My Supreme Magus System

Alex wasn't sure how to react as he stared at the notification before him. It was the system message that had appeared right after he killed Tery. 

In the heat of the moment, he had dismissed it without a second thought, his focus entirely on survival. But now, with the battle over and his mind clearer, he couldn't ignore what it implied.

The notification bore an unsettling resemblance to the ones he received when killing monsters—rewarding him with system points and experience. Only this time, it wasn't monsters he had slain.

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[The Host has killed an E rank Human] ×2

[+100 XP and +2 SP]

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[The Host has killed a D rank Human]

[+200 XP and +15 SP]

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Alex sighed, his thoughts heavy. 'So... killing humans grants points too.' he thought grimly.

The realization felt unsettling, but he quickly pushed the thought aside. Taking a life was never something to be taken lightly, and he vowed silently. 'No matter what this world demands of me, I won't become a mindless killer.'

A soft voice broke his reverie. "What's on your mind?" Aurora asked, her tone curious but tinged with a knowing edge. She had noticed the flicker of hesitation in his expression.

"The system... it gave me points for killing them."

Her expression didn't waver. If anything, a glimmer of approval flickered in her eyes. "Of course it did." she said matter-of-factly. "This world rewards strength and survival, not morality. To it, a kill is a kill, whether it's a monster or a human. It's neither just nor unjust. It simply is."

Alex nodded slowly, then turned toward his master. After dealing with Rex and his party, they hadn't returned yet. Instead, they had spent the past two to three hours hunting monsters.

Just then, she glanced at him with a smile that hinted at excitement. "It seems we're in luck today, my disciple," she said. "There's a dungeon nearby."

Following the direction she pointed, they came across the entrance to a cave. The opening looked suspicious, almost unnatural, standing out starkly in the otherwise barren landscape.

Alex had heard about dungeons before, but this was his first time encountering one. "Master, is that the cave entrance?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and apprehension.

Dungeons were an enigma—no one truly understood how or why they appeared. They emerged randomly in the Wilderness, teeming with monsters, and were infamous for their treacherous dangers. Yet, they were equally known for the treasures they held, especially if they were newly formed and unexplored.

"Hmm, this dungeon should be E-rank. I was hoping to take you to explore a D-rank one, but since this one seems to have newly appeared, it would be a waste not to go inside and explore it."

Alex asked, "Since this is an E-rank dungeon, it should only have E-rank monsters, right?"

"You are mostly right, my disciple. That should be the case, but the dungeon boss is always one rank higher."

Alex's curiosity deepened as he stared at the ominous cave entrance. It seemed to exude an unnatural aura, and the faint, eerie glow emanating from within only heightened his apprehension.

Still, a wave of excitement coursed through him. This was a dungeon—a concept he had only read about in games and stories from his previous life. Now, it was his reality, and he couldn't wait to step inside and explore.

"Dungeon boss, huh?" Alex muttered under his breath. "So, if this is an E-rank dungeon, the boss would be D-rank?"

Alicia nodded, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. "You don't need to worry so much, my disciple. Even if we face a C-rank monster, you can handle it. And remember—I'm here with you."

As they stepped towards it, Alicia glanced at him before entering and asking, "So, how much do you know about dungeons?"

"Umm, just the basics." Alex admitted. "They're filled with monsters and sometimes hide treasures if we clear them. Oh, and they have rankings, right?"

In truth, most of what he knew came from fiction in his previous world. The rest were fragments he'd pieced together while studying this world through books.

"Correct," Alicia said, her tone steady. "The ranking system is based on a dungeon's overall difficulty. The commonly known ranks range from F to S, but there are two additional ranks above those. They're extremely rare, but you don't need to worry about them for now. You'll understand more as you explore, rather than through me explaining everything."

Alex's eyes widened slightly. "So, there are SS-rank and SSS-rank dungeons out there?"

"Yes," she confirmed. "There are a few SS-rank dungeons, but no SSS-rank dungeons... at least, not yet. However, there is one exception—an SSS-rank Ancient Labyrinth. It's the only one in the world."

His curiosity deepened further. "So, are dungeons and labyrinths two different things?"

"Fundamentally, they're the same," Alicia explained. "But there are some key differences. Labyrinths are often larger, more intricate, and exponentially more dangerous than regular dungeons. Don't worry—I'll take you to one someday, and you'll understand better by experiencing it."

She gestured toward the cave entrance, her expression resolute. "For now, let's focus on this dungeon."

As they stepped inside, the world around them shifted entirely. Alex felt as though he had entered a realm that defied reality itself. The air was noticeably cooler, carrying an eerie stillness that seemed to press against his senses.

Dim patches of luminescent moss clung to the walls, their faint glow barely illuminating the narrow passageway. The confines of the space felt uncomfortably close, the ceiling low and the walls rough and uneven.

Before Alex could fully adjust to the sudden change in environment, a familiar chime echoed in his mind, followed by the appearance of translucent system screen before him.

[The Host has entered an E-rank Dungeon.]

[New Main Quest Received]

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[Main Quest]

[Quest: Clear Dungeon]

[Description: Explore and clear the E-rank dungeon.]

[Time Limit: 6 hours]

[Reward: 500 XP and 50 SP]

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Thanks to his Night Vision skill, Alex could see clearly in the dim environment. The faint glow of the luminescent moss clinging to the walls provided only a minimal source of light, but for him, it was more than enough.

Alicia, too, with her sharp senses needed no assistance to navigate the darkness. Yet, despite their advantages, she reached into her storage ring and retrieved a small orb.

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it into the air. The orb hovered above them, glowing brightly like a miniature artificial sun, instantly casting away the oppressive darkness.

The passageway, once shrouded in eerie dimness, was now fully illuminated. The intricate details of the dungeon's stone walls came to life—deep scratches, jagged edges, and faint etchings everywhere.

Dungeons were uncharted, unpredictable territories riddled with traps and lurking dangers. They demanded vigilance and preparation, and Alex instinctively tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword as they delved deeper.

The air grew cooler still, and the passageway gradually widened, making the space feel less claustrophobic. The glow of the orb illuminated every crack and crevice, revealing faint traces of claw marks on the walls—a silent testament to the creatures that called this dungeon home.

"This is your first dungeon, so pay close attention." Alicia said, her tone firm but tinged with concern. "It won't be too difficult for you, but stay cautious."

Though her voice exuded confidence, Alicia's thoughts painted a different picture. She knew this dungeon would pose little challenge for Alex, yet a part of her couldn't shake the worry gnawing at her.

'He could've handled that poison mage girl on his own, but I couldn't stand to see him get hurt.' she thought.

Alicia had taken every precaution to ensure his safety, equipping him with a slew of defensive artifacts.

His current outfit was an A-rank ensemble, imbued with protective enchantments so advanced that even most S-rankers would struggle to harm him.

During the previous battle, Alicia had been the one to intervene, hurling the twig that had killed the poison mage girl just as she prepared to cast a Tier-4 spell aimed at Alex.

Her possessive side wouldn't allow him to be harmed. On one hand, she wanted him to grow stronger, to face challenges head-on and conquer them. But on the other, the thought of him being injured—even slightly—was unbearable.

As they walked further, Aurora's voiced. "Alex, ahead of you." Finally, they came across a monster.