Chapter 39 - Werewolf (1)

Werewolf (1)

As you can expect from their names, Werewolf Elites and Battle Spider Assassins were monsters with enhanced features of the Werewolves and Battle Spiders, respectively.

Each of them was a little bigger, and their body parts such as their limbs were stronger.

The Elites have a more improved combination of mobility and strength, while the Assassins have better strength and stronger webs.

What’s unfortunate for them, however, is that I have already conquered the first floor of Jinma Tower. I am already strong enough not to feel threatened by them.

So, I was able to kill Elites more easily than the first Werewolf I’ve defeated, and Assassins faster than when I faced my first Battle Spider.

It was also simple to kill them. Just hiding with Surprise and Fairy Tale, get within striking distance and finish them off with a single Power Attack.

“Kigi-chang!”

“Kuhhung! Yum!”

My Martial Arts that has reached the Intermediate level has not only improved in terms of skill but also had significantly amplified damage. With every strike, I took down one life, and just like that, I killed every monster I encountered.

Now that I’m convinced there’s nothing dangerous about this realm, I don’t have to move slowly and carefully.

[You gained 7,500 experience.]

[You acquired  3 silver 30 bronze.]

After killing all the monsters within my Detection range, I piled them up and predated on them.

My Flame Magic has reached the Lower Lv.3, and the bodies of the monsters were cooked faster and more accurately than before. The scent of the roasted meats aroused my appetite.

“Ow!”

The smell wasn’t just for me. The Assassins and Elites beyond my Detection area began rushing in quickly towards the source of the delicious smell.

Of course, it wasn’t long for them to join the pile and get roasted along with the others.

It’s a pity. I wanted to induce mass appearances, but I’m unable to do it, so it’s sad.

Actually, I half-expected a Giant Spider or a Giant Wolf to appear soon, but they didn’t, either.

“I will enjoy this food.”

It would be a lie if I said I didn’t crave to taste the meat of the higher species.

The result, however, was only half the success I expected.

The Elites tasted better than the Werewolf, definitely. Its meat was more tastier and more tender, and it tasted just like Korean beef sirloin, which I had just eaten once, on my 18th birthday.

However, I expected it to be more than this.

I craved for more.

The taste of the highest-level species.

It’s a good urge. It’s an impulse that helps me become stronger.

I ended up eating with more excitement at the thought.

Then, I used my skills around the cave for digestion and prepared for the next meal.

[Predation after hunting Werewolf 2,000/2,000]

[Predation after hunting Battle Spiders 2,000/2,000]

[Predation after Werewolf Elite 500/500]

[Predation after hunting Battle Spider Assassins 500/500]

[Warwolf hunting predation 2,000/2,000]

[Prey 2,000/2,000 after hunting battle spiders]

[Warwolf Elite Hunting Predator 500/500]

[500/500 predator after hunting Battle Spider Assassin]

I was able to complete the four items of the quest. My level grew to 56, and I am now even stronger.

In the meantime, I continued searching 2F and continued to catch and kill Elites and Assassins.

After running through the whole level several times, I have drawn the conclusion that there are no areas for the Giant Wolf and Giant Spiders in 2F.

However, I found a boss room with a keyhole.

I ran 2F five more times, all the way through. I was sure. There was no other area where I can find them. They have to be inside this boss room.

Naturally, I recalled about the Goblin Knight I encountered on 1F. He appeared only after the Goblin Warrior’s mass appearance ended, and I got the key to the boss room from him.

It was probably the same in 2F.

Then, what do I do?

Induce mass appearance.

In the shortest possible time, kill as many Elites and Assassins as possible.

My theory was right. At least, it’s half-right.

I never met a Giant Wolf.

However, a Giant Spider appeared at the end of each mass appearance.

They weren’t in this dungeon, but it seemed that they spawned when a certain number of monsters were already killed in a specific duration. Other than that, I couldn’t think of any other explanation of why I wasn’t able to find them when I searched around 2F.

[Predation after hunting Giant Wolf 0/5]

[Predation after hunting Giant Spider 4/5]

I am now facing the fifth Giant Spider, who appeared in the same way.

“Kya Kya Kya Kiyaa!”

The Giant Spider crawled on the ceiling, its legs making a creepy sound. He attacked me by shooting black spider webs through all of its eight legs, not just from its sting. It was a very enviable ability.

I was hoping that as my skill grows further, I would eventually be able to make spider webs through my fingers, but the skill window that popped up when it reached the Lower level betrayed me once more.

I really needed a web-producing organ in my body. Oh, well.

“Kiya!”

“Kyap!”

Moreover, the Giant Spider’s web does not only bind its opponent, but it had some sort of acid that melts its prey. It was not good for my metallic armor.

Damage caused by acid cannot be easily repaired. I’ll need a tremendous amount of blood. Therefore, I need to burn off all the webs before they reached me, but the webs were also strong enough and required quite a bit of flame to be totally burned off.

“Be persistent!”

I used Leap. The black webs that he’s shooting out were focused on me as if they were guided by lasers.

My Blood Shadow, containing blood, and amplified with Flame Magic, shot flaming balls with its trajectory.

“Take that!”

The Giant Spider seemed to have found a weakness while I was up in the air wielding the sword. Its huge, sharp-clawed paws reached for me and struck me. It was very fast, very powerful… and it was what I was waiting for.

I immediately used Beast Charge. Beast Charge improves not only my legs but also my arms’ strength and speed.

Before the spider’s forefoot, which was like the reaper’s sickle, broke my helmet, Blood Shadow flew at him like a flash.

“Kiyap!”

With Power Attack and Black Lightning, its leg was cut off.

“Kiyi!”

In the process of growing into a higher-level species, the Giant Spider not only gets a more powerful web but also grows a massive body and stronger claws. However, if you get close to them, they seem to forget that their specialty is their webs and start to proceed with a physical assault.

I was confident it couldn’t hurt me because I was covered with helmet and armor. If an egg hits a rock, it only breaks the egg’s shell.

I landed on the floor with the Giant Spider’s leg and chewed on it.

More than restoring my stamina and mana, it was to provoke him to approach me.

However, the Giant Spider appeared to become more cautious.

It didn’t jump on me as I expected, but instead took a step back and raised one of its left legs.

I’ve seen that move with four other Giant Spiders before him.

It’s what they do before shooting out multiple spider webs.

They have a disadvantage because they are unable to move while they are manipulating their webs.

It meant that if I somehow avoid the webs that he’ll shoot out and get closer to him, it would be his end.

The Giant Spider knew it.

Perhaps it is a bet he is willing to take.

I just smiled inside and bent my knees very slightly, slowly raising my Surprise and Fairy Tale.

Come.

I ran, bringing Surprise and Fairy Tale to max power. If he can’t see me, he can’t catch me with those webs.

Then,

“Kyeeop!”

Too much excitement is never good for battle.

It translates to overreaction, which leads to death.

I deliberately touched one of his webs lying around the dungeon, with the intention to direct his senses to it.

Then, the next moment, I burned it off with a fireball, and used Leap in the opposite direction.

The Spider is obviously panicking, trying to figure out where I was.

In the next moment, I used Leap once more and drove a fireball against its belly.

Then, I thrust my Blood Shadow in its head and charged it with Black Lightning.

“Kiya!”

This monster is a Giant Spider, not a troll. I’ve endured worse.

[You gained 19,680 experience.]

[You acquired  3 silver 55 bronze.]

[You acquired  an ebon carapace.]

[You acquired  the key to the 2nd boss room of ​​the Black Palace.]

“Ebon carapace.”

It must be a rare material. It pleased me, but I was more pleased because I was right.

2F boss room key.

This time, it was also clear that the Giant Wolves stayed in the boss room with a Werewolf King.

I sensed six presences inside the boss room.

There was no hesitation anymore after getting the boss room key.

I went straight to the exclusive store.

Rain greeted me with a smile.

“What did you come to buy today?”

“I’m just here to ask for Today’s Luck.”

Rain’s eyebrows shook. Even such movements looked elegant on him. Damn it.

“Your helmet is old. Why don’t you change one of your helmets this time?”

“No, Today’s Luck is enough. I’m going to save a little more money.”

“Hmm.”

Rain shrugged at my firm words. Then, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Soon, he stared at me and asked me once more.

“Fate, may I ask you what you hate the most?”

His question seemed to be unrelated to our current subject. Fortunately, by this time, I am already able to grasp what Rain is saying behind his words. So, I answered.

“Fear.”

And giving up.

Because these two are the biggest obstacles that keep me from moving forward.

At my immediate response, Rain shook his head with a smile.

“Huhoo, I guess I was worried.”

“I understand what you’re trying to say,” I told him. I stared at the glass he placed in front of me as I continued. “But nowadays, I have come to realize that it is important to know your own strength. I’ve come to the conclusion that there was nothing more that could threaten me in 2F.”

“Yes. I think you got more from the Jinma Tower than I expected. Well done, Fate.”

The glass is full with a sparkling golden drink.

I felt good.

“Savor it,” Rain offered. “It’s to celebrate your new birth.”

Of course, I didn’t hesitate to drink it up at once.

It was a ridiculously sweet drink. It felt like the taste clung on to my throat as the alcohol passed down through my esophagus, leaving a cool, sweet path.

[For 30 minutes after leaving the exclusive store, the amount of gold and items you’ll gain will be triple.]

“This…”

“What is it? Is it a prize?”

I saw Rain’s mischievous smile and realized that he knew it what I’d get this time.

But… okay. He was always testing me.

“I’ll tell you when I come next time,” I told him.

“I am looking forward to it.”

[0:30:00]

As soon as I left the exclusive shop, I started running. Of course, I already know where the boss room is located.

I arrived in less than 15 minutes to the boss room.

In other words, I only have 15 minutes left to use the buff.

Triple amount of gold and items, and obviously the same applies to rewards such as the wooden crate that appeared after I defeated the Goblin King in 1F.

That means I have to kill them all in 15 minutes.

A Werewolf King and five Giant Wolves.

You can do it.

I put the key in the keyhole and turned it.

As with the 1F boss room, the scene that filled my eyes once inside was full of darkness.

Giant Wolves are lined up. Their eyes are closed, their obviously lithe and powerful bodies were relaxed, like strong racehorses before the horse race begins.

There was a shabby throne, and the creature sitting on it has a wolf’s fur, claws, tails, and head upon a human body.

He wore shabby clothes, but a necklace with blue gems made him look special.

The Werewolf King.

He also remained still with his eyes closed, as if he was frozen.

I considered for a moment how to clear the room as fast as possible.

Soon, I came to a conclusion and raised my Surprise and Fairytale to the maximum.

Detection sensed the weakest part of my target.

Leap and Beast Charge were also charged to the maximum, making me faster than a wolf.

Black Lightning, Flame Magic, Blood Shadow were all charged to my sword at the maximum, as it glowed with soft light, signaling a Power Attack.

All of my traits and skills are harmonized and amplified by my Intermediate level Martial Arts.

Thanks to the Martial Arts skill, I can place more than half of my mana to be contained on the sword for a single attack.

My Ebon Heart is thumping as if it was going to explode.

It told me…

It is possible.

I answered it by plunging my sword in the heart of the King. He made a very small sound of pain and surprise, while his startled eyes stared at me, with life draining from them every second…

[You gained 107,500 experience!]

[You acquired  30 gold!]

[You acquired  Pelcadia’s Gem (Blue)!]

[You acquired  Werewolf Mane Hair]

[You acquired  Werewolf Iron Nail]

I pulled the sword out relentlessly. The Werewolf King’s body collapsed on the spot.

The five Giant Wolves came to life and cried insanely when they saw what just happened.

I laughed as I rushed towards them.