The hall opened before Jon like a stone cathedral. The ceiling was high, supported by natural columns that looked like giant bones. In the center, standing before a rustic throne made of skulls and twisted wood, was the dungeon guardian.
A goblin the size of an adult human, its bulging muscles covered in scars. In its right hand, it wielded an axe as large as its torso. In its left, another, equally menacing. Its red eyes glowed like embers, fixed on Jon with animalistic hatred.
GRRRRHHHH!
The monster grunted, raising its weapons and pointing at the intruder.
Jon merely raised an eyebrow, a provocative smile appearing. "I don't understand what you're saying, but I don't think it's anything good! Hehehe."
Fwooooshhh!
The first axe flew through the air like lightning, spinning swiftly towards Jon's neck.
Whoooshhh—THUD!
With a quick sidestep, Jon narrowly dodged. The wind of the impact ruffled his hair, and the sound of iron hitting the wall echoed through the hall.
"So sensitive..." He laughed, already pulling his bow from his inventory. "Hehehe."
An arrow appeared between his fingers, its tip shrouded in cutting energy. He strung and released it in a continuous motion.
Fwip! Whooooshhh!
The arrow spun like a vortex of wind, gaining speed until it became almost invisible. The projectile cut through the air, aiming for the boss's shoulder.
The goblin raised its second axe and used it as a shield, deflecting the trajectory. Still, the impact made it recoil a step, its feet dragging on the stone.
Grrrhhhaaahhh!
With a furious roar, the monster charged, brandishing both axes in wide movements.
Jon activated his Mystic Eyes. Immediately, the flow of mana glowed before him, revealing every intention of the enemy.
'Energy is flowing to his legs... he's going to jump.'
Jon raised his sword at the same instant the goblin jumped, bringing the axe down in a crushing arc.
CRAAASHHH!
Luminar blocked the impact, flames engulfing the blade and repelling part of the force. Still, Jon was pushed back, his feet scraping the stone floor.
"Heavy..." he murmured, his muscles tensing.
The goblin attacked again, a horizontal strike.
'Mana is in his right arm. He's going to swing the axe down.'
Jon ducked, the flaming blade rising in response.
Shhhrrraaahhh!
The burning steel cut part of the monster's arm, cauterizing the wound immediately. The bestial scream echoed through the hall.
GRHHHHAAAARGHH!
Jon took advantage of the recoil to sheath his sword and draw his bow again.
Fwip! Fwooooshhh!
Three arrows flew in sequence, each enveloped in wind. The goblin spun its remaining axe, blocking two, but the third pierced its shoulder, eliciting an even angrier roar.
Thrruuummpphh!
Jon dodged the counterattack, rolling on the ground. The goblin's enormous axe crushed the spot where he had been a second before.
He quickly stood up, cold sweat running down his forehead. 'He's tough. I need to finish this soon.'
Luminar returned to his hand, flames roaring like a dragon. Jon advanced with a precise sequence: a horizontal cut, blocked; a direct thrust, parried; and then a full spin, the sword opening a cut in the goblin's abdomen.
Shhhrrrraahhh!
The boiling blood evaporated on contact with the fire.
The monster, however, did not yield. It threw its remaining axe with fury. Jon ducked and, in a reflex, launched a short arrow in response, hitting the enemy's knee.
The goblin toppled sideways, leaning on the improvised staff of the throne. Its grunts echoed through the hall, a mixture of pain and rage.
Jon closed his eyes for an instant, channeling his mana.
'Enough. I'll end this now.'
He raised his free hand, conjuring water from the humid air of the cave. The drops gathered in the air, hundreds of them shimmering like tiny suspended crystals.
Plinnn... Plinnn...
The goblin's eyes widened, realizing too late.
The drops began to freeze, forming sharp points. In a few seconds, dozens of ice spears hovered around Jon, each glowing with a bluish aura.
"Time to sleep, boss."
Fwoooshhh—SHHHHHHRRRAHHHH!
The spears fired in unison, piercing the goblin's body. The impact was brutal: the projectiles perforated its chest, legs, and even its skull, pinning the monster against the stone door behind it.
The final roar was muffled by the sound of the stakes breaking bones and cracking the rock.
CRRRAAACK!
The door behind it gave way, cracking and breaking into pieces.
The boss's body collapsed to the ground, surrounded by ice.
Jon took a deep breath, his eyes still shining. The blue menu floated before him.
EXP: +12 000 / 60 000
▰▰▱▱▱▱▱▱▱▱ (≈20.0%)
He smiled, wiping the sweat from his face. "It's over..."
The dust still hung in the air as Jon walked through the debris of the door broken by the boss's body. The narrow corridor opened into a small, circular stone room, silent and almost ceremonial.
In the center, illuminated by a soft beam of magical light descending from a crack in the ceiling, lay an ancient chest. The rusty hinges betrayed its age, but the aura emanating from it made it clear: this was no ordinary treasure.
Jon took a deep breath and advanced, his footsteps echoing in the empty space. He placed his hand on the lid, feeling a shiver run down his arms. With a single movement, he lifted the heavy lid.
Crreeeekk!
Inside, carefully folded, was a piece of armor. The silver metal reflected the magical light as if newly forged. Delicate runes ran across its entire surface, vibrating in harmony with the power Jon already knew.
A notification appeared before his eyes:
[Luminar Armor — RANK SS]Suitability to Owner: Perfect fit for the wearer, can transform with thought.Effect: Increases user's capabilities by 10%.History: Forged to accompany the Sword of Serenity, it protected generations of heroes in times of war.Jon smiled, satisfied. "Another part of the set... not bad for a first adventure."
With a thought, the armor molded to his body. The leather and metal adjusted perfectly, as if they had always belonged to him. He felt energy pulsing in every fiber, his body responding with lightness and renewed strength. He closed the empty chest and leaned against the wall for a moment.
Jon chuckled softly, adjusting his hood. "Over five hundred goblins... and it's still only nine o'clock. When I get back to the academy, I'll have plenty of time to rest."
Each goblin body would be exchanged for fifty tils at the guild. The profit would be absurd. Not to mention the emerald coins he got from the assassin's body.
'The first adventure exceeded expectations. I gained experience, points, resources, and... another piece of the Luminar set.'
The young man closed his eyes for an instant, allowing himself to relax. He could still feel the echo of the battle, the smell of burnt blood mixed with the cold of the cave. But, above all, there was the satisfaction of emerging victorious.
He stood up, brushed the dust from his overcoat, and began to walk back through the dark corridors. The sound of his own footsteps accompanied him, rhythmic and constant.
[MENU] — Status Window
Name: Jon Woodmoon
Age: 15 | Level: 30
EXP: 12 000/60 000 — ▰▰▱▱▱▱▱▱▱▱ (≈20.0%)
Tils: 753 152 | Academy Points: 140 000
[STATISTICS]
HP: 2 200 | MP: 2 500
Attributes (base + bonus = total)Strength: 65 + 50 (10%) = 126Agility: 75 + 50 (10%) = 137Constitution: 40 + 50 (10%) = 99Intelligence: 95 + 10 (10%) = 115Luck: 100 + 50 (10%) = 165Free Points: 100[EQUIPMENT]
Luminar, the Sword of Serenity — RANK SS
Level: 10 | EXP: 1 277/9 000 — ▰▰▰▱▱▱▱▱▱▱ (≈32.7%)
Granted BonusesStrength +50 | Agility +50 | Constitution +50Intelligence +10 | Luck +50EnchantmentsSuitability to Owner: Perfect fit for the wearer.Energy Absorption: Converts energy from victims into bonus attributes (unlimited capacity).Description
Straight and sober blade, silver runes along the edge; handle in aged brown leather; crescent-shaped guard with a discreet golden glow.
History
Belonged to a chosen one who sealed conflicts in Aeloria. Wielded in despair, it became a symbol of unity and lasting peace.
Luminar Armor — RANK SSSuitability to Owner: Perfect fit for the wearer, can transform with thought.Effect: Increases user's capabilities by 10%.History: Forged to accompany the Sword of Serenity, it protected generations of heroes in times of war.[SKILLS]Mystic EyesPassives and ProficienciesElven Race: Amplifies mana manipulation.Human Race: +50% EXP gain due to adaptability.Archer (Intermediate) — Lvl 9Warrior (Intermediate) — Lvl 7Arcane Swordsman (Intermediate) — Lvl 10Explorer (Specialist) — Lvl 10Alchemy (Beginner) — Lvl 1Assassin (Beginner) — Lvl 1[MISSIONS]None active at the moment.