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Name: Adel
Age: 16
Race: Human…??
Grade: 1
Core: Dracoline Heart (0.5% → 1.5%)
Physique: 1.27 → 1.31
Mind: ???
Mana: 0.80
Vitality: 1.1
Skills: Shadow Veil (Lv. 3), Predation, Scale Armor (Lv. 1), Poison Resistance (Lv. 1), Quick Step (Lv. 1) [new]
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After using Predation on the other two monsters, my physique had improved by a few points. Too bad I didn't gain any new skills or abilities.
"Maybe instead of focusing on just one type of monster, I could hunt different ones before my stats get too high so that I can gain new abilities."
It was just a theory of mine, but there was a chance. The only problem was finding them. I couldn't waste days just looking for different species. Besides, I'd still get abilities from higher-rank monsters, so it didn't feel that necessary.
Now, let's get to you.
In the corner of the room, there was a chest.
I approached it cautiously, scanning for traps. There didn't seem to be any. I watched it for a moment longer, then glanced at the Golden Rule rune, which still showed active misfortune. Without hesitation, I stabbed the dagger into the chest, but aside from flying splinters, nothing happened.
"Not one of those things."
The good news continued. Inside the chest, I found a red vial, and without a second thought, I drank it.
I felt my skin sizzle and an uncontrollable itch surge across my body, but I could see my wounds starting to close, though not completely. I still felt the pain in my back.
"Better than nothing, but I have to say my luck—"
I didn't even get to finish when strange noises caught my attention. I turned my head and saw two figures, similar to Skarridi, but much taller and bulkier. Their eyes, bloodshot, moved from the dead monsters to me.
"Cough... Mother, Father, looks like I killed your kids, and as much as I don't mind... bye!"
SHHHHAAHH!
As soon as I saw one of the parents slightly bend their leg, I threw the chest with force, blocking the adult Skarridi's movement—it was already just a few steps away.
I activated Quick Step, darting down the corridor I had come from, and kept running. Those two were Grade 2 monsters, and especially together, I had zero chance of survival if I fought them.
I looked back to see where they were when I had to duck—barely dodging a set of sharp claws.
I reactivated Quick Step, hoping to increase the distance, but those monsters excelled in speed.
"Damn...!"
I took a sharp turn, almost stumbling, as a SHRIEEEK! Split the air. The walls trembled as one of the beasts crashed into the rock.
I slipped into a narrower tunnel, hoping their size would slow them down, but that was just a temporary illusion. I could still hear them behind me.
I need a distraction...
And then, I saw them. A small group of at least ten undead was staggering through a junction just ahead. Upon sensing me, they turned and began approaching quickly.
I activated Shadow Veil, vanishing into the shadows of the passage. The undead could still "see" me, but it was enough to avoid the sight of the Skarridi parents, who now faced a wall of undead.
The undead, for their part, shifted their attention from me to the two monsters—with their stronger vitality, they made better targets.
In times like this, the undead's complete lack of fear comes in handy.
The two adult Skarridi growled in confusion and found themselves fighting the putrid creatures. They were slowed down just enough for me to slip away. The thought of staying crossed my mind, but I knew those monsters would deal with the undead in no time.
I ran through a couple more corridors, ears sharp for any noise. After a few minutes, I slowed to catch my breath.
I can't stay in one place too long... and I don't want to waste this chance.
I kept exploring, looking for the return stone, occasionally running into Skarridi I could kill, keeping a steady growth rate.
(Several hours later...)
"Gods, I hate this kind of dungeon..."
With a sigh, I leaned against the wall to rest. I was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. The only upside was that I had found another potion, restoring my physical condition somewhat, but the blood loss was still taking its toll.
I had gotten dizzy more than once. On top of that, my mana was running low, too.
"Even the dagger that was so 'kindly gifted' to me is pretty much useless now."
I looked sadly at the dagger with its broken blade, but honestly, it had done more than enough. I could only hope the halberd I'd get from the Merchants would be just as useful.
"Speaking of those guys, I bet they're either panicking over my disappearance—or maybe celebrating my death... probably the second."
I couldn't wait to see their faces when I showed up... if I managed to survive. Ignoring useless thoughts, I checked my growth.
[Predation activated.]
[Dracolinea Heart (1.5% → 2.3%)]
[Physique: 1.31 → 1.40]
[New Ability: Razor Claws]
[Razor Claws]
[Grows sharp claws capable of cutting even through metal.]
"Finally, something offensive."
I activated the ability, seeing several centimeter-long claws form. When I tried to scratch the floor, a deafening screech echoed, and deep marks were left on the ground.
Honestly, I didn't see too many practical uses—my main weapon had long reach—but it was a skill that, used right, could come in handy.
After resting a bit more, I kept exploring.
Time passed, though I couldn't tell how much. With no sunlight or clocks, it was hard to track. The only reference I had was how fast my mana regenerated, and judging by that, I'd already spent at least half a day in this hole.
The ground trembled slightly.
I froze.
A disgusting stench hit me, followed by a sound similar to wet clothes being crushed.
At the end of the hallway, a massive hand appeared around a corner, followed by a huge body covered in rotting, pulsating corpses that made sounds from the depths of hell.
The monster's face was covered in human eyes, with a crack down the middle where rows of sharp teeth peeked out.
A bitter laugh escaped me when I saw it. That was a Corpse Golem, a peak Grade 3 monster—definitely the boss of this dungeon. But there was just one tiny issue... what the hell was it doing OUTSIDE the dungeon core room?!
"...You filthy bitch."
I muttered, glancing at the pulsating rune. Then I saw the monster open its jaws and quickly hid behind the wall.
TZZZ!
A stream of acid sprayed down the corridor, even where I had just been. The acid was so strong, the dungeon walls sizzled.
A distorted roar echoed through the dungeon, followed by heavy footsteps closing in fast.
I bolted from my cover just as a massive fist crushed the stone I'd been leaning against. Shards slashed my cheek, but I was already moving.
Quick Step.
My legs moved harder. I turned into a side corridor while the giant tried to follow, scraping its too-large arms against the walls.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
In front of me—the two Skarridi parents, charging like cannonballs. My breath caught as my body was slammed and bounced along the floor.
I coughed up blood, watching the two monsters slowly approach. On the other side, the golem reopened its mouth.
I rolled as fast as I could toward the wall, holding my breath.
The golem spewed its acidic beam, melting everything in its path. Luckily, where I had moved was just outside the range. The same couldn't be said for the Skarridi, who turned into pools of goo.
"GHMM!"
Even though I wasn't hit, the toxic fumes were burning my skin. I activated Scale Armor, which seemed to reduce the effect, but I could see it rotting... and soon it'd be my body's turn.
I couldn't last like this. I used Quick Step again, feeling my mana nearly gone.
I remembered the mental map I'd built while exploring. If I took the spiral path downward, there was a pressure trap that would crush anything against a spiked ceiling.
I found it when a group of monsters tried to ambush me, only to be smashed. I won't lie... I laughed a lot at that scene.
"Oh shit!"
I barely dodged a corpse thrown at me, running down the stairs as the monster closed in.
I reached the hallway, jumped as far as I could to avoid the trap's trigger zone, and kept running.
The golem tried to grab me, stretching its arms like rubber, but I was too far. Then it tried to follow-
SPLAT!
The golem was brutally impaled and fell apart, but before I turned the corner, I saw it already starting to reassemble.
I was exhausted, wounded, and had nearly no mana left. Worse, I was now in a zone where Grade 2 monsters could spawn. I needed a way out, now.
As if someone had heard my prayers, I reached a circular chamber. Blue runes flickered on the walls, and at the center, a return stone.
I grabbed it immediately, just as I saw the golem charging like a raging bull.
"See you next time, asshole~"
Raising my middle finger at the beast, I activated the stone.