, but her eyes still gleamed with fighting spirit.
"Whew. That was a real workout."
Suddenly, a soft glow enveloped both of them.
Ding! Level Up – Level 5
Qin Lan opened her panel.
Health: 50 → 90
Mana: 130 → 170
Damage and healing increased accordingly.
"Fifth level already…" she murmured. "That's halfway through."
Lin Yue grinned. "Let's take a short break. The elites are probably next, right?"
Qin Lan nodded, tightening her grip on the zither resting on her lap.
The corridor ahead remained shrouded in eerie silence, but they both knew—it wouldn't last long.
The true test was just beginning.