Draconic Overlord: Leveling up with an OP dragon system-Chapter 2: Stuck

Liam took a deep breath, shaking off his frustration as he walked among the crowds. The warm sun on his face and the gentle breeze in his hair helped clear his mind, calming his emotions. As he strolled along, he couldn't help but notice the people around him - many clad in impressive armor that he could only dream of affording.

The town, despite being relatively small, was remarkably well-guarded and protected from the roaming monsters that had ravaged other cities and towns. These fearsome creatures were constantly on the prowl for their next prey, leaving many to fend for themselves.

In response to this harsh reality, nearly half of the town's citizens had taken up beast hunting as a profession. The pay was relatively good, and it provided a sense of security and purpose for those brave enough to take on the challenge. Liam, however, couldn't help but feel like an outsider.

As he walked further, Liam eventually reached his destination: a local equipment shop he knew pretty well. He pushed open the door, and the bell above it rang out, announcing his arrival. The shopkeeper, an old man with a kind face, looked up from behind the counter.

"Ah, young Liam! What brings you to my shop today?" Mr. Jenkins asked, his warm smile putting Liam at ease.

Liam replied, his voice distant but friendly, "Hi, Mr. Jenkins. I'm looking for some gear I could use at the Siiren Academy next week."

Mr. Jenkins' eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a low whistle. "Oooh?! Siiren Academy? That's such a prestigious academy! Congratulations, Liam! I hadn't heard you got in. You must be thrilled!"

Liam's expression remained neutral, but a hint of embarrassment flickered across his face. "Ah, yeah... I'm not really sure how I got in, to be honest," he said, his voice still distant, but with a tinge of humility.

Mr. Jenkins' eyes widened in surprise, but his warm smile never wavered. "Well, regardless of how you got in, it's a fantastic opportunity! Siiren Academy is one of the best in the country. You must be incredibly talented, Liam."

Liam shrugged, his eyes drifting away, avoiding the praise. "I don't know about that... but I do know I need some decent gear if I'm going to survive the academy's training program."

Mr. Jenkins chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, in that case, let's get you equipped! What's your budget looking like, Liam?"

Liam hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. He knew that his family wasn't wealthy, and he didn't want to burden his parents with excessive expenses. "I...I'm not really sure," he admitted, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "My mom said she'd transfer some money to my account, but I don't know how much it is."

Mr. Jenkins nodded understandingly, his expression sympathetic. "Don't worry about it, Liam. We can work with whatever budget you have. Let's take a look at what we can afford, and we'll go from there." He smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure we can find something that'll suit your needs."

Liam felt a wave of gratitude towards Mr. Jenkins, who seemed to understand his situation without making him feel uncomfortable. He nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Mr. Jenkins. I really appreciate it."

Liam's eyes widened in surprise as he watched Mr. Jenkins browse through the selection of Mana-imbued weapons. "I-I thought Mana-imbued weapons were insanely costly," he stammered, his mind racing with the implications.

Mr. Jenkins chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, yes, they can be quite pricey, but for a student at Siiren Academy, it's an investment worth considering. After all, a good Mana-imbued weapon can make all the difference in a student's performance."

Liam's eyes grew even wider as he thought about the cost. He had heard stories of Mana-imbued weapons selling for astronomical prices, far beyond what his family could afford. "I don't know, Mr. Jenkins," he said hesitantly, "I'm not sure if I can afford something like that."

Mr. Jenkins smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, Liam. I think I can find something that fits your budget. Let me show you some options." He nodded, his eyes scanning the selection before him. "Ah, yes...I think I have just the thing."

Mr. Jenkins' eyes sparkled with excitement as he reached into the case and pulled out a slender, crystal-tipped dagger. "This one, for example," he said, holding the dagger up to the light, "is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. The crystal tip is imbued with a moderate amount of Mana, making it perfect for a student just starting out."

Liam's eyes widened as he took in the dagger's elegant design. He could feel a faint hum of Mana emanating from the crystal tip, and he couldn't help but be drawn to it.

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"How much does it cost?" Liam asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mr. Jenkins smiled. "Ah, well, I think I can let it go for...say...110,000?"

Liam's heart skipped a beat. 110,000 Credit was an astronomical amount of money, far beyond what he could afford. He shook his head, feeling a pang of disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jenkins. I don't think I can afford that."

Mr. Jenkins' expression turned sympathetic. "I understand, Liam. But let me ask you something. Are you sure you can't afford it? Sometimes, the best investments are the ones that seem the most expensive at first."

Liam hesitated, unsure of what to say. Could he really afford to spend 110,000 credits on a dagger?

"...I think I'll use all my savings then" Liam decided after some thought knowing the old man wouldn't cheat him.

Mr. Jenkins' face lit up with a warm smile. "Ah, Liam, I'm glad you're willing to invest in yourself. But before you make a decision, let me ask you something. Are you sure you want to spend all your savings on this dagger?"

Liam nodded firmly, his mind made up. "Yes, I'm sure. I need something that will give me an edge at the academy, and this dagger seems like the perfect choice."

Mr. Jenkins nodded, seeming to accept Liam's decision. "Very well, then. I'll wrap up the dagger for you. But before I do, let me just check something." He paused, his eyes scanning the dagger's crystal tip. "Ah, yes...I thought so. This dagger has a bit of a unique history, Liam. It's said to have once belonged to a great warrior, one who wielded the power of the elements themselves."

Liam's eyes widened in awe, his mind racing with the implications. "Really? What happened to the warrior?"

Mr. Jenkins leaned in, a conspiratorial look on his face. "Ah, that's a story for another time, Liam. But rest assured, this dagger has a power that goes far beyond its monetary value. You're making an excellent investment, indeed."

After spending hours purchasing additional equipment, Liam decided to return home since it was already late.

"Huh?" he muttered, perplexed, as he spotted red lights hovering around him before drifting into an alleyway.

-Ding! [Fol-low t_he lig-ht]

Liam's gaze was fixed on the distorted message displayed by the system, which he could comprehend but had never seen behave in this manner before.

He couldn't explain why, but Liam felt an inexplicable pull to follow the light into the alley. It was as if he was being drawn towards an opportunity that would forever alter the course of his life - and his mother's.

"Haa... Okay then, I'll just hurry and check what it was," Liam said, finally giving in to his urge as he stepped into the alleyway. No sooner had he entered than a sensational feeling coursed through his body, one he had only experienced when entering a portal.

-Ding! [You are entering a dungeon!]

Liam's eyes widened in shock and fear as he stared at the system's message. "What the...?" he trailed off, his mind racing. He had never entered a dungeon before and had no idea how to exit except by clearing it or using an exit stone.

-Ding! [You have entered a D-rank dungeon!]

-Ding! [Warning! Warning! Warning! User level is extremely low. Exit the dungeon immediately!]