Calvin found the confused and volatile behavior of the Saintess immensely amusing.

  One second, she looked absolutely grateful, the next second, she looked confused and the next, she looked like she was frustrated. Which was exactly how Calvin himself felt back when his master revealed that he was a demigod.

  But Calvin had been a mere orphan, not fully exposed to the world nor rooted in any beliefs. If he’d been so confused and gobsmacked about the revelation—I mean, the man did reveal he was a fricking demigod, so it was only fair—then he could only imagine how the Saintess must feel.

  It brought a bit of glee, it was fun seeing her so flustered. He was part of a grand joke that only he and his master were privy to. Now the Saintess was joining them, but she was the target of the ‘joke’ right now.

  The Saintess finally stopped reacting so interestingly once his master focused back onto Calvin. “Now that’s settled, let’s conquer this dungeon.”

  Right. Calvin turned his gaze towards the grand iron doors.

  That was why they were here—for him to become an S-Ranker. Just like that, out of nowhere. Like it was so easy to overturn the fate of countless mortals, to casually reach this peak that people could only dream about.

  S-Rank. No one just became S-Rank. People needed luck, grit, determination and immense support to even have a chance, and even then they often failed.

  Well, he guessed he had all four of those things in a way. He needed immense luck to get his master’s attention, had immense support from his master, and now he’ll need the other two to actually succeed in becoming a S-Ranker.

  His master began walking towards the iron doors calmly, and then reached out to them… gently, in a picturesque manner. Every single movement of his felt like they were straight out of an ethereal painting, depicting a type of effortless regal elegance that Calvin hadn’t even known existed.

  No, far more than regal. Godly.

  With a flick of one finger, the doors swung open wildly, wind billowing around them and finally opening the S-Rank Dungeon within—the Dungeon of Relfow.

  Dominic turned towards his disciple. “Alright then, come on, let's go in.”

  Calvin, to his credit, followed him calmly and entered the cave without hesitation.

  Impressive for an unranked mortal, who’d never entered a dungeon before. But then again, Calvin did have the support of a demigod. Hadn’t Dominic himself behaved somewhat like this with his master's support?

  He shouldn’t act too impressed—it wasn’t healthy to idolize and praise a child too much, that was parenting 101. Everything in moderation.

  But aren’t you impressive, Mister Dominic?

  (づ ?. ?)?

  Dominic blinked. Well, I am considered a one-in-an-eon genius even amidst the gods, so I could be considered impressive, yes, even if it might sound like I’m tooting my own horn.

  Then doesn’t that mean Mister Disciple, who is acting like past you, deserves some praise and is worthy of you being impressed, Mister Dominic? Clearly, you aren’t idolizing him too much!

  (?? ? ??)

  …that actually made sense. Dominic grinned wildly. Man, my disciple is too amazing! He really does take after his master!

  (?? ? ??)

  A tiny echoing knocking sound—a rock falling—brought Dominic’s attention back to the cave. He looked around, gauging what an S Rank Dungeon was like. The cave itself resembled any other cave, exceptional only for its large width.

  It was dark. It was damp. It was grimy. And it felt very cave-like.

  Then again, he’d explored far too many caves to find any of them new or enchanting at this point, unless it was the home of an eldritch abomination and twisted beyond recognition. No, actually, the Soul Eaters—well, that one specific Soul Eater—had their caves. So he really couldn't be impressed by any kind of cave at this point. Pity. He liked being impressed.

  But his disciple and the Saintess, however, clearly felt differently. They looked nervous and trepid, looking around hesitantly, looking like they had not entered a cave but the maw of death.

  Of course, his disciple hid it very well—my disciple is just too awesome!—but the saintess, not so much. Maybe it was because she was still reeling from the revelation that Dominic was a demigod, and her emotions were unstable?

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  And then, he felt a distant pulse against his perception. The first monster had spawned within the dungeon.

  He could hear its footsteps—faint, but easily discernible to someone of his level—and within a few seconds, it emerged from the darkness.

  A very adorable wolf. Like it was straight out of a cutesy animation film, as wolf-like as they could make while also making it as darn cute as possible. It had a boopable snout, adorable teeth and a dopey expression on its face—along with gleaming silver fur that only slightly detracted from its whole ‘pwease-pet-me’ look.

  If not for the fact that it had two large white wings on its back—which only added to its cuteness, it looked like a baby wolf angel—people would think that it was a husky, not a wolf.

  Not at all what he was expecting, as a monster from an S Ranked Dungeon. Seriously, was its strategy to kill with cuteness or something?

  But then he heard the chattering of teeth and looked over to check on the others.

  Calvin and Hannah clearly disagreed with his assessment very strongly, their perception of the wolf not nearly as pleasing.

  Calvin had stiffened up, his expression alert while the saintess trembled, her teeth chattering loud enough to create a quick drumbeat.

  Dominic blinked. Why was she trembling? She did know that she had a demigod supporting her, right? Was she just that much of a fearful person? A scaredy cat?

  Gabrielle, as always, chimed in, bringing his logic back to normality.

  Every Relfow, even the common dungeon minions, have the Specialization Fear Inducement, Mister Dominic. You, having faced unimaginable horrors, are not influenced by this mere level forty Fear Inducement—their strongest specialization in fact—but defenseless Mister Disciple and sheltered Miss Saintess are going react quite badly. They probably see a terrifying monster invoking such a deep fear in them that they've even forgotten—or unable to process—the fact that they have a demigod right next to them.

  Gabrielle out!

  ????(? ?? ? - ? ) ?

  Dominic stared at them blankly. Right, so should he stop their fear? Or would it be beneficial for his disciple?

  I’ll pop in and help Mister Disciple just the slightest bit, Mister Dominic, since he has to grow naturally! It would be better to make Miss Saintess immune from it using your authority, Mister Dominic, considering she has no need to grow in any other ways but level up her titles to match their current Temporary State!

  (?? ? ??)

  That works. Dominic grinned.

  Calvin felt his very bones freeze, like someone had stuffed ice within them. He couldn’t move no matter how hard he tried, like he was already dead and had no control over his body. Like the monster in front of him was a grim reaper rather than a wolf, something he could not even dream of beating.

  Logically, some small part of his mind insisted that the wolf was not something that could kill him, not as long as his master was here, the immortal who had given him a new lease on life.

  But the rest of him, the core primal parts of him that ruled over him when his body was in fight or flight, told him to run away. Run away as far as he could, away from this cave, this whole region, run away till he’d never see a living creature again.

  System Notification:

  You are in a status of Extreme Fear currently, influenced by Specialization Fear Inducement, Lvl 40.

  By the system coordinator’s request, you have temporarily gained the Specialization ‘Fear Nullification, Lvl 40. This Temporary Specialization shall not show up on your status, and shall disappear as soon as you leave the dungeon.

  He blinked. The paralyzing terror faded. His bones were very warm all of a sudden, like he was lounging peacefully on a warm beach.

  Calvin rubbed at his eyes when he saw the horrifying monster for what it truly was: an oversized dog with wings. The wings only made the dog—it honestly didn’t deserve to be called a wolf, that would be an insult to all the terrifying and feral wolf monsters out there—more adorable.

  He looked at the creature intently, trying to figure out how to deal with it, when the system's notification appeared again.

  System Notification:

  By the system coordinator’s request, you have temporarily gained the Specialization ‘Inspect, Lvl 40’.

  This is the last perk that you shall be receiving.

  Good luck for your journey.

  Immediately, the monster’s status appeared in front of him.

  Relfow Minion’s Status Screen:

  Level: 52

  Specializations:

  Fear Inducement [Lvl 40]

  Strike [Lvl 35]

  Creep [Lvl 40]

  Titles:

  Dungeon Belonging [Common, A Grade]

  When his focus lingered on the Title, it expanded, a description popping up below it.

  Dungeon Belonging [Common, A Grade]:

  Description:

  For as long as this monster is in this dungeon, they shall gain a 10% extra boost for all their abilities. When they are close to death, they shall receive a 50% boost on all their abilities.

  Calvin blinked. This. Oh wow. This monster would kill him easily, wouldn't it? He turned towards his master.

  Dominic wore a small, calm smile. “Hesitation is normal. Fight it. Don't worry. You can beat it. Or you will learn how to beat it, at least. Eventually.”

  “But… Master, I'm unranked and I have no weapon and—” If he had at least a weapon, or some kind of a base he could work with, begin his journey with… But before he could continue that thought, his master interrupted him.

  “You have your teeth. You have your desperation. You will kill it and we'll wait till you do.”

  Calvin turned back to the monster and determination filled him, replacing the earlier hesitation. He would be truly ashamed of himself if he still hesitated even after his master confidently assured him it was possible, that this was the best way to progress.

  There was no reason to be afraid. He had a demigod for a master. Where did all my determination and fire go? The fear had clearly influenced him. Destabilized him for a few seconds.

  But it was fine. He could feel his heart sparking again.

  Calvin would fight this monster and he would win.