My Charity System made me too OP

The group stood together, bruised but victorious. Kara leaned on her shield, smiling. "Looks like we survived the second dungeon floor."

Roselia smirked faintly, brushing some dust off her shoulder. "Barely."

Marian stepped forward, her staff glowing softly as she began to heal the minor injuries among the group. "We should rest before moving on. That thing wasn't easy."

The group stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath.

"That... was intense," Lyric panted, lowering his bow.

"We're lucky we had Kara's skills," Marian said, wiping sweat from her brow.

Leon walked over to the faintly glowing remnants of the core floating in the air. "Rest, yes, but we can't get complacent. This was only the second floor. Eight more to go."

The team chuckled tiredly, but there was a spark of determination in each of their eyes. Together, they were ready to face whatever challenges awaited deeper within the dungeon.

Leon then turned his attention to the creature's remains, sifting through the ash. Among the debris, a crimson gemstone pulsed faintly with heat.

"A Magma Core," he said, holding it up for the group to see. "It's rare and valuable. Perfect for forging fire-resistant equipment or enhancing fire-based magic."

Lyric tilted his head curiously. "So, who gets it?"

Leon shook his head. "Let's save it for now. It's not going to power any of us up in the short term, but it'll definitely come in handy later."

He then held up another glowing item—the second-floor dungeon core, which Roselia had retrieved.

"This, however, is immediate. Now, who's going to get the floor core?" Leon asked, lifting the core for all to see.

The group exchanged glances, then turned to Leon, who smirked at their silence.

"So, who gets it?" Lyric asked again, this time with a teasing grin.

Leon chuckled. "Let's play the lottery again."

The group groaned in mock protest but quickly gathered around, ready to test their luck once more. Leon pulled out a set of sticks, each marked with a number, and held them out.

"Alright, everyone pick one. The lowest number wins," he said, watching as they eagerly drew their sticks.

One by one, they revealed their numbers. Kara groaned as her stick showed a high number, while Lyric's shoulders slumped when his wasn't much better.

Marian grinned as her stick had the winning number. "Looks like it's mine this time," she said with a triumphant smile.

Leon nodded. "Go ahead. Let's see what you get."

Marian held the core tightly, concentrating as it dissolved into her body. A moment later, her eyes widened in surprise.

"I gained three skills!" Marian exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

The group gasped. It was already rare to gain two skills from a dungeon core, like Kara had earlier, but gaining three? That was practically a legendary feat.

"What are they?" Kara asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Marian grinned, her excitement contagious. "The first is Flame Ward, a defensive spell that reduces fire damage for the entire group. The second is Mana Infusion, which boosts mana regeneration during combat."

She paused for dramatic effect before revealing the third. "And the last one is the real game-changer. It's called Magma Knight. Now, I can summon a powerful Magma Elemental Knight!"

Her words left the group in awe. Their expressions ranged from envy to sheer admiration. Summoning skills were extremely rare among it humanoid summoning ones starts from Epic ranks, and one as unique as this could prove invaluable.

Leon's gaze lingered on Marian for a moment, pondering. A summoning skill like that... if only I could get something similar. Humanoid summoning abilities are the best after all.

'Well, after rebate I do got an Peak Epic rank Skill core, so I might get it' Leon thought inwardly.

Breaking out of his thoughts, Leon nodded in approval. "Those are perfect for you. They'll make a big difference as we move forward."

The group cheered for Marian's extraordinary luck, their spirits lifted despite the challenges that still lay ahead. With renewed energy, they began setting up a temporary camp, ready to rest and recover before tackling the dungeon's deeper floors.

***

The group set up camp in the wide, open chamber near the remains of the defeated creature. The air was still heavy with the scent of scorched stone and ash, but the faint warmth of the Magma Core gave their temporary base a comforting glow.

Kara sat sharpening her shield's edges, her face calm but her eyes focused. Lyric inspected his bowstring, testing its tension and flexibility after the last battle. Dren leaned against the cavern wall, chewing on a piece of dried meat, his expression unreadable. Marian sat cross-legged near the center of the camp, experimenting with her new skills. A faint shimmer of flames appeared around her fingers as she tested Flame Ward, while a glowing aura pulsed faintly around her during Mana Infusion.

Roselia, ever watchful, stood at the edge of the group, her sharp eyes scanning the cavern for any signs of danger. Her presence, though silent, was reassuring.

Leon crouched near a makeshift table they had assembled from the rubble, inspecting the Magma Core. It pulsed faintly in his hand, its warmth coursing through his fingertips. His thoughts drifted toward the battles ahead. We're only two floors in, and the challenges are already pushing us. How much tougher will it get as we descend?

"Captain," Kara's voice broke through his musings. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"

Leon placed the core down gently, his expression thoughtful. "We'll rest here for the night. Tomorrow, we'll tackle the third floor. From the map we've been piecing together, it looks like it'll have environmental hazards—lava streams, collapsing paths, maybe even traps. We'll need to be careful."

Marian looked up from her practice, her face serious. "Environmental challenges are one thing, but if there's another creature like what we just faced, we'll need a strategy."

Leon nodded. "Agreed. Kara, your Shockwave ability was crucial in disrupting its movements. Lyric, we'll need precise, long-range attacks to control the battlefield. Marian, your Flame Ward and Magma Knight will help with both offense and defense. Dren…" Leon's gaze shifted. "Keep doing what you do best—holding the line and dealing heavy hits."

Dren smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Got it."

"And Roselia," Leon added, turning to her, "you're our wild card. Stay in the shadows, strike when needed, and protect the group if anyone's in danger."

Roselia's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Understood."

As the night crept in, the cavern grew eerily silent. Each member took turns on watch while the others rested, the glow of the Magma Core and the occasional flicker of Marian's flame aura illuminating the darkness.

When it was Leon's turn to watch, he sat quietly, his hand resting on his sword's hilt. His sharp gaze flicked between the cavern's darkened corners and his team as they slept soundly. Each member was exhausted yet secure, the faint glow of Marian's Flame Ward casting gentle shadows over their resting forms.

They're strong, but we've still got a long way to go, Leon thought. His grip on his sword tightened. I need to get stronger, too—strong enough to protect not just them, but the city when the monster invasion comes.

The old guards' warnings echoed in his mind. They spoke of the Abyss Dungeon as challenging but isolated—a place where you could face one powerful foe at a time. But the monster waves would be a completely different beast. Endless hordes. Countless creatures surging forward like a flood, testing every defense, exploiting every weakness. A chill ran down his spine at the thought of the city's walls being overrun.

His gaze fell to the faintly glowing dungeon cores resting in his inventory. These were valuable artifacts, capable of granting skills or powerful enhancements. Should I absorb them? The question lingered, tempting him. He knew that gaining more skills would undoubtedly increase his power.

But he shook his head. No, I shouldn't. Even if I complete the insane difficulty Trial, the Insane reward will give me at most ten total skills. These cores can bypass the system's restrictions, but if I use them now, I risk wasting their potential. It's better to hold onto them, keep them in reserve. There might be a time when we desperately need them. Or when someone else does.

With a sigh, Leon leaned back against the cool stone wall, his sword resting across his knees. Patience. Strength isn't just about what you can gain for yourself—it's about knowing when to use what you have.

The faint rumble of the dungeon deep below echoed in the cavern, a reminder that their journey was far from over. Leon adjusted his grip, his senses alert. His watch continued in silence, the resolve in his heart firm as he stood guard over his sleeping team and the weight of the battles yet to come.

Back in the city, Luna was working tirelessly, her determination unwavering as she pushed herself harder with each passing day. I'll make this city great for you, Leon, she thought, her resolve shining in her eyes.

Unbeknownst to many, after achieving her goal of revenge, Luna's focus had shifted entirely. Leon had become her top priority. Her heart had fallen for him, and she was determined to build a thriving city for her man. The thought of his approval and pride drove her to take on challenges without hesitation, working hand in hand with others, leading by example, and ensuring the city flourished.