"Grr!" A low growl emanated from ahead, prompting Dante to swiftly access his inventory.
He unsheathed a sword and charged ahead, confronting a two-meter tall creature, its sinewy form boasting six-pack abs. This formidable adversary was none other than the regular ogre, distinct from the two-headed variant Dante had faced in the boss room.
Given the dungeon's borderline to being a D-class dungeon, encounters with ogres and other D-class monsters were not uncommon. The only thing keeping it from achieving a full D-class status was its energy level.
Bang!
The ogre's club crashed down, striking the very spot where Dante had been standing just moments ago. A looming shadow now stretched over the ogre, framing Dante's figure against the backdrop of the setting sun.
Dante raised his hands, wielding the sword, and brought it down in a swift arc.
Swish!
The ogre's head went airborne, while Dante touched down gracefully.
"You've gained 600 Exp!" A translucent interface materialized before Dante.
"Now, this is what I'm talking about!" Dante grinned behind his mask. He could keenly sense the surge in his strength. The first ogre hadn't anticipated an opponent of such formidable might, capable of killing it with a single stroke.
"Grrr!"
"Grrr!"
Two more growls reverberated through the surroundings.
Dante focused on them and activated his skill, Concentration. This ability played a pivotal role in his way to kill enemies. With it active, he could strategize more effectively on how to dispatch a monster, all while enhancing his physical coordination.
"I wonder how I'll enhance my Skills," Dante mused, deftly sidestepping and severing the arm of one of the ogres. Given his current stats, taking down these monsters was a walk in the park.
Swish!
Another severed arm flew up. Dante sprinted forward and slashed, sending another ogre's head into the air. Blood kept oozing out of the severed neck.
"Roar!" Witnessing his comrade's plight, the remaining ogre charged at Dante in a furious frenzy.
Bang! Bang!
The ogre swung its club angrily, forcing Dante to expertly evade each strike. With only a few seconds remaining before his skill went on cooldown, Dante spotted an opening and swiftly closed the distance.
With a thrust of his sword, its blade easily passed through the neck of the remaining ogre.
Thud!
The ogre fell heavily, its blood staining the parched earth.
"You obtained 600Exp!"
"You obtained 600Exp!"
After dispatching the two ogres, Dante retrieved their monster cores. These cores were notably larger compared to those of goblins.
He swung his sword a few times to rid it of the ogres' blood.
"According to the information I've gathered about this dungeon, the boss here is a Rotten Bear," Dante pondered. Despite the intimidating reputation of the Rotten Bear, Dante's previous encounter with the two-headed ogre had boosted his confidence in facing formidable foes.
The terrain of this dungeon proved challenging for those lacking survival skills. Water was scarce, and signs of wildlife were few and far between, with only occasional glimpses of insects.
As nightfall approached, Dante acknowledged the increased danger. However, instead of seeking a safe haven, a smile played on his lips.
Dante gazed across the distance, spotting a valley with jagged rocks protruding along the way.
The flora in this area consisted solely of poisonous plants, with a few plant-based monsters scattered about. These creatures posed no threat as long as one didn't inadvertently step on them.
Navigating the rugged rocks, Dante intermittently activated his Concentration skill.
Suddenly, an odd sensation filled the air. Dante could sense a presence watching him. He came to a halt, swiftly retrieving his sword from his inventory. With careful precision, he scrutinized his surroundings, paying special attention to the spaces behind the jutting rocks.
Figures emerged from the shadows, standing at a height of two meters, their physique reminiscent of Ogres. Tusks jutted out from their mouths.
Dante counted five of them approaching him.
"Orcs!"
Dante declared, gripping his sword tightly. The five figures surrounding him wielded an assortment of weapons - greatswords, clubs, and maces. Unlike ogres, who relied solely on brute force, Orcs possessed the ability to communicate, giving them a tactical edge when fighting together.
With a surge of determination, Dante activated his Concentration skill, fully prepared for the impending battle. This was his first time encountering live Orcs, and he was eager to face them head-on.
However, only one Orc stepped forward, wielding a greatsword with both hands. Seeing this, Dante couldn't help but grin.
"Underestimating me?"
When they were just a meter apart, Dante sprinted into action.
Swoosh!
In an instant, he found himself right in front of the Orc, catching it off guard.
Thud.
A head fell and rolled toward the direction where the remaining Orcs stood.
"You've gained 750 Exp!" As Dante observed the substantial experience points awarded for slaying an Orc, a surge of bloodlust coursed through him.
This unexpected turn of events startled the remaining Orcs. Their gaze locked onto each other, their eyes filled with anger.
Suddenly, four Orcs closed in on Dante, converging from all sides.
After some time, Dante emerged, leaving five Orc corpses in his wake. Collecting almost four thousand Experience points left him thoroughly satisfied. It was safe to assume that with five Orcs present, there must be a nearby settlement.
Monsters capable of communication often established such settlements. Squads aiming to conquer a dungeon typically steered clear of these areas, making a beeline for the boss room to conserve their stamina and strength.
For those desiring monster cores without facing the boss, possessing a "Return Stone" was essential. However, this item came at a steep price. Only those who possess unwavering confidence in their ability to conquer a settlement would dare to engage, unless they were simply reckless.
Except for Dante, who had a system to aid in his growth.
Activating his skill, he followed their previous path. After a while, he located the settlement he sought.
Dante positioned himself on a high vantage point within a valley, giving him a complete view of the entire settlement.
"1, 2, 3... 10... 20." Dante meticulously counted to twenty, carefully observing the Orcs' movements. From his assessment, he deduced that he could swiftly eliminate three Orcs and employ guerrilla tactics. While he possessed the skill to dispatch them with a single swing of his sword, the need to target vital spots and the encirclement by twenty Orcs limited his options.
'If only I had those flashy skills,' he thought ruefully.
Dante moved with the fluidity of a shadow, closing in on the nearest Orcs.
His Concentration skill activated. With his heightened stats, he could efficiently eliminate monsters, even within the brief 15-second window of Concentration. Even without it, he fought more effectively than before he got the system.
The Orcs guarding the entrance only noticed Dante's approach when he was mere meters away. However, this distance proved sufficient for Dante to dispatch the Orc swiftly.
Another nearby Orc remained oblivious to the fate of his comrade. Dante stealthily approached him, and with a simple swing, the Orc's neck was sliced open.
"You've obtained 750 Exp!"
"You've obtained 750 Exp!"
Dante paid little heed to the notifications, instead fixing his gaze on the watchtower in the distance. An Orc wielding a bow stood sentinel there. Moving with the fluidity of a shadow, Dante leaped from one obstacle to the next. With another powerful jump, he landed his feet against the watchtower's wall, using the momentum to ascend. Just as gravity began to assert itself, Dante grasped the railing and propelled himself inside.
The Orc's widened eyes betrayed his surprise. Just as he reached for the bell at his side, a sword pierced through his chest.
"You've obtained 750 Exp!"
***
The quest had been issued due to the potential threat of death, but this risk was calculated based on Dante's stats at the time of the quest. As he continued to level up and increase his strength, the probability of facing death would decrease accordingly.
Dante savored a mouthful of the meat he held, a portion of "Sand Salamander" flesh. These creatures possessed the ability to transform their bodies into sand, making them formidable adversaries with the potential to challenge even a two-star Holder.
Following the elimination of the Orc settlement, Dante noticed that his constantly evolving body required increased sustenance as his metabolism accelerated. While he had consumed the food stored in his inventory, it had proved insufficient to fill his stomach, prompting Dante to embark on a hunt for food.
It was during this hunt that Dante encountered the Sand Salamander. As it was his first encounter with this creature, Dante carefully studied its movements and eventually identified its weaknesses before defeating it.
"I've reached Level 16. I think my 'Strength' is enough for now. Perhaps it's time to focus on 'Agility' now..." Dante contemplated.
After employing a strategic approach to vanquish the first ten Orcs, he soon found himself facing another ten, only to be caught off guard once his Concentration skill went on cooldown. It's the reason why he decided to focus on Agility.