Dungeon Raid (2)
Hans and the tanker, Mike, lead the team in front while Frederick, who's an assassin, scouted the path ahead. Amongst all six members of the party, Fred was the only one who can see in the dark, thus he got an advantage over any of them.
... a role suitable for scouting.
Step—,step—
Mike slightly leaned towards Hans and quietly whispered, "You don't seem to be nervous."
After hearing his words, Hans turned his gaze. Mike's a tall, muscular man which was the average size for tankers, bald head, and shaved beard. His age is probably in the 50s considering his face's light pigmentation and slight droopy eyes.
Nowadays, the average awakener doesn't live past 60 and this number continues to shrink year by year. The average death toll exceeds that of the average number of people being awakened per day, so it's pretty much understood what would happen in the near future.
So this man is either lucky or very experienced not to die.
'Hmm…'
His face didn't look like anyone to be cautious of but Hans still kept his guard up just in case.
Hans replied in a low whisper as Mike approached, "I am nervous."
"Really? Hmm…"
"Yes, this is my third time in an orange class dungeon so…"
Of course, Hans lied but he still earned quite a response from Mike.
"Ah, I see… don't worry. Just attack with all your might when I pull the aggro." Mike raised his shield and smirked.
Hans lightly nodded as he shifted his gaze away. The path of the cave is steep and narrow. Halfway through their journey was a small pond with glittering waters, flowing somewhere beneath the cave.
"There wouldn't be water-type monsters here right?"
Due to the strange small pond on the front, Hans couldn't help but ask.
"Ah, this? It's normal. Don't worry, wolves are the enemies here and this pond should be their water source. Monsters are still living beings. You get the rest."
Fortunately, Mike is here or else he wouldn't know where he'll ask as the others behind him were confused as well.
Aren't they seasoned awakeners?
'But what's more strange…'
For some reason, Hans was bewildered by the lack of savage beasts on their way. This shouldn't be possible as monsters respawned every hour after a raid unless the boss was killed. The team also made sure that the monsters were here before they set.
Of course, not all of them are clueless, Mike's pupils narrowed with a faint air of grimace.
'Why is it?'
Hans was quite bothered. He doesn't have any experience in raiding D-class dungeons so he's not sure if this is a normal occurrence. Although curious by this weird phenomenon, Hans threw his thoughts.
Anything is possible inside a dungeon so basically, it's unpredictable.
As they continued galloping through the dark and damp cave, a strong scent assaulted Hans' nose.
Sniff—
'Hmm… I can smell something…'
Hans perked up his ears in any possible unforeseen attacks. As if sensing Hans' change of expression, Mike pulled out his equipment as well. The shield gleamed lightly under the small ball of fire before he positioned it above his chin.
'Mike…'
Hans locked his gaze on him.
Even a casual glance can tell that this middle-aged man is a veteran. The scars on his face might be solid proof as well, but he's not sure if it came from a monster.
Swish—
Shring—
Everyone quickly prepared after hearing one little step at a time. Hans carefully observed the dark surroundings, which felt quite narrow, before shifting his gaze away to them where the light can't penetrate.
"Cough — it's me."
As if sunlight shone on his face, Frederick's figure revealed under the ball of light.
"Oh, that scared me."
"Hah— me too."
"How's the path, Fred?"
Hearing their inquiry, Frederick answered.
"I think we should stop here." Frederick's expression gradually crumbled, cold sweats dripping from his forehead as he wiped it with his hands.
"Why?" The mage asked, impatient and annoyed.
Fredrick bit his lips, lightly pulled a small fang in his pocket, and answered.
"I picked this up on the way…" as if sensing everyone's confusion, Fred continued, "This is a wolf's fang. If what I'm thinking is correct, it seems that another species occupied this place."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone killed the wolves here?"
"..."
"Yes."
Everyone exchanged meaningful glances. As if their ears can't believe what they heard, they asked Fred once again.
But they got the same answers.
"But who? Aren't we the only ones here?"
Fredrick shrugged his shoulders, unable to answer as he scratched the back of his neck.
"I… I have a guess but… I'm not sure."
Fredrick's voice trembled. Hans set his eyes towards the team leader of the party. Weirdly, an assassin class is leading a team of awakeners. In his opinion, the leader should have been Mike. Clearly, he has more experience than Frederick.
'Forget it.'
Even though Hans had these thoughts, he chose to stay silent. As a temporary member, he knows his boundaries.
"Tell us."
This time, Mike's deep voice inquired. Hans glanced towards him.
'He must have noticed something wasn't right.'
The dungeon is not normal, Hans was aware of this fact. The moment they entered and didn't spot a single monster around he already became suspicious.
"I think a 'named monster' was born here." Frederick's expression gradually crumbled as he uttered those words.
"N-no way!?"
Only, this time the news made others quite surprised. Hans slumped down towards the small stone, raised his hands to his chin as his pupils swiftly narrowed.
'Named monsters…'
Although he didn't know much about those, as an awakened, Hans still had the privilege to know more about their enemies.
Just like the name says, 'named monsters' are monsters that have evolved through unknown ways. More powerful than their previous form, 'named monsters' also gain more strength and an ability upgrade.
Which only means, this dungeon… has two bosses.
But…
"Isn't this a jackpot?" A woman stood her ground as she spread her hands in a jovial shrug.
Well, she's correct at some points. Although named monsters are dangerous, they still give twice the amount of 'exp' the dungeon boss has. If lucky, they might drop rune-skills and items as well.
Not just her, all of them know this fact. Fredrick gulped his saliva, stood unmoved as he struggled to make a quick decision.
"What do you think? The named monster might still be in the borderline C-class."
"Let's do it."
"I agree too."
Others immediately made their decision, leaving Mike and Hans at their wit's end.
"Mike?"
It took a short while before he muttered, "Sigh— fine."
"Hans?"
It would have been easy to decline if his curiosity wasn't there. Hans stretched his hands to the back of his stiff neck and caressed it up and down before he nodded in affirmation.
"Alright, since all of you have agreed, let's get going."
...…
It took them another 10 more minutes to reach a dim ample space, just behind the massive entrance door towards the boss.
"Shh…"
Fredrick put a finger to his lips, he signaled the mage to brighten the light gleaming from her wand.
Everyone lightly took one step at a time, silent like a ninja as they approached with caution. From a distance, Hans darted his gaze around, his ears perked up at the numerous loud steps which seemed to be weakening as their gap came closer.
Fredrick raised his hand, "Let's wait here."
Grrr—, grrr—
Everyone gulped their saliva, cold sweat oozing from their back.
Grr—, grrr—
"Everyone, prepare your skills! It's coming!"
Soon, numerous glowing golden eyes shimmered under the dark place. The growling sound became louder and louder. Mike raised his large bronze shield, glanced sideways, and nodded into Hans.
Grrr—
Shortly after, blood-red wolves-like species began surrounding everyone. Fredrick's insides squirmed at the sight of these monsters.
'It's the Blood Jackals!'
A subspecies of Jackals who gain strength through blood just like vampires.
"Wizards use your buffs! I'll pull the aggro now!"
The mages started casting their skills as both Mike and Hans received powerup buffs. Hans glanced at his increasing attributes before activating his own.
[Body Enhancement.]
Together with the various buffs, Hans' strength crossed 100 to 120 real quick. Clenching his fists, Hans sprinted towards the monsters.
[Taunt!]
Mike cast his taunting skill and grabbed the attention of these savage beasts with a yell.
"I'm your momma!"
Growl—
As if annoyed and rage by Mike's words, the blood Jackals turned their gaze and dashed towards him.
Woosh—
Growl —
Seeing the opportunity, Fredrick's voice sent a command to others.
"Shoot them! Shoot them down!!!"
Magic spells flew across the air while Fredrick stabbed a blood Jackal at the back. Mike's shield skillfully blocked the upcoming claws of the beasts and every other attack it did.
.....
In the meantime, Hans waited for the spells to hit before making a move on his own.
Swish—
Accompanied by a swishing sound of air, Hans' figure closed the gap between the nearest jackal. He brought his right fist up and swung it down to its head.
Bam—
As if the winds were in stillness, his fist generated a booming noise.
Slam—
Upon contact, the Jackal's head smashed into a paste. Its headless body wriggled around before powerlessly falling to the ground.
"Huh?"
Hans straightened his back and stared at his fist in surprise.
'I'm not in a red dungeon right?'
Its destructive power surely far exceeded his expectations. His fist just obliterated a Jackal's head in one strike and it was not even a full-powered strike.
Is this the result of what a 120 strength stat point can produce?
His joys didn't end there. It was followed by a familiar ringing sound through his head.
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
'3 levels for one?'
His heartbeat gradually entered a state of adrenaline. In the process of leveling, it's common knowledge that low-level awakeners can quickly level up when killing strong monsters.
That is why Hans won't let this slip.
Hans showed a sly smirk. Not wasting any time, he equally invested the 24 stats to his agility, stamina, and mana.
Shortly, it was followed by another system prompt.
[Do you wish to plunder the skill, 'Furious Chomp (D)'?]
[Yes / No]
Hans immediately declined as he swung his fist to a charging jackal again.
Smash—
Bam—
"Growl—"
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
Another 2 levels.
[Do you wish to plunder the skill, 'Furious Chomp (D)'?]
[Yes / No]
Hans rejected once again as he tumbled his figure backward. The reason why he rejected those is because of the nature of the skill.
It was not suitable for humans at all.
[Furious Chomp (D)
— Chomp the bodies of your enemies and swallow them forcefully whole.]
That's the only description.
'Can I get other skills as well?'
Hans shook his thoughts as he charged forward again.
Swish—
Hans leaped through the air and did a dropkick.
Bam—
The sheer amount of its force shattered the ground ahead together with those unfortunate blood Jackals.
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
…
Numerous ringing resounded through his ears but Hans ignored them as he made his way towards the now dumbfounded Mike.
"H-how!?"
Well, it's not only Mike, others were also surprised at his sudden display of strength. Their eyes swept around the area as they looked towards the smashed body of those jackals.
"O-one strike?!"
"N-no way!?"
"I-is it possible to learn this power?"
But their thoughts were cut off by a voice.
"Don't be dazed! Attack!"
Perhaps, it's because Hans boosted their morale that their fear and exhaustion instantly vanish.
Soon, as if everyone has unlimited stamina, they annihilated all Jackal mobs in sight. Hans resumed his killing spree until he reached level 19, only one level away from a max level E-class.
Unfortunately, there are no Jackals anymore. Hans shifted his gaze to the dark side of the cave as his back remained behind Mike.
"Mike, I have a plan."
Taken aback, Mike asked.
"What is it?"
"We'll go to that corner."
Hans pointed his fingers towards the unoccupied) dark corner wall. Sensing Mike's hesitation, Hans turned towards Fredrick and others.
"You follow as well."
Others exchanged affirmation glances before finally agreeing to Hans' plan.
Only Fredrick asks a question. It's not that he doesn't want to agree but his 10 years of experience as an Awakened was telling him there's more to it. Also, that dark corner can't be seen through his night vision, which further adds to his confusion.
"Have you noticed something?"
Hans started walking towards the dark corner, shortly halted, and responded with an unclear answer.
"It is waiting."
"..."
Fred's eyes widened in realization.