Chapter 36: First Dungeon (1)
The sun had yet to rise as I woke up early in the dawn. The cold breeze of the accumulated night welcomed me as I made my preparations for the dungeon. It was not my first time going into the dungeon, but it was my first time going there alone.
After getting ready and packing my belongings, including the spatial bracelet, I made my way to the black market once again.
The city of Ariopolis was a slight corner city, but at the very least, the developed technology was still there, and the society adapted to it too. Even though the sun had yet to rise, I could see people walking to their jobs, driving their cars to their jobs on the way.
Anyway, since yesterday, I grabbed myself the Black Market identification card, I did not repeat the same process, just showing the card was alone enough. Just like that, I entered the black market once more.
The bustling alleys were already alive with activity as merchants set up their stalls and customers browsed through the various goods.
Navigating through the crowd, I made my way to the headquarters of [Wildcatter]. The organization's headquarters stood out amidst the chaotic landscape of the black market. Its building was adorned with holographic projections that showcased its various services and achievements.
Bright neon lights illuminated the facade, displaying the organization's name in bold letters that could be seen from afar.
As I approached the entrance, I noticed a mix of seasoned hunters, mercenaries, and traders coming and going. Some wore elaborate armor and carried formidable weapons, while others donned more discreet attire, blending in with the crowd. It was evident that [Wildcatter] catered to a diverse clientele, all seeking the expertise and support that the organization provided.
The guards stationed at the entrance were no ordinary personnel. They were skilled individuals, their aura giving off an air of experience and power. Each one scanned incoming visitors carefully, ensuring the safety and security of the premises.
I approached the entrance with confidence, showing my Black Market identification card to one of the guards. He glanced at it briefly before nodding and allowing me to pass.
Once inside, I was greeted by a bustling atmosphere. The lobby was spacious, with holographic screens displaying real-time dungeon data, mission requests, and ongoing transactions. The walls were adorned with images of renowned hunters who had completed exceptional feats, their names etched below each picture as a testament to their achievements.
Even though almost all of them were aliases, that was their real identity in this place.
It was a place that was very different from the guilds you would see out there. The luxurious entrances, the mighty feeling of guilds, none of them was there. After all, this place was the black market. People didn't come here because they liked the atmosphere….I mean, there were probably some that liked it, but the main idea here was not attracting customers. They would come on their own.
A central desk stood at the heart of the lobby, where a receptionist attended to incoming clients. She wore a sleek black suit, exuding an air of professionalism. Her eyes glanced up at me, and she offered a warm smile.
"Welcome to [Wildcatter]. How can we assist you today?" she asked politely, but I could see her squinting gaze narrowing down on me. She clearly was looking down on me but, at the same time, trying to sound polite.
That was something I got pretty familiar with over this last week, so I didn't care.
"I am looking for a dungeon to explore," I answered.
"Sure." The woman immediately snapped out of her squinting gaze and turned her attention to the computer. "What type of dungeon do you wish to explore, and what rank should it be?"
"Type doesn't matter much, but its strength must be in the range of low-intermediate rank-2," I answered.
Just as the way monsters were graded, the dungeon's grading system was the same. The monsters inside the intermediate rank-2 dungeon would have the strength of 2.5 stats average.
As the woman typed away on her computer, I looked around the bustling lobby, taking in the various displays and holographic screens showcasing available dungeon exploration opportunities.
"Here, these are the available dungeons right now." Then, the woman spoke as a holographic screen appeared before me, listing all the dungeons. "Keep in mind that these dungeons are subject to availability, so it's best if you make your decisions quickly."
Looking at the dungeons listed before me, I started reading the names. I studied the information and settled on one that seemed promising.
"I'll take the Verdant Forest," I said, pointing to the holographic image. It was a dungeon that was in a forest environment where the weather was warm and the conditions were not that extreme. And the conditions for entering were also not bad."
The receptionist nodded, seeming satisfied with my choice. "A wise decision. The Verdant Forest is a mid-tier dungeon known for its diverse ecosystem and formidable beasts. Will this be a solo expedition, or are you planning to join a party?"
"I prefer to go solo," I reiterated.
"Very well," she replied, jotting down my preference. "Please pay the entrance fee, and sign the contract here." As the woman explained, the way [Wildcatter]'s worked was the same as rental cars, etc. You would explore the dungeon, but first, you would pay a fee, and then you would be paying a portion of the monsters you have hunted inside the gate.
After I scanned and paid with crypto money, the woman nodded her head. "Your dungeon pass and expedition details will be prepared shortly. Please wait here for a moment."
After a brief moment, the receptionist returned with a small data card. "Here is your dungeon pass and all the necessary information for your expedition to Verdant Forest. You'll be using the teleportation gate number eight hundred sixty-four for your destination. Please proceed to the gate, and the system will recognize your dungeon pass," she explained.
Making my way toward the hall behind me, I looked around and observed the atmosphere.
The teleportation gates were a marvel of modern technology, allowing quick and efficient access to distant dungeons. Of course, most of the time, dungeons would appear randomly, and they even called gates from time to time. Therefore, these types of organizations would use teleportation gates to have access to dungeons, linking them to their entrances.
"Please step up here. This gate will take you to the gate hall."
The woman signaled the gate, and following her instructions, I entered.
WRRRR!
And following that, a sound of a vortex entered my ears, and a feeling of nausea came not long after. Because, in that brief moment, I felt my world turned upside down, downside up, and once again upside down.
But I held my nausea in and endured the feeling. It just had been a while since I entered a gate.
"Welcome to the Gate Hall."
The moment I stepped up to the gate hall, a crowded place welcomed me and the voice of another woman. This one also had a black suit and a professional aura surrounding her.
'So this is the gate hall of [Wildcatters].' I thought. The Wildcatters was not an organization that only operated in Ariopolis City, after all. They had access to dungeons everywhere. Therefore, the place I was in was overwhelming in many shapes normally.
A lot of gates were scattered all around the wide hall. At the same time, a swarm of people were walking. Hunters, businessmen, people who wished to travel secretly….A lot of types of people and deals could be seen in this place.
"Your destination is the eight hundred sixty-fourth gate. Please follow my friend here; he will show you the way." But before I could look around any further, the voice of the woman welcomed me.
Hearing her, I turned my attention to see a masked fellow waiting.
"Understood."
With that, I started following the man. He didn't speak, and neither did I. But while we walked, people around all gave greeted him first. It seemed this guy was pretty famous around here as he greeted everyone with a curt nod without talking. After walking almost for five minutes, we reached the gate with the number <864> on it.
There weren't many people around here no more, most probably because this gate was on the weaker side of the spectrum.
An average rank for a hunter would be rank-5 and rank-6.
"You can scan your pass on the sensor here; then you may enter." The masked man spoke as he signaled the gate. I could see the small signs of footprints, and from the traces alone, I could infer that the last time this gate was used was 6 hours ago.
WRRR!
The gate before me was whirling violently at the same time a bunch of individuals were waiting and guarding the door, probably from those that wanted to brute force their way. They were also probably the ones that would enter whenever the person inside said a signal of distress.
"Hey there. Marcus"
Standing in front of the gate, a scruffy-looking man with messy black hair and a mischievous grin waved toward the person escorting me with a mask. I learned his name was Marcus.
Giving a nonchalant shrug to his greeting, not different from others, the man named Marcus turned around and prepared to leave.
"As quiet as ever, huh?"
With no response from Marcus, the gatekeeper turned his attention to me.
"So, you're the one heading into the dungeon?"
"Yes," I confirmed.
"Ugh, just when I thought I had some free time." The man spoke as he smashed the cigarette in his hands. He looked pretty relaxed and chill, different from all those people I had seen here.
"All right, come on. Follow me."
Walking with his hands in his pockets, the gatekeeper grumbled as he led the way toward the gate.
"Tom, Jerry, I've got a guest here, so open the gate."
The two white-clad guards blocking the gate didn't respond.
'They are his subordinates, huh? It doesn't seem like they respect him too much.' From their small body gestures, I could see they were uncomfortable looking at him.
"Ah, whatever."
Marcus handed a card to one of the guards, and after a brief swipe, the gate opened.
"Bye, Tom, Jerry. Don't mess with the girls when I am gone," The man joked, waving at the guards before stepping into the gate.
With a hint of amusement, he beckoned me to follow.
Entering the gate, the gatekeeper pulled out another cigarette from his pocket and lit it up. The smoke of the cigarette hit my face, and it was a strong one for those with strong bodies.
The urge to cough came, but I held it in and raised an eyebrow. The way this guy treated the customers was not professional at all. Filing a complaint was probably the best course of action.
Though, he only grinned in response as if he knew my thoughts.
"Don't worry; they're always like this. Just a bit introverted." I take it back; he didn't know at all.
I didn't reply, nor did I need to. Though I couldn't help but think they were simply ignoring him.
"Tch! You are one of those serious types, aren't you?" He grumbled and activated the warp gate. "Let's see what you can do inside the gate." He spoke as he threw an annoyed gaze at me.
As the warp gate activated, I felt my body slowly lift from the ground. I watched as my surroundings blurred, and soon, the same whirlwind enveloped me, and the same feeling of nausea threatened me to come out.
Though I held it in.
Chapter 37: First Dungeon (2)
TOK
The moment the whirlwind threw me out, my senses became slightly null, and a stronger sense of nausea came.
The reason for that was probably because we passed two different gates at the same time. One that would take us into the entrance of the dungeon and the other that would take us into the dungeon directly. Both of them were linked, so we hadn't stopped, but that also meant the traveling time was a lot longer with a stronger repulsive force.
"Grrr….." But, gritting my teeth, I held it in, resisting the reflex to gulp and vomit.
"Ho? You are pretty good for a first-timer." The man spoke, and hearing his voice helped me regain my control and made me remember that I was in the presence of another person. Turning my head, I saw a smirk on his face as he lit another cigar from his pockets.
'Tch!' I clicked my tongue inwardly while glaring at him. Was that bastard really clueless, or was he doing it knowingly? The smoke alone was enough to burn my lungs.
I wondered how they could inhale such a thing daily. Didn't they put any importance on their health?
Though I was the one to talk… Considering I was about to put my body in danger of death, I was in no position to criticize others, I guess….Everyone had reasons, probably.
"What? Wondering how I knew you were a first-timer?" Though he had taken my gaze for a different reason. "Kid. I have seen quite a lot of people like you. I am in this business for god knows how long…" With a boasting tone, he spoke, but I was really getting annoyed.
'Nobody wanted to hear how long you have been here. I can easily say that you are at least in your 15th year from your habits alone.' I thought, standing up.
"Sigh…. You are a weird one, aren't you? Anyway, I will leave now. You must have already read about the regulations…. You can stay here for at most ten days without checking out, or we will assume that you are in danger, and then we will send a rescue team. But that will result in the loss of your money, so it is your choice."
He said as he waved his hand. I nodded in response while getting myself ready.
"Then, good luck." With those last words, he left, making his way towards the entrance, leaving me alone.
Just like that, I stood there as I waited for him to leave.
"Haa…."
Then, taking my mask out, I breathed an air of refreshment and cooled my head. The air was fresh, and the scent of forest was all around me.
The dungeon was vast and teeming with life; unlike the sterile environment of the academy this time, I could see a faint life of wildness oozing from the forest. Tall trees with leaves in shades of green towered above, their branches forming a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight and cast dappled shadows on the forest floor.
The ground was covered with a layer of soft moss, and small, colorful flowers peeked out from between the undergrowth. The air was filled with the soothing melody of birdsong and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.
But I knew it was nothing but an illusion. Because, behind that gentle breeze, my eyes could perk the signs of fighting. Even a faint smell of blood lingered around, showing a battle happening around here.
That meant even the entrance was not safe, though for now, I couldn't sense any presence of monsters.
As I took a step forward, the ground beneath me seemed to pulse with faint energy, and I could sense the presence of mana flowing through the area. It was a subtle yet unmistakable feeling, a reminder that this was no ordinary forest but a place where magic and danger coexisted.
The dungeon had a mysterious aura about it, an air of unpredictability that kept me on my guard. Every step I took felt like a journey into the unknown as if there were secrets lurking behind every tree and bush.
And that was because of the monsters that lived in this place. The information of which type of monsters habilitated this dungeon was already given to me by [Wildcatter].
There were three types of monsters living here.
'Harmonic Chatterers.'
It was the first type of monster. They were monsters that looked like monkeys, but since they came from a different world with mana, they evolved.
SHRIEK
Just as I was thinking about them, a loud shriek came from the forest.
It was their skill or classical characteristics. They are monsters labeled intermediate rank-2. Their physical affinity is not that strong, but they are known for their loud screams and sound attacks from range.
And they tend to wander around in groups.
Just as I was thinking about that, I sensed a presence of a couple of monsters beside me.
SWOOSH
Coupled with the leaves rustling, a monster rushed at me at a rapid speed.
It was a monster with dog-wolf-type features, but at the same time, it looked humanoid since it attacked me with his two arms raised.
I could feel the killing intent behind its attacks, but I was already ready for such cases.
CLANK
With my daggers raised, I blocked its paws immediately.
'I was planning to use the bow and my gun, but for now, let's deal with this first.'
With that thought, I imbued my daggers with mana. This time, the color of my mana was white different from the red color at that time. I didn't know what caused the color of mana to change, but I somehow felt different from that time.
If crimson-colored mana made me more bloodthirsty than this one made me swifter…
SWOOSH
The Kobold lunged at me again with a fierce-looking face, its claws aimed at my chest.
SWOOSH
I swiftly sidestepped, avoiding its attack, and counterattacked with a swift kick to its side. The creature staggered but quickly regained its balance, growling in anger.
"Grrr…."
SWOOSH
As it charged at me once more, it was time to end the monster. Kobolds were beginner rank-2 monsters and were weaker than most others, and their specialty was their speed.
But that also made them weak in terms of body health. When it comes to glass cannon fights, the first one to land an attack always wins. That was the basic rule most would know.
SLASH SLASH SLASH
With a series of rapid slashes, I slashed the Kobold in a second of time at least thrice, causing it to back off momentarily.
THUD
"Grrrrr…."
However, the monster was not easily deterred. It snarled and leaped back into the fray, attacking with renewed ferocity. But that was what I was waiting for. His legs were injured.
I was not mindlessly swinging my daggers but aiming at his natural weaknesses. His tendons were cut. Thus, his speed was lower, and his attacking posture was deterred. After all, a mindless monster could never know how to correct its mistakes.
"This is your end."
SWOOSH
With that, I lowered my center of gravity as I swiftly dodged the attack.
STAB
And then, I stabbed the monster with my dagger in my right hand. Blood spilled to the ground from his wound as the monster staggered once again.
"Auuu…." A scream of agony left its mouth, but I didn't care.
SLASH
Following my stab, I finished the monster with a clean cut on its neck, severing the monster's head from its body.
THUD SPURT
As the head fell to the ground, blood started flowing like a fountain, though I had already increased the distance.
'Good…. My dagger movements feel a lot smoother.' I thought to myself after seeing the kobold on the ground. The dagger that was given from the academy was certainly one of the best out there. Even though I coated it with mana, I still cut the monster swiftly.
'Though this one doesn't have a core.' Without caring, I stored the body of the kobold on my bracelet and started walking again.
It was time to make some money, and I was going to make the most out of this opportunity.
Just like that, I activated my skill [Keen Eye] and started observing the monsters around, locating every bit of them.
'For now, only kobolds do seem to be around. I guess the beginning area of the dungeon does have less mana concentration.'
The way Dungeons worked was actually pretty similar to the Ecology of Wildness. Those who studied biology would know the term Species Distribution and the things that affect it.
Anyway, without diverging from the topic too much, the more mana that was concentrated around the place, the stronger monsters would occupy it, just like how capitalism worked. Strong would get stronger, and the weak could only eat dirt.
That was the same for this one. The outskirts of the dungeon had less mana concentration. Thus, the weaker monsters are occupied here, meaning kobolds.
With my [Keen Eye] skill activated, I could sense the presence of several kobolds scattered throughout the outskirts of the dungeon. They were hiding in the shadows, lurking behind trees and bushes, waiting for potential prey to come their way.
But, I was the shadows. There was a reason why I chose this dense forest as the dungeon. It was because I wanted to make use of my trait [Shadowborne]. While training in the rooms, I noticed that this trait was a lot stronger in the presence of shadows or darkness and weaker when it was daytime.
Thus escaping from the light enabled me to have a better stealth, basically.
I carefully moved through the forest, keeping my guard up and my senses sharp. As I spotted a group of three kobolds ahead, I decided it was time to put my new gun to the test.
Reaching for the spatial bracelet on my wrist, I retrieved the sleek black handgun. It felt reassuringly cool in my hand as I aimed it at the nearest kobold.
Taking a deep breath, I steadied my aim. The important thing for a ranger was always keeping your concentration and observing the changes in your surroundings.
With my posture ready to shoot, I imbued my mana on the bullet. Even though I couldn't see it, I could feel the mana enhancing it.
Then I pulled the trigger.
BANG!
The gun let out a loud report, and the bullet flew through the air with deadly precision. It struck the kobold in the chest, causing it to yelp in pain and stumble back.
BANG! BANG!
Before the other two could react, I fired two more shots, taking them down one by one.
The loud noise of the gunshots echoed through the forest, and I knew that I had alerted nearby monsters to my presence. But, before they could spot me, I was already blended into the shadows.
"Grrr…." "Grrr….." "Grrr..."
Sure enough, more kobolds emerged from the shadows, their eyes filled with rage and hunger.
But that only meant one simple thing for me.
It was the fact that more monsters appeared before me to kill.
"Huff…." Blended into the shadows, I repositioned myself, climbing on top of the tree.
'I need to train my environmental adaptation as well.' I thought, not happy with the speed of my climbing. But that was for a later time. After all, I couldn't do everything at the same time, right?
"Keen Eye."
My eyes were sharpened as I calmly aimed my gun at each one in turn. Perceiving their weaknesses and the pathways that were stimulated in my brain, I tensed my muscles.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Firing with deadly accuracy. The gun made short work of the monsters, and soon, the area around me was littered with defeated kobolds.
Seven of them were lying on the grounds, and I could sense more coming.
It was time to massacre monsters…..
Chapter 38: First Dungeon (3)
As the sun slowly made its descent toward the horizon, I continued my relentless hunt, my gun and daggers becoming extensions of my body. With each encounter, I grew more skilled and efficient, taking down the kobolds with deadly precision.
The forest echoed with the sound of gunshots and the cries of defeated monsters. My [Keen Eye] skill allowed me to perceive their movements and weaknesses with clarity, giving me the upper hand in every battle. Even though guns were not supposed to be enough to kill the monsters, with my mana enchantment, every bullet passed through their defenses.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
More and more kobolds fell before me, their bodies piling up around me, and at some point, I could no longer see any more kobolds, which meant one simple thing.
'The first stage is about to be cleared.'
Most of the time, there were no stages or anything like levels in most of the dungeons, like games. However, the stage meant the sections of the dungeon where the monsters of the same strength resided.
Like, for instance, the place where I hunted kobolds was named the first stage or first district. Then the second stage would be where the monsters of a higher strength resided.
That was basically it. And me seeing no more kobolds here meant the dungeon would now enter the reproduction routine and would start spawning more kobolds.
In the game, the reason for this phenomenon was not detailly explained until the later stages of the game, but it doesn't matter what the reason is for now.
Anyway, every stage or district does have its own boss-type monsters. Of course, Kobolds also did have its own.
Chief Kobold.
A Peak Rank-2 monster and the strongest monster inside this forest.
'Dealing one on one with that monster shouldn't be too hard. But, the problem is their numbers.'
No matter how dumb monsters are, when the danger appears, they will have one simple response. They will group and defend themselves with numbers.
This is the way of the weak, basically, and every living being in nature knows that.
As the night approached, the forest grew darker, but I had been fighting with kobolds non-stop and was pretty much tired. Considering my low constitution, even using a gun while kiting the monsters was hard for me.
'I need to set up a camp.'
With the moon high above in the dark sky, I descended from the tree and found a suitable spot to set up camp. I gathered some dry leaves and branches to create a small campfire, providing both warmth and a source of light to keep the monsters at bay.
Taking out my tent from the spatial bracelet, I quickly set it up nearby the campfire. And I didn't forget to burn the incense that would erase the smell of meat and smoke.
Then, I ate the conservative food I had brought with me. Sadly, even though this was a forest, there was no monster that could be eaten after getting cooked for now.
Kobold meat tasted really bad, and it didn't offer any advantages to hunters making it blacklisted from being eaten most of the time.
Inside the tent, I laid out a blanket and made myself as comfortable as possible. My body ached from the constant battles, and I knew I needed to rest if I wanted to face Chief Kobold later on.
I settled down inside the tent and gulped a recovery increase potion. Different from stamina potions, recovery increase potions worked as supplements and made the natural recovery faster without not much external interference.
It was a lot better for future conditions and was suggested to use over the stamina potions because of lesser side effects in the long run.
Then, I closed my eyes, focusing on my mana to speed up the recovery process. Slowly, the fatigue started to ebb away as I let the mana flow through my body, soothing my tired muscles and rejuvenating my energy.
Though, I didn't forget to maintain my gun. After all, at the end of the day, a gun was a mechanical device that could be dysfunctional at any crucial moment, just like a sword that hadn't been sharpened for a while.
*******
As the minutes turned into hours, I felt myself gradually regaining strength. I knew that midnight was the best time to strike Chief Kobold's settlement. The monsters would be at their weakest during that hour, and I could catch them off guard. Also, both of my traits are always suited to work at nighttime.
[Lunar Enigma] was related to the moon, and [Shadowborne] was related to shadows. Even though some may say that in the daytime, there were actually more shadows, it was also easier to spot them at the same time. Thus, utilizing shadows at night time was actually a lot easier.
I had also slept for a while, so my head was also feeling refreshed.
When midnight approached, I emerged from the tent, feeling revitalized and ready for the next battle. The campfire still burned brightly, providing me with enough light to navigate through the forest.
Silently, I made my way toward Kobolds' settlement. My [Keen Eye] skill was still active, allowing me to detect any movement in the darkness. The forest was eerily quiet, and the monsters seemed to sense the impending danger.
Before I set up camp, I first scouted the entire area, and at that time, I found out about the whereabouts of Chief Kobold or Kobold Settlement.
They had formed quite a good settlement in the midst of the trees. They even built some huts, though they were only primal.
The important thing was that they were showing the signs of civilization. They even had some patrols.
Therefore, the most optimal approach would be tiring them to death, ambushing them, or constantly poisoning them.
But, sadly, I was not that prepared. I had no way of knowing I would encounter such monsters. Thus, I didn't buy any poisons. However, I took a mental note to buy it for a later time.
'However, I can't use my gun. The monsters will be alerted if I do so.' With that thought, I decided it was time to use my bow.
After all, the bow was silent, and it actually supplied more firepower if utilized correctly. Its only downside was the firing speed….For now.
Activating my [Keen Eye], I started scouting the monsters and labeling their locations.
Their numbers were not that high.
'Twenty Kobolds and One Kobold Chief. Two of them are protecting the chief's hut, ten of them are mating, and the remaining eight are patrolling.'
I remembered that the kobolds would mate when the moon was full, and seeing this scene confirmed. It seemed, luck was on my side.
Taking out my compound bow from the spatial bracelet, I carefully nocked an arrow and pulled the string back.
I had been practicing with this bow for the last week inside the academy, and my posture had already started becoming swift and smooth. My body was really talented at Archery.
With a deep breath, I focused my mana on the arrow, imbuing it with a powerful enchantment. The arrow glowed faintly with green light, indicating the presence of the mana enhancement. Though, I didn't know what the color meant.
I took aim at the lone kobold patrolling near the outskirts of the settlement, and when I was sure of my shot, I released the arrow.
SWISH
The arrow flew silently through the air and struck the kobold right in the neck.
"Burghk-"
It let out a choked gasp, but the sound was barely audible in the quiet night. The enchantment on the arrow made it smooth for Kobold to die as its skin was pierced.
As the dead kobold fell to the ground, the forest fell silent once more. The soft rustling of leaves and the distant hooting of an owl were the only sounds that broke the stillness of the night. My [Keen Eye] skill continued to guide me, helping me locate the next target.
It was another patrolling kobold. Though this time, two of them were patrolling at the same time.
However, it didn't matter. I nocked an arrow on the bow and readied myself.
SWISH
Releasing the arrow, it flew with deadly accuracy and struck the first patrolling kobold in the chest. It let out a choked gasp before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. The second kobold turned to look at its fallen comrade, confusion evident in its eyes.
"Au-"
Before it could react and warn his comrades, I swiftly fired another arrow, hitting the second kobold in the throat. It fell to the ground, clutching at its neck, but it was already too late. The enchantment on the arrow had taken effect as the mana of the moon shone.
With the immediate threat dealt with, I took a moment to scan the area once more, ensuring no other kobolds had been alerted. Satisfied that the coast was clear, I continued my infiltration, using the cover of darkness to my advantage.
First, I dealt with all of the remaining kobolds around the settlement. It wasn't that hard; it only took me a bunch of arrows to kill them. Though, I didn't forget to pluck them back.
Then, silently, I moved from tree to tree, making my way closer to the settlement. My [Keen Eye] skill helped me identify the kobolds' positions. Slowly but steadily, I closed the distance, taking care not to make any noise that could give away my presence.
Once I reached the outskirts of the settlement, I hunkered down and observed the kobolds' activities. It seemed that they were indeed preoccupied with their mating and were not on high alert. This was the perfect opportunity for me to strike.
After all, I could hear disgusting moans of the monsters, and as a person that had never been into Bestiary, it made me want to vomit.
Normally while dealing with such tropes, one would first kill the mobs and then one-versus-one the remaining ones. But, at this point, that was almost impossible to do since the monsters were too close to each other, and they would be alerted.
Therefore, there was one simple course of action that would be needed to be taken.
Killing the Chief Kobold first.
And I actually got the perfect opportunity for it. While I was moving around, I scanned the whole area to find a good spot to attack. And it didn't take me too long for me to find one.
I found a tall tree with thick foliage that offered a clear view of the chief's hut.
With the utmost stealth, I climbed up the tree and positioned myself on a sturdy branch. From this hidden perch, I could see Chief Kobold clearly, still seated on its makeshift throne, surrounded by the other kobolds.
"Keen Eye."
Activating my skill, I observed the monster's weak points. Its heart was located on the right side of his chest, but there was one more place that was marked.
'This must be his core.' It was his core. There were monster cores in this world, but most of the time, they would only be found on rare occasions or on boss monsters.
'The core is a no-go. It will fetch for a good prize.'
There were also several other weak points around the body.
My heartbeat slowed down as I notched an arrow on my bow, readying myself for the shot.
The most important thing for a ranger was to keep calm in every scenario.
Taking a deep breath, I focused my mana on the arrow, imbuing it with an additional enchantment for maximum impact. For the last week, I have been trying to improve my mana usage, and I got more familiar with it.
The arrow shone bright green, as well as I felt my mana pouring into the arrow. This was the reason why bows were used more frequently because one could enable more mana into the arrows.
Though, I had yet to understand why the colors of my mana changed constantly. I couldn't understand the reason; thus, I decided to leave it for a later time.
Time seemed to slow down as I steadied my aim, waiting for the perfect moment. The kobolds continued their revelry, oblivious to the imminent danger. This was my chance.
SWISH
As Chief Kobold leaned back, letting out a guttural laugh, I seized the opportunity. Without hesitation, I released the arrow, watching it soar through the air with deadly precision…..
This was the start of the fight….
Chapter 39: First Dungeon (4)
SWISH
As Chief Kobold leaned back, letting out a guttural laugh, I fired the arrow at that moment.
THUD SPURT
The arrow struck Chief Kobold right in the chest, and it let out a pained howl. However, even though I had struck him on its vital point and my arrow was channeled with huge amounts of mana, I couldn't kill him in one strike. It was as expected since it was a boss monster and the distance was quite far away.
"GRRRRRRR!"
The other kobolds turned their heads in confusion, trying to comprehend what had just happened.
I was also confused momentarily. For some reason, the kobold was shining bright green as if it was marked with something, but I couldn't understand what it was.
A tendril of green color was connecting me to the kobold as if it was showing me where it was. But, it was not the time to stop. I needed to attack the monster, after all, before they could react.
SWISH
Thus, before they could raise their guards, I fired another arrow, this time hitting Chief Kobold in the shoulder.
"ROOOOOOAAAAR!"
Then I proceeded with firing another three.
SWISH SWISH
It roared in agony, prompting the other kobolds to panic. However, the arrows I had released followed the trajectory of the green color I could see. Like my body instinctively knew where to shoot.
'What is this?'
A lot more questions arose from my heart, but it was not the time to ask questions. It was time to attack.
With the element of surprise on my side, I continued to rain arrows down on Chief Kobold, targeting its vital spots. Its health steadily decreased with each well-placed shot. In a matter of ten seconds, I had already fired five arrows, and three of them hit.
The other two had missed since the kobold leader managed to get out of the throne he was sitting on and took cover instinctively.
The other kobolds began to scatter, their confusion turning into fear. They searched for the source of the attacks but couldn't pinpoint my location.
After all, I was covered with shadows, and they could never see where I was. But to fire, I needed to get out of the shadows, which made it hard for me to attack without getting detected randomly.
"AUUUUU!"
"HOWL!"
"SNARL!"
Their snarls and howls filled the settlement as all of the other kobolds that were busy with mating were also alerted.
RUSTLE RUSTLE
Inside the forest, they started looking for the attacker, using their noses to find my stench. But they were spending their efforts futile. I had already used a stench-erasing perfume for such cases.
However, another interesting thing caught my eye. The kobold leader was behind the hut, and my vision was blocked.
But, after the last arrow hit, the same green tendrils of small lines were connected once again.
'I am sure now. For some reason, I can mark the monster with my arrows.'
I had no time to rack my brain to understand why it was since the Kobolds were scattered around looking for my traces. However, the tendrils of green lines were showing me the location of the Kobold Chief.
He was staying in the same place, probably trying to get rid of his injuries.
"Dash."
SWOOSH SWOOSH
Without wasting any more time, I quickly repositioned myself to get a clear shot at the Kobold Chief while activating my skill.
With shadows forming around me and my speed increasing, I found a spot where the hut wouldn't obstruct my arrows, and the green tendrils of lines connected me to the boss monster once more.
With the Kobold Chief lying wounded on the ground, I took one final arrow from my quiver and nocked it on my bow. The green lines of connection still guided my aim, and I focused all my mana on this last shot.
I steadied my breathing and honed in on the target. The Kobold Chief's labored breathing filled the air as it struggled to stay alive.
SWISH
With a deep breath, I released the arrow, and it sailed through the night air with deadly accuracy.
THUD SPURT
The arrow found its mark, piercing through the Kobold Chief's skull with a sickening thud.
"GRAAA-"
The boss monster let out a gurgled cry before falling silent, life extinguished. I could see the monster had reached its demise, and it was no longer alive.
The other kobolds, witnessing the fall of their leader, froze in terror. They had seen their once mighty Chief succumb to my relentless assault, and fear took hold of them.
What was the most primitive emotion for any living being?
It was fear.
And at that moment, all the kobolds around me felt the fear they had never felt for the first time.
"Grrr….." "Snarl…." "Auuu…."
Making a lot of fearful voices, the kobolds tried to get away, scattering around. But there was just no way that I could leave those kobolds that would become my source of money to leave like that.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Seizing the opportunity, I swiftly drew my pistol and fired at the remaining kobolds. The gunshots echoed loudly through the forest, signaling the end of their reign of terror and the start of mine.
At this point, there was no need for me to hide my traces anymore, as the first stage was already cleared. No monster could rival me here unless monsters from deeper parts of the forest came.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
One by one, the kobolds fell to my shots, and soon, the forest was once again quiet except for the echoes of my gunfire that lingered in the air.
As the echoes of my gunshots faded away, the forest fell into an eerie silence. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air as the remaining kobolds realized they were trapped with no means of escape.
Their once fearless leader lay dead on the ground, and the fear that had consumed them now turned into madness. Their snarls and howls grew louder, filling the settlement with a cacophony of rage and desperation.
Even though there was a settlement, not every kobold was actually living there, as I could see another bunch of kobolds came and joined the group.
I watched as they bared their teeth, their eyes wild with fury. They knew they couldn't defeat me, but they had reached a point where survival instincts took over, and they were willing to throw themselves at me in a desperate attempt to overpower and kill me.
'What a good parent you are.' I thought. The reason why half of them turned to me while the other half stayed on the backside was pretty obvious.
They were trying to protect their children. But, it was just a futile effort that came from the depths of their programmed instincts. After all, even if I hadn't killed them, another bunch of Hunters would come and do the job for me.
"Come on then, if you dare," I said. But for some reason, I felt like my voice was colder than usual. It carried an air of confidence and authority that seemed to stop them in their tracks, if only for a moment.
SWOOSH SWOOSH
But that moment was all I needed. With my daggers in hand, I launched myself at the closest kobold, my speed, and reflexes enhanced by my activated [Dash] skill.
The kobold lunged at me, but its attack was clumsy and uncoordinated. With a swift movement, I dodged its strike and plunged my dagger into its chest, ending its life in an instant.
The other kobolds roared in a fury and rushed toward me, but I moved like a shadow, deftly avoiding their attacks and striking them down one by one. My enhanced agility and reaction time allowed me to anticipate their movements and counter with deadly precision.
Their desperation only fueled my determination. I had come prepared for this, and I refused to be overwhelmed by a pack of rabid monsters.
I left everything to my instincts, and the vision that I had seen at that time seemed like it took over my body as my body moved swiftly, like a man that was born to kill.
BANG! BANG!
In between the close-range combat, I skillfully switched between my daggers and pistol, taking down the charging kobolds with deadly accuracy. The sound of gunshots echoed through the settlement, mixing with their desperate cries.
The madness in their eyes seemed to intensify with every fallen comrade, and they became more ferocious and reckless in their attacks. But it was in vain. I was a hunter, born to hunt.
I was the vengeance born from the moon; I was the one whose sole reason was to pluck the demons from this world, whose whole reason to live was killing and extracting vengeance.
In the future, I would be facing stronger and stronger demons…. There was no way I was going to let myself be overwhelmed by a bunch of nobodies.
THUD THUD THUD
One by one, the kobolds fell until only silence remained. The once bustling settlement was now a graveyard of defeated monsters.
"Grrraaaa…." "Shriek!"
HOWL
As the last kobold fell to the ground, a strong wind blew at that moment, carrying the smell of blood and dead bodies…. It seemed like the moon shone bright red for a second, like the blood on the soil of the forest.
Then the moon was covered by clouds of dark color, and my vision was obscured by them.
THUD THUD
Following that, the rain started pouring heavily, wetting my clothes. It was a mana rain, and I knew it was not the time to reminisce about the thing that was happening here. Mana rains were the types of poisonous rains which, in the end, made it important to be protected from them.
"Huff…. Huff… Huff…."
Breathing heavily, I stood amidst the fallen kobolds, my heart pounding with the adrenaline of battle. It was a fierce and brutal fight, but I emerged victorious in the end.
"Fucking hell…." I mumbled, my heart beating getting slower and calming down.
With the immediate threat gone, I took a moment to survey the area. The forest had returned to its quiet state, but the scent of blood and death still lingered in the air. The fight was over.
However, my job had yet to be finished.
Grabbing the cloak, I got for these types of situations and put it on. The sound of rain droplets pushing the cloak entered my ears, and I started picking my haul up.
As I retrieved my arrows and wiped the blood from my daggers, I couldn't help but wonder about the strange green lines that had connected me to the Kobold Chief. It was a mysterious power that I had never experienced before, but at the same time, I instinctively knew how to use it, like someone was guiding me.
'It was related to the color of my mana. Then, was it because it was green?' I asked myself. I didn't have definite answers, and I was tired of thinking for a while. I needed to rest, not because I was tired physically, but because I was tired mentally.
I mean, I was also tired physically, but potions could cure that. The mental part was something different.
Walking around the forest, I collected the bodies of the dead kobolds one by one until only the boss monster's body remained.
Chief Kobold was larger and more muscular than the others, with sharp claws and teeth that showed his position at the top of the Kobold hierarchy. Its body was covered in scars and battle wounds, evidence of the many battles it had fought to maintain its dominance over the settlement as well as the evolutions he passed.
Its fur was a deep shade of brown, and its eyes, once filled with arrogance and cruelty, now stared lifelessly into the dark sky. I took a moment to study its body, noting the different characteristics and features that set it apart from the other kobolds.
With the grim task done, I retreated to a drier area, setting up a makeshift camp under the shelter of a large tree. I sat by the campfire, the rain still pouring down around me, and took a moment to catch my breath.
The adrenaline rush from the battle had subsided, and now exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders. My muscles ached from the intense combat, and my mind was filled with memories of the fight.
It was normally time to grab another recovery potion, but since I had cleared all the monsters here, I could use another thing.
Grabbing the vial from my bag, I looked at the mixture I made in order to increase my training efficiency.
"GULP!"
Gulping it in one go, I endured the pain all around me as I sat on the ground.
"Kurgh-"
After a second of squirming and crawling, the effects of the potion subsided.
Taking out some rations from my bag, I began to eat, replenishing my energy. The sound of raindrops hitting the leaves above provided a soothing rhythm, and I felt a sense of peace despite the violent events that had just occurred.
I decided to rest for a while before continuing deeper into the dungeon. The rain showed no signs of stopping, and it wouldn't be wise to venture out in such weather. I entered the tent and made myself comfortable.
Lying down on the damp ground, I closed my eyes and let my body and mind rest. Just like that, the first day in the dungeon reached its end….
Chapter 40: First Dungeon (5)
I am back from my project trip. From now on, updates will go as usual.
----------------------------
After resting for a while and sleeping, I was now ready to go again.
'Stage 1 is cleared, and it will take at least one and a half days for the dungeon to respawn the monsters.'
That was how things went most of the time.
If the dungeon's mana level on one side was dropped by killing the monsters inside, then the dungeon would try to replenish those sides by cutting down on the mana supply of other parts.
In a way, it followed the principle of equilibrium from chemistry.
'Then, the only thing left for me is moving forward.'
I still had at least 6 hours more before I needed to clock out, thus I wanted to make the most of the time I would be spending here.
'Considering the amounts of Kobolds I had hunted, I think I made around 40k Valer alone.'
I thought. It was the amount of money I had borrowed from the academy.
'But that is only if I exclude the expenses of coming here.'
Instantly calculating the amount of money I would be spending and needed to cut off, it became evident that my haul was around thirty-five thousand.
Even though I got a bracelet that could breach any type of detection, I still needed to show some sort of haul so that I wouldn't look suspicious.
But a little and young hunter like me would be expected to hunt at most ten kobolds in this amount of time, and that would make them cut off around one or one point five thousand Valer.
And that was fine. However, aside from that, I also needed to buy some other bullets, potions, clothes and etc. That was the reason why being a hunter was not a free job.
The pay was good, but at the same time, it was expensive. Hunters are always putting their life on the line, so to protect them, they would never spare any money.
At least, that is what it is advised.
'And there is no way I could just use the arrows given by the academy, and arrows are a lot more expensive than bullets.'
Since arrows occupied more space and more material, making them with good mana conducting material was alone expensive.
Anyway, that was about to become my haul, but I still had more time, so I started venturing deeper into the woods.
The mana rain had finally subsided, leaving behind a fresh scent in the air.
The dense vegetation became even thicker, and the shadows of the tall trees stretched across the forest floor. The sound of my footsteps was muffled by the soft moss that covered the ground.
WUSH WUSH
As I walked cautiously, I noticed a change in the atmosphere. It was as if the forest itself held its breath. The chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves had ceased, replaced by an eerie silence.
Then, I heard it - a low, rhythmic sound, almost like a soft melody. It was a sound I had never encountered before, and I strained my ears to listen more closely. It seemed to be coming from deeper within the woods.
Immediately I understood the source of the sounds.
'To think that they would try to lure me there first.'
Harmonic Chatterers.
As I previously mentioned, they were a type of monkey-based monsters that were labeled as rank-2 intermediate monsters.
Even though their physical strength was weak, they had a rather different type of strength.
'Sound mana.'
They were known for their sound affinity, and their musical abilities were said to have strange effects on those who listened. Some hunters spoke of being mesmerized by their melodies, losing track of time, and wandering deeper into the forest, never to return.
However, I still decided to investigate the source of the strange sound. As I moved closer, the sound grew louder and more distinct.
'From the looks of it, they are not directly aiming at me. I think their focus on somewhere else.'
I concluded.
From the small traces that was on the ground and those marks on the trees, I could infer that the place I was in was commonly used by these monkey-types of monsters.
'But, it is mostly used for scouting and patrolling. This place is not their home.'
However, because the traces were rather faint, I could infer that not everyone used here every time of the day.
MELODY
Then the melody continued to enter my ears, whispering softly. It was trying to mess with my head, and if I was subjected to the sound longer, I would be seduced as well.
Then, slowly amplifying my mana into my ears, I blocked the sound affinity mana entering my ears.
SHRIEK SHRIEK
Thus resulting in pure sound coming.
It was an ugly shriek that one would expect from a monster. I could finally see their true colors.
'Hmm….But they are a lot louder. They really want to gather someone's attention.'
I was confident in my hiding abilities, which meant there was another group of people there.
I stealthily made my way toward the source of the sound, careful not to step on any twigs or make any noise that could alert the Harmonic Chatterers to my presence.
As I approached, I saw a clearing in the forest where the sound was originating from.
Peering through the dense bush, I saw a group of five individuals standing in the clearing.
They were armed and seemed to be seasoned adventurers. Their gear and weapons indicated that they were experienced hunters.
In front of them were the Harmonic Chatterers. They were swaying rhythmically as they played their melodies, and the hunters seemed to be mesmerized by the sound.
'Hmm? Are they pretending like they were bewitched by those monsters?'
Looking at their small body language, I thought. No person would shake his hands or grip their weapon with a lot of strength when they were bewitched. And they would also tense their muscles.
'Smart decision.' From their looks alone, it was not that easy to gauge their strength, but unnecessary conflict could prove to be fatal in this place filled with villains and criminals.
SHRIEK SHRIEK
As the Harmonic Chatterers approached, their swaying and melodies became more aggressive. The hunters were prepared for this and activated their own skills to counter the monsters' attacks.
One hunter lunged forward, utilizing their swift swordsmanship skill to strike at the Chatterers with lightning speed. Another activated their defensive stance, using a skill that created an impenetrable barrier to protect themselves and their allies.
Despite the monsters' agility and sonic attacks, the hunters' skills allowed them to dodge and deflect the incoming strikes. At the very least, they didn't seem like they were struggling.
They worked together quite well and efficiently, covering each other's weaknesses and exploiting the Chatterers' vulnerabilities.
The leader of the adventurers performed a tactical maneuver, using a skill that temporarily enhanced their senses. With this heightened awareness, they could anticipate the Chatterers' moves and plan their counterattacks more effectively.
It was a skill that I knew—Enhancement Zone.
A skill that enabled others as well as the user to move more sensitively.
As the battle continued, the hunters adapted their strategies based on the monsters' behavior. They used their unique skills to disrupt the Chatterers' attacks and create openings for powerful strikes.
However, that was just how it looked at first sight.
When I looked deeper and observed their fighting, I could easily infer their mistakes. The number of enemies was high, but rather than conversing their energy; they were using all their strength trying to finish this as soon as possible.
That was not a bad tactic if you could finish the battle fast.
Sadly they were not able to.
Moreover, their formation was bad from the start. They basically had four vanguards and one rearguard, but none of them tried to protect the rearguard; thus, the archer at the back was struggling to find effective shots.
"HEY, COVER ME!"
"FUCK ADRIAN! CAN'T YOU SEE THOSE MONSTERS!"
And when the strategy and brain part leaves the equation, the remaining ones would be the advantage of the monsters.
"SOMETHING IS CO-"
SHRIEK!
But just as the tide seemed to be turning in favor of the hunters, the Harmonic Chatterers unleashed a devastating sonic wave that caught them off guard.
"AAAHHH!"
The adventurers cried out in pain as the sound waves struck them, disorienting and staggering them back. The Harmonic Chatterers took advantage of this moment of weakness and lunged at the hunters.
'Hmm…. Their stats are around 1.7 to 2.5. But, in close combat, your stats need to be a lot higher. Especially if you are not used to using your weapons.'
I concluded after seeing the confrontation. My trait lets me see the essence instantly and take a grasp of it, and it was very helpful in this situation.
"I will take care of it; get my back." The Hunter, who looked like the leader of the group, shouted as he started channeling his mana.
CREAK SWOOSH
Following that, a wall of earth rose from the ground. It was a common skill for tankers that was widely used.
As the earth wall rose from the ground, the leader of the adventurers shouted to his teammates, "I will take care of it; get my back!" He stood in front of the wall, prepared to face the Harmonic Chatterers head-on.
The other hunters quickly took his command to heart and formed a defensive formation, protecting the archer as she took a few steps back to find a better vantage point. The remaining three hunters tightened their ranks, preparing to hold their ground against the approaching monsters.
However, as they readied themselves, I noticed that one of the hunters was missing from the group. It seemed that in the chaos of the battle, one of them had already made a hasty retreat.
'Cowardice.' I thought. 'A pretty common act one would display when they are in front of danger.'
The leader of the adventurers unleashed a powerful attack, using his Enhancement Zone skill to enhance his speed and strength. He clashed with the Harmonic Chatterers, striking them with precision and skill.
His teammates did their best to support him, landing hits whenever they could and defending against the monsters' attacks. But the monsters were relentless, their sonic waves becoming more intense and disorienting.
"Stay focused! We can do this if we work together!" the leader shouted, rallying his remaining teammates.
But the odds were against them, and their fatigue was starting to show. The monsters were wearing them down, and it was clear that they were losing their advantage.
Then, in a moment of desperation, the archer called out, "I can't get a clear shot! I need to reposition!"
The leader acknowledged her plea and gave the order to retreat. The hunters fell back, regrouping near the earth wall that the leader had created.
"We need to find cover and catch our breath," the leader said, panting heavily. "Adrian, where the hell did he go?"
"He ran off during the chaos," one of the hunters replied, frustration evident in his voice.
The leader gritted his teeth in frustration, but he knew they couldn't dwell on it now. They needed to focus on surviving and finding a way to defeat the Harmonic Chatterers.
As they caught their breath, I could see the exhaustion and fear in their eyes. They were skilled Hunters, but even the best could be pushed to their limits in the dangerous world of monsters and dungeons.
'It is a pity. Next time make a better judgment.'
I thought. I could help them, but that would simply mean I would lose the only advantage I had.
'Also, I don't care.'
I neither cared about the people here nor the monsters.
I was not a hero that would save the world. I was here standing on this tree for the sake of vengeance; that was it.
The leader clenched his fists, determination filling his eyes. "All right, we can do this. Stick to the plan and watch each other's backs. We'll make it out of this alive."
His teammates nodded, and their resolve reignited. They readied their weapons, preparing for another round of battle.
Though in the end, this was not enough.
Their fatigue accumulated too much, and the number of monsters did not decrease to the amount they could deal with.
"We can't keep this up much longer! There are too many of them!" one of the hunters shouted in frustration.
"Stick to the plan! We need to regroup and find a better strategy," the leader replied, his voice determined.
Their plan had seemed solid at the beginning, but as the battle wore on, it became clear that they were outmatched.
"Damn it! We can't hold them off any longer!" the leader growled, frustration and exhaustion evident in his voice.
One by one, the hunters fell, their bodies succumbing to the injuries and exhaustion. The archer tried her best to pick off the monsters from a distance, but she, too, was eventually overrun.
The leader of the group fought bravely until the very end, but in the face of the overwhelming onslaught, he, too, was brought down.
As the last hunter took his final breath, the Harmonic Chatterers ceased their attack. Their bodies swayed rhythmically as they emitted an eerie melody, seemingly celebrating their victory.
Though their victory was not going to be long, as every bit of them had already taken the position I had envisioned.
"Everything is set."
BANG!
And I started with a shot of gun…..
Chapter 41: First Dungeon (6)
Sorry for not posting for two days. I had my dental implants, and it hurt quite a lot. So I was not able to focus on writing too much. Regular updates will continue now.
---------------------------------
"Everything is set."
BANG!
The gunshot echoed through the clearing as I swiftly moved from my hidden spot, revealing myself to the Harmonic Chatterers.
"Keen Eye. Dash."
Activating both my skills at the same time, I could see the surprise and fear flickering in their eyes as they tried to comprehend the sudden appearance of another enemy.
However, my speed was amplified.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
In a flash, I fired my gun with deadly precision, taking down one Harmonic Chatterer after another. My shots were quick and accurate as I aimed for their vital spots, ensuring swift and clean kills.
After all, my [Keen Eye] enabled me to see the weak and vital spots of monsters, and my momentarily increased speed enabled me to change my aim at a more rapid rate.
The speed of the gun was also not a problem since when I tested it; I could see it was a semi-automatic gun.
THUD THUD THUD
The monsters fell to the ground one another, as all of them had at least one vital point pierced.
It was the strength of the guns.
No matter what, a firearm's attacking speed can not be matched, and if one can penetrate the skin of a monster, then nothing is stronger than a firearm.
That was especially the case right now.
The monsters' eerie melody was cut short as they fell to the ground, lifeless. They had been accustomed to the feeling of glory, and they were blinded by those hunters that were killed, and now they were paying the price for it.
'Comfort breeds weakness.'
With my enhanced senses and increased speed and agility, I moved at a rapid pace, making it nearly impossible for the remaining Harmonic Chatterers to pinpoint my exact location.
I shifted from one shadow to another, using the environment to my advantage. Even though I had rested, that didn't mean the sun had risen fully. It was starting to rise, but the leaves of the forest were blocking the sunlight from entering and illuminating since the sunlight was coming from an angle that was hard to penetrate the thick leaves.
BANG, BANG, BANG!
My gunshots continued to ring out, each shot finding its mark. The monsters tried to retaliate, but their attacks were futile as I remained elusive and out of their reach.
However, that didn't mean I was invincible.
No, that was far from being true.
"Huff…..Huff…."
I was getting tired again at a rapid pace as well as my mana was reaching the end of my reserves.
Since I was using my skills as well as my mana to enhance bullets, it was draining rapidly.
'I can last at most five seconds more. But this is enough to kill everyone here.'
The moment I concluded that I aimed my gun at the monsters flying over me.
SWOOSH
'One on the right.'
Turning my head to the right, I aimed at the monkeylike monster flying over me and fired the gun.
BANG!
'Another on the left.'
Firing another bullet while turning my head, I blasted his head.
BANG!"
'The last one on behind.'
With my senses, I turned back and pulled the trigger.
TICK!
'Hm?'
But the response I was expecting did not come. Rather than a loud sound of a gunshot and the pressure of recoil, it was a simple sound.
'!'
And my brain racked immediately.
SWOOSH
"SHRIEK!"
The monster, with its amplified sound, reached me.
TING
I quickly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the full force of the Harmonic Chatterer's attack. But even with my enhanced senses, the proximity to the monster's amplified sound still affected me.
"Argh!" I winced, clutching my ears as the tingling sensation intensified. The monster took advantage of my momentary distraction and lunged at me again.
THUD
I abandoned my gun, realizing that it would be useless in such close-quarters combat.
SCHLINK
Instead, I swiftly drew my daggers from their sheath, my grip tightening around the hilts.
"SHRIEK!"
SWOOSH
The Harmonic Chatterer attacked with its claws, aiming for my chest. I managed to sidestep the strike, but its sharp claws grazed my shoulder, drawing blood.
"Gah!" I gritted my teeth, feeling the pain surge through my body. The wound was not deep, but it stung, and I knew I had to end this quickly.
My movements were slowed as I knew the end of my mana reserves was approaching its end.
'Two seconds.'
With the timer in my head, I ignored the pain and imbued the last bit of my mana into my dagger.
The crimson color appeared once again as I felt the bloodthirstiness attacking.
SWOOSH
I could see the monster aiming at my chest as its claws approached. My ears were ringing, and I was nowhere in my peak condition.
But, at that moment, I calmed down.
'One second.' It was the leftover time until my mana reserves would deplete.
CLANK
My eyes were drawn to its moves as I parried its claws with one of my daggers.
STAB
Then, instantly, I stabbed the monster with another one while rotating my body and using my momentum as my strength.
"SHRIEK!"
I could feel the monster screaming loudly, but my ringing ears didn't perceive any sound.
Abandoning the dagger that stabbed the monster from its chest, I took the position of a slash.
SLASH
And following the stab, I slashed the monster's neck.
SPURT
The blood dyed the ground with the color of dead.
As the last of the Harmonic Chatterers fell, their eerie melody finally silenced; I took a deep breath to steady myself.
"Huff…..Hufff...."
The adrenaline rushed through my veins, and my heart pounded in my chest.
The once serene clearing was now littered with the lifeless bodies of the monsters. I had taken them down with ruthless efficiency, leaving no room for mercy.
As I looked around, I noticed the fallen bodies of the hunters nearby. Their faces were etched with pain and despair, a stark reminder of the harsh reality of this world. They fought bravely, but in the end, they couldn't withstand the onslaught of the Harmonic Chatterers.
And I was even sure that if I tried to help them by revealing myself, they would abandon me and leave.
It was a common occurrence even in the normal dungeons, let alone a dungeon managed by Black Market.
"Let's leave this place."
Checking the clock, I saw the time was nearing 6 AM. It was about time I left this place.
After all, even returning all the way back without encountering any monsters was going to take at least two hours. And this was even when I considered if there were no monsters.
Therefore, this was the most optimal choice.
After gulping a Stamina Potion to relieve my fatigue, I started grabbing the corpses of the monsters.
'10 Harmonic Chatterers, huh? That is quite a lot.'
After all, there was a reason why it was this hard to kill all those monsters.
After taking my Gun and putting another magazine in for future fights, I started leaving the place.
Though I didn't forget to fill all the space inside the magazines, in the end, the number of magazines was limited per weapon.
Just like that, I left the dungeon.
*****
WUSH!
The moment I returned back, the same feeling of nausea came, but at this point, I was slightly familiar with it.
The first thing they were going to do was to check the monsters inside my spatial bracelet.
Since I needed to show them the haul and I didn't want to look suspicious, I bought another spatial bracelet for this sake.
The same man with the cigar was at the gate. He was smoking while he was waiting, and when he saw me, he put a smirk on his face.
"Yo, Edgy Little Kid. How was it?" His annoying tone was still there, but I was quite tired of constant fighting, so I didn't bother with answering.
"Tch! Let me scan you." With that, he brought a device closer to me as he scanned for the spatial type of artifacts.
DING!
"Give me the bracelet."
He grumbled as he gestured for me to give him the bracelet. Then, after he took the bracelet, he started examining the things inside.
"Ho? Not bad…. You are better than I thought. 15 kobolds….That is quite a lot."
He said, nodding his head. Just as he said, I put 15 kobolds on the place and didn't put any Harmonic Chatters, as that would make them suspect that I was a person that had a hand in the massacre of another group.
"Okay, it is confirmed. You can leave now."
As he said those words, he tapped on his watch and mumbled something that I couldn't hear.
'It is truly a cheat item.'
Just as I had expected, he wasn't able to detect the spatial bracelet where I put my belongings.
"Wait a second."
And following that, after a minute, the same masked man came.
"Marcus." The gatekeeper greeted the man, but Markus simply ignored him, just like me.
"Tch! You two are a good match. You should go on a date or something."
Hearing his sarcastic remarks, none of us cared about it, and we both left the place not long after.
After passing the second gate, I made my way to the place where the [Wildcatters] bought the monsters from the customers.
"How can I help you?"
It was the same procedure as the woman, and I started the process.
"After taking the institute's share, the remaining points will be 13750 Valer."
Just as I had calculated, the woman presented me with the amount.
Just like that, I left the [Wildcatters], but that was nowhere close to the end of my day. After all, I needed to find a monster broker to sell the monster carcasses I had at my disposal.
Leaving the [Wildcatters], I navigated through the busy streets of the black market.
As I moved through the bustling crowd, I spotted a sign that read [Bestiary] with an arrow pointing down a narrow alleyway.
'Found you.'
It was a place that was pretty common for players to visit when they wanted to make use of the monster carcasses.
Since this place fetched the highest price when the carcass of the monsters was in good condition.
Pushing open the creaky door, I stepped inside a dimly lit room filled with an eclectic mix of individuals. The place had an air of secrecy, and I could sense that many illicit deals took place within these walls.
Approaching the counter, I met eyes with a man who seemed to be the monster broker. He had a sharp gaze and a no-nonsense demeanor.
'He looks sharp, and from his posture alone, it seems he is a spearman. His estimated strength should be around 9-10 stats on average.'
I judged the man as he judged me.
"How can I assist you, young hunter?" he inquired, his voice low and gravelly.
"I have some monster carcasses to sell," I replied. He looked quite intimidating, but knowing his reason for being here, I didn't bother at all.
His eyes narrowed as he examined me. "Let's see what you've got."
I carefully placed the monster carcasses on the counter. The broker inspected them one by one, his expert eyes sizing up their value. However, I could see his eyes shining.
After all, the condition of the carcasses was quite good. All of them had their body pierced by arrows at most, and almost none of them had neither burn marks, nor did they lose too much blood since I prevented them from doing so.
"These are quite the haul you've got here," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of admiration.
He named each monster and their respective ranks as he examined them. "A group of Kobolds, Harmonic Chatterers, and even a Kobold Chief... impressive."
"All of these will fetch around 30.000 Valer." And then he made his offer.
I observed the broker's reaction carefully as he appraised the monsters. His initial offer was 30,000 Valer, which was already a decent sum. However, I knew the true value of my haul, and I wasn't about to settle for less.
"I appreciate your offer, but I believe the value of these monsters is higher than that," I calmly replied, meeting his sharp gaze.
The broker raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by my confidence. "Oh? And why is that?"
"These monsters are in excellent condition, and their ranks are quite high. I've taken great care in preserving them, ensuring that their quality remains top-notch," I explained.
The broker leaned back slightly, considering my words. "You have a point there, young hunter. But the market for these monsters is already quite saturated. I can't go higher than 40,000 Valer."
I knew he was trying to haggle, but I wasn't about to back down easily. After all, I knew he was in dire need of monsters with such conditions for his supplier with picky demands.
"These monsters are still rare and valuable. They would fetch a much higher price in the right hands. I'm willing to settle for 50,000 Valer, no less."
As I spoke, the broker's eyes narrowed more. "You drive a hard bargain, young hunter. But I can't give you more than that."
Hearing this, I knew he was playing his last card, but there was no way I was letting go.
"Is that so? Then I shall look for another monster broker."
With those words, I started picking up the carcasses and was about to leave the place.
"Wait."
Until the man stopped me.
After a few moments of tense silence, the broker finally nodded. "Very well. 50,000 Valer it is."
The moment I heard his voice, I nodded my head. Just as I expected, he couldn't back down.
Just like that, I sold everything under my disposal as I left the black market and returned to the academy…..