Their massive frames shattered, runes flickering violently before going dark as both golems collapsed into rubble.
Only one remained.
At the far end of the clearing, the Guardian of the Forest staggered, its runic armor fractured, blue light leaking from deep cracks across its chest.
More than half of its health had vanished in a single exchange.
Dust settled.
Flames hissed.
Alan lowered his sword slightly, golden embers drifting from Dainsleif's edge.
"Now only you remain," Alan grinned, pointing Dainsleif at the towering monster.
The Guardian of the Forest roared and slammed both of its massive arms into the ground.
The earth answered.
Jagged stone spikes erupted forward in a violent wave, tearing through the soil toward Alan. Without hesitation, he activated Quick Step, his body blurring as he slipped between the rising pillars with pinpoint precision.
In the same motion, Alan switched weapons.
The Shaman Staff appeared in his hand, its crude runes glowing faintly as he pointed it straight at the golem.
"Ritual hex"
[ Ritual Hex ]
Effect:
• Curses a single target
• Reduces Attack Power, Defense, and Magic Power by 50%
• Duration: 10 seconds
A black, totem-like sigil burned itself onto the Guardian's chest. Instantly, the blue light within its body dimmed, its movements slowing as its power was forcibly suppressed.
Alan didn't stop there.
"Lesser Flame Hex."
[ Lesser Flame Hex ]
Effect:
• Deals 120% of Magic Power as Fire Damage over 6 seconds
Additional Effect:
• Reduces target's Magic Resistance by 10% while active
Crimson fire seeped into the cracks of the golem's body, unstable flames burning from the inside out as molten fissures spread across its stone frame.
Alan then dismissed the staff and switched weapons again.
A new blade appeared in his grasp.
[ Crimson Flame Sword – Rare Rank ]
A sword he had personally forged last month, its core enchanted specifically for spell-based sword techniques. Though Alan took out it for its skill.
Alan raised it.
"Let's end this."
The runes on the blade ignited.
[ Flame Wave Activated ]
Effect:
• Releases five slashes
• Each slash deals 500% Magic Damage as Fire damage.
• If all slashes hit a single target, the final slash deals 1,000% Magic Damage
Alan swung.
Five crescent-shaped waves of crimson fire tore through the air in rapid succession, crashing directly into the Guardian of the Forest.
The first slash shattered its outer armor.
The second and third tore deep into its core.
The fourth blew chunks of enchanted stone apart—
—and the fifth descended like a burning executioner's blade.
BOOM—!
The Guardian's chest exploded in a torrent of fire and shattered runes, its blue core flickering wildly as cracks raced across its entire body.
The massive golem froze mid-roar.
Then—
CRACK.
Its body collapsed inward, breaking apart into countless fragments as the core shattered completely.
The Guardian of the Forest fell.
Silence fell over the battlefield.
Then—
[ Guardian of the Forest has been defeated ]
A surge of energy flooded Alan's body.
[ Massive EXP acquired ]
[ Your level has risen ]
[ Your level has risen ]
[ Your level has risen ]
[ Your level has risen ]
...
[ You are now Level 187 ]
Alan exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as the lingering heat faded from his blade.
"That should push me quite a bit closer," he muttered, glancing at his status before turning toward the collapsing remains of the golem.
A series of notifications appeared one after another.
[ Drops Acquired ]
[ Blue Orichalcum ×11 ]
[ Iron Ore ×32 ]
Alan's eyes narrowed slightly in satisfaction.
"Jackpot."
Alan smiled as he picked up the final drop—a skill book.
[ Poison Arrow – Skill Book (Rare) ]
A dark green arrow formed from condensed toxic essence.
Effect:
• Each arrow deals 10% of Physical Attack Power and 10% of Magic Attack Power as damage
• On hit, 30% chance to inflict Poison
• Poison deals 80% Attack Power as damage over 10 seconds
• Poison damage stacks up to 3 times
Mana Cost: 100 mana per arrow
Requirements:
• Level 180 or higher
• Intermediate Bow Mastery Lv.1
Alan examined the description carefully, then shook his head.
"This is a powerful archer-class skill… but I can't use it yet. It requires Intermediate Bow Mastery," he muttered, slipping the book into his inventory.
'Any combat-oriented class needs weapon mastery,' Alan thought calmly.
'I can definitely use this in the future once I acquire the right class.'
With that settled, he left the ruined clearing.
However, Alan didn't rush back to the smithy. His plan was clear—reach as high a level as possible before returning to crafting.
"The forums were talking about the desert near Reidan City," Alan murmured as he skimmed through recent posts while resting.
"Apparently, powerful monsters spawn there."
The game's hunger system kicked in, so Alan stopped to eat. The taste was incredibly realistic, almost indistinguishable from real food, and he enjoyed the meal without restraint.
After all, money was no longer a concern.
Every piece of equipment he had crafted in Frontier City had been purchased by the city lord himself, earning Alan a massive fortune.
Well-fed, well-equipped, and steadily growing stronger—
Alan rose to his feet, his gaze settling on the horizon.
"Before heading to the desert… I should make a stop," he murmured.
Opening the map, Alan booked a carriage bound for Winston. The journey didn't take long, and soon the familiar city walls came into view. Unlike the frontier zones, Winston felt calm and orderly—a place of craftsmen rather than adventurers risking their lives daily.
Alan headed straight for Khan's Smithy.
The moment he pushed the door open, the sound of hammer striking metal rang out clearly, followed by the roar of a properly tended furnace. The once-neglected workshop now looked alive—cleaned, organized, and filled with the scent of hot iron.
Khan stood at the anvil, sweat beading on his brow, his movements steady and focused.
"Back already?" Khan said, glancing over his shoulder. A faint smile appeared when he recognized Alan.
Alan replied simply, "I came to repair my equipment before heading out again."
"I have repair tools if you need them," Khan said, taking out a portable anvil and a specialized hammer.
Alan raised an eyebrow. "How are they different from a normal anvil and hammer?"
"They're consumables," Khan explained. "And they also make sure we get paid for repairing equipment. That's how repair services work in cities."
Alan nodded in understanding.
Soon after, using the repair tools, Alan carefully restored his equipment. The damage wasn't even five percent, but he repaired everything anyway—keeping his gear in pristine condition before setting out again.