The system provided information about the monster in front of Sun, and upon careful review, he hesitated to attack due to the level difference and lack of skills.
Apart from "Cosmic Burst," he didn't have any other skills because he hadn't received the warrior class skill, which he would obtain at Level 10.
Typically, it would take about 3 weeks of grinding, with the fastest being around a week, to reach Level 10 and obtain a class skill. These requirements were in place to allow the body to gradually adapt to the changes and handle the newfound power.
However, due to the five times experience point penalty, Sun needed to exert five times more effort than a normal person, which is why he hadn't reached Level 10 yet.
Nevertheless, Sun wasn't in a hurry. Being in Nightmare difficulty, the enemies were much stronger than regular monsters, some even evolved.
However, with this increased difficulty, he would gain greater benefits in the long run. He predicted that killing another one or two of these monsters would eventually advance him to Level 10, as he only needed two more levels.
Now that he had found the monster from which he could gain the necessary experience, he faced a dilemma. If he attacked, his stealth skill from the cloak would be disabled for 6 hours, and given Mossheart's habits, once he initiated an attack, every one of these monsters would be relentless in their pursuit to kill him.
For Sun, he was confident in his current agility, allowing him to dodge most attacks. His keen senses, including his enhanced vision with the help of the Prediction Line, helped him predict the direction of incoming attacks. By using Auraforge, he could further enhance his agility and speed.
Sun knew that the Mossheart creatures had powerful but slow attacks due to their large size and the obstacles posed by the roots and rocks on their bodies. This made them vulnerable to agile attacks.
Sun remained perched on top of a tree, observing a group of Mossheart monsters. Their movements were slow due to their size, and they eventually reached a particular tree that caught Sun's attention. This tree stood tall, with a weathered trunk adorned with intricate, unknown patterns that emitted a soft green glow. Even the leaves of the tree had a gentle luminescence.
As the Mossheart creatures rested and wandered around the tree, Sun carefully observed his surroundings, making no sudden movements. He would occasionally switch positions to get different vantage points.
As the day gradually came to an end and the light began to fade, Sun knew that in the Dimension, nighttime was the most dangerous. With limited vision, one never knew what lurked in the darkness.
However, this did not concern Sun. He immediately enhanced his eyes and activated his Nightvision ability in preparation for the approaching night.
[-500 MP]
Upon noticing the temporary reduction in his MP and the remaining Mana on his attribute, Sun knew he had to use his mana wisely. With his MP regeneration, he could rely on the small reserve and let it replenish within a few seconds.
Currently, Sun was waiting for the opportune moment, deciding to strike during the cover of night. It was the perfect time for an assassination, and his patience soon paid off.
One of the Mossheart creatures suddenly left the group and started heading in his direction. Sun didn't know why but he kept observing in the distance as it approached the tree where he was hiding. Carefully, he followed the monster as it moved away from the rest of the group.
Seizing the opportunity, Sun retrieves the Magus Blade from his 'backpack', and he activated the Auraforge skill on his body.
By channeling aura into his lower body, Sun enhanced his lower body multiplying his movement speed. He moved cautiously, periodically surveying his surroundings. The oblivious Mossheart monster continued its oblivious march, unaware of the imminent threat lurking overhead.
Sun halted at the top of the tree, not far from Mossheart, who unknowingly continued walking towards him. Taking a seat and preparing his body, Sun initiated his attack. With enhanced movement, he swiftly lunged towards the Mossheart, catching it off guard and striking its eye.
A notification appeared before Sun:
[Successfully executed a Vital Strike!]
[Damage inflicted multiplied!]
[-8,000 HP]
[Enemy vision has been disabled]
Having been stabbed in the eye, the Mossheart was taken aback. It hadn't expected someone to challenge it, and it had been caught off guard. Despite its ability to sense enemies through its skill, 'Nature Blessing,' it hadn't detected Sun's presence.
Reacting at the last moment, it employed another skill, 'Barkskin Defense,' allowing it to withstand Sun's attack. However, the damage had already been done, and the Mossheart had suffered significant harm.
*ROOOOOOAR*
*BOOOM*
*BOOOM*
The Mossheart bellowed with anger, its voice echoing through the forest and causing nearby trees to tremble. The sound startled other monsters, who quickly fled upon recognizing the fearsome creature. Unbeknownst to them, it was a lone Mossheart being slaughtered by Sun.
After sustaining damage, the Mossheart went on a rampage, pounding its massive fists into the ground and creating craters everywhere. It swung its hands towards its eyes in frustration, but Sun anticipated the move and swiftly pulled his sword from the creature's eye, leaping back to avoid its incoming attack.
"It seems more lively after I blinded it," Sun remarked with a smile, observing the enraged Mossheart as it continued its destructive spree, toppling countless trees.
"Noisy beast, you'll attract more monsters here. Allow me to end your suffering," Sun declared, charging towards the Mossheart.
However, the creature sensed Sun's presence and employed another skill to halt his movements.
['Root Entangle']
Countless roots emerged from the ground, rushing towards Sun in an attempt to hinder his movements and ensnare him.
"This is getting tricky," Sun muttered aloud. With only a limited array of skills at his disposal, he often had to rely on improvisation to dodge or avoid certain obstacles.
He needed to make the most of his abilities in every encounter, but having a proper movement skills would certainly make things easier.
As the roots approached, Sun infused additional mana into his legs and body for defense and increased movement speed.
Since his mana had mostly regenerated along with his enhanced night vision, he could clearly see in the darkness and the transparent lines he was familiar with appeared before his eyes, allowing him to dodge most of the roots.
[-100 MP]
Sun didn't face the attack head-on; instead, he quickly ran to the side, dodging most of the roots that were aimed at his face. He continued to move around, but no matter where he went, the roots followed him persistently.
Although some of the roots reached him, his exceptional reflexes allowed him to dodge or cut them with his sword.
As the roots pursued him, Sun climbed to the top of a tree and began jumping from one tree to another, slowing down the roots' movements. Taking advantage of this momentary respite, he swiftly descended from the trees and rushed towards Mossheart, targeting its foot.
Knowing that the damage inflicted on Mossheart's eyes would eventually heal due to its 'Nature Blessing,' Sun realized he had to act quickly to gain an advantage. His plan was simple: keep attacking the enemy until the "nullify" effect was activated. Once that happened, the roots would naturally disappear since they were sustained by mana.
Sun also benefited from the cover of darkness. Sun had night vision, giving him an edge. However, he had to be cautious of the Mossheart area-of-effect damage.
As Sun charged towards Mossheart, he slashed forward, successfully damaging its shoulder. Another damage indicator appeared in front of him.
[-600 HP]
Sun assessed the damage he had inflicted on Mossheart and realized it was not enough. Nonetheless, he was satisfied with his progress. Landing on the ground, he targeted Mossheart's legs, anticipating its attack. As Mossheart smashed the ground, creating an explosion and a crater, Sun anticipated the move and evaded it.
"I knew you would do that. Being in the air made it impossible for your skill to detect me. Plus you're blind," Sun smiled, using a tree trunk as a springboard to rush toward Mossheart and strike its neck.
[-850 HP]
'I need to end this quickly,' Sun thought, sensing other monsters nearby.
He repeated the same steps, aiming for the same spot on Mossheart's neck. Eventually, the Magus Blade skill took effect.
['Nullify Activated']
Mossheart was heavily damaged and was only relying on Nature Blessing to locate Sun, it continuously used 'Root Entangle' in an attempt to catch him. However, after Nullify took effect, Mossheart was completely blinded and its roots started to wither and disappeared. As it tried to use the skill again, there was a small backlash due to the blockage of its mana flow.
The fight lasted longer than expected, but Sun eventually defeated Mossheart. He kept targeting the same vulnerable spot on its neck, inflicting continuous damage with vital strikes. After killing Mossheart, Sun quickly retreated and hid somewhere on top of a tree, using his enhanced vision to scan his surroundings making sure it was safe.
Luckily, Sun had managed to distance himself from the approaching monsters before they arrived at the scene. It would have been dangerous if he had stayed a bit longer.
...
A dark and mysterious creature, blending seamlessly with the night, stood tall in the aftermath of Sun's battle with the Mossheart. It surveyed the area and spoke with anticipation.
"Ah, finally! Some intruders!" The creature grinned widely and continued.
"Are they Elves? Dwarves? Or perhaps... a Human?" Its face contorted into a menacing smile as other monsters arrived, only to be swiftly decapitated by the unknown creature.
"I hope you can provide me with some entertainment. I have waited far too long." It vanished in an instant, leaving behind the lifeless body on the ground.
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:IMPORTANT NOTES:
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• Backpack: Similar to an inventory, the backpack is used for storing armor and weapons. However, access to it is limited. To expand the backpack's capacity, a "Ring of Expansion" is required. This item can be obtained by defeating monsters or created. Once the ring is obtained, any items can be stored in the backpack, within the limits of the ring's size.