And Just Like That I Obtained a System

Move. Kage dropped. A jagged blade sliced through the air above his head and buried itself in the stone wall behind him. He stared at it. Then slowly looked over his shoulder. Okay. Five lizardmen were charging straight toward him. That explains the shouting. KAGE. IM MOVING. He scrambled backward just as the first lizardman lunged. Its claws scraped against his chestplate. Kage stumbled, nearly losing his balance. Damn it. He caught himself, twisted his body, and drove his dagger into the creatures side. The blade barely penetrated the scales. Kages expression flattened. I hate ERank dungeons.

The lizardman snarled. Oh, come on. It swung. Kage ducked. The creatures club smashed into the wall behind him. Stone exploded across the tunnel. Okay. Definitely hate them. Stop playing around. Blades voice cut through the chaos. The captain charged past Kage, longsword flashing as he intercepted another lizardman. Focus. Blades sword struck the creature across the chest. The lizardman staggered. Roy followed immediately. Guardians Shield. A massive shield slammed into the creature, sending it crashing into the wall. Two down. Three, Kim corrected.

A vial flew through the air. It shattered against another lizardmans back. A strange green mist erupted. The creature slowed. Kage blinked. Nice. Kim grinned. Im useful occasionally. Occasionally? Dont ruin the moment.

A burst of flame suddenly streaked past them. Lava Leak. Several fireballs slammed into the remaining lizardmen. They screeched as the flames spread across their scales. Alice lowered her hands. Got them. Kage stared. Then whistled. Remind me never to annoy you. Alice smiled sweetly. You should be afraid. Noted.

Blade glanced over his shoulder. Everyone accounted for? Roy raised his shield. Fine. Kim checked his belt. Still beautiful. Alice rolled her eyes. Kage? Kage looked down at himself. His armor was scratched. His chest hurt. His left sleeve had been torn. He lifted his dagger. Still alive. Blade nodded. Good enough. Kage frowned. Thats a terrible standard. It keeps you alive. Fair.

The group continued deeper into the dungeon. Their footsteps echoed through the narrow passage. Kage followed behind them, his dagger resting loosely in his hand. He wasnt supposed to be fighting. Not really. His job was simple. Carry supplies. Retrieve materials. Stay out of the way. That was what an ERank porter did. And honestly? Kage was perfectly happy with that. Mostly.

He glanced at the dagger in his hand. The weapon had seen better days. The edge was chipped. The leather grip was almost completely worn away. He sighed. Definitely buying a new one after this. Kim looked back. With what money? Kage paused. I was hoping you wouldnt ask. Kim laughed. Alice covered her mouth. Even Roy chuckled. Blade shook his head. You two are impossible. Thats why you hired us, Kim said. I didnt hire either of you. Exactly.

Kage smiled. For a moment, everything felt normal. Then Blade stopped. His fist rose. Everyone froze. The smile disappeared from Kages face. Blade slowly drew his sword. Contact. Kage tightened his grip. How many? Blade listened. Five. Roy raised his shield. Same as before? Blades eyes narrowed. No.

A low growl echoed through the tunnel. Kage felt the hair on his arms rise. Something was coming. The first lizardman stepped into view. Then another. Then another. Five. Just as Blade had said. ERank, Blade muttered. Nothing unusual. Kage exhaled. Good. He hated surprises.

The lizardmen charged. Blade moved first. Steel flashed. Roy slammed his shield forward. Kim threw another vial. Alice began chanting. Kage stayed behind them. He waited. Watched. Then one of the lizardmen slipped past Blade. Straight toward Alice. Kage moved. He didnt think. His body simply reacted. He stepped between them. The creatures claws came down. Kage raised his dagger. CLANG. The impact knocked him backward. His feet scraped across the stone. Kage. Ive got it.

The lizardman attacked again. Kage twisted aside. The claws missed his face by inches. He stepped inside its reach. One strike. Two. Three. His dagger finally found a gap between the scales. The creature collapsed. Kage stood over it, breathing heavily. Alice stared at him. Youre actually pretty good. Kage looked at his dagger. Dont tell anyone. Why? Theyll give me more work. Alice laughed.

Then BOOM. The entire dungeon shook. Everyone froze. Dust drifted from the ceiling. Kage slowly looked upward. Was that us? No, Blade said. His voice was different now. Serious. Everyone stay together.

Another tremor. BOOM. Something roared somewhere deeper in the dungeon. Kages smile disappeared. That doesnt sound like an ERank monster. Blade didnt answer. He was staring into the darkness. Then he drew his sword fully. Keep moving.

They advanced. Slowly. Carefully. The deeper they went, the colder the dungeon became. Kage rubbed his arms. Is it just me, or is it getting colder? Not just you, Alice whispered. Her breath had become visible. Kim looked at the walls. Somethings wrong. Roy nodded. The dungeons mana density is changing. Kage frowned. Meaning? Nobody answered.

A sound echoed from ahead. Metal scraping against stone. Slow. Heavy. Kages grip tightened around his dagger. Then a massive shadow appeared at the end of the tunnel. Two glowing eyes opened. Kage stopped breathing. The creature stepped forward. It was enormous. Black scales covered its body. A greatsword rested across its shoulder. Runes pulsed along the blade. Roys shield lowered slightly. What. Is that. Blade stared. His face had gone pale. That shouldnt be here. Alice whispered. Captain? Blade didnt respond.

The monster took another step. The ground shook beneath its weight. Kim swallowed. Boss. Blades eyes widened. Run.

The creature disappeared. Kages eyes widened. Where. CRASH. Roy was thrown across the chamber. His shield shattered against the wall. ROY. Blade charged. Everyone move. The greatsword swung. Blade blocked. The impact drove him backward. His boots carved lines into the stone. His arms trembled. Its too strong.

The monster pushed. Blades knee buckled. Kage stared. This was wrong. Everything about this was wrong. An ERank dungeon wasnt supposed to have something like this. The boss raised its sword. Blades eyes widened. GET DOWN.

Kage dropped. The sword passed over him. The wall behind him split open. Kage stared at the enormous cut. Yeah. He slowly stood. This dungeon is definitely broken.

Roy groaned from the ground. Kim rushed toward him. Roy. Im fine. Youre bleeding. I said Im fine.

Alice stood frozen. Her hands were shaking. Kage. He looked at her. Yeah? I cant heal him. Kages expression changed. What? Alice stared at her hands. My mana.

The boss turned toward them. Blade was still on one knee. Blood ran down his arm. Everyone. He struggled to stand. Get out. Kage looked at him. Captain. Thats an order. Blade raised his sword. Ill hold it. Kim shook his head. No. Kim. No. Take Roy and go. Kims eyes filled with tears. You know what happens if we leave you. Blade smiled. Yeah. He tightened his grip. So move.

The boss roared. Blade charged. His body exploded with crimson energy. Crimson Berserker. His wounds began to glow. Blood Price.

Kage watched him disappear into the monsters shadow. The collision shook the dungeon. Kim grabbed Roy. Come on. Kage didnt move. Kage. He looked at Blade. The captain was being pushed backward. Slowly. Desperately.

Kage looked at his dagger. A tiny, pathetic weapon. Then at the monster. Then back at Blade. He sighed. Man. Kim stared at him. What are you doing? Kage stepped forward. Making a terrible decision. Kage, dont. He took another step. Blade glanced back. His eyes widened. What are you doing? Kage raised his dagger. You forgot something. Blade frowned. What? Kage smiled. Rule Four.

Blades expression changed. Leave no one behind.

Kage charged. He knew he was weaker. He knew his dagger wouldnt do much. He knew there was a very good chance he wouldnt walk out of this dungeon. But hed already made his choice.

Behind him, Alice took a shaky breath. Then raised her hands. White light gathered around her fingers. Im coming too. Kim stared. Alice? She stepped forward. Her fear was still there. But she wasnt running anymore.

Roy slowly pushed himself upright. Guess were all idiots. Kim smiled through his tears. Apparently.

Blade laughed. A tired, almost disbelieving laugh. You people are insane. Kage stopped beside him. Probably. He looked at the monster. Then at his tiny dagger. Still think we can kill it? Blade glanced at the weapon. No. Kage sighed. Worth asking.

Alice raised her hands. Then lets make it regret coming here. White light erupted around her. The dungeon trembled. The monster roared. Kage tightened his grip. For the first time since entering the dungeon, he smiled. Alright. He stepped forward. Lets see what weve got.

The battle began.