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**Beijing, Dragon Empire Alliance, Year 2045**
Lin Feng stood at the edge of Beijing's fortified walls, the **F-Rank Dungeon Pass** humming in his pocket like a winning lottery ticket. Beyond the rune-etched barriers, Terra Apocalypse stretched into a chaotic wilderness—80% of the planet overrun by monsters, dungeons, and rifts. The air buzzed with mana, and distant roars echoed from the **Monster Domains**. Lin, now Level 3, felt a mix of excitement and dread. Real dungeons weren't sims. Death was permanent, loot was epic, and his **[Mysterious Sovereign System]** was itching for action.
Xiaohuo, his Flame-Tailed Drakeling, perched on his shoulder, gnawing a pilfered chicken wing. "This better be worth it, human," the dragon grumbled, flicking its tail. "I'm not dying for your stupid quest."
Lin smirked, checking his stats:
**[Status: Lin Feng, Level 3]**
- **Stats**: Strength 14, Agility 16, Intelligence 16, Vitality 12, Luck 10
- **Skills**: [Dragon Bond Lv. 1], [Dragon Claw Strike Lv. 1], [Celestial Evasion Lv. 1], [Dragon Roar Lv. 1]
- **Pet**: Xiaohuo (Flame-Tailed Drakeling, Level 3, Evolves at Level 10, Skills: Ember Shot Lv. 2, Drake Slash Lv. 1)
- **System Points**: 850
The [System]'s latest quest blared in his mind: **[Quest: Clear an F-Rank Dungeon. Reward: 500 System Points, Random Dragon Skill Shard, Mystery Egg. Deadline: 1 week. Penalty: Xiaohuo Burns Your Dorm.]**
"A new egg?" Lin mused, dodging Xiaohuo's glare. "Chill, you're still the star. But a buddy might spice things up."
Xiaohuo huffed, sparking a tiny flame. "Better not be a prettier dragon."
Lin's team—Fatty Wang the **Spirit Chef** and Su Mei the **Mana Weaver**—waited nearby, clutching their gear. Fatty's spatula glowed with [Iron Pan Strike Lv. 1], and Su Mei's fingers twitched, ready to cast [Mana Thread Lv. 1]. Both were C-Rank talents, nervous about their first real dungeon but trusting Lin's SSS-Rank (secretly Immortal-Rank) clout.
"Feng, you sure about this?" Fatty asked, munching a glowing dumpling for courage. "Real dungeons have no respawns."
Su Mei adjusted her glasses, voice steady but eyes wide. "If we die, I'm haunting you first."
Lin grinned, flashing the **Dungeon Pass**. "Relax, guys. We've got Xiaohuo, my genius, and Fatty's snacks. What's the worst that could happen?"
The [System] chimed: **[Host, your Luck stat is 10. Tempting fate is unwise.]**
"Shut up, System," Lin muttered, leading his team to the **Hunter's Gate**, a massive portal hub for dungeon runs. Guards scanned his pass, and a shimmering gate opened, revealing a swirling vortex. "Let's make some noise."
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**F-Rank Dungeon: Crimson Fang Hollow**
The portal spat them into a damp, cavernous dungeon lit by bioluminescent fungi. Stalactites dripped water, and the air reeked of moss and blood. The [System] displayed the dungeon's info: **F-Rank, Crimson Fang Hollow. Enemies: Ironfang Wolves, Gloom Rats, Crimson Fang Alpha (D-Rank Boss). Clear Condition: Defeat Alpha.**
"Cozy," Lin said, gripping his dagger. Xiaohuo's scales glowed, casting flickering shadows. "Stay sharp, team."
Fatty clutched his spatula like a lifeline. "I should've packed more dumplings."
Su Mei cast [Mana Thread Lv. 1], linking the team's mana for a 5% speed boost. "Focus, Fatty. Buffs up, panic down."
The first wave hit fast—ten **Gloom Rats** scurrying from the shadows, eyes like red LEDs. Lin activated [Dragon Bond Lv. 1], syncing with Xiaohuo's senses. The world sharpened, every squeak amplified. "Xiaohuo, barbecue time!"
Xiaohuo unleashed [Ember Shot Lv. 2], upgraded pellets exploding into fiery bursts, roasting three rats. Lin dove in, [Dragon Claw Strike Lv. 1] slashing two more, their bodies dissolving into **Rat Tails** and 20 EXP. Su Mei's [Mana Thread] boosted Xiaohuo's attack speed, letting him spam shots, while Fatty's [Spicy Toss Lv. 1] stunned the rest with a cloud of chili fumes.
"Ugh, Fatty, warn us next time!" Su Mei coughed, waving away the stench.
"Sorry!" Fatty grinned, whacking a rat with [Iron Pan Strike]. "It's effective, though!"
**[EXP +20. Level 3: 160/300 EXP]**.
The team pushed deeper, navigating narrow tunnels. A pack of **Ironfang Wolves** ambushed them, five Level 3 beasts with metal-gray fur. Lin used [Dragon Roar Lv. 1], the sonic blast staggering the pack. Xiaohuo's [Drake Slash Lv. 1] carved one wolf's flank, while Lin's [Celestial Evasion] dodged snapping jaws. Su Mei's buffs kept their stamina high, and Fatty's [Spicy Toss] blinded a wolf, letting Lin finish it with a glowing slash.
"These wolves are XP piñatas," Lin panted, collecting **Wolf Pelts** and a **Mana Shard**. **[EXP +50. Level 3: 210/300 EXP]**.
But the dungeon wasn't done. A trap triggered—spiked vines bursting from the walls. Lin shoved Fatty out of the way, taking a graze on his arm (-10 HP). Su Mei's [Mana Thread] healed him slightly (+5 HP), but her face paled. "That was close. This place doesn't mess around."
Lin grimaced, checking his HP: **90/100**. "Yeah, no more heroics. Xiaohuo, scout ahead."
Xiaohuo flapped forward, muttering, "You owe me snacks for this."
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**Boss Arena: Crimson Fang Alpha**
The tunnel opened into a massive cavern, its floor littered with bones. At the center stood the **Crimson Fang Alpha**, a D-Rank wolf twice the size of its kin, its red fur pulsing with mana. Its stats flashed: **Level 6, 800 HP, Weak to Fire, Immune to Poison**.
"Big puppy," Lin whistled. "Xiaohuo, you're up."
The drakeling smirked. "Finally, a worthy chew toy."
Before they could plan, a second portal shimmered, spitting out Li Hao's team—Chen Wei, Zhao Min, and Li Hao himself, his cap hiding his singed hair. "Trash Tamer!" Li Hao snarled. "This boss is mine. Stay out!"
Lin rolled his eyes. "Hair Gel, you're obsessed. Share the XP, or I'll let Xiaohuo fart on you."
The [System] pinged: **[Side Quest: Outshine Li Hao in Boss Fight. Reward: 200 System Points, Random Loot. Penalty: Li Hao Steals Your Kill.]**
"Game on," Lin muttered.
The Alpha roared, charging with [Bloodfang Rush Lv. 2], its claws leaving red trails. Chen Wei tanked it, his **Ironclad Knight** armor sparking (-50 HP). Zhao Min vanished, striking with [Shadow Stab Lv. 2], but the Alpha's thick hide shrugged it off. Li Hao's [Flame Wave Lv. 2] scorched the beast (-100 HP), but it retaliated with [Crimson Howl Lv. 1], a shockwave that knocked Chen Wei flat.
Lin's team sprang into action. Su Mei cast [Mana Thread], boosting Xiaohuo's fire damage by 10%. Fatty hurled [Spicy Toss], the chili cloud making the Alpha sneeze (-15% Accuracy). Lin used [Dragon Roar], stunning the beast, then shouted, "Xiaohuo, combo time!"
Xiaohuo soared, combining [Ember Shot Lv. 2] and [Drake Slash] into a flaming claw barrage, shredding the Alpha's flank (-150 HP). Lin dodged a claw swipe with [Celestial Evasion], then landed a [Dragon Claw Strike], his glowing fingers carving deep (-100 HP). The crowd outside the dungeon, watching via live feed, cheered wildly. "Dragon Tamer's stealing the show!"
Li Hao, fuming, unleashed [Fireball Lv. 3], but Lin "tripped," bumping his arm. The fireball veered, hitting a stalactite, which crashed onto the Alpha (-200 HP). "Oops," Lin grinned. "Clumsy me."
"You—!" Li Hao roared, but the Alpha charged him, forcing a dodge. Chen Wei and Zhao Min were struggling, their HP low. Lin's team, however, was in sync. Su Mei's buffs kept Xiaohuo's attacks relentless, and Fatty's [Iron Pan Strike] clonked the Alpha's snout, stunning it briefly.
Lin saw his chance. "Xiaohuo, ultimate move!" He tossed the drakeling like a flaming missile, who spun, scales blazing, and unleashed a new combo: [Ember Slash Barrage], a flurry of fire-laced claws (-250 HP). Lin followed with [Dragon Claw Strike], diving under the Alpha's jaws to slash its throat. The beast howled, collapsing into pixels.
**[Boss Defeated! EXP +150. Level Up! Lin Feng, Level 4]**
- **Stats**: Strength 16, Agility 18, Intelligence 17, Vitality 13, Luck 11
- **Xiaohuo Level Up! Level 4, Skill Upgrade: Drake Slash Lv. 2 [+15% Damage]**
- **[Quest Completed: Clear F-Rank Dungeon. Reward: 500 System Points, Dragon Skill Shard - Flame Pulse Lv. 1, Mystery Egg]**
- **[Side Quest Completed: Outshine Li Hao. Reward: 200 System Points, Random Loot - Iron Bracer (+5 Strength)]**
The loot pile glittered: **Alpha Fang**, **Crimson Pelt**, and a fist-sized **Mystery Egg**, its surface swirling with red and gold veins. Li Hao's team, battered and empty-handed, glared as the crowd chanted, "Dragon Tamer! Dragon Tamer!"
Lin picked up the egg, grinning at Li Hao. "Better luck next time, Hair Gel. Want a tissue?"
Li Hao stormed off, Chen Wei and Zhao Min trailing. Su Mei smirked. "You're gonna get us killed one day, Feng."
"Worth it," Fatty laughed, holding up a glowing noodle bowl. "Victory feast?"
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**Post-Dungeon Chaos**
Back at the Hunter's Gate, Instructor Zhang was waiting, arms crossed. "Sloppy, but effective," he grunted, eyeing Lin. "That dragon-tossing stunt's reckless, but it works. Keep it up, and you might survive the trials."
Lin saluted, hiding a smirk. "Reckless is my middle name, sir."
In his dorm, Lin examined his haul. The **Iron Bracer** boosted his Strength to 21, and the **Dragon Skill Shard** taught Xiaohuo [Flame Pulse Lv. 1], a short-range fire burst. The **Mystery Egg** pulsed warmly, but the [System] noted: **[Egg Hatches at Host Level 10 or 1000 System Points.]**
Lin's points hit **1550**, tempting him to unlock the [System Shop]'s **Dragon Treat** (300 Points) or save for bigger items. "Patience, Feng," he muttered. "Big rewards come to those who grind."
Fatty and Su Mei crashed in his dorm, eating celebratory dumplings. "That was nuts," Fatty said. "You made Li Hao look like a noob!"
Su Mei nodded, glasses glinting. "But he's not done. Watch your back, Feng."
Lin leaned back, petting Xiaohuo, who was eyeing the **Mystery Egg** suspiciously. "Let him come. I've got a dragon, a system, and zero chill."
The [System] chimed: **[New Quest: Prepare for Weekly Ranking Match. Reward: 400 System Points, Random Equipment. Deadline: 5 days. Penalty: Xiaohuo Hides Your Gear.]**
Lin laughed, tossing Xiaohuo a dumpling. "Hide my stuff, and I'll trade you for a nicer dragon."
Xiaohuo snapped up the dumpling, growling, "Try it, and I'll burn your whole wardrobe."
As the neon lights of Beijing flickered outside, Lin felt the weight of the apocalypse—and the thrill of gaming it. The trials were coming, Li Hao was plotting, and the **Mystery Egg** promised a new ally. Whatever Terra Apocalypse threw at him, Lin Feng was ready to tame it, troll it, and torch it.
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