Sung Jin-Woo pumped his fist as he completed his final curl-up, the notification chiming in his head.
[Ding]
[Quest Completed]
A week of relentless training had paid off. Glancing at the nearby park bench, he sat on it. While resting he took out a key from his pocket. It has an alien glow pulsed with an otherworldly hum. A small smile played on his lips.
"A week since the last fight," he muttered to himself, the memory of the E-rank dungeon fresh in his mind. "Time to step it up."
He pocketed the key, a surge of confidence coursing through him. D-rank shouldn't be much tougher, right? After all, he'd cleared the previous dungeon with relative ease.
Returning home, Sung Jin-Woo whipped up breakfast for his sisters, leaving a quick note before heading out. The outskirts of Seoul beckoned, a dense forest looming on the horizon. Stepping into the cool shade, he gripped the key, its warmth radiating against his palm.
With a whispered word, the key pulsed, creating a swirling portal before him. Taking a deep breath, Sung Jin-Woo stepped through, the familiar System notification chiming once again.
[You have entered the dungeon]
[Quest]
Defeat the boss of the dungeon
Reward: 80 S.P, 70K gold coins, and a skill
"This is going to be fun," he declared, a confident smirk gracing his face.
The air inside the dungeon was thick and stagnant. The forest floor was choked with gnarled roots and decaying leaves, the silence broken only by the rhythmic drip of unseen moisture. He crept forward, senses on high alert.
Suddenly, a guttural roar shattered the stillness. From the shadows ahead, a hulking creature emerged. Its obsidian hide rippled with muscle, and eyes like burning embers glared down at Sung Jin-Woo. Claws the size of daggers glinted menacingly. It was a monstrosity unlike anything he'd encountered before.
The confidence instantly drained from Sung Jin-Woo's face. This... this was a D-rank monster? Panic clawed at his throat. Had he underestimated the challenge? A cold sweat slicked his skin, and his grip tightened on the sword. This wasn't going to be fun. It was going to be a fight for survival.
[Name: Lava Giant]
Description: This mana beast has survived the harsh environment of lava making his hide incredibly tough. The mana beast has a low affinity with fire.
"What the fuck? How do I defeat this beast?"
Sung Jin Woo decides not to waste time and attacks first. He sprinted towards the beast and landed a fine strike on its hide.
SPARKS
Sung Jin Woo backflipped before the giant's fist landed on him.
BOOOOM
The monster had created a small crater on the ground. Sung Jin Woo tensed his leg muscles and with a burst of speed came near the monster. He dodged the kick and by channeling mana in his sword impaled the monster.
The monster roared in pain and punched him with fire being released from its fist. Sung Jin Woo realizing the threat of the punch dodge swiftly. The fist landed on the ground releasing a shockwave of dust and stones in the air.
"This monster's strength is something I should not face head-on-head. I can use his lack of speed as a weakness and defeat him quickly."
Sung Jin Woo sprints and lands several cuts on the monster while dodging its attack. The monster decides to unleash its rage on the human but cannot find it in his vision. Taking advantage of the confusion, Jin Woo impaled the monster from behind with his sword.
"Fuuh, that was a fight of patience and accuracy. I should hide in the forest and survey the location of monsters. This could be a great advantage for him"
A triumphant roar erupted from Sung Jin-Woo's throat as he finished the Lava Giant. Sweat dripped from his brow, stinging his eyes, but a sense of accomplishment warmed him from within. This D-rank dungeon was proving to be a challenge, a stark contrast to the relative ease of his previous encounter.
He surveyed the battlefield, the crater created by the giant's fist a testament to its raw power. Panting, he sheathed his sword and cautiously ventured deeper into the forest. The air grew colder, and an unsettling silence replaced the rhythmic dripping of the previous cavern.
A flurry of leathery wings filled the air, blotting out the dim light filtering through the trees. A dozen monstrous bats, their eyes glowing an unnatural green, swooped down upon Sung Jin-Woo with a screech that tore through the oppressive silence.
Instinct took over. Sung Jin-Woo raised his sword, channeling his mana to unleash a wave of energy to push them back. But a loud, discordant screech echoed in his ears, shattering his concentration. Panic flared in his chest as he realized his mana control was disrupted. It flowed sluggishly, refusing to obey his will.
The first bat lashed out, its razor-sharp claws tearing through his sleeve, sending a jolt of pain through him. Before he could react, more bats joined the assault, their fangs and claws raking at his flesh. The situation was dire. He needed to escape this aerial onslaught.
He stumbled back, desperately trying to regain focus. The bats circled him, their screeches a cacophony of disorientation, each screech a fresh wave of disruption to his mana flow. He knew he had to act fast.
Spotting a fallen log, Sung Jin-Woo lunged for it, seeking temporary cover. As the bats swooped down, he rolled onto his back, kicking out with his legs in a desperate attempt to ward them off. The stale air crackled with erratic mana, a stark contrast to the smooth flow he was accustomed to.
His mind raced. His enhanced strength and speed were useless if he couldn't channel his mana properly. He needed to find another way. These creatures were a new breed - he couldn't rely on past tactics.
His gaze darted around the forest floor. Landing on a rock, an idea sparked. He couldn't rely on brute force, but his swordsmanship was still honed. He had to lure them in one at a time.
With a burst of adrenaline, he sprinted into the dense foliage, the bats hot on his tail. He used the trees and bushes to his advantage, weaving through the undergrowth, their frustrated screeches echoing behind him.
Seeing their prey disappear, the bats separated into smaller groups, searching for him. A grim smile played on Sung Jin-Woo's lips. This was his chance.
He peeked from behind a thick bush, spotting a group of three bats circling nearby. Picking up a rock, he channeled a sliver of mana, coating it with a faint glow. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled it in the opposite direction.
THUD!
The bats, with their keen senses, whipped their heads towards the sound of the crashing rock. It was a brief window.
SPLAT!
He lunged out, his sword a blur as he dispatched two bats in a single, desperate strike. The remaining bat screeched in fury, unleashing a sonic wave that sent a jolt through Sung Jin-Woo's head. He stumbled back, gritting his teeth against the disorientation.
He learned quickly. He wouldn't be able to overpower them all at once. He had to be patient, and methodical. Dodge, weave and strike. Rinse and repeat.
He weaved through the undergrowth, dodging sonic attacks and swiping with his sword whenever an opportunity arose. Ten minutes of this desperate dance passed, the air thick with the stench of blood and sweat. Finally, with a ragged breath, he stood over the last fallen bat.
Silence descended, broken only by his own ragged gasps. The notifications from the system scrolled past his vision, a grim reminder of the brutal fight.
[You have killed an Echoing Shrieker]
He had survived, but the victory tasted like ash in his mouth. This was just the beginning, and his greatest weapon was useless. He had to find a way to counter their disruption, or the next encounter wouldn't be so fortunate.
An odorous battle takes place between Sung Jin Woo and Echoing Shrieker. Within a span of half an hour, Jin Woo had to face hordes of bats at the same time without using mana in front of them. Thanks to this fight his swordsmanship has honed and he can manipulate mana better than before.
He took out two healing potions from the inventory and drank all of it. Due to the tense atmosphere created by the herd of bats, he could not safely drink a healing potion.
After resting for a bit and stretching his muscles. Sung Jin Woo decides to enter the forest further.
He came to a halt in front of three huge trees covering around a hundred meters of the ground with their roots. One misstep, one misplaced foot, and Sung Jin-Woo risked being ensnared in this suffocating embrace.
The air hung heavy with the scent of decay and damp earth. An oppressive silence reigned, broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen creatures. In the distance, a hulking figure emerged from behind the trees.
Name: Woodbinder
Rank: C
Description: Amana beast composed entirely of twisted, gnarled wood. Its glowing green orbs served as eyes, and thick emerald vines snaked out from its back-like limbs.
Sung Jin-Woo knew this wouldn't be a straightforward brawl. Long-range attacks were likely its specialty, and its body, seemingly made of wood, would be difficult to pierce. He needed to get close to exploit any potential weaknesses.
The Woodbinder lashed out with a volley of vines. Sung Jin-Woo danced through the onslaught, his movements honed from the recent bat fight. He parried a few vines with his sword, the metallic clang echoing in the clearing. But as he lunged forward, aiming for a decisive strike, a wall of thorny vines erupted from the ground, blocking his path.
Frustration gnawed at him. He needed to break through this defense. He channeled mana into his blade, hoping to cleave through the thick vines, but they only yielded slightly, the thorns scraping against the metal. He tried to jump back, but his legs were ensnared by another set of vines that erupted from the ground beneath him.
The Woodbinder capitalized on his momentary lapse, unleashing a powerful punch. Sung Jin-Woo braced himself for impact, raising his arms in a desperate attempt to block. The blow sent him crashing to the ground, the air knocked out of his lungs. He rolled back, gasping for breath, his vision blurry at the edges.
This wasn't working. He was like a fly caught in a spider's web. Defeat loomed large, a bitter pill to swallow after his previous victory. But amidst the despair, a spark of insight flickered in his mind. Perhaps the key to his survival wasn't just brute force, but a more refined control over his newfound power.
He focused on his legs, picturing the mana coursing through them. Not just a surge, but a steady, flowing stream. He could feel a resistance at first, his body unused to this level of control. But with a deep breath, he pushed, willing the mana to flow more efficiently.
A surge of adrenaline shot through him as he felt the change. His legs felt lighter, more responsive. With a burst of newfound speed, he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding another volley of vines. He could see the surprise flicker in the Woodbinder's glowing orbs.
This was it. He sprinted towards the Woodbinder, weaving through the remaining vines with newfound agility. The monster reacted by lashing out with even more vines, but Sung Jin-Woo was a blur of motion now. He parried a few with his sword, the metallic clangs a symphony of his newfound control.
He reached the Woodbinder, his heart pounding in his chest. A single, decisive slash aimed at the creature's core. But just as the blade was about to connect, a wall of thorny vines materialized again, blocking the attack. Yet, Sung Jin-Woo wasn't fazed. He didn't hesitate.
Fueled by the surge of mana coursing through his legs, he pushed off the ground with explosive force, leaving a faint afterimage in his wake. He reappeared behind the Woodbinder in a blink, the momentum carrying him forward as he plunged his sword deep into the creature's back.
The Woodbinder howled in pain, its vines flailing uselessly. Sung Jin-Woo pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of strikes until the creature finally crumpled to the ground, defeated.
[Items dropped by mana beast]
Name: Woodfang
Rarity: D Description: The Verdant Fang grants the user a +1 bonus to Dexterity and a minor boost to Life Regeneration.Name: Thorny Embrace
Rarity: C Description: This unique armor is crafted from the hardened hide and resilient vines of a mature Woodbinder, a C-rank mana beast. The Thorny Embrace grants the user increased Defense and a chance to inflict Bleeding on enemies who strike them in melee combat.[Congragulations! You have defeated the boss]
[Congragulations! You have learned a new skill "Shadow Dash"]
Skill: Shadow Dash
Description: A burst of shadow energy propels Sung Jin-Woo forward, allowing him to close the distance with enemies and unleash a surprise attack
[Rewards]
[70K gold coins have been added to your inventory]
[You have earned 80 S.P]
[You have learned a new skill "Shadow Strike"]
Skill: Shadow Strike
Description: A swift and precise attack that delivers a devastating blow with the sword, empowered by shadows
Sung Jin-Woo emerged from the D-rank dungeon battered but unbroken. The forest floor shimmered as the portal back to reality flickered to life. Stepping through, he emerged into the familiar clearing on the outskirts of Seoul. The setting sun cast long shadows across the landscape, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. He took a deep breath, the cool evening air filling his lungs. The city lights twinkled in the distance, a beacon of normalcy amidst the extraordinary events of the day.
But Sung Jin-Woo knew normalcy was a thing of the past. The world of Hunters, dungeons, and monsters was his reality now. And as he gazed at the city lights, a determined glint lit up his eyes. He would navigate this new world, hone his skills, and unravel the mysteries that lay hidden within. He would become the strongest Hunter, not just for himself, but for his family, and for a future yet unwritten.
The night deepened, and Sung Jin-Woo turned towards the city, his silhouette disappearing into the gathering darkness. The challenges ahead were many, but he was ready. He was Sung Jin-Woo, the Hunter who defied limitations, and his journey had just begun.