Dimension dungeon book o.., p.1
Dimension Dungeon: Book One, page 1
Copyright © 2023 S.D. McKittrick
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Contents
Copyright
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Epilogue
Books By This Author
Preface
To get started, I just want to say that some of these facebook groups are amazing and have helped me promote my books.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/litrpgforum
https://www.facebook.com/groups/haremlitbooks
https://www.facebook.com/groups/940262549853662
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitRPG.books
https://www.facebook.com/groups/litrpgs
I hope you have a wondeful time reading my newest novel. Sam has quite the adventure, and it's only getting started.
Chapter 1
“Hit him! Hit him already!” I don’t know why I’m shouting, it’s not like my teammates listen to what I’m saying.
This MMO is more frustrating than the last. But that doesn’t stop me from being good at it. The only reason I’m in this stupid dungeon with my friends is so I can get the rare mining nodes. After all, how am I supposed to craft them new weapons and armor if they don’t help me get the ore needed.
Setting down my pickaxe, I pull out my sword and advance into the fight. Our mage is already out of mana, and my tank is slowly being whittled down as our healer does her best to keep him going.
Tsking, I run up to the agglomeration of slime and bone and start striking at the core. For some reason, my party—despite me yelling out the weakness—hasn’t started breaking the core. What’s worse is this is only the first monster we are up against.
“Jesus, Tim, how have you not figured this out already,” I snap.
Our other damage dealer, Tim, has been a longtime friend. Even through my college years, he has stayed by my side, despite me getting kicked out. But that’s a long story, and right now, I really need to focus on taking down this mob.
Jansen, our tank is one of Tim’s friends, and through proxy, one of mine. I don’t know him very well, but he’s good at his job, and he stays alive in all of our fights. His wife, the healer, Andrea, makes sure to keep him going.
Yeah, I use their real names, at least when we are in private. I hate the gamertags that everyone uses, and I prefer if people use my name—
“Sam, shut up and help me destroy this thing!” Tim yells back.
That’s correct, my name is Samuel, but everyone just calls me Sam. My full name is Samuel Tinner, but very rarely do I let people use my last name. For some reason, I just don’t care for it. So, everyone sticks with Sam, and that’s what I want.
“Break the core already!” I yell. My headset shifts on my ears as I mash the keys to get in position. Rotating through my skills, I watch the health on the slime dip lower and lower as Tim finally starts attacking the core.
Rolling my eyes at the fact that I have to show my friends how to do any of this is annoying. Then again, I put in the most time into the game. Tim still has college classes to attend, and we can only get together on the weekend. Jansen and Andrea are starting their life together after college, and only play when they have time to spare.
That leaves our Mage. Stan. Like me, he puts a lot of time into the game, but we rarely team up. The man drifts from team to team, always helping out those in need.
With one final strike, the slime’s core shatters, and the mob turns into goop on the ground. Experience is divided up to everyone apart from Stan and me. Since we hit max level ages ago, we sit pretty happy. Now I work on smithing, and my crafting jobs. Enchanting is coming along nicely, and I’m getting to the point where I can make better gear than some of the dungeon drops.
Speaking of dungeon, I can get back to mining.
“Keep a watch out while I mine,” I tell everyone.
Stan and Andrea sit back drinking mana potions to recover, while Jansen and Tim move around the cave. Tim’s class of rogue helps him spot any traps, and he can scout rather well in the dark. Whereas my job of the standard warrior doesn’t help so much.
But, with the game’s crazy skill tree, I’ve specialized in quick attacks with max power. I may not have the most health, or recovery, but I can dish out the damage like no other.
But none of that really matters anymore. I hardly get into the fights themselves, leaving the work to my friends. I prefer moving around the caves and mountain sides, working my way through nodes.
It’s a simple life, but one that has skyrocketed my income. Apart from my friends, I have other players commissioning work from me. I’m one of the very few people that has specialized in enchanting and smithing. Anyone can do mining, as all you need is the appropriate tier pickaxe.
Shaking my head, I refocus on my task before moving on. “I’m done in here; we can proceed to the boss room now.”
Jansen waves for the party to gather, and we quickly walk up to the massive double doors that distinguish the start of the boss room. As our tank leads us through, my eyes go wide as I notice all the sparkling nodes.
“I’m going to be rich,” I mumble.
Tim laughs at my excitement before his eyes settle onto the boss. The previous mobs should have indicated that the boss would be some sort of slime variant, but that’s not what we find. Instead, we are up against a massive dinosaur. The t-rex looking monster has a wicked four-pronged tail, and rocks are scattered over the arena.
Looking over the boss before we step in, I give my thoughts. “The boss can use his tail to throw the rocks at us. So be prepared to block. Overall, I don’t think he will be that hard.”
Jansen pulls his hammer free, and steps into the arena with us close behind. Our rogue enters stealth, ready to sneak up and get a critical hit off right away. Stan prepares his best spells; the cast times are extra-long compared to normal. All the while Andrea shifts nervously as she looks at the boulders.
I on the other hand, have moved to the side of the arena and pulled out my pickaxe once again. Since they are going to be busy for a while, I figured now would be a good time to clean out the room. I have faith in my party.
Jansen activates Charge in the last few feet, and smashes into the boss’s side. The resulting stun lines him up for Tim, who sinks his daggers into the monster’s back. As those two jump back, a meteor comes crashing down, taking a chunk of the beast.
I always wondered how Stan was able to summon meteors in a cave, but you know what? Game logic. That’s all I can say. Who cares that we aren’t outside, with an open sky? Who cares that his magic doesn’t hurt allies? Game logic.
And speaking of the game, I’ve already moved on from my first node. The second is further up, and I have to climb the wall to reach it. A small platform is just out of reach.
It takes half of my character’s stamina to reach the outcropping. I don’t like how stamina drains faster with jumping and climbing actions compared to combat, but I suppose they had to make it so you couldn’t climb the mountains at max level. At least without stopping every few feet.
With the second node in reach, I mechanically let my character mine while I pan the camera to the fight. Jansen is missing half his health after taking a boulder to the face, and Tim is nearly dead from the splash damage. Andrea is quickly healing them back up, but Tim still has to use a potion to keep himself going.
Stan is already on his first mana potion, as he cycles through his basic skills. Fireball, Lightning Strike, and Frost Bolt. The three moves make up the main arsenal of any mage, and no matter what level you are, they are a potent combo of damage.
As I move from node to node, the boss is slowly whittled down. And as I finish the last rock, the victory music plays and Tim levels up. Since I wasn’t part of the fight, my share of experience went to the others. That’s another reason I didn’t partake in the boss fight. These dungeons are meant to level up my friends, since my sh are disappears into the void.
Walking over to the exit portal, I wave everyone over. “I’ll let you all figure out the drop chest. I’m going to go and get the ore smelting before calling it a night.”
Tim happily runs up to the chest. “See you later, dude!”
Jansen uses the wave emote, letting me know he heard me as he keeps his headset off most of the time. Andrea bows, which I find odd, but that’s her preference.
Stan on the other hand, claps his hands and uses the portal first. Since he doesn’t need the drop items, I don’t blame him. Shaking my head in real life, I portal out, and return to my home and shop that I bought. The district I’m in is well known, and I bring in enough business that my neighbors profit as well.
That helps me stay on good terms with those around me. There’s been many days where they drop off potions, or various ores for me to use. It’s their way of thanking me for helping them make extra money.
Tapping on my magic smelter, I que up several bars of ore. The rare Mantanite ore will be very profitable now that I have got my hands on it. Most players don’t like diving the dungeons just to get their hands on crafting materials. It’s all about the levels so the nodes go untouched, which means I can’t even buy the stuff off the market. That leaves me with one word, frustrating.
Logging off, I close the game down for the night, and stretch as I move away from my computer. Looking to my side, I feel my mattress call my name, and sleep nearly beckons me forward. That is until my stomach growls, and I remember that I skipped lunch and dinner to play the game.
My studio style apartment is barely big enough for my tv, computer set up, and bed. The small kitchen takes up a quarter of the room, while the bathroom is barely big enough for me to fit in. Which is frustrating since I stand at six feet even.
Brushing my scraggly brown hair out of my eyes, I look in the mirror before leaving for the night. Brown eyes stare back at me, and all I can think about is my next haircut. I really shouldn’t let it get this long, but then again, it’s not like I have anybody to keep up appearances for. Apart from my hair, I’ve been told I’m more handsome than I think. I don’t know what it is that draws the women in, but I never had a problem while I was in college. I even dated a few of the ladies. But now… Now that is all dried up. The beginnings of a beard are growing along my jaw and lips. The brown prickles are a reminder that I haven’t shaved in a few days. Then again, it’s not a bad look. A lot of people are growing beards nowadays.
Stripping off my pajamas, I look over my toned body. The gym has been good for me, and lean muscles fills out my frame. Even though I’m a lazy bum most days, I still go to the gym a few times a week. I enjoy the feeling of getting stronger, I’m just glad I don’t have bulging muscles like some body builder. I prefer my toned and defined muscles.
Getting dressed in a plain t-shirt and jeans, I slip on my shoes. Grabbing my wallet and keys, I decide to walk down to the local burger shop and pick up a late dinner. They know me by name at this point, and I’m sure as soon as I walk in, they will start making my meal.
Chuckling, I rub my stomach. For how often I eat out, my metabolism is amazing. My part time job is enough to pay the bills, and keep me fed, but I’m still in the market to find real work.
Ever since I was kicked out of college, I haven’t felt the need to really apply myself in the workforce. Of course, that pissed off my mother and father, but what can they do. Sue me?
Chuckling to myself, I make my way down the street. The quiet night is the perfect reminder of my peaceful neighborhood. Smiling at the few pedestrians that are out this late, like me, I reach the burger joint in no time.
And I was right, they are making my sandwich already. They must have seen me through the window, and I smile as the highschoolers, and young college student wave at me as I enter.
A few of them laugh with me as they call out my name, and I pull out the last of my cash.
“That was fast guys,” I comment.
The teen shakes his head and rings up my order. “For our favorite customer, we move quickly.”
Smiling, I take my meal and leave the shop behind. A crack and rumble shakes the air as lightning splays across the open sky.
Frowning, I glance up and fail to find any clouds. My hair starts rising, and a tingle runs through my body as I step back towards the shop.
“What the hell?” I ask myself, reaching for the door, I fail to make it as the world turns white.
A blistering pain runs through my body, and I feel myself hit the ground. Then nothing. The world disappears, and all I can ask myself is, “Did I just die?”
Chapter 2
The smell of fresh baked cookies fills the air as I struggle to open my eyes.
“Samuel…” the sweet sound of my mother’s voice calls out to me. “Samuel, it’s time to wake up…”
“Mother?” I ask, groaning as I roll over.
My hand comes into contact with a soft mattress, and my eyes spring open the rest of the way. Running my hand across my face, I wipe away the gumminess from the corner of my eyes, and really stare down at my mattress.
“What the hell?” Looking around, I find myself in a log cabin style room while laying on a twin sized mattress. The unfamiliar comforter is draped over my legs, and my usual clothes are gone. Instead, I’m wearing what looks like white pants, and a plain white shirt. My feet have those grippy socks on them, but there’s no sign of any shoes.
Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I recoil slightly as a massive headache settles into place. But just as suddenly as it strikes, it fades away.
Disoriented, I shake my head lightly. “What’s going on?”
“Samuel…” mother calls from the other room.
Setting my feet on the ground, I cautiously walk towards the open door. The smell of pine and cedar fills the air, mixing with the chocolate chip cookies. Just where exactly am I?
Stepping into what can only be called the living area, I look across the room and spot the attached kitchen. Between there and me, are a sofa, two reclining chairs, and a dining room table that seats six. What I don’t see is my mother.
Even though I don’t see my mother, I still spot the fresh cookies sitting on the table. Walking past them for now, I check the kitchen. The stove is still warm, and the cookie sheet is still hot. So, I’m not just imagining the cookies being fresh.
Furrowing my brow, I look around one last time. Tentatively, I take one of the cookies, and bite into the sweet, soft treat. The flavor explodes in my mouth, an exact replica of my mother’s.
Shrugging, I take a second one and walk towards the front door. Using my elbows, I get the door open, and step out to one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
The trees of a forest are cleared back, giving me a wonderful view of a calm lake. The sun is rising over the horizon, spilling a soft light over the forest, and shining across the water. Ducks and swans are diving in the lake, bringing up food to start their day, and birds chirp in the nearby trees.
Pines, furs, maples, and spruce trees make up the surrounding forest. But it’s the smell of smooth tobacco that catches my attention. Turning to the right, I find an elderly man sitting on a swinging chair.
“Come sit down, Sam,” he says without taking his eyes off the lake.
Just to his side is a lounge chair with a clean cushion calling my name. Bringing my cookies along, I slowly take my seat, waiting for the man to continue.
“You probably have a lot of questions,” he starts saying slowly. “I assure you I will answer all of them, but first let me explain why you are here. Before I start, why don’t you tell me what you think of the cookies?”
“How did you make them like this?” I mumble around a bite of cookie.
Chuckling the old man turns and meets my eye. “Your mother is a wonderful baker. I simply took inspiration from her recipe and made what you are now eating.” Pausing, he watches me take another bite. “So, I take it that you like them?”
Nodding, I set down my second cookie to focus on my first. “I do. But why did I hear my mother’s voice when I first woke up?”
