Chapter 3: Goblin Grind and Human Threat
As Drake rested, he started checking his gains and noticed the spare stat points.
"I know what I want to do—since I like being fast, let's try setting my stats to be agility-based so I can quickly dodge enemy attacks."
As soon as Drake began arranging the points, he felt his body growing mysteriously stronger.
STATUSSTR: 5AGI: 7MAG: 0CHRM: -1
"Alright, I feel a bit stronger." Then he checked the sword he had obtained, and suddenly a small screen appeared before him.
[RUSTED SHORTSWORD]ATK: 5~11DURABILITY: 3/10(To improve durability, sword must be maintained)
As Drake read the screen, he remembered one of his old teacher's sayings:"Your weapon is only as strong as its master's care for it."
Trying to stand, he accidentally launched himself upward, almost hitting the ceiling."Hmm... yeah, definitely need to get used to this strength."
He began practicing gentle movement, slowly adjusting his agility and power. After walking around for a while, he found a flat rock."This'll do."
Drake knelt by the rock and started carefully sharpening his sword.
DINGDURABILITY 4/10DURABILITY 5/10DURABILITY 6/10DURABILITY 10/10
Now gleaming faintly, the sword looked almost reborn.
"Nice. Time to grind some more XP." He smirked and started deeper into the cave.
After walking for a few meters, he heard the familiar growling. Peeking around the corner, he saw five goblins, one holding a sword like his.
"Can I take all five? Hmm… my power and, more importantly, my speed have improved. Let's try this."
Drake lunged forward without hesitation. Two goblins charged at him, but this time he was ready—he leapt away, closed the gap with one, and slashed it in half.
DING
He turned quickly and dashed at the rest. One goblin lunged, but Drake swept its leg, tripping it, then beheaded it mid-fall.
Now surrounded by the final three, their red eyes burned with fury as they started to encircle him.
"So that's the plan? Alright, let's see how you handle this."
He dashed toward the goblin with the sword, extended his empty hand, and shouted mentally:
"STEAL!"
The weapon vanished from the goblin's hand and reappeared in Drake's. Before the others could react, he ducked and drove both swords through their hearts, earning his favorite chime once more.
The remaining goblin leader looked stunned. Drake didn't hesitate—he cross-slash bisected him.
Breathing heavily, Drake checked his progress:
Killed: 3 Lv. 4 Goblins, 2 Lv. 5 GoblinsSTATUS:LVL: 3XP: 200/1000
"Not bad. I'm close to the evolution... Let's hope it's better than this useless green body."
He noticed shiny crystal-like stones left behind."What's this?"
Picking one up, a notification appeared:
DING
(User found XP Crystal – Grants bonus XP based on size and monster level.)
"Finally, something good!" He ate the crystal.
DING+25 XP obtained
"Nice! Half the monster's XP."
After collecting and consuming the rest:
XP: 320/1000
[Five Hours Later]
STATUSLVL: 4XP: 120/3000STR: 7AGI: 10MAG: 0CHRM: -1
SKILLS (New):SPRINT –Unlocked via 10 AGI.Boosts speed and perception for 10 seconds.
"Finally, a movement skill!"
As he wandered deeper, another screen appeared:
NEW QUEST: KOBOLD SUBJUGATION(Approx. 100m from user: 5 Kobold-class monsters detected. Eliminate them.)REWARD: UNKNOWNGood luck, user.
"Kobolds, huh? That's my next evolution line… Well, you snooze, you lose!"
Just as Drake began moving, he suddenly heard... human voices.
Unexpected Guests
Hiding behind a large pillar near the kobolds, Drake observed the newcomers.
"Ahh, it's so boring on the beginner floors," said a brown-skinned, flat-chested girl with twin ponytails.
"Just be patient, Tiona. We're only here until Floor 18," replied another brown-skinned girl—this one with a chest like Mount Fuji.
Drake blinked."She could've been a model back in my world…" he thought, staring at the one called Tiona.
Tiona pouted. "C'mon, Tione! There's only trash mobs down here—goblins and kobolds. Gimme something good to fight!"
"Relax and—oh look, five kobolds. Go at it."
Before Drake could react, a blonde girl with a calm demeanor and a thin rapier leapt forward like a bolt of lightning.
In seconds, she annihilated all five kobolds—Drake's entire quest target—without effort.
"What the hell…" Drake was frozen in awe and dread.
Then—"Tiona!" the girl yelled, pointing, "Look! There's a weird goblin hiding behind that rock!"
Too late.
The blonde flashed in front of him. All Drake saw was golden hair and the tip of a rapier piercing his forehead.
In an instant, his body shattered into black dust.
DING
USER HAS DIED.Dungeon has absorbed user's spirit.Penalty: -100 XPRebirth available in: 24:00:00
A/N time to redo all chapters the story has been fleshed out im back guys