After the intense fight, the group paused to rest. The eerie silence of the dungeon forest seemed to settle around them like a suffocating blanket. Sirius leaned against a gnarled tree, his breathing steady as his mind worked to assess their progress. He had gained a lot in a short span of time, and it was time to take stock. With a thought, he summoned his Awakened Panel.
Sirius Starblade
Age: 16
Talents:
Void Storage (C)
Heightened Focus (C)
Orion's Eye (A)
Predation (SSS)
Strength of Ten (D)
Essence Devour (A)
Stealth (C)
Obsidian Claw (C)
Steel Silk (C)
Explosive Flames (B)
Lightning Dash (A)
Stonecrushing Grip (D)
Lightning Strike (C)
Silent Steps (D)
Sneaky Hand (E)
Dagger Mastery (E)
Sword Mastery (E)
Skills:
Battle Foresight: Perceives future attack possibilities during combat. Gained from Heightened Sense.
Lightning Cloak: Creates armor made from lightning energy. Gained from Lightning Strike.
Thunderbolt: Summons a spear of lightning to throw at the opponent. Gained from Lightning Strike.
Piercing Stab: A high-speed stab attack. Can be used with swords, daggers, or spears.
Stats:
Strength: 24
Agility: 28
Endurance: 29
Vitality: 27
Physique: 33
Intelligence: 31
Mana: 79
Sirius studied the data with satisfaction. His stats were formidable for a C-rank hunter, but what really stood out were his rapidly accumulating talents and skills. The abilities gained through Predation allowed him to evolve at an astonishing rate, and his recent acquisitions, like Marksmanship (C), had further diversified his combat style. He had even gained knowledge of various fighting techniques through his Dagger Mastery and Sword Mastery, making him proficient with multiple weapons. Techniques such as Kenjutsu, Japanese swordsmanship, and Katāri, a dual-dagger fighting style, now flowed effortlessly in his mind.
He closed the panel, letting his mind return to the present. His companions—Arnold, Robert, and Lisa—were resting nearby, recovering their strength after a string of victories against goblins. The eerie atmosphere of the forest surrounded them as if waiting for the next ambush, but for now, they had a brief moment of peace.
After a short rest, Sirius and his team began moving deeper into the forest, but an unsettling stillness hung in the air. The absence of monsters for the next several minutes put them all on edge, and each member of the group remained alert, scanning the shadows for movement. The forest around them seemed to darken, and the air grew heavier.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered. A group of Kobolds emerged from the trees, their dark fur bristling and their cat-like eyes gleaming with malice. These creatures were smaller than the goblins but far more dangerous. They wielded dark magic, and their talents made them formidable foes.
Kobold
Strength: 12
Agility: 18
Physique: 14
Intelligence: 8
Mana: 34
Talent:
Dark Magic (D)
Skills:
Shadow Claw (Level 3)
Life Leech (Level 2)
Corruption (Level 2)
Shackles of Nether Ghost (Level 1)
As soon as the kobolds spotted them, they launched into action. The Kobold on the left raised its clawed hand, and a shimmering chain of dark energy shot toward Robert's Armored Rhino, binding its legs with Shackles of Nether Ghost, paralyzing the beast and restricting its movement.
The battle erupted into chaos.
Robert growled in frustration as his Rhino struggled to break free, but the dark magic held firm. Lisa, standing several feet away, notched an arrow and fired at one of the kobolds. The shot was perfect, but just as the arrow flew toward its target, the kobold countered with Life Leech, sapping Lisa's strength and vitality, causing her to stumble backward. Her face paled as the kobold began to grow stronger.
Arnold, the katana-wielder, was facing his own troubles. Another kobold had struck him with Corruption, a sinister spell that gnawed at his sanity, clouding his mind and dulling his reflexes. He staggered back, struggling to stay upright.
Sirius felt the familiar tug of Corruption wrapping around his own mind. The dark energy clawed at him, trying to drown him in madness, but his high intelligence allowed him to resist the mental assault. He gritted his teeth, shaking off the curse before it could take root, and focused on the battlefield. His team was in trouble, and the kobolds' dark magic was proving difficult to counter.
But Sirius wasn't about to let these creatures win.
With a quick motion, he activated Lightning Dash, his form blurring as he darted through the battlefield. He unleashed several Lightning Arcs, crackling bolts of electricity that shot through the air, striking two kobolds square in the chest. The electric shock caused them to convulse, their magic momentarily disrupted.
Seizing the opportunity, Sirius hurled a volley of Explosive Fireballs at the remaining kobolds. The fiery blasts exploded on impact, sending a shockwave through the clearing and scattering the kobolds. As the smoke cleared, he could see that several of them had been incinerated, leaving only a handful still standing.
Before they could regroup, Sirius charged forward with his Obsidian Dagger drawn. His movements were swift and precise, enhanced by Silent Steps, allowing him to move through the chaos undetected. He drove his dagger into the nearest kobold's chest, silencing it with a single strike.
Acquired Talent: Dark Magic (D)
Skills Gained: Shadow Claw, Life Leech, Corruption, Shackles of Nether Ghost
A rush of dark energy flooded Sirius's body as he absorbed the kobold's abilities. The new skills and talent pulsed within him, waiting to be unleashed.
With renewed strength, Sirius turned his attention to the remaining kobolds. Arnold had managed to shake off the effects of Corruption and was back on his feet, slashing through the air with his katana, while Lisa, recovering from Life Leech, fired precise arrows at their foes.
Robert's Armored Rhino finally broke free of the Nether Shackles, its eyes glowing with rage as it charged forward. With a powerful stomp, the ground trembled beneath the beast's feet, sending a shockwave through the earth. The remaining kobolds were thrown off balance, and Robert used this moment to bring his massive hammer down on the last kobold, crushing it into the ground with a bone-crushing impact.
The battle ended as quickly as it had begun. The kobolds lay defeated, their bodies disintegrating into dust, leaving behind only mana crystals and a few scraps of loot.
The group slumped to the ground, exhausted but victorious. Sirius, however, was in better shape than the others. He didn't have any potions on him—those were far too expensive—but his mastery of the Star Origin Breathing Technique and the Sun Moon Divine Art allowed him to recover his stamina and mana more quickly. As he meditated, drawing in energy, he could feel his strength returning, his body and soul resonating with newfound power.
After a few moments, the team regrouped, drinking potions and resting while Sirius silently replenished his reserves. It was clear that every victory in this dungeon was hard-earned, but with each battle, they grew stronger.
After some time, the group stood and continued their trek through the forest, the trees thinning out as they neared their destination. The path led them to the heart of the dungeon—a large, crumbling castle surrounded by high walls, dark and foreboding. Several goblin archers patrolled the ramparts, their sharp eyes scanning the forest for intruders.
"We'll need to deal with the archers before we can enter," Lisa said, her voice low. "If they spot us, we'll be pincushions before we even get inside."
Arnold nodded, his hand gripping the hilt of his katana. "Leave it to me."
With a quick motion, Arnold activated Shadow Step, disappearing into the shadows. In a matter of moments, he reappeared on the castle's walls, moving like a phantom through the darkness. The goblin archers didn't even have time to react before Arnold's blade sliced through them, one after another. Within minutes, the archers lay dead, and the path to the castle was clear.
Sirius watched, impressed by the seamless execution of Arnold's skill. He could've used Stealth to achieve the same result, but he had kept many of his abilities hidden for now. There was no need to reveal all of his cards just yet.
With the archers eliminated, the group entered the castle and made their way toward the throne room. The halls were filled with goblin warriors and kobolds, but the team dispatched them with swift efficiency. Sirius found himself growing more comfortable with each fight, his new talents blending together seamlessly in battle. He used his Steel Silk to entangle enemies, Lightning Strike to paralyze them, and Obsidian Claw to tear through their defenses.
Finally, they reached the throne room, where three Goblin Great Warriors awaited them. These goblins were far larger than their lesser kin, standing nearly as tall as an average human. One wielded a massive spiked mace, another carried a double-headed axe, and the last held a greatsword.
The moment they saw Sirius and his companions, the warriors let out thunderous roars and charged forward. The group rushed to meet them, and the throne room exploded into a frenzy of steel and magic.
Sirius dashed forward, engaging the goblin with the greatsword. Their blades clashed with a deafening clang, sparks flying as metal met metal. The goblin was strong—much stronger than the others Sirius had faced so far. Each of its strikes sent shockwaves through the air, but Sirius's agility allowed him to dodge and weave through the attacks.
He countered with a flurry of Explosive Fireballs and Lightning Arcs, aiming to disrupt the goblins' teamwork. One of his fireballs caught the axe-wielding goblin in the side, causing it to stumble, and the man with the giant hammer, Robert, took advantage, slamming his weapon into the creature's chest, sending it crashing to the floor.
But the greatsword-wielding goblin was relentless. It swung its massive weapon with deadly precision, forcing Sirius back with each blow. Seeing an opening, Sirius activated Thunderbolt, summoning a spear of pure lightning in his hand. He hurled it toward the goblin, and the electrified weapon pierced through the creature's chest, sending bolts of electricity coursing through its body.
The goblin let out a final roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into dust. As it died, Sirius felt another surge of energy as his Predation talent absorbed the goblin's abilities.
Acquired Skills: Shattering Strike, Blood Wolf Swordsmanship
Meanwhile, Arnold and Lisa had taken down the last goblin with the help of Robert's Armored Rhino, the beast crushing the goblin beneath its massive hooves. The throne room fell silent as the group caught their breath.
Just as they began to relax, a low growl echoed through the chamber. Sirius turned, his eyes narrowing as an old kobold stepped into view. This one was different—it wore dark robes and carried a staff topped with a glowing crystal skull. The aura of dark magic around it was palpable.
Sirius immediately activated Orion's Eye.
Kobold High Priest
Talent: Nether's Command (B)
Skills:
Ghost Legion
Nether Summoning
The High Priest raised its staff, and the crystal skull began to glow with an ominous light. A portal of bones and skulls materialized behind the kobold, and from it stepped a massive Bone Elephant, its hollow eye sockets burning with purple flames.
The creature let out a deafening roar and charged forward. Sirius and his team barely had time to react before the Bone Elephant was upon them. Its massive feet stomped the ground, sending tremors through the stone floor as it barreled toward them.
Sirius realized quickly that his fire-based attacks would have little effect on the skeletal beast. However, when he sent a Lightning Arc at it, the creature flinched, its body shuddering as the electricity coursed through its bones.
"Lightning!" Sirius shouted. "It's weak to lightning!"
He summoned all the mana he could muster, forming the energy into a long, crackling spear of lightning—the Thunderbolt skill. With a powerful throw, he hurled the spear at the Bone Elephant. The spear struck its ribcage, exploding into a cascade of electric sparks that spread through the beast's body. The purple flames in its eyes flickered, then went out, and the Bone Elephant crumbled into a pile of bones.
Sirius let out a breath of relief, but the battle wasn't over. The Kobold High Priest panicked and raised its staff again, this time summoning a swarm of ghostly figures—the Ghost Legion. The spectral warriors floated through the air, their ethereal weapons drawn as they rushed toward the group.
Sirius focused, sending out a barrage of Lightning Arcs to disrupt the ghosts. His companions followed suit, Robert's Armored Rhino charging through the ghostly figures while Arnold and Lisa focused on the priest.
The High Priest, realizing it was outmatched, tried to retreat, but Sirius was already on it. With a quick motion, he unleashed several Explosive Fireballs, the blasts tearing through the priest's defenses. In its weakened state, the kobold was no match for Sirius's speed. With one swift motion, Sirius's Obsidian Dagger sliced through the priest's neck, ending its life.
Acquired Talent: Nether's Command (B)
Skills Gained: Ghost Legion, Nether Summoning
As the priest's body crumbled into dust, a portal appeared in the center of the throne room—the exit of the dungeon. Arnold grinned and shouted, "Alright, grab the loot!"
The group quickly gathered the mana crystals, weapons, and other valuable items left behind by the fallen goblins and kobolds. Robert and Lisa filled their sacks with loot, while Sirius picked up the staff and the monster crystal dropped by the Kobold High Priest.
Fifteen minutes later, they emerged from the dungeon, victorious. The guards outside the portal were still there, and Sirius and his companions sold the majority of their haul to them. Sirius kept the Greatsword from the Goblin Great Warrior and the High Priest's Staff for himself.
When the deal was done, Sirius checked his balance on his smartphone. To his surprise, he now had four hundred and fifteen thousand credits with three hundred and fifty thousand credits, he will get every month with his C-rank Hunter license. He also earned sixty thousand credits from the loot. It was far more than the few hundred credits he had earned from selling beast corpses earlier. A grin spread across his face as he realized the true potential of a hunter's lifestyle.
With the sale complete, Sirius said his goodbyes to Arnold, Robert, and Lisa. They had been good teammates, but he had his own path to walk.
Catching a taxi, Sirius headed to the nearest supermarket and stocked up on some of the finest primitive beast meat: Scorching Chicken, Crimson Lobster, and Silver Thunder Fish—the kind of food his family had only dreamed of eating.
As the taxi pulled up to his modest home, Sirius stepped out, his arms filled with packages of beast meat. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was in control of his destiny.
That night, Sirius would share a feast with his family, but in his heart, he knew that this was only the beginning. The world was vast, and the road of a hunter was long and perilous. But with his talents, his growing power, and the legacy of his father at his side, Sirius was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.