Episode 5: Attribute Rune Dungeon (2)
The Attribute Rune Dungeon consists of six difficulty levels, mirroring summon ranks: Common to Mythical.
Each difficulty has 10 floors, offering ‘Attribute Runes’ to enhance a summon’s unique skills as the main reward.
However, strengthening Hertia’s first skill requires materials dropped in Legendary or higher dungeons, which isn’t my goal this time.
‘Even for me, challenging a Legendary dungeon with a single level 1 summon would be reckless.’
But Attribute Rune Dungeons don’t just drop runes.
Like the Tutorial Dungeon, they offer summon tickets or growth items based on clear time and grade.
So, I plan to aim for the highest grade to secure the best rewards.
‘My target is the Rare-rank Dark Attribute Rune Dungeon.’
It’s recommended for a team of four summons, levels 20–30.
All I have is a single level 1 Hertia.
Even with Hertia, there’s no straightforward way to bridge a 30-level gap.
‘If I were to tackle it head-on, that is.’
The Dark Attribute Rune Dungeon is the toughest among Attribute Rune Dungeons.
Beyond monsters, it’s riddled with annoying obstacles—poison gas and arrows from rune stones embedded in the walls, deadly traps lying in wait.
In the game, failing meant retrying. In reality, failure could mean death.
The Tutorial Dungeon guaranteed no death, but beyond that, there’s no mercy.
‘So, I need to prepare thoroughly before entering.’
My strategy requires two summons.
First, Hertia.
Her first skill is essential to act freely without being preempted by monsters.
There are substitutes if I didn’t have her, but…
‘Tch, what a rip-off.’
After checking prices yesterday, those substitutes cost far more than the 100 million KRW I don’t even have yet, since the selection ticket hasn’t sold.
‘Well, I’ve got the best option in Hertia, so no need to dwell.’
The second summon is, thankfully, an easily obtainable Common-rank summon.
But to clear all 10 floors, I’ll need to buy enough to fill my party.
‘Remaining team slots… three for the main team, one for reserve. Four total.’
I opened the marketplace via the app.
My target: a Common-rank summon with a bad reputation—Slime.
Specifically, the stickier ‘Clay Slime.’
’70,000 KRW? More expensive than I thought.’
Clay Slimes cost 70,000 KRW each.
Much pricier than expected.
‘Who else is buying these to drive up the price… wow…’
Browsing the purchase reviews, I couldn’t help but marvel.
Apparently, their price spiked because they’re popular as children’s sensory toys.
‘Perfect for kids’ tactile play… humanity’s adaptability is wild.’
Shaking my head, I bought four Clay Slimes—two brown and two gray, the least popular variants.
《Would you like to purchase the summons?》
《YES》
《You have purchased 1 Brown Clay Slime and 2 Gray Clay Slimes.》
Upon purchase, the new summons’ info registered in my status window.
I immediately checked the Clay Slime’s unique skill.
[Unique Skill]
Skill 1: <Hardened Shell>
The shape-shifting slime generates a tough outer mucus layer to protect itself. Upon skill reuse, collected elements are automatically released.
‘Good, exactly as I remember.’
This seemingly unimpressive skill is the cornerstone of my strategy.
***
Unlike the Tutorial Dungeon, main objectives like the Tower and growth dungeons have fixed entry points.
The Attribute Rune Dungeon is near an amusement park in Jamsil.
Spotting it is easy—a massive statue symbolizing a ‘top-tier rune’ catches everyone’s eye.
‘Every time I see it, the real thing’s impact is so different from the game screen.’
To the left of the statue are warps for low-difficulty dungeons (Common to Rare).
To the right, high-difficulty ones (Hero to Mythical).
‘Wow, so many people.’
The area around the Rune Dungeon was already crowded with adventurers.
More foreigners than Koreans, it seemed.
Well, more tourists mean a better economy, but as a local, it’s not exactly welcoming.
‘As long as they don’t cause trouble. Tch.’
It’s Thursday, when all Attribute Rune Dungeons are open, so it’s especially packed.
‘Enough people-watching. Time to go.’
The ‘Dungeon Entry’ button activates near the warp.
As I prepared to press it, a slight tension crept in.
I’d cleared this dungeon thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of times in the game, but risking my life in reality felt different.
Still, I couldn’t show weakness once inside.
In front of Hertia, I must be the flawless summoner, ‘Lucifer.’
‘Don’t chicken out. This is a dungeon I’ve cleared like it’s second nature. Nothing tough about it.’
Hyping myself up, I pressed the entry button.
A flash of blue light enveloped me, guiding me into the dungeon.
《Entering the Dark Attribute Rune Dungeon (Rare).》
《Summon your summons to proceed with the dungeon.》
《Warning: If all summons are reverse-summoned, the run is considered a failure, and you will die.》
《You cannot abandon the run mid-floor. At the end of each floor, you will be asked to proceed or escape.》
The system notifications rang out upon entry.
You can’t quit mid-floor unless you fully clear it—a warning to proceed cautiously and not overextend.
But I plan to conquer all 10 floors in one go.
Otherwise, Hertia might not let me off easy.
“Oh, ever-radiant one, you’ve summoned me again! But…”
Hertia surveyed the surroundings, her delicate brow furrowing.
“…This place is hardly fitting for a reunion with someone as noble as you.”
Her reaction was understandable.
This ‘Rune Dungeon’ is ruled by spirits, after all.
“Just a den for lowly insects cleaning up after elves.”
Spirits, closely tied to elves, grant them the formidable power of spirit magic.
To Hertia, they’re one of her sworn enemies.
“Shamefully, I lack the strength to purge this place in my current state.”
Hertia’s pride seemed wounded.
She likely sensed the dungeon’s aura and realized its difficulty was beyond her current level.
“But, noble one, you have a plan, don’t you?”
Hertia glanced at the Clay Slimes huddled behind me, smiling faintly.
She claims to trust me, but there’s something faintly unsettling about her.
Is she angry? Upset that I put the leader of the Seven Sins in a party with mere slimes?
I can’t show fear, though.
The moment I reveal weakness, her claws might come for me again.
“Doubt me not. I came here precisely to restore your power.”
“Then, as expected, you plan to clear all 10 floors in one go?”
Exactly. I had no choice but to blaze through all 10 floors, especially with Hertia watching.
If she doubts my competence, it’s game over.
“Yes. Let’s see how well we sync after all this time.”
“Heh, I, Hertia, will follow you anywhere, Master.”
《Starting the Dark Attribute Rune Dungeon (Rare).》
《Dungeon Timer: 00:01》
***
The Dark Attribute Rune Dungeon is a tricky one.
It has fewer monsters, but they lurk in shadows, striking when adventurers let their guard down.
Dangerous traps are scattered throughout, like the ‘rune stones’ right in front of me.
Touching or stepping on one during an ambush triggers a massive explosion, acting like a landmine that rapidly depletes summons’ health.
It’s a tedious dungeon, requiring constant vigilance for monster ambushes and traps.
Thud!
Without hesitation, I grabbed a rune stone embedded in the dungeon entrance’s wall.
It looks risky, but the first 3 meters from the entrance is a safe zone.
Even if rune stones are randomly placed, they don’t explode here.
“Slime.”
At my call, a Brown Clay Slime wiggled toward me.
It’s kind of cute up close.
I lifted the slime and pushed the rune stone into its body, then ordered it to enter a shallow crack in the entrance wall.
“Do your job.”
As I stepped back, Hertia spoke.
“Have you finished?”
“Yes.”
“To think such tedious work falls to you, noble one—I’m ashamed.”
“It’s fine. Your abilities will soon be needed.”
As we chatted briefly—
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted from the crack, collapsing the wall.
《Brown Clay Slime has taken fatal damage and has been reverse-summoned.》
《10 minutes until re-summon is possible.》
“As they say, a tool’s value depends on its user. I’m always in awe of your wisdom, Master.”
“You flatter me.”
I sent the rune-stone-laden slime into the crack to push it out of the safe zone.
The rune stone, sensing the slime, triggered an explosion.
The result?
Crackle!
“Let’s go, Her.”
A widened crack leading to the lower floor.
This strategy only works on walls within 10 steps of the dungeon entrance.
Now, it’s Hertia’s turn.
‘Human! Human, filthy human.’
‘Dirty elf! Dark, ugly, wretched elf!’
Dark Spirits, true to their name, lurk in shadows.
This lightless crack is their cradle.
As a Rare-rank dungeon, the average monster level is 20 or higher, making direct combat unwinnable.
But—
“Lowly insects, how dare you insult my Master!”
“Enough. Your quick temper is a bad habit.”
“Ah, my apologies. I forgot myself.”
With <Hertia’s Law>, even a doomed battle can be smoothly avoided.
Beyond the lit area, dozens of Dark Spirits are frozen, unable to move.
They’ve lost the initiative due to Hertia’s skill.
“I’ll take the lead from here, Master.”
Relying on the purple flame Hertia conjured in her hand, I descended deeper into the dark crack.