Chapter 16: Facing Reality
Mana bolts were practically useless against the beast, or at least any I could make without my stave. The Brute's natural resilience was far higher than anything I could breakthrough with my basic magic. It would require quite a few fireballs to take them down.
Moving backward as quickly as possible, I made use of the wand I had gotten on the first floor. I managed to form two mana bolts that were sent flying straight into the beast's center mass. The two managed to cause quite a bit of damage, knocking the Brute back quite a few feet.
It wasn't enough to do any severe damage. It would take a lot more magic and power to truly take them down.
A war of attrition soon followed. Each attack was slow but terrifying, yet easily dodged. Without any backup from any of the other creatures on the floor, there was no way it would be able to beat me.
I could easily dance away. Its movements were slow enough that I could quickly move away with a bit of enhanced speed.
I may have underestimated the Brutes. None of my magic was doing enough damage to really be a threat to the beast. It was only a matter of time before a patrol of elites or another brute appeared.
I definitely wasn't in the position to fight off more than what I was already facing. It was strong and tough. There was only one thing for it. I would have to get creative and target the one soft spot in the Brute's body that I knew would do damage.
Moving back further, I sent a barrage of mana bolts it's way. While they didn't do much damage, they were more than enough to send it a few steps back.
Another noiseless roar was its response. However, I was ready this time, with a burst of mana appearing beneath me, sending me up into the air. Now with the height advantage for once, I could see into the fleshy maw of the Goatman. Giving me an ample opportunity to send two twirling empowered mana bolts into its mouth.
The resulting explosion sent me flying back, but it also put the horned creature out for the count. Scrambling to my feet, I looked towards the giant Satyr.
Somehow It wasn't dead just yet. It was slowly getting back up from the ground. A chunk of its mouth was now missing as black ichor descended from its jaw. Its movements towards me slowed down even more.
Unfortunately for the beast, it decided to make use of its single ability. Rampage. It was a deadly tool. If used by a fully functioning brute that had some backup, that allowed for the beast's reduction in speed that came with a massive increase in strength.
The only problem with the skill that I had never really thought of before was that the creature's blood began to pump far faster. Causing a sizeable puddle of blood to form beneath the beast.
Its fur was utterly matted as well. I wasn't sure if that would restrict its movements even more. It turned out. However, there was no need to worry as now that its skin had been breached. All it took was a stream of mana blades to rip through its neck.
An anticlimactic end, I would have like to see its true power with rampage in use.
Unfortunately, it was not to be.
The fight had been a stark reminder of my weaknesses. A solo dungeon diver, especially a mage, was only sustainable if they could actually hurt the enemies they were fighting from afar. It was far too risky to attempt otherwise.
I had gone into this Dungeon, expecting to easily reach the fifth floor with my natural prowess. Sure they claimed that only initiates with an appropriate team backing them up would reach the fifth. Still, once again, I had thought myself different.
My knowledge of my past life had made me so very complacent, with the fact I now had access to some form of more potent magics made me lose all caution. Somehow I had amalgamated two lives' experiences into a character of arrogance and weakness, rather than the strength it should have been.
I still had a few weeks before the academy. I could have easily beaten the third floor a few times and earned enough to buy a few more first circle spells. More variety would go along way. I had avoided meditation, as gaining more power as a mage would reveal my elemental inadequacies far faster. My pride was still getting in my way. Something I had thought I had gotten over in m past life.
It seems I was still immature.
It wouldn't do to face any more danger with these thoughts running through my head. Plus, the resources I had managed to retrieve from the Dungeon so far was more than enough for the first attempt.
I hadn't gone as far as I wanted to, but I had figured out my limits for the moment. Until I reached JourneyMage, that wouldn't change.
Leaving the Dungeon was a simple enough affair once you had cleared the floors above. Going back up the stairs that had brought me here lead me in a new direction this time, to a simple staircase that would take me back up to the first floor. The Dungeon was forgiving in the first few floors.
Leaving the Dungeon, I was mocked by the incredible scenes that were on display. These creatures that would be able to destroy the city itself were being beaten one and all.
It made me doubt if I would ever reach those lofty heights. Steeling my resolve, I left the entrance. Outside was a little busier than when I went in. The Dungeon grew stronger as the day went on. With it, the rewards went up. Which made the busiest time of day for the many dungeon divers at the beginning and the end.
Each very different groups. I left unmolested after selling off my spoils, earning a few silver coins for my efforts. I was tempted to sell the wand and the protective charm. Still, I convinced myself that after running the Dungeon a few more times. I would build up my own armor and weapons that didn't rely on immense wealth.
Those things I would easily be able to use as my own. It would also help build respect that I had taken on the Dungeon and survived. It also wouldn't hurt my chances for the academy.
It was pretty commonplace for the nobles entering the academy to have some experience with the Dungeon, but for a commoner joining the school, it was far rarer.
A full mage armor set from the fifth floor with authentic ties back to my own efforts would outshine most other things I would be able to do. I would just have to make sure it was visible that I was taking on the dungeons myself when the academy performs its background search on me.
The night came quickly, and with it, the street match.
"Don't worry, man, today's fight should be far easier than the last one."
Sammy met me as I was leaving the house. The afternoon filled with some more determined meditation brought about some good changes. My power was already nearing the peak of Initiate. It wouldn't be long before I reached journeyman. I was moving far faster forward than I had expected.
"Why is that Sammy? What low-level street are we fighting for today?"
His eyes lit up, ready to pounce on what I had said.
"Not a street, my magical friend, today we are aiming for something simple. The protection racket on the Orcs Nostrils Pub."
That did surprise me. While the protection rackets could undoubtedly be lucrative, a few pubs definitely didn't fall under that category. The Orcs Nostrils pub was unquestionably one of them.
The proprietor of that establishment was a half-orc who had retired honorably from the army. He had nothing to fear from the low lives of the outer ring, plus the guards were very friendly with him. So there was little point in antagonizing him.
"Why? Surely that's not worth anything?"
"You are correct, my friend. There wouldn't be a single coin we would be able to make with that transaction, but it is the only neutral pub in the area. Ever since I decided to dip my hand into the pot of gang work, I find myself unwelcome in many of the city's fine establishments. Most of who belong to some powerful people, who I would rather not get involved with."
I raised my eyebrow at his unfiltered enthusiasm.
"You are making me fight someone and put my life on the line, all for you to get drunk."
"I wouldn't put it so artfully myself, but the basic essence is right."
With a groan, I followed him further into the rings. I had a feeling I wasn't going to return to my room totally sober.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
-- Power
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