Chapter 45

EP.45 C-Class Holder Advancement (4)

Undiscovered dungeon, Hobgoblin Village.

I don't know much about this place.

This dungeon was mentioned only in passing as a hidden piece, and I remember there was hardly any information about it in the setting book.

I came here based solely on the fact that most of the monsters in this dungeon are C-class.

I thought it would be the most suitable dungeon for my current level.

'Besides, a B-class boss might be worth a try.'

I looked at the opponent in front of me.

The hobgoblin chieftain, with a fierce gaze, was about to strike me with his axe.

He is the only B-class monster in this dungeon.

It is generally said that five C-class holders need to gather to hunt a B-class monster properly.

But that's the story when it's a general calculation.

If the monster is a single entity and not part of a group, and the holder is of the warrior class.

With the right situation and variables, it is entirely possible for a C-class holder to hunt a B-class monster alone.

And I...

was a C-class holder with more variables than anyone else.

-Ker, ugh...!!

"The boss kid's cry sounds the same."

The hobgoblin chieftain is dressed similarly to a hobgoblin warrior.

One hand holds a shield, the other a weapon.

The only difference is that while the warriors wield swords, the chieftain holds an axe larger than his forearm.

So, when our weapons clashed.

I immediately used [Flickering Flame].

From the few hours of hunting here.

I found out that hobgoblin warriors are extremely weak against magical attacks.

-Ker!!

It was quite effective.

The hobgoblin chieftain, hit by the fire-based magical attack, let out a scream and took a step back.

If it's a B-class monster of the warrior class.

It probably has higher physical stats than me.

Its speed seems slow, so it must have high strength and endurance.

In such a case, I use physical clashes only for tanking.

For dealing damage, I use magical attacks.

I act as both a tank and a dealer.

My stats and runes have changed from before.

Now, I am a bruiser who can use magical attacks.

-Ker, ker...!!

The hobgoblin chieftain let out a scream and charged again.

In the previous situation, I clashed weapons head-on in a hurry, but I don't need to accept a direct challenge when I'm weaker in strength.

I just need to parry the attack and counter with a magical attack.

I used the subtlety of [Flowing Sword Technique] to gently parry his axe.

Or rather, I tried to.

"Huh?"

I was momentarily stunned.

My sword, which I intended to parry and slide off his axe, suddenly started to rust like an old sword.

A familiar sight.

A situation I've experienced before.

It's like the [Corrosive Powder] that Kim Hyowon used during the end-of-term evaluation...?

"Damn!"

There was no time to dodge or raise my shield.

I immediately used [Strengthening].

The chieftain's axe pierced through the corroded sword and entered my body.

"Ugh...!!"

Even when strengthened, it still hurt.

My doubled endurance managed to block the chieftain's axe attack once, but it couldn't stop the axe from embedding itself in my body and the blood from gushing out.

I took a step back, enduring the pain that pierced my shoulder.

'It doesn't seem like he used an item.'

He didn't use [Corrosive Powder] like Kim Hyowon.

His hands held an axe and a shield, and goblins aren't smart enough to use items.

It was likely a specific curse, like the [Simple Curse] used by goblin shamans.

Considering the chieftain's name and his status as a boss, he can naturally use curses, and his level is probably quite high.

'While corrosion debuff isn't all-powerful...'

[Corrosive Powder] or related runes can't corrode all equipment.

If they could, holders would use them as essential items regardless of the cost.

Equipment of slightly higher grade is not easily corroded, and there are more ways to counter it than expected based on the holder's individual abilities.

But my current equipment is mostly of normal grade.

And there's no particular way to block the corrosion.

I was in a situation where I had to take the hit from his curse.

"But there's still a way."

I hastily drank a potion on my shoulder and looked ahead.

I've already faced such desperate situations several times.

Now, when faced with a situation.

Solutions reflexively come to mind.

"Ah!"

I launched [Quarter Knives] with the four daggers at my waist.

The hobgoblin chieftain, raising his shield simultaneously.

He seems to have a considerable level in the [Shield] rune.

Despite reaching a certain level, my [Quarter Knives] were weakly blocked by his shield.

But this was a kind of feint attack.

To draw his attention.

I took advantage of the gap.

And rushed at him with [Agile Movement].

'Physical combat won't work.'

Even with my lack of strength, my [Physical Combat] level is too low to deal damage to him.

I need to use my sword and magic somehow.

Only then can I land effective hits on him.

I turned to the side of his shield.

And thrust my sword in my left hand.

-Ker!

The hobgoblin chieftain, confirming my entry, opened his eyes wide.

He used another curse related to corrosion.

The speed of the curse is fast, and its intensity is sufficient.

My sword corroded instantly.

It turned to dust at an incredibly fast rate.

'It worked.'

But I sensed success.

In my right hand.

Another sword was already in place.

-Ker?

"I prepared over ten of them, knowing this would happen."

I immediately used [Flickering Flame].

The subtlety of [Piercing Sword Technique], which I use when thrusting my sword.

My thrust, a combination of physical and magical attacks, dealt a significant blow, piercing through his high endurance.

-Ker!

The hobgoblin chieftain, momentarily stunned by the impact.

I didn't miss the opportunity.

I followed up with [Proclamation], a derivative skill of [Intimidation].

The last debuff effect I had saved.

The chieftain, already hit hard, was also affected by 3 seconds of fear.

The sword embedded in his body corroded again, but...

I was calm.

"These are mass-produced swords, you bastard."

In my magic bag.

There were still ten more swords left.

* * *

[You have won the duel! With the mysterious power of the Rune Hunter, you can replicate one of the opponent's runes. Please choose the rune to replicate.]

[1. Simple Curse (Unselectable) 2. Axe (Unselectable) 3. Shield (Unselectable) 4. Herculean Strength (Unselectable) 5. Physical Defense]

[You have chosen Physical Defense. As it is a 5-level normal rune, its level will decrease to 3.]

[You have obtained a new rune.]

[The rune grants 1 point of endurance.]

The hobgoblin chieftain finally fell to my sword.

After landing an effective hit.

He continuously tried to corrode my weapons, but the numerous pieces of equipment made by Joo Yumin were enough to cut off his breath.

As expected, the rune he used was [Simple Curse].

One of his mistakes was...

Focusing only on corrosion and not using other curses.

The [Simple Curse] used by previous hobgoblin shamans included various curses like 'Weakness' and 'Slowness'.

If he had used those curses in battle.

The outcome of the fight between him and me might have been different.

"...Would it have been the same?"

Actually, there probably wouldn't have been much difference.

Given the high level of his corrosion, his rune level must have been quite high, but it was a pity that [Simple Curse] was already fully obtained and unselectable.

"Still, I got Physical Defense."

It's a bit disappointing, but at least I got a rune.

A common rune for warrior-class holders.

[Physical Defense].

This rune, which supports endurance, should synergize well with [Lizard Scales].

Moreover, with this rune acquisition, I gained 1 point of endurance.

Finally, my endurance stat reached 30.

Thus, my main physical stats—strength, speed, and endurance—all exceeded 30.

"Let's see... the rest room..."

Two hobgoblin warriors and the hobgoblin chieftain.

After collecting all their drops, I entered the chieftain's house to search for the rest room.

Every dungeon's boss room has a rest room.

Another room for resting and obtaining rewards.

Since this is still an undiscovered dungeon, I could monopolize the rest room's rewards.

"..."

But something is off.

After searching the chieftain's house for a few minutes...

Even after washing my eyes and looking, I couldn't find the rest room.

"Ah, come on, don't joke around, really."

Steadying my trembling voice.

I calmly searched the chieftain's house again.

Starting with the rooms that looked like bedrooms and living rooms.

Kitchen, bathroom, and a room of unknown purpose.

I searched every room.

...But it wasn't there.

There was no rest room.

"No. Really not there?"

Could this not be an undiscovered dungeon?

Was it already cleared before I came?

If my memory is correct.

It should definitely be an undiscovered dungeon that hasn't been cleared yet...

In a moment of confusion and bewilderment.

-Ker?

"..."

In the boss room where all the strategies were completed.

A single goblin appeared.

It looked very different from the existing hobgoblin monsters.

It didn't have the weapons that warriors or archers carry, and it didn't look like a shaman.

A goblin monster completely unprepared for battle.

Most importantly...

"What is that?"

Most importantly, its entire body was covered in gold.

It carried something that looked like a treasure bag on its back.

A goblin dressed in an excessively luxurious manner.

A blank face with blinking eyes.

"..."

It was a golden goblin.