Chapter 61 – The Goblin Chief's Throne

No more movement. No more shrieking. Only the faint crackling of dying embers from a scattered fire pit.

Kyung-min barely spared the carnage a glance before stepping forward, his mind already shifting to what came next.

Then—

A series of chimes rang in his ears.

Ding!

[You have gained experience.]

🔹 Basic Goblin (Lvl 2) defeated – +4% EXP

🔹 Goblin Fighter (Lvl 5) defeated – +9% EXP

🔹 Goblin Scout (Lvl 4) defeated – +7% EXP

[Party Contribution Bonus Applied – EXP Distribution Enabled]

🔹 Min-seok has defeated 5x Basic Goblin (Lvl 1) – +1% EXP

🔹 Joo-hyuk has defeated ......

Ding!

🔹 [You have leveled up! Lv. 5 → Lv. 6]

Kyung-min clicked his tongue.

Even with how much he had done, the experience had been spread among the entire team. His share had been significantly diluted.

Of course, that was how parties worked—but seeing it firsthand irritated him more than expected.

His fingers twitched, a fleeting thought crossing his mind.

If I had done this solo…

But he dismissed the thought almost immediately.

He hadn't joined this run for power.

He was here to observe. To learn how a team functioned.

Grinding EXP was secondary.

Still—

[You have earned 5 Free Stat Points.]

He ignored them.

For now, stats didn't matter. Strategy did.

[Loot Distribution Processed – Allocating Items to Party Leader, Eun-ha.]

Another chime.

Kyung-min's eyes flickered toward Eun-ha as she scrolled through her interface.

Everything they had obtained—gold, monster drops, even the minor equipment pieces—was automatically routed to her inventory.

Kyung-min didn't care much for low-rank goblin scraps, but it was still a reminder—

He wasn't in control here.

Tch.

—

Toward the Boss Room

The air grew heavier the deeper they ventured into the floor.

A natural instinct—something primal—told Kyung-min that they were getting close.

Joo-hyuk was the first to react, his steps slowing slightly. His shield remained raised, his grip tightening.

Min-seok wiped sweat from his brow.

Da-jung finished her incantations, refreshing her mana reserves.

Eun-ha exhaled sharply before turning to them.

"This is it," she muttered. "Boss Room ahead."

Kyung-min's gaze drifted toward the massive stone doors looming before them.

Faint carvings of goblins—twisted, snarling, adorned in primitive battle regalia—were etched into its surface.

The stench of unwashed bodies leaked through the cracks.

And beyond those doors—

He could hear it.

The sound of something larger.

Something waiting.

Ding!

[Floor 1 Boss Detected]

Eun-ha turned to the group.

"We take this slow," she ordered. "Stick to the plan—Joo-hyuk tanks, Min-seok and I handle the Chief, Da-jung suppresses the Shaman."

She paused, her eyes flickering toward Kyung-min.

"And you—"

But he had already stepped forward.

His fingers traced the edge of the door.

It was warm.

Not because of heat.

But because of breath.

Something just beyond, waiting, exhaling heavily.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips.

This… might be fun.

With a casual push—

The doors creaked open.

And the Boss Room welcomed them.

The doors groaned open, stone grinding against stone as the putrid stench of filth, sweat, and rotting meat washed over them.

A cavernous chamber stretched before them, dimly illuminated by green-burning braziers. The walls were lined with crude barricades of sharpened wood, makeshift cages, and tattered banners displaying primitive goblin symbols.

But the true focus lay ahead.

A **throne—if it could even be called that—**stood at the far end of the room. A towering seat of bones and rusted metal, unevenly stacked with the remains of adventurers and monsters alike.

And seated upon it—a monster of a goblin.

🔹 [Goblin Chief – Lvl 12]

🔹 HP: 7,500

A hulking figure. Nearly twice the size of a normal goblin, its green skin was covered in jagged scars, trophies of countless battles. A massive cleaver rested against the throne's side, its edge chipped and uneven—but still deadly.

And to its left—

🔹 [Goblin Shaman – Lvl 9]

🔹 HP: 3,200

A wiry goblin draped in tattered robes of feathers and beads, a twisted wooden staff clutched in its clawed hand. Its yellow eyes gleamed with unnatural light.

Surrounding them—

🔹 [Goblin Fighters – Lvl 5-7] of more than 10

🔹 [Goblin Scouts – Lvl 4-6] around five or more of them.

Armed. Waiting.

And the moment the doors fully opened—they charged.

—

Formation Breaks Immediately

Joo-hyuk barely had time to lift his shield before a Goblin Fighter slammed into him. The force sent him staggering back.

Min-seok deflected a strike with his bow, but two more goblins rushed him. He panicked.

Eun-ha cursed, weaving through the chaos to regain their formation.

Da-jung's hands flared with mana, beginning a chant—

Then the Shaman raised its staff.

A screech echoed through the chamber.

And the atmosphere… shifted.

Kyung-min's eyes sharpened.

Something was happening.

—

Figuring It Out

"What was that?!" Joo-hyuk gritted his teeth, blocking another attack.

"The Shaman—!" Min-seok gasped, barely dodging a wild swing.

Eun-ha cut down a goblin and spat, "It's doing something to the others!"

"Enhancement magic?" Da-jung guessed. "Or is it a hex?"

They didn't know.

This was a problem.

In fights like this, knowledge was power. Knowing weaknesses, strengths—the difference between winning and getting wiped out.

And yet—none of them had done their research?

Kyung-min clicked his tongue.

This was sloppy.

But then—

"The Shaman can buff and summon reinforcements!"

Everyone turned toward Min-seok.

Kyung-min's eyes flickered.

"How do you know?" Eun-ha demanded.

Min-seok ducked under a goblin's swing, panting. "I— I read up on it before coming! Some records from past dungeon runs!"

A researcher.

Good.

But not good enough.

Because records weren't always accurate.

Kyung-min noted it.

No matter how much information one had beforehand, seeing it firsthand was different. He would rely on what he saw. Not just what was written.

—

Battle Tactics & Surprises

The goblins were fast.

Too fast.

The Shaman's magic was affecting them—but to what extent?  speed? strength? A resistance debuff?

They had to find out.

Joo-hyuk grunted, barely keeping his footing. "We need to take that thing out first!"

"Then cover me!" Da-jung yelled, mana flaring around her hands.

"Wait—!" Min-seok tried to warn—