The Primal Hunter

Jake and company had visited many city floors before and knew what to expect. Except, this was not a normal city floor. This one was made by Minaga, and the Unique Lifeform had already warned them this place would be special. A special floor made by a special guy.

Upon their immediate arrival, Jake did not see what was so different. At first glance, it looked just like a usual city. As long as you ignored the fact that Jake spotted at least a dozen statues of Minaga just from where they entered, and the general architecture reminded him a bit of that mage area he had visited to buy his current bracers.

As usual, the system messages also appeared, inviting them to the floor.

You have arrived on Minaga’s City Floor of Nevermore.

All violence outside of the arenas is strictly prohibited on all city floors, including this unique City Floor. Challenge Dungeon(s) can be found in the central square. If Nevermore is left and reentered, you will automatically be taken to the latest city floor unlocked.

Nothing really seemed off… but then he saw the next part.

Due to the nature of Minaga’s City Floor, you cannot proceed to floor thirty-six immediately. In order to proceed, you must pay the toll at the city gates. Minaga’s City Floor uses the currency known as Minaga Coins. Minaga Coins can be earned by selling items through brokers in the many stores spread throughout the city. Normal Credits can be used to pay for other goods through the stores or between non-residents of the floor. Minaga Coins cannot be traded between dungeoneers. All party members must pay their own toll.

The toll to enter the next floor is determined based on your level upon entering this floor the first time.

“Hm, this is quite the curveball,” the Sword Saint muttered as he read the description.

“Yeah…” Dina nodded.

“This is definitely something,” Jake commented. “But what exactly is the point of this? It wants us to sell items to some stores? And we can only buy stuff using Credits… is this some kind of money sink created to battle Credit inflation by forcing us to spend money on getting a currency that is useless to us outside of paying some toll?”

“I find the lack of trade-ability of these coins a severe oversight. What exactly is one meant to sell? I can see the hunter sell his potions, and perhaps the Dryad sell her herbs and such, but why would the Sylphian or I have any goods these brokers are willing to buy?” the Fallen King complained.

Jake was about to propose maybe someone could just leave Nevermore and bring a bunch of valuable stuff to sell… but then he saw the next message.

Main objective: Pay the toll to move onto the thirty-sixth floor.

Bonus objectives: Do not leave Nevermore before paying the toll.

Current progress: Pay the Toll. Do not leave Nevermore.

Note: This floor has no hidden objectives, achievements, or events.

Current Nevermore Points: 28473

Reading it, Jake saw the bonus objective. They were not allowed to leave this place, so even if one wanted to get help from outside, it wouldn’t work. Jake thought for a second before sighing.

“Worst comes to worst; I am sure we can scrounge stuff together. I quite frankly have a shitload of valuable stuff hidden away from the ceremony,” Jake shook his head.

“Hm, I guess that is an option,” the Sword Saint nodded.

“Won’t work,” a voice spoke from ahead of them as a figure teleported in from outside of Jake’s Sphere of Perception. Instantly, he was put on guard as Jake felt the aura of the person in front of them, and he used Identify, going for a full scan.

[Human – lvl 349 – Minor Blessing of Alcradia]

of C-grade… nearly B-grade. Jake knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that if it came down to a fight, he would not stand a chance. Luckily, a fight was not even

you mean it won’t work?” Jake asked. “And who are you? Sorry, but I do find it a bit suspicious when a random person just teleports right in front of me after listening in

Golden Road Emporium, and I serve the merchant god Alcradia. As for

did you feel the

a change on the

“Ree!” Sylphie screeched.

said. “Spoilers aren’t nice. We wanted to

“I apolo-“

me guess. Seeing as everything you can trade for Minaga Coins has to

smiled. “I will not deny that. The Demon Lord on the highest difficulty offers quite the rewards if

Jake shrugged as he motioned for

guide?” the peak C-grade asked, still acting nice. “There are still some things to learn. If any of you are crafters, you

made on this floor counts as “from Nevermore” even if the creation uses materials from the outside,” Jake interrupted him. “Still not interested, and worst comes

true on prior floors, here, that is not possible. The dungeon master does not appear here or speak, as it is a city floor. He does not have a copy here dedicated to your party, after all. It is only in extremely rare cases he has made his

whenever you want me to,” Minaga

never expect you to,” Jake

slowly turned his

“This one greets the-“

Minaga waved his hand as the guy

godly title,” Jake said, pointing at where the guy

don’t think he was,”

“He totally was.”

you would

attempt at gaslighting will not

never and have never gaslighted anyone, and I find the accusation highly inflammatory,” Minaga said with a sad expression before his mood took a one-eighty, and he grinned as he turned to the Sword Saint. “Ah, sorry about the fire-related

just raised an

Jake relented. “Now, could you tell me why you decided to make this floor the way you

just fly through every single floor – you know, like you do – and that includes the city floors. I wanted this one to at least take some time and give people a good reason to spend longer here than on other city floors. So I introduced the Minaga Coin and the toll, but the coins can also be used for other things than just the toll. Though, I am not going to lie… none of these things matter to your party. I would advise you five to just quickly gather the toll and get out of here,” Minaga explained before sighing. “I can’t believe I

we go about collecting

still spend a bit of time here to

we just spend a shitload of Credits, buy a lot of crafted stuff from others, and sell that for coins

coins you can earn monthly from

a feeling there really

gotta do stuff yourself to get coins!

entered the conversation as he referred to himself and Sylphie. “How are we supposed to earn any coins?

are non-combat that earn tokens you can exchange for coins. You can also fight in the arena once a day, something I feel like you both would enjoy. The arena is time-limited and will repeatedly send new things out to kill

questioned. Usually, Minaga liked to be all secretive, but here he just shared stuff

gives any bonus points,” Minaga shrugged. “Me helping you while giving some basic advice will have a minimal effect. Plus, I teleported away the guy who would have said something similar, so in some ways, you can argue I am just

entire floor gives no

is a city floor,” Minaga

you are legitimately just doing this to waste everyone’s

point of view, it may seem like a waste of time, which I can totally respect and promptly not care about as I force you to play my

any ideas that would help him cheese this floor. Minaga seemed to have thought