Chapter 7: The basics
First things first… Zane confirmed that there were no monsters around, so he went to the small town. He thought a while ago that perhaps people would create a camp to help the newcomers, and there was no better place to do that.
After not so long, Zane confirmed that some people were in that town, carrying things, doing things like cooking or forging weapons, and repairing them… it seemed like a true small town. Some of the villagers saw him, but most of them kept going with their daily lives. Still, eventually, a Spearman left the town and approached Zane.
The spear looked pretty good, do Zane wondered where the guy got the ores to forge a spear entirely made of iron. Regardless, the spearman had long, straight black hair and deep brown eyes. He seemed to be in his twenties, and he didn't look even a bit worn down from living inside the dungeon for who knows how long… then again, people of all ages were selected to come.
"Welcome to the first resting point of the dungeon," The spearman said and then offered a handshake. "My name is Gaus."
"... I am Zane," Zane said, accepting the handshake.
"You look young, fifteen, perhaps, and yet, you haven't been cursed by the dungeon…" Gaus said. "Are you looking for someone, or do you want to destroy the dungeon?"
"It seems that those options are common among people of my age that come to the dungeon, huh," Zane said.
"Relatively, yes," Gaus said. "You look fresh, like someone who didn't stay on the first few floors for too long. It seems that you are the type that adapts faster, so you aren't planning to stay here for long. So, let's skip the pleasantries. What have you learned so far from the dungeon?"
Since Zane wanted to answer as well, he decided to answer the question. Gaus began to walk around the town, and then he showed him that some people that were too old or weak to fight decided to live on that floor. They didn't have any confidence that they could reach the last floor, and they didn't want to die, so they stayed behind to help the others in hopes that someone would destroy the dungeon and free them.
In any case, Gaus confirmed that the town had been built a long time ago by some people that had learned a few things more than others on the first floors, and they decided to teach those things to others in hopes that reinforcements would help them sooner.
"This floor is bigger than the others, but not that much. We only can produce enough to feed two hundred people every year," Gaus said. "As you can see, there is a sky, a sun, and night comes as well. Just like the four stations."
"Two hundred people… but more than ten thousand are selected every year," Zane said.
"Yes, but only one thousand or so people survive the first three floors, you can't blame people for dying when they see the magic for the first time, and it is fired toward their heads," Gaus explained. "The mountains that you see are the limits of this floor. Climbing them is impossible, and while people from all over the world came to the dungeon, no one recognized this place."
"So, we are really inside the dungeon, but it feels like it is outside?" Zane asked. "Is this due to the dungeon's magic?"
"Perhaps so. It is hard to say," Gaus replied. "For all intentions and purposes, the dungeon doesn't gain anything for letting this place exist. Anyway, while I can't give the details that I don't know, it is clear that the next floors will be harder. You will need to learn more about the dungeon's magic. We have teachers that help you learn the basics. For example, I can help you learn techniques to enhance your body and magic to enhance your body. There is someone else who can teach you basic magic and someone else that can help you learn the basics of healing."
"How long will it take to learn all that?" Zane asked.
"That changes from person to person, but you seem skilled, so perhaps two weeks?" Gaus asked. "That kind of stuff might save your life more than once, so skipping it isn't like a good idea. Besides, while they are only the basics, they will help you develop your strength. Legend says that the person who created this town developed some insane techniques and magic that no one has ever seen before. Like the power to control the elements or the power to fire arrows that cross hundreds of meters of distance and still hit the target."
Zane wasn't much interested in magic or archery. From what he had heard and experienced, it would be better to focus on a single fighting style and with a single weapon. It is impossible for someone to reach the summit with the use of long-ranged weapons, magic, and close combat… perhaps that wasn't the case considering the system, and if the level-up of the skills didn't have a limit…
"I would like to learn the basics of those subjects," Zane said.
While he said that, Zane was thinking that he would get out as soon as he learned the basic techniques that would improve his fighting style with melee weapons. Once he has free time, and if he deems that necessary, he can practice the other things along the way.
"All right, follow me," Gaus said.
Gaus led Zane to a training building that could be found in the middle of the town. Since he came early in the year, he was the only one that could learn anything in the town. Perhaps he will learn things faster since he was the only student around.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone