I allocated my new stat points with more thought this time, distributing them evenly across strength, agility, and sense. If I was going to survive deeper in this dungeon, I needed to be well-rounded. The moment I confirmed the distribution, that electric sensation coursed through me again, and I couldn't help but grin.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Stefan Hirogi
Level: 3
HP: 250/250
MP: 60/60
Strength: 13
Agility: 12
Vitality: 13
Intelligence: 10
Sense: 9
I was still weak by Hunter standards, but compared to the pathetic kid who'd entered this dungeon an hour ago? I was already a different person. I could feel it in how I moved, how I perceived my surroundings. My senses were sharper I could hear water dripping somewhere distant, smell the musty air more clearly, even sense vibrations through the stone floor.
The system had given me something no amount of privilege or natural talent could match: guaranteed growth. Every kill meant experience. Every level meant power. It was fair in a way the outside world never was.
I pressed deeper into the dungeon, my confidence growing with each step. The tunnel branched several more times, creating a maze-like structure that would have intimidated me before. Now, with my enhanced sense stat, I could somehow feel which paths had more monsters. It was like a pressure in the air, a wrongness that pulled at my awareness.
I followed that sensation into a large chamber where five goblins were gathered around a crude campfire. They were roasting something I didn't want to identify, their guttural voices echoing off the stone walls. Five at once was risky, but I wasn't the same person who'd almost died to a single goblin anymore.
I studied the chamber layout carefully. A narrow entrance, uneven floor, poor lighting except near their fire. I could use all of that. My father's voice echoed in my memory from years ago, back when he'd let me watch his training sessions: "Control the battlefield, control the fight."
I found a loose rock and threw it hard into the darkness beyond their camp. The goblins jumped up, weapons ready, three of them moving to investigate the sound. That left two by the fire, separated from their group.
I moved fast, my improved agility letting me cross the distance silently. The first goblin didn't even see me coming my sword took it through the back. The second turned just in time to catch my blade across its throat. Both dissolved before the others realized what was happening.
[DING!]
[You have slain: Goblin Warrior x2]
[EXP +200]
The remaining three charged back, but they had to funnel through the narrow space between two stalagmites. I met them at that chokepoint, using the terrain to prevent them from surrounding me. One on one became manageable, even when the other two were trying to stab around their companion.
My sword work was still crude, more brawling than technique, but my enhanced stats made up for the lack of skill. I was faster than them now, strong enough to knock their weapons aside, durable enough to take glancing hits without slowing down. One fell, then another, then the last tried to run.
I didn't let it.
[DING!]
[You have slain: Goblin Warrior x3]
[EXP +300]
[LEVEL UP!]
[You are now Level 4!]
The power rush was becoming addictive. Every level up healed me completely, made me stronger, faster, better. I was starting to understand why Hunters chased this feeling, why they threw themselves into dungeons despite the danger. This was what it felt like to transcend human limitations.
But I forced myself to stay focused. Overconfidence killed more Hunters than actual monsters did. I collected the mana stones five more, bringing my total to nine and checked my status.
[EXPERIENCE: 300/500 to Level 5]
Two hundred more experience points. Probably two or three more goblins. Then I'd hit level five and unlock the skill shop. The anticipation made my hands shake as I ventured deeper into the dungeon.
The next chamber was different. Larger, with a proper ceiling carved from solid rock rather than natural cave formation. Torches burned in wall sconces, which meant something intelligent had been here. At the far end, sitting on a crude throne made of bones and scrap metal, was the biggest goblin I'd seen yet.
The boss. Had to be.
It was maybe five feet tall, easily twice the size of the regular goblins, with dark green skin and armor that actually looked functional rather than decorative. In its hands was a proper sword rusty and notched, but real steel. Two regular goblins flanked it like guards.
[WARNING: You have entered a Boss Chamber]
[Goblin Chieftain - Level 6]
[Goblin Elite Guard x2 - Level 4]
The system could identify enemy levels now? That was useful. And concerning. The chieftain was two levels above me, and those guards matched my level. This was the real test.
The guards noticed me first, shrieking a warning. The chieftain rose from its throne, yellow eyes fixing on me with an intelligence that sent chills down my spine. This wasn't a mindless monster. It was a leader, a tactician.
The guards charged while the chieftain hung back, watching. Smart. Test the enemy with expendable troops first. I met the guards head-on, no longer trying to be clever. My stats were high enough now that I could afford to fight directly.
The first guard swung a mace at my head. I ducked under it and drove my shoulder into its chest, using my enhanced strength to send it sprawling. The second came from my left with a spear thrust. I twisted, letting the point scrape across my side instead of punching through, and grabbed the shaft. A hard yank pulled the goblin off-balance, and my sword found its heart.
[DING!]
[You have slain: Goblin Elite Guard]
[EXP +150]
The first guard recovered and came at me with renewed fury, but it was alone now. I parried its mace strike, my father's sword ringing against the heavy weapon, and kicked it in the knee. Bones crunched. It went down screaming, and I finished it quickly.
[DING!]
[You have slain: Goblin Elite Guard]
[EXP +150]
[LEVEL UP!]
[You are now Level 5!]
[SKILL SHOP UNLOCKED!]
[NEW FEATURE AVAILABLE: Daily Quest can now be completed]
The power surge came right as the chieftain decided to enter the fight personally. It moved faster than any goblin I'd seen, closing the distance in three long strides. Its sword came down in an overhead chop that would have split me in half if I hadn't rolled aside.
The blade struck stone with enough force to send sparks flying. This thing was strong. Really strong. My enhanced stats suddenly didn't feel like enough.
The chieftain pressed its advantage, unleashing a series of strikes that forced me backward. Each impact against my blade sent shocks up my arms. This wasn't like fighting the weaker goblins this was fighting something that actually knew swordplay. Basic swordplay, sure, but better than my desperate flailing.
I needed an edge. Something to tip the scales.
"System," I gasped, dodging another heavy strike. "Skill shop. Open it."
[SKILL SHOP]
[Available Skills - Level 5]
[DASH] - 200 EXP
Explosive burst of speed in any direction. Cooldown: 30 seconds
[POWER STRIKE] - 200 EXP
Next attack deals 150% damage. Cooldown: 1 minute
[AURA SENSE] - 300 EXP
Detect living beings within 10 meters. Passive ability
I had exactly 300 experience points available. The chieftain's sword whistled past my ear, close enough that I felt the displacement of air. No time to debate. I needed damage and I needed it now.
"Purchase Power Strike!"
[DING!]
[Skill Acquired: Power Strike (Level 1)]
Knowledge flooded my mind not words or instructions, but pure understanding. I knew how to channel my strength into a single devastating blow. It was like the skill had always been there, just waiting to be remembered.
The chieftain raised its sword for another overhead strike. I saw my opening. As its arms came up, its guard opened. I activated Power Strike, feeling energy gather in my muscles, coiling like a spring.
My father's sword thrust forward faster than I'd ever moved it, driven by strength that exceeded my normal limits. The blade punched through the chieftain's crude armor like it was paper, sinking deep into its chest. The goblin's eyes went wide with shock.
I twisted the blade and pulled it free. The chieftain staggered backward, black blood pouring from the wound. It tried to raise its sword one more time, but its strength was fading. It fell to its knees, then collapsed face-first onto the stone floor.
[DING!]
[You have slain: Goblin Chieftain]
[EXP +500]
[LEVEL UP!]
[You are now Level 6!]
[CONGRATULATIONS! You have cleared your first dungeon!]
[Special Achievement Unlocked: Solo Dungeon Clear]
[Reward: Title "Solo Player" (All stats +2 when fighting alone)]
[Dungeon Core Available for Collection]
The rush of two level ups back-to-back was overwhelming. Power flooded through me so intensely that I fell to my knees, gasping. Every cell in my body felt alive, enhanced, perfected. This was what it meant to level up. This was the addiction that drove Hunters to risk everything.
When the sensation faded, I looked up to see a glowing orb floating where the chieftain's body had been. The dungeon core worth exponentially more than regular mana stones. This single core would sell for at least five million won.
I'd done it. I'd actually cleared an E-Rank dungeon solo. Something that should have been impossible for someone without Aura or training. But the system had made it possible.
As I collected the core with trembling hands, I knew there was no going back. I'd tasted real power now. I'd felt what it was like to be strong, to overcome impossible odds, to win. And I wanted more.
To Be continued...