I started hearing commotion and voices upstairs.
Muffled at first—indistinct, layered, overlapping—but unmistakably getting closer.
I froze.
Footsteps followed. Heavy ones. More than one set.
“…Down there.”
“…heard fighting.”
“…check the cells.”
My stomach dropped.
“Yeah,” I whispered. “Nope.”
I didn’t wait to see what kind of company was on the way. I tightened my grip on the spiked club and bolted for the nearest door.
The first one—locked.
I tried the next.
Locked.
The voices were louder now. Closer. I could hear armor clinking, claws scraping stone, something clicking rhythmically in agitation.
I cursed under my breath and yanked open the third door.
It swung inward easily, and I slipped inside just as shadows appeared at the far end of the corridor. I shut the door quietly and pressed my back against it, heart pounding so hard I thought it might give me away.
Silence.
I waited.
Ten seconds passed.
Then twenty.
No footsteps. No voices.
Nothing.
I let out a shaky breath and finally looked around.
The room was… different. For starters, there was a distinct elevator music playing in the background. This was not another storage closet or torture chamber. The air felt lighter here. Cleaner. The medieval theme was gone entirely. Instead, I stood inside a bright chamber with smooth white walls—almost sterile, like a hospital mixed with a hotel lobby.
Before I could inspect anything else, a message appeared.
Safe Room Discovered
Monsters cannot enter this area.
Combat disabled.
Rest and recovery available.
I stared at the message.
Then I laughed.
Not a happy laugh—more like the kind you let out when you’re alive by accident and your brain hasn’t caught up yet.
“Safe Room,” I breathed. “Lucky me.”
My legs gave out and I collapsed onto the floor. The moment my body hit it, the pain in my ribs eased—not gone, but muted. Like someone had turned the volume from an 8 to a 3.
“Okay,” I said to no one. “Okay. We’re good. We’re alive.”
“Correct.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
I spun around, spiked club halfway summoned from my inventory—then froze.
A person stood near the far wall… behind a counter.
Sort of.
Humanoid at first glance—average height, neutral build, plain clothing that didn’t match any time period—but something felt off. Their eyes glowed faintly, like light reflecting off polished glass, and their movements were just a little too smooth. Too precise. Too… artificial.
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They smiled pleasantly.
“Welcome to the Safe Room,” the figure said. “I am a System-Integrated Assistant.”
“…You’re an NPC,” I said.
The figure paused, head tilting slightly, as if processing the word "NPC".
“I believe that is correct,” it replied.
“I see…” I said as I slowly walked and sat down in a nearby chair. Ready to summon my bat if this thing became hostile.
The assistant, seeing my confused face, gestured to the room. “Safe Rooms exist on every floor of the Dream Dungeon. They serve as neutral zones where participants may rest, recover, purchase goods, and receive guidance. Hostile entities are unable to enter or act within this space.”
“Meaning I won’t get killed or cut in half by crab claws.”
“That is an accurate statement.”
I let my head fall back against the chair.
“Thank God,” I muttered.
The assistant tilted its head. “The System does not require worship.”
“What? I wasn’t— Never mind,” I said, rubbing my face.
A faint pause.
“…Noted.”
I straightened and looked at it again. “So. I can choose a class here, right?”
“Yes.”
“Items?”
“Yes.”
“Information?”
“Within permitted parameters.”
I nodded slowly. “Great. Because I’ve got about a thousand questions.”
“Before that,” the assistant said calmly, “you are required to select a class. This will allow me to assist you more effectively.”
A new window materialized in front of me.
Class Selection Available
Please choose a class to continue progression.
I stared at it… and despite everything that had happened tonight, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Okay,” I said quietly. “Let’s do this.”
Available Classes
- Tactical Coordinator (Common)
Analyzes enemies and environments to gain strategic advantages. Excels at preparation, positioning, and minimizing risk.
Bonuses:
- +10% Wisdom
- +7 free stat points per level
- Ability: Inspect Enemy
- Thoroughly analyze an enemy, revealing weak points and behavioral patterns.
- Amateur Adventurer (Common)
A generalist path for participants still discovering their strengths. Gains flexible bonuses and adapts well to unknown conditions.
Bonuses:
- +10% Agility
- +7 free stat points per level
- Ability: Treasure Hunter
- Upon entering a room, automatically detect the number of lootable items.
- Impact Pitcher Initiate (Uncommon)
Excels at ranged attacks using thrown weapons. Damage and accuracy scale with timing, distance, and physical strength.
Bonuses:
- +10% Throwing Weapon damage
- +10% Agility
- +10 free stat points per level
- Ability: Fast Ball
- Increases the speed and damage of thrown weapons by an additional 10%.
- Door to Door Salesman (Uncommon)
Specializes in persuasion, diplomacy, and information extraction.
Bonuses:
- +10% Charisma
- +10% Wisdom
- +10 free stat points per level
- Ability: Silver Tongue
- Increase Charisma by 10% for one hour. Enhances persuasion and deception.
- Street Brawler Trainee (Rare)
Specializes in blunt weapons and high-impact melee combat.
Bonuses:
- +10% Blunt Weapon damage
- +10% reduced damage taken in close-quarters
- +10% Vitality
- +15 free stat points per level
- Ability: Sweet Spot
- All blunt-weapon strikes deal an additional 10% optimized impact damage.
Note:
Class selection will permanently alter your progression pathway.
Advanced evolutions unlock based on future performance.
Please choose one class to continue progression.