Midnight in the Demonic Forest (Part 2)
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The ten new golems emerged from the floor, even larger and more menacing than the previous set. Their levels were 12, slightly higher than before, and their presence alone radiated a threatening aura. My Info skill confirmed it.
"—What the… Seriously? Another ten?" I muttered, frustration mixing with determination.
Even as an Assassin, facing twenty golems back-to-back was overwhelming. But there was no turning back; this dungeon was a test, and tests didn't wait. My mind raced, thinking about strategy. I needed to maximize my skill usage.
"—Skeleton Army, again," I whispered, summoning ten more skeletal rats from the shadows. They swarmed the golems, striking relentlessly. But just as before, the sheer strength of the earth golems crushed them instantly, leaving nothing but white powder on the floor.
I clenched my teeth. Clearly, brute force won't work. It was time to use my Dark Flame. I focused deeply, gathering the dark energy around me.
"—Dark Flame!"
This time, I aimed the spell at one of the stronger golems. The air shimmered as the dark flames enveloped the earth giant. For a moment, I thought it might be enough, but… nothing. The golem remained unscathed. I gritted my teeth, both amused and frustrated.
"—Seems I need to approach this differently. Water Magic would work best… but I'm not a Water Attribute user. Hah! Time to improvise."
I examined the battlefield quickly. The golems were slow, predictable. With my agility doubled, I could use speed and precision to exploit their openings. I darted between them, striking at joints, edges, and any part that might be weaker. Each hit chipped at the surface, but not enough to destroy them immediately.
"—I guess it's time for a real feast," I muttered, activating Gluttony once again. The dark aura expanded, reaching out to engulf the golems. One by one, they began to crumble under my absorption skill. Slowly but surely, my EXP rose, pushing me higher in level.
By the time the dust settled, I had absorbed the entire batch, my level increasing to 19. The dungeon seemed to sense my growing power because… more golems emerged. Their level? 14.
"—Oh no… not again," I groaned, feeling the sweat form on my brow.
This time, I adjusted my approach. I combined rapid strikes with careful dodges, using every skill at my disposal. Skeleton Army, Dark Flame, Gluttony—each used in sequence, exploiting the brief moments when the golems staggered. My agility allowed me to avoid the brunt of their attacks, but I couldn't underestimate them. Even a single strike from a level 14 golem could leave me badly injured.
The battle continued like this for a while, a test not just of power but of patience, strategy, and stamina. Each golem absorbed added to my EXP, my level climbing steadily. I realized that this dungeon wasn't just about defeating monsters—it was designed to push a player's thinking, forcing them to adapt and innovate.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last set of golems fell. My Info skill confirmed no more enemies remained. I took a deep breath, feeling the exhaustion in my muscles, yet a surge of exhilaration from my growth.
"—Level 20. Finally…" I whispered, staring at the stats floating before me. I had reached a new milestone. The dungeon, sensing my accomplishment, began to fade. The walls dissolved, and I found myself back in my tent in the forest, the familiar sounds of night surrounding me.
I sat there for a moment, processing everything. My skills had grown, my stamina tested, and my strategic thinking pushed to its limits. The dungeon had been harsh, but it had also provided invaluable experience.
"—This… was just the beginning," I thought, a faint smile forming. The forest outside remained dark and silent, but I felt a new sense of readiness. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew I was stronger now. And tomorrow, the journey with Chain's team would continue, but I had gained something even more critical: confidence.
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To Be Continued…
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