[Your summon "Skeleton Apprentice" has died]
A hail of acids surged toward Alab as his summon corroded into nothingness. With the brisk Misery moving him as it glided to the side, they effortlessly evaded the hail of acids.
The [Gigantic Slime] drew in more air as its slimy liquid physique visibly constricted. In no time, another attack came.
Bigger spherical drops fell from the sky, bringing forth an acid rain that covered a vast 20 meters in diameter with the [Gigantic Slime] at the core.
Misery, curving its wings to ward off the incoming acids, solemnly retracted his wings and flew at a distance. It was an old habit that was hard to renounce even with the passing of millennia. Misery could no longer use his [Hurricane Blast (S)], one of his weakest skills.
Nimbly, Misery evaded the pouring acids as it whisked Alab out of its range. Only when they exited the 20-meter span did the griffin snort at the [Gigantic Slime] once more.
Had it been the griffin in its prime, this massive slime would have been begging for its life by now. However, Misery who had been demoted to E-rank and deprived of 99.9% of its power, could not even peck at the slime.
*snort*, Misery was reluctant to admit defeat.
Suspended meters above ground, Misery lingered in wait for Alab's command, flapping its impatient wings.
However, to Misery's dismay, Alab decided to forfeit the fight.
"Leave, we can't kill it yet", Alab tapped its legendary mane as he commanded.
*snort*
In opposition it might be, Misery could only adhere to Alab's irrefutable order, bidding its reluctant wings to retreat from its ignorant prey.
The griffin who never forfeited a fight, now bent its tail against a slime. Misery couldn't let such humiliation out lest it spread like wildfire and burn its wings.
Stealing a last glance at the [Gigantic Slime] who dispersed into acid once more, scattering into the wide expanse. Its minuscule core rooted to the ground, Alab contemplated.
'I can't handle boss monsters yet. More, I need to upgrade my skills more', contrary to Misery, Alab set the slime as a dummy, something he could try out his skills to.
If he could, Alab would slack off in this new world, awaiting his death as he lives a tedious life. But, its survival system didn't allow him any room for leisure.
With that, Alab vowed to get stronger and survive. He didn't know why he felt that there was something more to this Exile world - a secret he vowed to unveil.
For now, Alab set the [Gigantic Slime] as his short-term target. The boss monster with a 1000 multiplier, boasting millions of HP would be nothing but a measurement of Alab's growing power.
Alab exited the deepest region, vowing to return...
----
Now that [Skeleton Apprentice] couldn't attract slimes, Alab decided to proceed to his next agenda - enhancing his combat aptitude.
Having considered that, the most disastrous dungeon around the barracks- the [Fiery Lions Practice Dungeon (D)] would be the best option.
"Turn north", Alab commanded the sulking Misery.
*swoosh*
On their way out of the [Slime Practice Dungeon], Alab spotted the young dark elf pinned to his previous spot, restless in swinging his sword.
"More, just 1000 more, I need to swing for a thousand more", the dark elf was determined to finish his 5th set. His gentle voice was swept by the cold breeze as the night was about to fall.
----
Dim light of the full moon illuminated the dreary dungeon in the North of the barracks. Massive boulders blocked several pathways leading to the innermost of the luxuriant expanse.
Trotting noises fueled the scattered turmoil in the area as the hooves of a horse with a creamy mane danced with the chilly breeze of the night.
Galloping of a quadrupedal horse echoed in the expanse as Alab quickened his [Agile Horse Summoning (E)]. It galloped from boulder to boulder, unfazed by the stony landscape.
Under the bumpy ride, Alab sat on the cocoa saddle, his dexterity exerted its might as he subtlety cued the [Agile Horse], pulling the rein for a turn.
*neigh*
[Agile Horse (E) (0/100)
Description: A horse that is more agile.
Name: Sleipnir
Owner: Alab]
Unlike Misery, Sleipnir was a typical horse back on Earth. Only that it is a little agile and could gallop way quicker.
Avoiding the brave participants in the outskirts assaulting a [Fiery Lion] in a group, Alab sped up, directly lunging to the deepest part of the dungeon.
As he dived deeper, he saw varying higher species who fought the monster singly. Deprived of armor nor items clinging to their firm physique, the bare species one-shotted the monster.
Draconian breathed a blazing fire, reducing the lion to ashes.
A giant stomped its foot, smashing numerous lions under it.
A fairy threw a mysterious dust that brought the lion staggering till it heaved its last breath.
And as Alab dived deeper, he spotted a group of dark elves, four in total, brandishing their Falchion swords, delivering the lion to its death door.
Looking at their pointed ears and tanned complexion, the image of the young dark elf entered Alab's mind. He deduced that an internal conflict had arisen in this group, banishing the young dark elf from earlier.
The picture of the dark elves blurred as Sleipnir galloped to the next boulder.
As Alab was about to reach the deepest region of the lion's den, familiar faces greeted his sight.
It was a group of three humans comprising a girl and two men. Their earthlings' attire spurred nostalgia in Alab.
"Alab?", Han Seo Yeon muttered upon sighting Alab who was about to gallop past them.
Alab, too late to brush off the group, loitered for their next words.
"Where have you been these past four days? We were so worried about you", the worried voice of Anastasia resounded, dark bags under her eyes bore witness to her nights of worries.
In pure contrast, the vigorous eyes of Girth glared at Alab as he negated Anastasia's words.
"The heck?! It was just you who is worried about this helpless boy!", Girth stubbornly denied.
Annoyed, Han Seo Yeon voiced out.
"Can't you speak gently even for once, Girth?", his small eyes wrinkled with annoyance.
Anastasia got used to their bickering that she no longer mediated. They had been like cats and dogs for 4 days now and Anastasia had enough of her futile mediation. She was just wasting saliva.
Looking at Alab whose oversized shirt and fitted black pants suffered burns as holes dotted his attire.
Alab couldn't fully escape the onslaught of slimes. He suffered subtle injuries which healed as he leveled up.
However, Anastasia misunderstood the situation. She thought that Alab had been through the worst. With sunken eyes, Anastasia opened her soft lips.
"How about joining our hunts? We have been helping Girth as we also practice our skills. You better join us, Alab", Anastasia proposed, a gentle smile plastered on her angelic face.
Alab, however, brushed off her thoughtful invitation. Swaying his arms, he muttered.
"My decision remains the same, I want to act on my own. If you don't have any more to say, I will take my leave", Alab muttered as he hopped onto the back of Sleipnir, his butt touching the cushioned saddle.
*neigh*
Sleipnir sounded, about to depart when Anastasia halted them.
"Alab, if that is your decision, I will respect that. Just please be safe, and if you need help, we are just here, your fellow Earthlings.", Anastasia blocked their path, her arms raised to the side as she added.
"And about the entrance examination, we caught wind that the combat assessment will be about a C-grade dungeon expedition. A participant who had foresight skill mentioned that. That is all, please... Be safe"
Having finished with her words, Anastasia removed herself from Alab's path. Her worried eyes yearned for Alab's safety as she watched him vanished into the deepest part of the dungeon.
"That reckless kid, he will die in that area! Kekeke", Girth sneered
*smack*
Anastasia smacked the back of his head, her furrowed eyes piercing Girth.
"Just say that one more time and we will leave you on your own"
Furious as her tone might be, Girth and Han Seo Yeon had seen through her lie. She just couldn't abandon any of her teammates.
Bluffing, Girth pressed his palms together as he begged.
"Kekeke, I was just kidding. Let's continue our hunting, shall we? Fellow Earthlings. Kekeke"
Han Seo Yeon, was silent as he watched everything transpired. His eyes were concerned about Anastasia.
"I hope your kindness won't cost you pain. I will make sure that won't happen", he mumbled.
*roar!*
A fiery lion emerged from the boulder, halting their little moments. In no time, they took their positions as the battle commenced.
----
Meanwhile, in the deepest part of the dungeon. A pack of [Fiery Lions] charged at a young boy carried by a white horse.
A skeleton enveloped by murky fog rose from the ground, meeting the fangs with its broad sword.
Looking at the skeleton effortlessly warding off and battling against ten [Fiery Lions], Alab commanded.
"Kill them"