The Ultimate Glitch ～One Man Conquers a Dungeon That Humanity Couldn’t Conquer for Hundreds of Years, in Only Two Hours～ - Chapter 1

Prologue

Chapter 1

Water dripped down from the stalactite.

As it splashed onto the ground, the temperature started to drop. No matter where they looked, everything was white. Cold air filled the cavern.

The cold made a cracking sound, shaping itself inside the white cave – it had

wings. It was a beautiful ice dragon covered with hard scales. It invited whoever looked at it to their end, like a God of Death (shinigami).

It breathed white smoke as it looked down at the humans. While they were crushed under its intimidating gaze, the adventurers were struck by its beauty.

“What is that?,” one asked.

“I’ve never heard of something like this!,” said the other.

They pretended not to have seen the beast and started running for their lives, but it didn’t go unnoticed by the creature. The Ice Dragon did not show mercy to the adventurers and slowly opened its jaw. It stretched its long neck and breathed out the icing power that was gathered in his mouth. The cold air rushed through the narrow cavern and stroke the fleeing adventurers. They started to freeze from their feet up, rendered unable to move.

“This is really bad,” said one of them, “three of us are stuck! If this goes on-”

Someone cut him, “look! It’s the exit!”

The adventurers who had survived the creature’s dreadful smoke rushed to the exit as fast as they could.

However, they faced another obstacle. The cold air was suddenly pushed back as

hot steam spewed out from the ground and drowned the cavern in heat. “Why is it suddenly so hot?”

There was something else at the end of the cave. “What is this?,” said one adventurer, panicking.

There, next to the exit, stood a giant lion covered in flames. It had two sharp fangs and ferocious claws which dug into the ground.

“Shit, shit!”

One adventurer had a sword and swung it at the beast. But the moment it hit the lion, the sword melted into mud.

The flaming beast inhaled deeply and moved his strong body – it was now breathing fire. It filled the air of the cave. It’s without mercy that the heat advanced toward the adventurers.

They were stuck between scorching fires and a deadly blizzard. They had no choice but to be swallowed by the flames.

Dungeons – these underground labyrinths are everywhere. Those who stubbornly attempt to invade them are met with horror and despair.

Even so, the number of fearless adventurers is endless. They whisper of treasures

yet to be found, hidden deep inside those dungeons.

But all find something else – ruthless violence and death.

It’s been hundreds of years since the 717 dungeons have been discovered. No one has ever traveled through the dungeons on foot.

Yet.

****

A fleeting light illuminates a circular platform, settled in the middle of a narrow round room. It was a floor no one had reached before – and yet, one man was standing there.

“This is…” the man said, dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Before him

was the coveted treasure everyone was looking for. In the center of the platform stood a

pillar of light, on which was placed a book. It was old and thick, with a crimson cover and golden embroidery, held together by a black belt.

Unable to move, Reid Athril was baffled. It was the legendary treasure adventurers around the world yearned for and would do anything to possess. He couldn’t wrap his head around what he was seeing.

His throat bobbed.

****

Two hours ago.

Reid was plowing his land to plant some corn seeds. He hummed as he stretched his back and wiped the sweat rolling down his forehead.

“It’s getting dark,” he said to himself, “I should get back.”

As he tidied up his equipment, his dog, who was resting near the field, started to

bark.

“Jack,” he shouted, “it’s time to go!”

Waggling his tail, Jack stood and rushed to his master.

For someone who works on fields in the middle of the mountains, a dog was an

indispensable partner. Jack was a crossbred medium-sized dog with light brown fur and hound blood. It could scare off any animal, no matter how big they were.

With a hoe on his shoulder, Reid walked through the mountain, when his attention

was caught by a light just a few steps away.

The bright and sparkling light was none-other than the entrance to a dungeon.

The village where Reid lived was just next to a dungeon and he could often see adventurers try to enter it. Around its entrance, there were checkpoints, resting areas, facilities where military forces were on high alert, and even food stands. It was a show of people coming and going, like a never-ending festival. Reid would go down the mountain and watch this noisy spectacle from the corner of his eyes.

Reid was turning 26 this year, which is a pretty ordinary age. He was earning a living thanks to the fields his late parents passed on to him. For a young man like him, dungeons were just a dream.

In the unexplored levels, adventures had to fight monsters. Comrades would join their forces and fight for the discovery of the oh-so coveted treasures.

When the adrenaline kicks in, there’s nothing you cannot fight.

As a kid, Reid yearned to be an adventurer, but he had to give up on that dream.

He figured, since he had no special ability, he couldn’t possibly become one.

Besides, he had another more important reason not to become one. “Reid!”

Running from the cabbage field, a woman in her twenties was waving at Reid with a big smile on her face as she ran toward him. She had silver hair that complimented her tanned skin.

“Fyne, you should go home. It will be dark soon.”

“I know,” she replied, “mom and dad were talking about going back home, too” She turned to her parents who were working in the fields. They waved at Reid. They had the same dark skin as their daughter. They all knew each other quite well, so he return their greetings.

“Hello Jack,” said Fyne as her focus shifted to the dog, “you were a good dog today, too, right?”

The dog barked happily as she patted his head. His tail was waggling from side to side as a response.

“Tell me, Reid,” her attention went back to its owner, “could I come back in the fields?”

“Sure, whenever you want.”

“Nice! Next time, I’ll make us lunch (bento).”

She waved again as she joined her parents. Reid told her farewell before continuing his way back home.

His slightly grey hair was fluttering in the wind. His skin was the same as Fyne and her family – the color of the nomadic tribe, Ordo.

They didn’t have a country to call their home, so they were scattered around the earth. They all faced cruel discrimination, no matter where they lived. Unfortunately, Reid was familiar with it. Especially when it came to working, the Ordos didn’t have any rights and couldn’t become adventurers.

That is the real reason why Reid had to give up on his dream to become an adventurer.

Reid was crossing the bridge over the river when Jack started barking and ran

away.

“Jack, wait!,” shouted Reid, “don’t make me chase you!”

But he did. In a hurry, he started chasing his dog through the thick forest.

Although, no matter how fast he ran, he couldn’t catch up to Jack. He still tried and

caught a glimpse of his dog as he jumped into a mountain slope. Reid screamed Jack’s name, but it was too late. Pushing the tall grass around him, he searched for his companion. As he did, he fell upon a hole, inside the slope. It was covered with ivy and vegetation, so much that it was hard to see.

Reid peered into it. Darkness spread before him.