Free Web NovelChapter 34: Emerald Cavern
The Blue Spatial Rift shimmered quietly at the edge of Metro City’s eastern district.
Unlike the Seven Abyssal Hell Tower, whose immense black structure physically existed within the ordinary world, most dungeons manifested only as unstable tears in space.
From the outside, the Emerald Cavern appeared as a swirling vortex of blue light suspended between two reinforced pillars erected by the Global Streamer Association. Armed personnel guarded the perimeter while curious pedestrians kept their distance behind safety barriers.
Streamers came and went constantly, as some entered with confident smiles, while others emerged covered in wounds, their armor cracked and stained with blood.
A few never returned at all.
Such was the life every Streamer willingly embraced.
Dan Moriarty stopped several meters before the rift, his calm gaze lingering upon the swirling blue currents.
His objective today was perfectly clear.
Although he now owned the Seven Abyssal Hell Tower, ownership and conquest were entirely different matters.
The tower was renowned throughout Metro City for a reason. Its first floor alone possessed a recommended level of no less than sixty.
That requirement alone was enough to deter countless ambitious Streamers.
Dan possessed confidence in his own abilities, but confidence was not recklessness.
A wise man understood both his strengths and his limits.
The sharpest sword still required a worthy hand to wield it.
"I’ve only just reached Level Fifteen," Dan thought quietly. "There is no reason to rush."
Dan once said that a towering mountain was climbed one step at a time, not in a single leap. Those who attempted to skip every step often found themselves falling before reaching the summit.
Dan intended to climb properly, as his destination had never changed. The Seven Abyssal Hell Tower. But before challenging a Level Sixty dungeon, he first needed to strengthen himself.
Fortunately...
That was perhaps the easiest part.
He possessed the Thousand Heavens Rainfall Divine Sword.
A Mythical-ranked weapon capable of cutting far above his current level.
Against monsters recommended for Levels Eight and Nine, the battle would scarcely qualify as training.
Without another thought, Dan stepped forward.
The blue vortex rippled, as his body disappeared into the Spatial Rift.
.....
Cold air greeted him.
The familiar sensation of space twisting around his body lasted only a heartbeat before solid ground returned beneath his feet.
Towering crystal formations surrounded him in every direction. Massive emerald stalactites hung from the cavern ceiling while glowing moss covered the ancient stone walls, bathing everything in a soft green radiance.
Underground rivers flowed peacefully nearby, their crystal-clear waters reflecting countless shimmering lights.
It was beautiful.
Almost too beautiful.
Hidden beneath such tranquility lurked monsters perfectly capable of tearing apart inexperienced streamera.
Almost immediately, translucent notifications appeared before Dan’s eyes.
[Entering Dungeon....]
[Dungeon Entered: Emerald Cavern.]
[Recommended Level: 8-9.]
[Live Broadcast Channel Opening...]
[Connecting viewers from Various Realms...]
[Current Viewers: 0]
[Current Viewers: 3]
[Current Viewers: 13]
...
[Current Viewers: 30]
Dan watched the numbers steadily climb.
Compared to his first stream...
The growth was obvious.
His victories inside Resenia had clearly left an impression.
Almost immediately, familiar usernames began appearing.
[@DrunkenSwordImmortal: Hahaha! Brat, you’ve finally started another stream. This immortal was beginning to wonder whether you had forgotten your viewers. I hope you didn’t enter this little dungeon merely to swing your sword once before going home.]
[@StoneGiantKing: You’re already inside another dungeon. Your pace is unusually fast even among veteran Streamers. Either you’re exceptionally diligent... or you simply enjoy courting danger.]
[@GoldenFeatherPrincess: This cavern is rather beautiful. Still, I doubt our little swordsman entered simply to admire the scenery. Since you’re here, I expect another entertaining performance.]
[@NineTailEmpress: Emerald Cavern... a beginner dungeon by comparison to your previous battles. Yet even the smallest river contributes to the vast ocean. Perhaps you’re planning to strengthen yourself before attempting something greater.]
Dan smiled faintly.
His viewers remained as lively as ever.
He appreciated that.
Although gifts certainly mattered, lively viewers transformed an ordinary broadcast into something far more enjoyable.
Rather than rushing forward immediately, Dan quietly called up his status panel.
"Panel."
A familiar blue screen materialized before him.
[Dan Moriarty]
[Class]: Swordsman (Blade Warrior)
[Level]: 15 (Experience Value: 780/1500)
[Rank]: Iron II
[Strength]: 27
[Agility]: 36
[Constitution]: 36
[Spirit]: 25
[Free Attribute Points]: 40
[Health Value]: 360 (Constitution *10)
[Spirit Power]: 250 (Spirit *10)
[Talent]: Infinite Amplification
[Bloodline]: None
[Skills]: Basic Slash Lv.15, Parry Lv.15, Footwork Lv.15, Celestial Sword Qi Lv.15, Undying Will Lv. 1
[Channel Information]
Dan quietly studied every line.
His skills had improved dramatically since the beginning of his journey.
Basic Slash.
Parry.
Footwork.
Celestial Sword Qi.
Each had reached Level Fifteen alongside his own growth.
Even his newly acquired Epic passive skill rested quietly within the panel.
Undying Will.
A powerful safeguard.
Hopefully one he would rarely need.
His attention eventually settled upon the remaining forty free attribute points.
Forty.
Enough to noticeably strengthen himself.
Dan began considering their distribution.
Strength increased his offensive power, Agility enhanced speed, movement, and reaction, Constitution improved survivability, and Spirit determined the amount of spiritual energy available.
Ordinarily, Many Streamers invested heavily into Spirit. Because running out of spiritual power during battle often meant death. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Dan, however, occupied an entirely different situation. One million Spirit Wine Jars rested quietly inside his inventory.
Each jar could completely remove concerns regarding spiritual exhaustion during a livestream.
To him, Spirit had become his least urgent priority. There was little reason to invest heavily into an attribute whose primary weakness had already been solved. freёwebnovel.com
Likewise, his Constitution had already reached respectable levels after previous investments.
He certainly wouldn’t neglect it altogether, but overwhelming durability meant little if one lacked the speed to evade attacks or the strength to finish battles quickly.
The best defense was often ending the fight before prolonged defense became necessary.
His thoughts gradually settled.
"A swordsman should possess both speed and decisive power."
Without hesitation, he began assigning points.
Strength +16.
Agility +18.
Constitution +6.
The allocation completed instantly, as a warm current surged throughout his body.
His muscles tightened slightly beneath his clothing, and his breathing became lighter.
Every joint seemed noticeably more fluid. His vision sharpened. Even the surrounding air felt easier to perceive.
Dan slowly clenched his fist.
Power.
Not explosive, but unmistakable.
The increase wasn’t merely physical. His instincts themselves seemed sharper.
The Thousand Heavens Rainfall Divine Sword would undoubtedly become even more terrifying in his hands now.
Satisfied, Dan dismissed the panel.
The translucent window dissolved into countless particles of light.
Silence returned to the cavern, as only the distant sound of flowing water remained.
Dan took a slow breath.
Then, he extended his right hand, and Golden light began to gather, followed by the crackling strands of lightning dancing through the air.
The unmistakable pressure of a Mythical-ranked weapon spread quietly across the cavern, as the Thousand Heavens Rainfall Divine Sword gradually materialized within his grasp.
Its flawless blade reflected the emerald glow surrounding him while arcs of celestial lightning crawled elegantly along its edge.
Even without being swung, the sword radiated overwhelming authority.
Several nearby cave creatures instinctively retreated deeper into the darkness, as animals often sensed danger long before humans.
Dan lowered the blade slightly. His calm eyes swept across the endless tunnels stretching deeper into the Emerald Cavern.
"Let the stream begin."
