The Heart System

Chapter 773: Chapter 773

I gently closed the door behind me and let out a long breath. At least she was safe now. Whatever happened between her and Cora could wait until tomorrow. Tonight, she needed a proper meal, a warm bed, and a chance to calm down.

I turned and walked toward the elevators. While waiting for the doors to arrive, I focused on my system.

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Evan Marlowe [Level 22]

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EXP: 15930 / 41895

[████░░░░░]

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Current Credits: 8885c

Current SC: 832

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I still needed an absurd amount of EXP to level up. It was becoming pretty obvious that quests and sleeping with the girls weren’t enough anymore. The system wanted me to start using that Dungeon more often, and if the rewards kept increasing the deeper I went, it was probably the fastest way to grow stronger.

I rubbed the back of my neck and sighed.

”Guess I’ll do that now.”

The elevator doors slid open at the same moment, and the familiar system window appeared in front of me.

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Enter Dungeon?

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[CONFIRM] [DECLINE]

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I pressed Confirm without thinking twice.

The world faded into darkness for only a moment before my surroundings returned. Cold stone walls replaced polished marble, the smell of damp air filled my lungs, and the flickering light of torches danced across the corridor.

Another system notification appeared in front of me.

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Current Dungeon Level: 2

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I looked down the empty corridor ahead of me, adjusted my grip on the sword at my side, and let out a steady breath.

”Okay, let’s go.”

Remembering the Common Sword I bought from the shop, I willed it out of my inventory. Tiny glitches flickered in the air around my hand, as though reality itself was breaking apart before stitching itself back together. A second later, the sword materialized in my palm.

”Alright, nice.” I nodded. ”Let’s do this.”

The objective was simple enough. Clear every room, kill every monster, and the exit to the next floor would open. Since this was the second level instead of the tutorial, I doubted the monsters would stay as weak as those goblins. Taking a deep breath, I tightened my grip around the sword and started forward.

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COMBAT STATS (Lv2)

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HP : [■■■]

MP : [■■■■]

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Dungeon EXP: 110/133

Dungeon Coin: 150

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Skills:

- Slash

- Fireball (1MP) - (10s CD)

- Heal (1MP) - (10s CD)

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”Four bars,” I muttered. ”Okay...”

It looked like my MP was fully restored every time I cleared a floor. That meant I could only cast Fireball four times before running dry, unless I needed Heal instead. I’d have to use them carefully.

The first goblin appeared only a few steps later. The ugly little bastard turned toward me with a crooked grin, shrieked something in its own language, and charged.

Even though I’d never properly swung a sword before, I gave it my best shot.

I missed.

”Shit.”

The blade sliced through empty air beneath the goblin, leaving me wide open. The creature slashed across my left shoulder with its crude weapon before I could react. Pain shot through my arm as I stumbled back, clutching the wound.

I swung again.

This time the blade connected squarely with its chest.

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Goblin [Lv. 1]

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HP: 03/10

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I didn’t give it the chance to recover. While it struggled on its back, I planted my boot on its stomach and drove the sword straight into its chest. Just like before, there was no blood. The goblin simply dissolved into glowing dust. Honestly, it felt more like stepping on a bug than killing something alive.

”Phew...”

The system rewarded me with ten Dungeon EXP. One hundred and twenty. Only a little more before I leveled up.

”Hmm.”

I opened the next room.

Two goblins. Perfect. Before either of them noticed me, I raised my palm.

”Come here, you idiots.”

The blazing projectile struck the goblin on the left between the shoulders, knocking him face-first onto the floor. I rushed in before he could stand, slammed him down with my shoulder, and finished him with a downward slash.

Ten Dungeon Coins.

Not bad.

The second goblin charged immediately.

Instead of meeting him head-on, I stepped backward into the corridor. The moment he crossed the doorway, I kicked him square in the stomach. The little monster tumbled backward into the room.

I followed him before he could recover and buried my sword in his chest. Another burst of glowing dust.

Another ten EXP.

I wiped the sweat from my brow. ”Damn... what dangerous little idiots.”

After making sure the room was empty, I stepped back into the corridor and shut the door behind me. There were no more side rooms. Only the hallway stretching deeper into the dungeon.

The torchlight barely reached more than a few feet ahead, leaving the rest swallowed by darkness. Every step echoed against the stone walls, and the silence became heavier the farther I walked. Eventually, I reached another heavy wooden door.

The exit. I grabbed the handle and pushed. Nothing. Locked.

”Huh...”

I scratched the back of my head and opened the dungeon map.

A single red dot marked my position in the corridor.

There were no enemies, however.

I frowned and slowly looked around.

”Where the hell...”

A chill crawled up my spine.

Instinctively, I raised my head. ”Oh, fuck.”

Something was clinging to the ceiling.

It looked vaguely like a woman from the waist up, with long dark hair hanging toward the floor and curved goat-like horns growing from the sides of her head. Her lower body was covered in coarse brown fur instead of skin, and a single crimson eye stared at me from the center of her forehead while two more glowing eyes locked onto mine. Her hands and feet dug effortlessly into the stone ceiling, supporting her entire body upside down.

She wore no clothing at all, but there wasn’t anything human about the creature.

Her mouth slowly opened. A long tongue slithered out between rows of sharp teeth. Before I could react, she launched herself straight at me.

I froze. My body refused to move.

Her claws raked across my chest, sending me crashing onto my back. Pain exploded through my ribs before I even understood what had happened.

She landed on top of me.

One clawed hand wrapped around my throat and lifted me off the ground with terrifying strength. She roared directly into my face.

I gritted my teeth, tightened my grip on the sword, and swung as hard as I could.

The blade carved a shallow cut across her side.

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Wall-rider [Lv. 2]

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HP: 15/17

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”What?!”