Dungeon of Pride, Laplace



So when one defeats their opponent this energy gets transferred into the body of the one that came out as the victor thus assimilating with them and becoming the fuel for their own growth.

For Simon, each victory against a powerful adversary meant absorbing their experience points, enabling him to accumulate the necessary energy to level up. The transfer of this mystical energy was a mystical process, with the defeated foe's power becoming part of the victor's own.

Generally, a level-up is characterized by the distinctive increase in one's stats—Strength, Agility, Defence, Endurance and Magic. It is the enhancement of these attributes and stats that contribute to an individual overall power and abilities.

Strength represented physical power, determining the force behind their attacks and the ability to overpower opponents. Agility governs speed, reflexes, and dexterity, allowing for swift movements and evasion.

Defence measures resilience and the ability to withstand damage, mitigating the impact of enemy strikes. Endurance represents stamina, vitality, and resilience to fatigue and physical exertion. It determines their ability to endure prolonged battles, withstand intense magical assaults, and recover from injuries.

Magic determines one's proficiency in casting and the manipulation of mystical energy.

Every race and organism in this world has a unique and different increase in stats during a level up. For Simon who was a Demon Noble, every time he levels up, he gains 3 points in Strength, 5 points in Agility, 4 in Endurance, 3 in Defence and 5 in Magic.

It was the same for every demon noble or rather this is the general distribution of stats for their race. As mentioned earlier, it is different for other races.

Aside from the stats earned during level up, there was also something called the base stats. Stats that are predetermined from the moment they are born and serve as the foundation for one's growth and development.

For example, Simon observed that when he was just a level 1 Demon Baron, he already had 600 Base Strength, 600 Base Agility, 800 Base Magic and so on so forth.

These base stats are different and intrinsic for each race, providing them with a starting point for their growth and development.

In the case of humans, Simon noticed that although they have low base stats at the start, the points that they earn through level up, are marginally higher than most of the other races. The cause for this was the human's Class Change.

Depending on the class they chose, the level up increases specific stats according to their individual preferences and playstyle.

It is important to note that one cannot improve base stats through training, experience, or levelling up. It is prefixed from the start. However, it is not like it cannot be improved. This is where the Rank up in the case of Demon Nobles, Class Change for Humans, and Evolution for Beast and monsters comes into play.

In the case of Demon Nobles, when they experience a Rank Up, their base stats see a drastic change. From what Simon noticed after observing himself all these years, when he ranked up from a Demon Baron to a Demon Viscount and from Demon Visount to a Demon Earl, on top of gaining all those stats from his level up, his base stat had seen a stark increase.

This increase became bigger the higher the rank he reached and also the reason why the higher ranking demons were so powerful. It was not only their levels, but even their base stats were so much higher.

The same goes for the other races. Of course, there are other factors like the bloodline limits and such involved in the level up process, but this is how it works generally.

Defeating powerful opponents and absorbing their energy was one way of levelling up in Althaea. The other method was using items like the Mana Crystals.

Mana Crystals are extraordinary items condensed from the purest energy of the mystical veins over an extended period of time. When one absorbs a Mana Crystal, it releases an immense amount of mystical energy that can greatly aid in increasing their level.

These crystals come in varying grades, denoted as grade [1], [2], [3], and so on. The higher the grade, the purer and more potent the energy contained within the crystal.

Grade [1] Mana Crystals are the lowest grade and generally more accessible compared to higher grades. They contain a considerable amount of mystical energy, but their effects may be relatively moderate.

As one progresses to higher grades, such as grade [2] and beyond, the energy becomes more refined and concentrated, resulting in a more substantial level boost.

The process of utilizing Mana Crystals involves absorbing the energy within them, allowing it to merge with the individual's own mystical energy and expedite their levelling process.

By tapping into the power of these crystals, individuals can experience a significant increase in their stats. It's important to note that the availability of higher-grade Mana Crystals is usually limited, making them highly sought after and valuable commodities.

Their scarcity and purity contribute to their elevated prices and their allure to those who seek rapid advancement. Additionally, the use of Mana Crystals for levelling may be a safer alternative compared to the traditional method of battling powerful opponents and slowly gain experience points through them.

By absorbing the energy within the crystals, one could increase their level without directly facing the dangers and physical exertion of intense battles. It was a convenient option that allowed individuals to grow stronger without putting their lives at risk.

However, there were limitations to this method. As an individual's level increased, their body would gradually develop a resistance to the effects of Mana Crystals. This resistance would diminish the potency of the crystals, making it more challenging to continue levelling up using them.

To overcome this hurdle, higher-grade crystals were required. However, as explained before, Higher-grade Mana Crystals were exceptionally rare and held greater amounts of pure energy.

These crystals could only be obtained from Mana Crystal Trees that had reached adulthood. Mana Crystal Trees thrived in environments rich in mystical energy, typically in areas where a mystical vein ran beneath the surface.

These trees required meticulous care and maintenance, thus finding Mana Crystal Treea that have reached adulthood was a truly rare occurrence in the outside world.

Aside from Mana Crystal Trees, another source of Mana Crystals was through mining. Specific areas with mystical veins deep beneath the earth would give rise to quarries where Mana Crystals could be extracted.

These quarries acted as natural repositories of Mana Crystals and provided an alternative means of obtaining these valuable resources. However, it was important to note that both the Mana Crystal Trees and quarries were limited in number.

The rarity and scarcity of higher-grade Mana Crystals made them highly coveted and sought after by many individuals and countries. And the reasons for wars and clashes. 

Whether it be through battling formidable adversaries or harnessing the concentrated energy of Mana Crystals, both methods have their own ups and downs. That said, all of these did not matter to Simon after all, he had the aid of his Dungeon with him.

The presence of a dungeon was a significant advantage for Simon in his quest for power. A dungeon, regardless of its rank, held immense potential and acted as a treasure trove of resources and opportunities.

It existed in a separate space, governed by its own set of laws and rules. As the dungeon grew and expanded, it accumulated a rich reserve of mystical energy, making it a fertile ground for the production of extraordinary items and resources.

Intermediate-ranking dungeons were known to harbor numerous Mana Crystal Trees and quarries, where Mana Crystals could be obtained. The abundance of these resources within such dungeons provided ample opportunities for growth and advancement.

In the case of high-ranking dungeons, the presence of fully matured Mana Crystal Trees was not an uncommon sight. As the Dungeon Master, Simon had always prioritized the development and growth of his dungeon above all else.

He recognized that the strength and prosperity of his dungeon directly correlated with his own power and potential. Therefore, he spared no effort in pushing the boundaries and unlocking the true potential of his domain. 

Not only that, but to accelerate the growth of his dungeon, Simon went to great lengths to meet the requirements set by Aldebaran, the Ruler of the Ancient Titan Treants.

Despite the absurd and demanding conditions imposed upon him, Simon willingly agreed to them, recognizing the immense value of the Forest Spring Spirits' assistance in nurturing his dungeon.

Simon's dedication to his dungeon extended beyond mere agreements and negotiations. He was willing to go to great lengths, even risking his own life, to protect and defend his domain from external threats.

He engaged in numerous life-and-death battles, demonstrating his unwavering commitment and determination to safeguard his dungeon. The dungeon that he named after his unfulfilled dream that he couldn't see come to fruition in his previous life, became the embodiment of Simon's aspirations and ambitions.

Thanks to his strategic management and careful planning, one could see the fruit of his efforts with just a glance at his dungeon. Even though Dungeon Laplace had emerged not too long ago, its rapid ascent from a low-ranking [E] tier dungeon to an intermediate-ranking [C] tier dungeon was nothing short of remarkable.

This accomplishment spoke volumes about Simon's strategic management and careful planning. The dungeon, named after his unfulfilled dream, had become a beacon of hope and aspiration for adventurers and denizens alike.

That was not all, as one delved deeper into the various floors of Dungeon Laplace, a world of wonder and excitement unfolded.