Chapter 16

Chapter 16

On my way to the dungeon this morning I grabbed 4 MP recovery potions. With my new rise in MP along with a level increase I'm able to take on 7 battles per full MP bar. The goal for today and tomorrow is to complete over 60 battles in total.

As I got closer to the old theatre entrance I saw people lined up around it. There were small groups of people crowded around talking to each other and preparing to enter the dungeon themselves. It looks like the dungeon is finally open for public use.

As I walked through the front doors a few groups eyed me curiously. It looked like there were no solo hunters here except for me.

I unsheathed my sword and made my way directly towards the portal.

"Excuse me sir!"

I turned to see a young man in a grey suit with a white undershirt jogging towards me.

"I couldn't help but notice you're a solo swordsman. Nice to meet you, my name is Jack."

I shook his hand and smiled politely.

"Hi, I'm Jay."

He replied instantly.

"You're aware the recommended solo level for this dungeon is 75. The boss is apparently a tough opponent. I haven't seen you around the other high level E Class dungeons, are you new to town?"

"No I'm not new to town, just new to this level of dungeon I guess. I'm going to do some training on the wolves today."

He eyed my sword.

"Well, I won't pry for any more details. It looks like you know what you're getting yourself into. Here, please take my card. Maybe you'd like to test out our Orc dungeon. It's controlled by the Pace Guild. It's a high E Class just like this one. Swordsman are always welcome."

I took the card and nodded.

"Thanks, maybe I'll come visit when I'm done here. Nice to meet you man."

Typical guild recruits, I've read about them. It was my first time actually being scouted like that, overall it does feel pretty good to be recognized. He didn't ask me to join or anything, but he did show some interest. I put the card in my back pocket as I jumped through the blue portal.

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The dungeon was a little crowded over the next 2 days, but the deeper I ventured in the less often I'd see any fellow hunters.

I stayed in the dungeon for 12+ hours a day. I completed 62 total battles. It was becoming more troublesome to find wolves than to fight them. I gained a total of 4 levels and made 13 silver in net profit.

[Status Open]

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Name: Jay Soju

Level: 56

Hp: 285/285

Mp: 285/285

Strength: 140 [+50]

Speed: 160

Agility: 168

Defense: 127

Mental Strength: 140

Skills:

Absorption

Swordsmanship

Items Equipped:

Stainless Steel Long Sword [+50 Strength]

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It's Wednesday morning, I'm level 56. Today I have to beat the boss...

I looked in my bedside drawer to see 18 silver coins and a pile of bronze. I grabbed 8 silver and 3 bronze along with my sword and walked out the door.

I got breakfast at a local shop and made my way over to the merchant's stand.

"Hey old man, I need 4 MP and 4 HP potions today. Plus a small carrying pouch for my waist if you've got one."

I placed the 8 silver on the counter. The merchant looked at me with an eyebrow raised as he rummaged through some drawers.

"Big fight today?"

I ran to the back of the cave again. I had a 5-10m head start but the wolf man was close behind. His fire kept burning brighter and brighter.

"RUUUUUAARAARRR!!"

It let out an ear piercing roar and lit up the room behind me. I could feel the hot flames burning the shirt off my back. All I could do was sprint with all my might towards the back of the cave.

The flames grew hotter and hotter. I heard the beast's roar and didn't dare look back. The fire was burning my upper back, I let out a yell I pushed my legs to their limits running faster than I ever have.

"AHHHHHHHHRAAAAA!"

Moments later I was hit with a blast of flames and heard the monster's final cry.

I jumped forwards with all my strength avoiding as much of this final attack as I could. I had successfully outran the beast, but it's flames shot forward over 10m. I was able to avoid a blunt force attack, but was still hit with a deadly wall of fire.

I was thrown against a wall and tumbled to the ground. After this explosive attack, the cave became eerily silent. The light of the flames disappeared leaving me in empty darkness.

I heard a loud ringing in my head.

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

Before opening my status I noticed a faint blue glowing light in the darkness of the cave. It was about 15 meters from me. I limped my way over to it using my sword as a crutch.

As I approached the wolf man's fried corpse I saw familiar glowing blue words.

[Use Absorption]

Skill: Combat Magic [Fire Summoning]

[YES][NO]

My eyes went wide. With a faint smile I chose [YES].

The monster's body started disappearing. It dropped a large mana crystal and a shiny gold ring with a small wolf's head imprinted on it.

I picked them both up. Put the mana crystal in my pouch, then curiously put the ring on my left hand's middle finger. It tightened to fit my finger perfectly.

The white light appeared and transported me back to the dungeon's entrance.

I stepped out back into the home world and stood in the theatre hall. My shirt had been burned off and I was bleeding from wounds all over my body. I just grinned and opened my status.

[Status Open]

____________

Name: Jay Soju

Level: 61

Hp: 37/310

Mp: 265/310

Strength: 152 [+50]

Speed: 174

Agility: 183

Defense: 138

Mental Strength: 152 [+30]

Skills:

Absorption

Swordsmanship

Combat Magic [Fire Summoning]

Items Equipped:

Stainless Steel Long Sword [+50 Strength]

Golden Wolf Ring [+20% Mental Strength]

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