Chapter 12: Dungeon Boss
He made his way toward the mountain housing the teleportation portal. Fortunately, he had familiarized himself with the dungeon's layout, sparing him from wasting precious time in search of the platform.
Dante encountered a variety of monsters along the way: small slimes, King slimes, Goblins, Rock Worms, Gnomes... These creatures were common in the dungeon, and if he wanted to encounter different ones, he would have to thoroughly explore it. However, Founding Goblins were relatively easy to find, mainly concentrated in their settlements, which made them Dante's primary targets.
He also got a chance to test his new skill, Invigorate. After an extended period of hunting, his body grew tired. Using the skill on himself felt like he just had a comfortable sleep. Though the effects were slightly diminished without the mask, they were still quite beneficial. The downside was that it cost him 25 points of Energy.
Dante reached level 12 and decided to allocate his stat points into Endurance, aiming to enhance his capacity for using Invigorate.
Dante summoned his Status Screen.
STATUS SCREEN:
Player: Dante (Human)
Health: 100/100
Energy: 130/130
Level: 12 (673/6,200)
Stat Points: 0
Skills:
Concentration(+50%)
Invigorate(+50%)
Attributes:
Strength: 8
Defense: 1
Vitality: 1
Endurance: 3
Agility: 3
Intelligence: 1
Allocating 2 points to Endurance, Dante saw his Energy level rise to 130. As he glanced at the experience points needed for the next level, he understood he had to keep hunting monsters relentlessly. With determination in his eyes, he gazed at the setting sun, resolving to conquer the dungeon.
Along his path, Dante killed any monsters that dared cross his way, his sights firmly set on the impending battle with the dungeon's boss.
***
Having spent nearly two hours walking the dungeon and killing monsters, Dante made sure to collect their cores, diligently storing them in his inventory. With this relentless effort, he levelup to level 13, allocating the stat point to Defense.
Standing before the levitating stone on the teleportation platform, Dante took a deep breath, prepared for the moment he had eagerly anticipated.
His goblin-acquired dagger, now worn from numerous encounters, had succumbed. Thankfully, with the activation of his Concentration skill, Dante found he could proficiently wield various weapons. This, however, still required a bit of training.
Having gathered information about the dungeon boss, which was reported to be a two-headed ogre, Dante took a deep breath to brace himself for his first solo fight with a dungeon boss. Extending his hand to touch the stone's surface, Dante's expression turned resolute as he tightened his grip, causing the levitating stone to shatter.
***
The arrow was propelled with force. The two-headed ogre, sensing the threat, raised its club to block. However, another arrow followed, finding its mark in the creature's shoulder.
"Roar!" The two-headed ogre bellowed in pain, but it picked up its pace, closing the distance between it and Dante. But Dante had already achieved his goal of stalling for a few precious seconds. He quickly activated his skill, Concentration, and shifted his weapon back to a sword.
His focus was stretched to its limits or even beyond that, and recalling his past mistake, Dante keenly observed the movements of the two-headed ogre's eyes.
With its immense size, the ogre presented numerous openings that Dante could exploit. He took precise aim and wounds kept accumulating on the ogre.
As Dante sidestepped another attack, he swiftly maneuvered behind the ogre and he felt that sensation once more. Ready for it this time, Dante bent his knees and leaped.
Swoosh!
The club swished through the air beneath him as Dante thrust his sword while still mid-air.
Sphhhlt!
Dante's sword thrust successfully pierced one of the two-headed ogre's eyes. After landing, he quickly retreated while casting his support skill, Invigorate, on himself.
"I did it!" Dante shouted inwardly as the two-headed ogre thrashed about, clutching its wounded eye. Its crazy movements kept Dante at bay, which gave him a much-needed breather.
After a while, the two-headed ogre decided to unleash its agony upon the one who had caused it.
The ogre roared once more and charged at Dante.
Empowered by the effects of Invigorate, Dante felt a surge of energy, as if he could keep fighting for another hour. He raised his sword and met the charging monster head-on.
***
Outside the dungeon, at the park where the dungeon portal stood, only 40 minutes had passed.
Some of the holders who were planning to enter the abandoned train station dungeon had gathered here, unable to access their intended destination due to the ongoing investigation.
They had also heard rumors of someone attempting to conquer an F-class dungeon alone, which had drawn their attention. Conversations buzzed among them, the majority being young and newly awakened holders. Those aged 20 and above likely possessed D-class potential at most, seeking their livelihoods in an F-class dungeon.
Among the crowd were ordinary individuals—attendants of holders, dungeon staff, and guild agents seeking to recruit new talent.
One such figure was Manny, a guild agent hailing from an unknown guild. He possessed a lean physique, with oversized round glasses perched on his nose bridge, and face painted with freckles. His suit appeared more like a coat due to its large size.
In a word, Manny exuded an air of passivity.
He had come here in search of potential guild members, but thus far, no one had shown any interest. Manny had been stationed here since morning, and just as he contemplated leaving, whispers reached his ears about someone attempting a solo dungeon conquest.
Intrigued, Manny decided to linger for another hour, eager to witness this interesting endeavor.
"I truly hope he succeeds." Manny silently cheered for the brave soul.
"If he pulls it off, he's got the skills of a three-star, at least."
"He's definitely smurfing."
"Haha!"
Manny turned towards the source of their laughter, his gaze falling on their uniforms. Memories of a particular school and thinking how his guild fared against them, caused him to smile wryly.
"I heard his name is Eka. I wonder if he's already in a guild," Manny pondered, though he knew the likelihood of someone joining their guild was slim. Even an F-rated potential holder might not give them a second glance.
"But if he really pulls this off..." Manny's eyes scanned the area, observing ordinary individuals in suits engaging in professional conversations with holders.