Sung Jin Woo, his jaw clenched with newfound determination, strode into the dungeon's maw. The oppressive darkness pressed in, broken only by the flickering light of moss-covered lanterns clinging precariously to the rough-hewn rock walls.
Each echoing footstep in the cavernous silence was a stark counterpoint to the bustling city he'd left behind. A low growl, primal and laced with hunger, ripped through the stillness. Jin Woo instinctively crouched his senses on high alert.
A cold sweat prickled his skin. From the inky blackness ahead, a pair of emerald eyes blazed with malevolent light. A monstrous wolf, its matted fur stained with grime and what could be blood, emerged from the shadows. Its razor-sharp fangs were bared in a silent snarl, revealing a maw capable of ripping flesh and bone.
Jin Woo rose slowly, his gaze locked on the beast. Fear, a primal instinct, gnawed at him, but the memory of his harrowing experience in the previous dungeon fueled his resolve. He wouldn't be a helpless victim again. He was a player now, and this was his first test. The wolf, sensing his hesitation, lunged with a ferocious snarl.
Adrenaline surged through Jin Woo's veins as he rolled to the side just as the snapping jaws missed him by a hair's breadth. Fueled by a surge of newfound strength, he launched himself into a counterattack.
His fist imbued with a power that surprised even him, slammed into the wolf's head with a sickening thud. The beast yelped in pain, its momentum broken. Jin Woo seized the opportunity. A well-placed kick connected with the creature's underbelly, sending it flying back with a sickening thud.
It landed several meters away, a pained whine escaping its throat. Seeing his chance to finish the fight, Jin Woo dashed towards the stunned beast. But the wolf, quicker than he anticipated, recovered in a flash. It dodged his final blow with surprising agility, its fangs snapping inches from Jin Woo's chest.
The wind of the attack ruffled his hair, a stark reminder of his near-miss.He barely had time to register his surprise before he was forced to leap back. He landed on his feet in a crouch, his heart hammering in his chest.
This wasn't a mindless beast; it possessed a cunning that belied its savage appearance. He had underestimated it, a mistake he couldn't afford to repeat. Jin Woo spent the next few moments observing the wolf's attack patterns. He noticed that the beast pounced when he was within a three-to-four-meter range and relied solely on its fangs for attack.
Confident in his analysis, Jin Woo approached the wolf with a newfound confidence in his eyes. The wolf noticed the shift, its predatory instincts kicking in. It tensed its paws and crouched low, ready for any unexpected attack.
Jin Woo propelled himself forward, mirroring the wolf's action. The gap between them closed rapidly. The wolf leaped with its maw opened wide, aiming to tear Jin Woo apart. Without wasting a moment, Jin Woo executed a perfect roll, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws.
The confused wolf looked back only to get slammed to the ground by a powerful kick to its knees. Struggling to get up, the wolf released a desperate howl. Jin Woo didn't give it a chance. A flurry of punches rained down on the beast, each blow fueled by his newfound strength and determination. The fight ended with a final, resounding thud as the wolf lay lifeless on the cold stone floor.
A message materialized before him:
[You have slain a Steel-Fanged Raikan.]
[You have leveled up]
"That was exhilarating," Jin Woo said, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "But if I fight strategically and hone my skills, dealing with the boss will be a breeze."
He conserved his strength, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of the boss. He was unaware of the true challenge that awaited him just ahead. Six more wolves emerged from the shadows, emboldened by the sight of their fallen comrade. The sight ignited a fire in Jin Woo's eyes. Killing one had only whetted his appetite.
With a powerful jump, he landed on the first wolf, unleashing a devastating roundhouse kick that connected squarely with its head. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the creature's skull, killing it instantly. Enraged, the remaining wolves lunged at him in a flurry of fangs and claws.'
Jin Woo weaved through the attack with practiced ease, his movements a blur of controlled violence. Each well-placed punch or kick sent another wolf crashing to the ground. The last wolf fell with a whimper, its lifeless eyes staring accusingly at the ceiling. Exhausted but exhilarated, Jin Woo surveyed the carnage around him, panting heavily. Blood trickled down his hand from a shallow gash inflicted by a wolf's desperate swipe. His clothes were torn and dirty, a testament to the ferocity of the fight.
"Did I fight this many?" he muttered, a flicker of doubt crossing his features. He vaguely remembered the scene in the novel, but there hadn't been this many wolves, nor had he been this injured. Was he weaker than his fictional counterpart? Did this make him a failure?
Jin Woo pushed those thoughts aside. This wasn't the time for self-pity. He had a job to do, and self-improvement could wait. Spotting a staircase leading deeper into the dungeon, he steeled himself and descended. With each step, the air grew colder, and a sense of foreboding crept over him. His eyes darted around, searching for any sign of movement. Finally, he emerged into a vast cavern.
The air shimmered with an otherworldly light emanating from a shimmering river that flowed through the center of the room. But it wasn't the river that caused him to freeze in his tracks. Coiled in the water, its monstrous form partially obscured by the shimmering surface, lay a creature straight out of his nightmares.
A three-headed snake, each head the size of a large dog, undulated menacingly. One head exhaled a plume of fire, the second dripped with a viscous green venom, and the third snapped its massive jaws, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Name: [Three-Headed Kasaka]
Rank: D
Description: A giant serpent with three heads, each possessing a different element: fire, poison, and water. Its bite can be fatal in seconds.
"Damn," Jin Woo cursed, a sardonic grin replacing his initial shock. "So, the System acknowledges my strength after all." A new message materialized before him:
[Inventory]
Name: Copper Sword
Rank: D
Description: A sword forged from the essence stone and hide of a D-rank monster.
He gripped the hilt of the sword, a surge of determination replacing his apprehension. This was his first real challenge, and he wouldn't back down. With a battle cry that echoed through the cavern, Jin Woo charged toward the monstrous serpent.
The Kasaka reacted with a hiss, its central head spewing a torrent of flames that engulfed the path before him. Jin Woo dodged with surprising agility, the flames singeing the edges of his clothes. He closed the distance with the beast, his heart pounding in his chest.
The Kasaka lashed out with its powerful tail, aiming to crush him. Jin Woo leaped acrobatically, landing on the serpent's back. He raised his sword, aiming for a vital strike. However, the blade met only with a thick, leathery hide, leaving only a shallow scratch. Frustration bubbled within him.
The Kasaka writhed, trying to dislodge him, its remaining heads snapping at him with venomous fury. Just as one head was about to engulf him, Jin Woo performed a daring backflip, narrowly escaping its grasp. He landed on the ground, his mind racing. The brute force wasn't working. He needed a strategy.
The battle continued. Jin Woo weaved through flames, dodged venomous sprays, and landed glancing blows with his sword. The Kasaka remained mostly unharmed, its sheer size and multiple attacks overwhelming him.
Just as Jin Woo began to feel despair creeping in, an idea struck him. He remembered the System message about his mana. Perhaps...Focusing all his energy, he channeled his mana into his legs, propelling himself high into the air.
The Kasaka watched, its three heads swiveling to follow his ascent. In that split second, Jin Woo raised his sword, channeling his mana once more. A brilliant white light enveloped the blade, momentarily dispelling the darkness of the cavern. With a thunderous cry, Jin Woo brought the sword down in a powerful slash.
The Kasaka's central head opened its maw to unleash another torrent of flames, but the force of Jin Woo's attack cleaved through the inferno. The blade struck true, burying itself deep into the Kasaka's eye. The gigantic serpent roared in pain, thrashing wildly.
Jin Woo clung desperately to the hilt, his grip slipping with each violent movement. The Kasaka dove back into the river, dragging him underwater. The lack of oxygen constricted his lungs, panic threatening to consume him. Just before the darkness threatened to claim him, he felt a surge of energy flow through his body. With a Herculean effort, he ripped the sword free, dealing a final, fatal blow to the Kasaka's remaining eye.
The monstrous serpent thrashed one last time before going limp, its colossal form sinking back into the depths of the shimmering river. Jin Woo, gasping for air, clung to the hilt of his sword, his body wracked with exhaustion. He surfaced, sputtering and coughing, his vision blurry.
He clambered onto a nearby rock, his entire body screaming in protest. Cuts and bruises marred his skin, a testament to the brutal battle. Yet, a sense of exhilaration bubbled within him. He had faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge and emerged victorious. A series of notifications materialized before him:
[You have defeated the Three-Headed Kasaka]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[Rewards: 35,000 Gold Coins, 30 Skill Points]
[You have obtained Fangs of Kasaka]
[You have obtained Fire and Water Crystal]
[You have obtained Kasaka's Venom]
[Quest Completed: Defeat the Main Boss]
Jin Woo grinned, despite the throbbing pain. This was more than just a victory; it was a turning point. With the rewards, he could significantly enhance his abilities and prepare for even tougher challenges.
He assessed his stats, a newfound understanding dawning on him. Perhaps his enemies being stronger than in the novel wasn't a bad thing. It meant he had more room for growth, and more potential to unlock.
Stats:
Strength: 19
Dexterity: 15
Intelligence: 9
Defense: 12
Magic Power: 20
Knowing what needed to be done, Jin Woo allocated his newly acquired skill points. He prioritized strength and dexterity, aiming to improve his overall combat prowess. He also invested a few points into magic power, intrigued by its potential revealed during the fight.
Stats (Updated):
Strength: 30
Dexterity: 24
Intelligence: 9
Defense: 17
Magic Power: 24
He used the remaining time to activate the "Recover" skill, the System's soothing energy mending his wounds at an accelerated pace. With renewed vigor, Jin Woo set off towards the exit.
He emerged from the dungeon to find a crowd gathered, their gazes fixed on a battle raging nearby. A colossal stone giant, its body pulsating with magical energy, clashed with a group of desperate hunters. Jin Woo used his "Appraisal" skill on the giant:
[Monster: Stone Giant]
Rank: D
Description: Made out of mana essence. This monster has strong durability and a powerful defense.
His competitive spirit ignited. Here was another challenge, another opportunity to test his limits. He watched the struggle for a moment, formulating a plan. He wouldn't recklessly join the fray; he needed a smarter approach.
His gaze fell on a metal pole propped up by the side of the road. A spark of inspiration ignited in his eyes. If he could imbue the pole with his mana, it could become a formidable weapon."More mana," he muttered, focusing all his energy.
He channeled it into the pole, feeling it thrum with power. With a mighty heave, he ripped the pole from the ground and charged towards the battle."This might be crazy," he thought, a grin spreading across his face, "but here goes!"
He launched the mana-infused pole with all his might. The projectile streaked through the air, leaving a trail of white light in its wake. The impact was deafening. The pole connected with the Stone Giant's chest, the force of the blow shattering the creature into pieces. A stunned silence descended upon the battlefield.
Among the group of hunters fighting the monster stood a woman with long, fiery orange hair, her gaze lingering on the pole. A single thought echoed in her mind, "Was it you, Jin Woo?"