The Boss

Author: In the next few days, what will be updated the most is 'The Strongest in...', as there are only 3 to 4 chapters left for the first volume to finish, but that doesn't mean I won't update other stories.

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Jaehyan advanced cautiously through the cavernous environment of the Dungeon, where only a few bluish crystals on the walls emitted a faint, flickering glow, casting restless shadows along the length of the corridor. The air was dense and heavy with moisture, carrying an earthy scent mixed with the metallic aroma of dried blood left behind by previous adventurers.

He could feel his own heart pounding in his chest, though his mind remained focused on what lay ahead. He had rested enough, recovering every fragment of his mana. Even so, uncertainty haunted him. His rank, E, was a cruel reminder of his fragility in the world of hunters. No matter how much his skills set him apart, the gap between knowing and truly believing in his own power was an abyss he had yet to cross.

But now was not the time for doubt. It would only weaken him.

He let out a long sigh, feeling the tension weigh on his shoulders, and moved forward until his eyes met the imposing structure before him: the Boss's door.

It was a massive construction of dark stone, with deep marks and unknown symbols carved into its surface. The inscriptions glowed faintly in a reddish hue as Jaehyan approached, as if responding to his presence.

"Uff…" He exhaled, closing his eyes for a brief moment before shaking his arms, dispelling any lingering hesitation. With a decisive movement, he pushed the heavy doors open.

As soon as the massive doors swung open, a blast of dense, freezing air exploded out of the Boss's chamber, as if a creature had been waiting for that very moment to make its presence known. The wind rushed against Jaehyan's face, tousling his hair as he instinctively raised an arm to shield himself.

Then, he felt it.

The mana pressure inside that room wasn't crushing, but it was undeniable. Strong enough to make itself known, dense enough for him to realize that the enemy before him wouldn't fall easily. And yet… something inside him ignited.

A smile formed on his lips.

Jaehyan stepped forward, and the instant he crossed the threshold, the massive stones behind him slammed shut with a dull thud, sealing off his only escape route.

The momentary darkness was quickly replaced by the glow of blue torches mounted on the walls. Their light revealed the immense Boss chamber, a stone hall riddled with cracks and battle scars. Bones and shattered weapons littered the ground—evidence of those who had failed here before.

And then, an overwhelming presence made itself heard.

"ARGH!"

The roar filled the chamber like thunder, reverberating through every stone.

From the depths of the room, a colossal figure emerged from the shadows.

A Hobgoblin.

Standing over two meters tall, its robust body was protected by a rudimentary armor of metal plates and tanned leather, covered in scars and scratches. Its eyes gleamed a deep, bloodthirsty red. In its massive hands, a broad, curved sword glimmered under the torchlight.

Jaehyan stood firm, observing every detail of the monster before him. His fingers clenched into fists, and his breathing became controlled.

The Hobgoblin roared once more, its yellowed fangs bared as its muscles tensed in a frenzied attack. With a brutal charge, it raised its massive sword and brought it down with enough force to cleave a man in half.

Jaehyan's eyes widened for an instant, his body reacting purely on instinct. He spun on his heels, narrowly escaping the blade that slashed through the air where he had stood just a second before. The impact of the strike shattered the stone floor, sending fragments flying in all directions.

Before the monster could recover, Jaehyan surged forward. A golden, vibrant aura enveloped his fist like liquid fire, heating the air around him. He launched a direct punch at the creature's forearm, aiming for an unprotected spot between the plates of its crude armor.

The impact echoed through the chamber.

The metal bent with a sharp crack, and the monster's green flesh caved under the force of the blow, instantly bruising to a deep purple. The Hobgoblin bellowed in pain, recoiling its injured arm, its glowing eyes burning with hatred.

Jaehyan, wasting no time, activated his ability.

[Reinforce]

Immediately, golden markings appeared on the sides of his face, resembling glowing cracks that extended to his eyes. His body pulsed with renewed energy, and the pressure around him intensified.

He shot forward like lightning, his feet propelling him across the uneven ground of the chamber. The speed of his charge left a trail of dust and small shards of stone in his wake. He leaped, the golden glow of his energy turning him into a living arrow amidst the dimness of the room.

His fist, still wrapped in that vibrant energy, aimed straight at the Hobgoblin's torso, ready to crush it.

But at the last moment—

The Boss's curved blade sliced through the air in a treacherous arc.

Before he could react, Jaehyan felt the violent impact strike his side. His body was sent flying, cutting through the air before crashing onto the ground, rolling several times until stopping near the chamber wall. Dust rose around him.

He gasped, feeling the reverberation of the impact coursing through his bones. But then, a familiar notification flashed in his mind.

[90% of the damage negated by the skill]

His body was still intact.

Jaehyan slowly pushed himself up, wiping the dust from his lips with the back of his hand. His eyes locked onto the Hobgoblin once more, now staring at him with a mixture of surprise and fury.

Jaehyan ran his hand over the spot where he had felt the impact of the blow, feeling only the rough texture of torn fabric. The cloth was shredded—a clear reminder of the strength behind the attack he had suffered. However, his skin remained intact, without a single scratch. Even so, the pain persisted, a reflection of the damage his body should have received if not for his ability.

He let out a sigh, clenching his fists. There was no time for hesitation.

His eyes locked onto the Hobgoblin, which growled in fury, its chest rising and falling heavily. The creature moved, raising its massive sword once again, the blade gleaming under the torchlight. With a brutal motion, the Boss slashed through the air toward Jaehyan, aiming to tear him apart with a single strike.

But this time, he was ready.

With speed and precision, Jaehyan dodged. His body twisted to the side, avoiding the attack with a fluidity that made it look effortless. The air sliced by the blow whistled past him, but he was already moving to counterattack.

His hand, wrapped in golden mana, glowed as he delivered a direct punch to the Hobgoblin's already wounded arm. The impact struck the creature's elbow with crushing force.

Crack!

A grotesque sound echoed through the chamber as the joint bent the wrong way, creating an unnatural angle. The Boss let out a hoarse grunt of pain, staggering backward, its face contorted in agony.

Jaehyan didn't give the creature time to recover.

He advanced again, grabbing the mutilated arm of the Hobgoblin with both hands. His legs planted firmly on the ground, and with a brutal motion, he raised his leg and brought his heel down with full force against the already damaged elbow.

CRACK!

The bones gave in.

The sound of internal destruction echoed loudly, followed by the monster's deafening roar. The elbow joint was completely shattered, the ligaments snapping like old ropes being torn apart.

But Jaehyan didn't stop there.

With a violent pull, he twisted the mangled arm, feeling the last strands of tissue resist for a brief moment before giving way. In one swift and brutal motion, he tore the limb off.

The Hobgoblin's scream filled the chamber.

Dark blood gushed from the creature's shoulder, splattering across the floor as the monster staggered backward, clutching the bloody stump. Its breathing became ragged, the pain evident in its wild eyes.

Jaehyan seized the advantage.

With a swift spin, he raised his leg and delivered a devastating kick to the monster's hand that still held the sword. The Hobgoblin's fingers involuntarily opened from the impact, and the heavy weapon flew away, skidding across the stone floor until it crashed against the chamber wall with a metallic clang.

Now, the Boss was disarmed and wounded.

Jaehyan landed smoothly on the ground after the strike, his eyes locked onto the creature that panted in pain. His body pulsed with adrenaline, and his smile widened slightly.

The fight was just beginning, but now...

He was the one who set the rules.

Jaehyan rolled his shoulders and bounced lightly in place, adjusting his stance. His body was still surging with the adrenaline of battle, his muscles warm and ready to continue the massacre.

The Hobgoblin, despite having already lost an arm and being unarmed, still held a fierce gaze, mixed with pain and despair. Jaehyan smiled.

In a swift movement, he lunged forward and delivered a straight punch to the creature's face, feeling his knuckles sink into the monster's jawbone. The Boss's head snapped violently to the side, spitting out blood and broken teeth.

Not giving it any time to react, Jaehyan twisted his body and launched another punch, this time aiming at the creature's chest. The impact sounded like a drum, echoing through the chamber. The monster stumbled backward, panting heavily.

Jaehyan slid his feet across the ground and, with precision, delivered a sharp kick to the Hobgoblin's wounded leg. The already weakened bone gave way with a grotesque crack. The monster let out a howl of pain before collapsing onto one knee, now unable to support its own weight.

Jaehyan's eyes gleamed with a predatory glint. Taking advantage of the creature's vulnerable position, he clasped his hands together and brought them down like a battering ram onto the Hobgoblin's skull. The impact drove the monster even further into the ground, its eyes rolling in pain and dizziness.

Without hesitation, Jaehyan raised his knee forcefully and struck the creature's nose directly, shattering the cartilage with another sickening crack. Blood gushed from the wound, staining his face and the ground around him.

Now overcome with desperation, the Boss roared and used its remaining hand to throw a punch straight at Jaehyan's torso, putting all of its strength into that final strike.

The blow landed squarely.

But…

[Damage Negated]

Jaehyan didn't even move.

He slowly lowered his gaze to stare at the monster, whose fist was still pressed against his abdomen. The Hobgoblin panted, sweating and trembling, its eyes wide with shock as it realized that its attack had no effect.

"Hmm..." Jaehyan murmured, a mocking tone in his voice as he looked at the monster as if he were bored.

Despair flooded the creature's face.

And then, Jaehyan resumed the beating.

He attacked mercilessly, delivering punches, kicks, and relentless blows. Each impact made the Hobgoblin's body writhe in pain. The monster's screams echoed through the chamber, muffled only by the sounds of fists smashing into its flesh, breaking bones, and tearing muscles apart.

Minutes passed.

With each passing second, the Hobgoblin's body became more and more unrecognizable. Its green skin was covered in deep purple bruises, open wounds, and coagulated blood. One of its eyes was completely swollen shut, and its jaw hung at an unnatural angle, dislocated and unable to close properly.

And yet…

It was still alive.

Suddenly, a notification appeared before Jaehyan's eyes.

[Your mana has reached 0]

The golden marks of [Reinforce] glowed one last time before completely disappearing from his face and arms. His body became lighter, and he felt the absence of the power that had once pulsed within him.

The Hobgoblin noticed.

Even in a miserable state, his eyes shone with one last flicker of fury and hatred. Letting out a hoarse grunt, he raised the hand that still remained and, with all the strength he had, attempted to deliver one final blow against Jaehyan.

But the Hunter calmly raised his hand.

On the other side of the chamber, the sword that had once belonged to the Boss trembled on the ground. A subtle glow enveloped it before, in an instant, it flew through the air directly into Jaehyan's hand.

[Ruler's Authority] had been activated.

The Hobgoblin's gaze froze the moment he saw the gleaming blade being wielded by Jaehyan.

The Hunter did not hesitate.

With a single precise movement, he swung the sword to the side, cleanly slicing through the creature's wrist.

The Hobgoblin's hand fell to the ground, convulsing in spasms.

The monster opened its mouth to scream, but it was too late.

"Maybe I underestimated you too much." Jaehyan murmured.

And then, with one final strike, he raised the blade and swung it down in a precise arc.

The sword cut through the flesh, bone, and muscle of the Hobgoblin's neck, separating its head from its body in a single clean strike.

The head rolled across the floor, stopping a few meters away, its eyes still wide in shock.

For a moment, only the sound of blood dripping onto the ground could be heard.

Then, Jaehyan let out a sigh and lowered the blade, feeling the adrenaline slowly dissipate.

The fight was over.

[You killed the Boss!]

[The Dungeon has been reopened!]

[You received 1,000 EXP!]

[You have reached Level 10!]

[Your attributes have increased by 100!]

[Your Mana has been restored!]

[Your Mana has increased by 1,000!]

Jaehyan's body briefly glowed, his skin tingling with the newly acquired energy. He felt his muscles become firmer, his endurance increase, and his mind sharpen. Even his mana reserve, which had been empty before, now overflowed with renewed power.

He clenched his fists, feeling the strength pulse within him.

"This is good..." he murmured to himself, a subtle smile appearing on his lips. "So I can really get stronger like this."

But before he could fully enjoy the sensation, the ground beneath him shook violently. Small cracks began to spread across the Dungeon walls, and the air became heavy with unstable pressure.

It was a clear sign.

The Dungeon was collapsing.

Without hesitation, Jaehyan turned on his heels and ran towards the entrance portal. His steps were light and quick, and he reached the portal.

Before crossing the portal, he activated his ability.

[Stealth]

His form disappeared as if swallowed by the shadows. His presence was completely erased.

He crossed the portal.

As soon as he emerged on the other side, he encountered a group of people standing before the Dungeon's entrance. Some seemed curious, while others were restless. But it was the five hunters who caught his attention. They were alert, analyzing the area, probably waiting for the return of those who had entered.

Jaehyan didn't waste any time.

With a quick leap, he propelled himself to the top of a nearby building. His movements were fluid, and the wind whipped around his body as he climbed swiftly.

When he reached the top, he paused for a moment, surveying the city below. The lights flickered in the distant buildings, and the night air felt fresher than ever.

He took a deep breath.

'I'm still not used to being superhuman…'

But, for the first time, he felt powerful.

Even without activating any abilities.

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Author: In case you're wondering, this is what Jaehyan looks like:

Image here.