Chapter 8

In the dead of the night, a silhouette was running in the field with a sword in his hands. He carefully sides steps to the right as he swings his sword to the figure in his back.

Blood spurted from his enemy as it then burst into light dropping a single Common sword. However, the man didn't even look at the piece of equipment and continued to run.

Everywhere he moves, a small water splash was made making many droplets shine when the light of the moon reflected on it.

Caleb was running on a river, it was wide but it is not too deep. Ahead of him were monsters, all of them are level 4 [Water Trolls].

They naturally have lower HP than the other level 4 monster but their movement speed was great especially enhance when their feet were on the surface of the water. So Caleb was not resting and continued to rush forward.

If he were to stop a second he will surely be caught in this mob before he can cross to the other side of the land.

The wide river was part of the fourth floor. If one is strong enough, then one could kill all these monsters. But for Caleb, he was just a level 4 Swordsman that's why he can't contain these quantities so he only chooses to run while occasionally engaging the monster that blocks in his way.

A bright wave of bluish energy trailed above the water and burst into its surface. It created an impact and a large pool of water arisen causing the two [Water Trolls] to not see the front.

Caleb take this opportunity and quickly circled to the two monsters as he use the skill [Slash] connecting it to their backs.

- 52, -53

Damage values were seen and another series of damages floated when Caleb activated his third skill [Frontal Speed]. Though it was not that large since there was no critical bonus because he use it from the back but it was enough to activate the [Swift Blade] passive.

The two monsters simultaneously burst into light and another common sword was dropped as he scooped the two quickly.

One can say he was lucky for so many dropped around but all of these sword attributes were not special. If he were to sell these pieces of equipment, only 2-5 coppers were the price.

He moved on and started running again. After a few minutes, he finally crossed the river and stepped on the outskirts of the forest. He stared ahead of him and saw a small hill. Above it was a castle imposing its greatness.

This castle was his last destination.

But before that, he needs to defeat the guard of it. The system also didn't recognize his success and he was still on the fourth floor.

He started to climb forward to continue until he arrived at the castle gate. Stood there was a creature that have furs in its body. Then in its back were two black wings that obediently pulled, waiting to be released.

Caleb focuses on the creature's face and he can see an owllike mask in it.

——

Owl Guard (Elite Monster)

Level: 4

HP: 620/620

——

Though for an Elite monster, its health was not too great. However, it was being compensated for its wings, causing it to be a better hunter.

Soloing a level 3 Elite monster was already hard enough, how else if it's 1 level higher.

However, Caleb still steps forward to face this monster. For all the floors, he always efficiently deal with all the monsters to conserve enough potions for this moment.

He also kept so many kind potions he bought back in Latifa town. Retrieving one from his inventory, he quickly drinks the potion with a slight yellow color in it.

As a result, his Vitality attribute raised by 10 points causing his defense to soar up. It was a [Vitality Potion].

He also wants to drink the other two potions of [Dexterity] and [Constitution] but these potions will negate each other if he drinks them simultaneously.

Potions were also magic in a vial. If one would drink two or more different potions at the same time, they will mix and the pure essence of the formula of every potion will banish thus, it will no longer take effect.

So a player can only drink one potion at a time and when the effects of it wore off, that's the time he can drink another type of potion.

Stacking the same potions was also not effective. For example, this time he drinks a [Vitality] potion, if he were to drink another [Vitality] potion, the first potion's effects will wear off instantly replacing a new one.

He knows these things but he didn't mind it as he has already planned how to defeat this monster. He started to run towards the [Owl Guard], its eyes open, and without a pause, it swiftly fly to Caleb, holding its sword swinging down to him.

Caleb, however, doesn't move to either side or have a plan to evade, instead, he continues to meet the [Owl Guard] and blocked the sword.

Clang!

- 86

Almost all of his HP was instantly cleaved by a single attack after he guard it. If he didn't raise his Vitality attribute, he will be dead right now.

This Elite monster was truly a terrifying hunter. It has great mobility and high damage, soloing it when someone was still level 4 was really not a good choice.

However, he was not discouraged by this, not skipping this opportunity, he activated his [Frontal Speed] to counterattack, making a three consecutive lunge to the left chest of the Owl Guard.

- 52, -46, -50

Critical hits were made, it was a sign that the defense of the Owl Guard was not that high.

He, however, didn't show any happiness in his face as he was seriously focusing on every movement of his enemy.

After dealing with those damages, he decided to retreat to the forest at the bottom of the hill. The Owl Guard continuously pursuit him while flying, but Caleb timely dodge every single strike from it.

He can't counterattack if he will not block the strike. The wings of it were the real problem. If he make an attack after dodging the strike, the Owl Guard would also easily dodge it.

That's why, by blocking its attack, he can make a proper counterattack to it and he can slowly whittle down its HP.

This method was also his plan in the first place, using [Slash] to slowly cut its life. The only difference this time, he luckily picked up the skill [Frontal Speed] so it will help him to largely reduce the time he needs to clear this floor.

After he arrived at the forest, the owl silhouette was no longer there, thus Caleb relaxed in one of the trees and eat his bread for health and stamina regeneration.

He looks up above, observing the sky. He smiles to see the beautiful moon that was like a flower blooming in tranquility.

'After all, even this place was cursed, the sky wasn't,' He thought while staring at it.

This was one example that no matter how dark your world is, how dark your experience is, and how dark is your past, there will still always be a light that glimmers. Big or not, as long as it shows hope, it was already great.

After appreciating the scene, he rest for a while and when his HP and stamina were back to full, he immediately runs back to the Castle Gate to confront the [Owl Guard].

Since it was a hunter type, he knows it specializes in mobility and damage. Its regeneration rate is low so Caleb was confident he can kill it by continuing this strategy.

As he arrived, he checked its life again and he found out it was still 490. The [Owl Guard] regenerated only 20 points in those past minutes.

Caleb didn't waste any time and drink another [Vitality Potion] to refresh the 5 minutes expiration time.

He stepped forward and again, his enemy flies in great speed while Caleb bravely met its weapon with his sword.

Ping!

Another metal clash had been made in the middle of the silent hill. A big -94 floated at the top of Caleb's head and only 5% remained in his life. But he calmly proceed to his plan and made a counterattack by activating his [Frontal Speed] again, quickly delivering three times consecutive attack.

- 44, -51, -49

After that, he decisively runs back to the woods repeating his actions.

And after an hour, for continuous back and forth, he finally succeeded to killed the Elite Monster.

[System: Level 4 Owl Guard (Elite Monster) was killed! Obtained 490 EXP]

[System: You leveled up!]

[System: Player has reached level 5! Please choose to change class or proceed to graduate.]

[System: Congratulations! You are the first player to reach level 5 in Warthford City. Earned the title "Competitor".]

[System: Your fame has reached the ears of Brix Lionhart, Mayor of Latifa Town. Hidden Quest "Competitor's Audacity" has been triggered.]

[System: Fourth floor has been cleared. Please proceed to the Castle for the last floor!]

Caleb breathed in relief after hearing the series of notifications from the system. After a while, he grinned as his first objective was already in check.

"Only two remaining."

He muttered as he shifted his gaze to the imposing castle behind the gate.