Ding!
[Multiple hostiles detected]
Souta froze, his eyes darted around the dark forest as four glowing shapes moved out from the shadows.
Four more Steamgnashers.
Their six legs clicked against the broken stones, their metal bodies shining in the dim light, steam hissed from their backs, and their glowing yellow eyes locked on Souta like hungry wolves ready to pounce.
His chest rose and fell quickly. His breath came out in short gasps. Sweat rolled down his face as he took a few steps back, boots scraping the ground.
"Tch… not again."
One of the beasts lunged at him. Souta twisted his body just in time, the monster's claws missed his ribs by an inch and smashed into a nearby tree. The trunk cracked and broke apart like thin glass.
Before he could catch his breath, three more burst out from the bushes, twitching and growling. The sound of metal grinding filled the air.
Souta gripped his dagger tighter. A strange power surged through his body. His veins glowed faintly, and every sound became sharper and every movement clearer.
"Alright," he whispered, eyes narrowing. "Let's do this."
He dashed forward.
In one quick motion, Souta slid under the first Steamgnasher's legs and slashed upward with his dagger. The blade tore through its underbelly. Thick black liquid spilled out, hissing and burning holes in the ground.
The monster screamed, its metallic body shaking before it fell backward. But there was no time to rest.
Three more were coming.
Souta jumped sideways as another creature attacked. He spun around, parried its claws, and kicked it away. His dagger moved fast, faster than before. His body felt lighter.
It was almost like dancing a deadly dance with monsters.
One claw nearly took off his leg. Another sliced across his cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.
But Souta only grinned.
He was learning their moves the rhythm of their attacks.
Each step, each swipe, he could predict them now.
"I see it," he whispered, "The rhythm."
Another Steamgnasher charged straight at him, faster than the rest. Souta didn't move right away he waited for the perfect moment.
Now!
He ducked, rolled beneath its legs, and drove his dagger upward right through its head. The monster let out a sharp screech before falling still.
The others hesitated but souta didn't.
He dashed at the next one and struck its glowing belly with all his strength. The dagger burned as it hit, a burst of hot acid exploding from the wound. The creature was thrown backward, thrashing until it stopped moving.
One by one, the monsters fell.
…
4[35/40]
+8 Attributes points
[D-Rank Beasts Defeated: 4]
[EXP Gained: 24]
[Attribute Points: +8]
[Loot Acquired]
—Monster Core (D-Rank) ×4
—Metal Plating Fragment (Uncommon Armor Material)
…
Souta dropped to one knee, gasping for air. His arms trembled. He looked around four smoking corpses lay on the ground.
The ground rumbled, the trees shook has the dungeon boss approached. A louder hiss echoed, a shadow loomed from the fog, and the biggest Steamgnasher yet stepped into view.
Its armor was thicker, gears turned under its scales, glowing green with heat. Steam rose from its nostrils, and every step left a burning mark on the ground.
So this is the boss…Souta muttered, frowning. "Just my luck."
But before I start I should use my 8 attribute points 5 to agility and 3 to luck, I really need luck.
[Agility: 44]
[Luck: 12]
He took a deep breath and gripped his dagger again. hope I survive this.
The boss Steamgnasher let out a thunderous roar and charged, for such a big monster, it moved incredibly fast.
Souta dodged to the side, barely avoiding its claws.
[Instinct Dodge Activated – Lv.1] (1/2)
His body had moved on its own, no thinking, just action.
He swung his dagger and struck the beast's side.
Clank!
The blade barely made a dent. The boss's armor was too thick. Steam burst out angrily from the wound. Acidic mist sprayed everywhere, burning small holes into the ground.
"Not enough power…" Souta growled. "I should've boosted Strength."
The boss hissed, its throat glowing bright green.
Then, it opened its mouth wide.
"Acidic Breath!"
Souta dove behind a tree as a blast of green mist shot past him, melting the rocks and earth where he had been standing. The air stank of acid and death.
He coughed, eyes stinging. "That… was close."
His body ached all over. His muscles screamed for rest, but he forced himself to stand. His vision blurred for a moment.
"I'm… not done yet," he whispered. "Not until it's over."
The monster charged again, jaws open wide.
This time, Souta didn't dodge backward, he ran forward.
The creature didn't expect that. At the last second, Souta dropped low and slid under its massive legs. He stabbed the dagger deep into the soft joint behind its knee.
The Steamgnasher roared in pain, stumbling. Souta didn't waste a second he jumped onto its back, climbing up the hot metal plating despite the burning heat.
"Fall already!" he shouted as he drove his blade straight into the base of its skull.
The dagger sank deep, sparks flying.
The creature shuddered, steam bursting from its mouth as its legs gave out. It collapsed with a thunderous crash, shaking the ground.
Souta stood over its body, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face. The forest was silent again except for the faint hiss of cooling metal.
…
[Level up!]
+6 Attributes points
[C-Rank Boss Defeated]
[EXP Gained: 40]
[Attribute Points: +6]
[Loot Obtained]
— Steamgnasher Core (C-Rank) ×1
— Acid-Vein Scale ×2
…
Souta let out a shaky laugh. "Finally…"
He lowered his dagger, breathing hard. Around him, the ground was covered in melted stone and monster remains. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and acid.
For a moment, he just stood there, staring at the sky.
He wasn't sure if he should be proud or scared.
It still doesn't feel right. Teleporting to a layer I didn't want to get to. I mean I haven't even be to "E" yet and now a C-Rank boss in a D-Rank dungeon.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Maybe I really am cursed."
———~Ω~———
Name: Souta Kaede
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Boundless
Title: Reborn one
Level: 5 [35/50]
Rank: SSS
Attribute points: +6
Strength: 35
Agility: 44
Endurance: 36
Intelligence: 29
Luck: 12
Skills: 2
Traits: 3
—————————