Rise of a Dungeon Lord

"Dungeons, this wasn't something that has always been around in the world of Aincrad"

"In fact, according to my records, the era of dungeons started about a thousand years ago!"

Speaking about the appearance of dungeons, a hint it doubt could be seen on the Pope's face

"Back then, there was no such thing as a status panel, nor was there a levelling system"

"Even you heroes, apart from the blessings you receive from various Gods when you land"

"Only by years of training and trials can you become powerful enough to face the demon king"

"Unlike now where you just have to reach a high enough level"

"Objectively speaking, it could be said that the appearance of the dungeon was both a blessing and a curse for us in Aincrad"

Thinking of his own levelling experience, Even he as the pope couldn't help but nod at the benefits of levelling

However, it was not without its downsides

"A thousand years ago, a seed fell from beyond the sky"

"Even back then the gods where shocked were shocked realising for the first time that there was something above the heavens"

"Unfortunately, before they could explore more about the seed, something happened!"

"Dungeons appeared!"

"All over Aincrad, be it the Demon domain or the continent which we live on, no one was spared from these strange places"

"And if that wasn't enough, just when people were stunned by its sudden appearance"

"A transparent screen appeared in their front, showing them their status screen for the first time"

"Using the status panel as a guide, and dungeons as a means since then people of Aincrad have been able to level up"

"Venturing into dungeons, upgrading levels, finding artefacts, and defeating monsters"

"Or seemed a new era had found its way for us the people of Aincrad"

"Now a thousand years have passed, and while the actual origin of dungeons and the status screen isn't clear"

"However, a hundred years ago, back when the former hero defeated the demon king,"

"During his exploration of a dungeon, he found some sort of prophecy as a prize for conquering it"

Speaking of the prophecy, the Pope tried to hide the yearning in his eyes, obviously he also had some thoughts about it.

"From the mortals on the ground"

"To the Gods in the sky"

"On the day of advent shall weep and cry"

"To those who want honour"

"To those who want fame"

"Only by sitting on the empty throne"

"Can you have your way"

Saying this, the pope kept quiet for a while giving the heroes some time to digest it

"As you can see, although no further information can be found but countless speculations had been made"

"However what most people believe is that hidden in the many dungeons, there's a throne"

"And as long as you grasp the power of this throne, then you would receive can you have the power to make God and man weep"

Hearing this, all the heroes were stunned. Just what kind of fantasy world did they come to?

However, unlike his classmates who were stunned, Kazuma felt an unprecedented sense of excitement swelling in his chest.

*Yes this is it!*

*This is my Kazuma's chance, this throne is definitely a cheat prepared for a protagonist like me!*

Clearing out the earlier sadness from his empty status panel, Kazuma couldn't help but feel happy

Obviously, his adventure as a protagonist was about to kick off.

Thinking of this, he turned to the pope ready to get more information on the throne

Unfortunately, there was no more information

Sensing the raising ambition of the heroes before him, the pope couldn't help but glance at them mockingly

*Cough cough*

"Dear heroes, I must remind you that while this story sounds interesting, you must remember that it's only a story"

"So far during the past hundred years, even after countless explorations"

"Nothing relating to the throne, much less another prophecy had been found"

"Even now, most people have begun to believe that the prophecy was a hoax created by the former hero"

Shaking his head, The pope began to dissuade their thoughts

"Okay then, keeping the unknown throne aside, which dungeon are we going to enter?"

"After all, you said that there were a lot of them"

Raising her hand, Hibiki asked a question on her mind

as for the whole prophecy bit, he wasn't in the mood to chase after fairy tales

"Haha good question miss hero"

"The dungeon you're about to enter is the great dungeon of the undead, located not too far from the empire's capital"

Looking at Hibiki who spoke, unknowingly she had become somewhat pleasing in his eyes

Just kidding, if the prophecy was already a well-known thing in Aincrad, the pope wouldn't have even told them about it

After the empty throne was something he already set his sights on, how would he allow someone otherworldly heroes to go searching for it?

Fortunately now, thanks to Hibiki's question, the topic had successfully changed.

"But don't worry heroes, we're just going to the first level of the dungeon,"

"that should be more than enough for you to level up for a while"

Saying this, the pope gave warm smile to his newly summoned heroes

Sadly what neither he, the heroes, nor the Gods in the sky or demons on the ground knew was that this dungeon trip

This would lead to a series of events that would mark the end for Aincrad and all life as they knew it.

Unfortunately, by the time anyone realised what was going on, it would have been too late

........

The great dungeon of the undead, an unconquered dungeon heralded as one of the best beginner dungeons due to its easy first floors

However, unknown to the outside world a series of mechanical sounds could vaguely be heard from deep within the dungeon.

[Detecting repairs have been completely finished…..]

[Detecting Global gamification and Dungeon proliferation finished…]

[Detecting world name Aincrad…..]

[Detecting world is on the brink of promotion]

[Restarting system...]

[Restart complete...]

[Welcome back Dungeon Lord Ye Tian!]