Chapter 82

EP.82 A-Rank Tackling C-Rank (2)

Rumble! Boom-!!

The dungeon resounded with a deafening noise.

[Power Break] is a skill that delivers a massive shock to the ground it touches, shaking the earth over a certain distance.

The academy's underground dungeon, composed of caves, could not withstand the impact.

Various stalactites hanging from the ceiling fell like rain, and the lower part of the cave trembled violently as if an earthquake had struck.

Squawk, squawk!!

The flying lizards also lost their balance, screaming.

The vibration was so strong that even I, who had cast the skill, found it difficult to bear, so there was no way the creatures flying in the air could remain unscathed.

‘Wow… This is what an Epic Runes derivative skill is like.’

Is this almost an ultimate skill?

The effect was so overwhelming that I couldn't help but think so.

The Sizzling Salamanders and Toxin Iguanas, which had been attacking me simultaneously from the ground and air, could not maintain their balance due to the massive rumbling of the earth.

Even the other monsters approaching from a distance seemed to be caught up in the [Power Break] to some extent.

This is the destructive power of a level 6 Epic Runes derivative skill.

In exchange for a long cooldown of one day, its power was unparalleled.

Moreover...

“I can’t just use the skill, right?”

The one-day cooldown is just the skill's waiting time.

The ability of the [Garden of Split Earth] can still be used.

While I can't create a shockwave like [Power Break], using the rune's ability allows me to freely deform the ground.

Considering that most of the area I stand on is earth, this rune is extremely useful in battle and can be utilized in various ways.

Squawk, squawk!!

The lizards fell like leaves in the wind.

The monsters that had lost their balance and couldn't regain their composure due to [Power Break].

I dashed towards them and...

used [Penitent's Sword] to deliver precise sword strikes to each one.

Since my stats were insufficient to deal effective physical attacks, I also enhanced the sword with [Flickering Flame] as an added bonus.

“Wow… What is this, really?”

I couldn't stop marveling as I felled the lizards.

The battle was easy.

Too easy.

These aren't just any random monsters.

They are B-rank monsters with no deficiencies in their stats or runes.

They are not affected by [Intimidation]...

and their stats are mostly higher than mine.

Even if I had become stronger, hunting over ten B-rank monsters alone would have been nearly impossible.

“But it’s almost like a one-man party now.”

But it became so easy because of the increasing diversity of my runes.

The magic runes that change the battle dynamics and display intense destructive power.

The weapon runes that enhance tanking capabilities and the efficiency of physical attacks.

Assassin-type runes and holy-type runes...

and various auxiliary runes that assist in battle.

I possessed and utilized all the abilities and roles that a party would normally divide among its members.

Squawk, squawk!!

Suddenly, among the lizards caught in [Power Break]...

a Sizzling Salamander managed to regain its balance and launched a fierce flame at me.

This was [Flickering Flame], a magic rune I often use now...

and the main rune of the Sizzling Salamander.

I smiled as I looked at it.

I was glad to see the fire attack of a creature I hadn't faced in a while.

“But now, the flames are just ticklish.”

My fire resistance stat has steadily grown and reached 8.

Moreover, with the level 7 [Lizard Scales] and level 5 [Flesh Defense] runes,

I didn't need a shield; these two runes provided adequate defense.

“...And there’s one more.”

Runes weren't the only factor.

I recalled the item information I had checked just before entering the dungeon.

<Item Information>

◎Name: Scorched Lizard Leather Armor

◎Type: Armor

◎Grade: Rare (Rare)

◎Durability: Normal

◎Crafted by: Choi Yumin

◎Special Effects

: Durability +2 <When resistance is active, fire resistance +2>

: When hit by fire-based magic attacks, damage can be taken, but durability will not be reduced. The leather will only be scorched by continuous flames, and the armor will not be damaged.

◎Detailed Information

: Light armor made from the skin of a Sizzling Salamander. Crafted with advanced metallurgy, it incorporates the burning characteristics of the Sizzling Salamander, resulting in a slightly scorched appearance. Despite its simple look, it boasts solid durability and a light weight.

After the meal with Kang Juyeon yesterday,

Choi Yumin met me and handed over this armor, saying she had something to give me.

I was naturally surprised to receive it.

To already be crafting 'Rare' items...

How much have her runes grown in such a short time?

[Iron-Blooded Blacksmith] is an Epic Rune that is considered the best in the metallurgy category.

The rapid growth of this rune means that Choi Yumin is not far from becoming a high-level blacksmith.

Choi Yumin gave me this commemorative item, her first successful Rare item, as 'contract equipment' for free.

I offered to pay the full price, but she refused.

-Thanks to you, I was able to make this item! So this is my gift. I hope you'll accept it. It would be a chance for me to repay your help.

Choi Yumin is an excellent holder, both in skill and character.

How can she speak so beautifully?

Honestly, 200 million won a month is almost a bargain considering her future reputation... but the investment funds given when she needed them most were apparently very appreciated.

At that point, I couldn't refuse her kindness anymore.

So, I wore this armor in today's battle.

[Scorched Lizard Leather Armor].

[Penitent's Sword] and [Hobgoblin's Bronze Shield].

This was the moment I acquired my third Rare or higher item.

Squawk, squawk!!

Squawk, squawk!!

After easily blocking the fire attack with my fire resistance, defense runes, and armor,

the battle in the middle section continued without pause.

Another group of over ten B-rank monsters.

I continued the mob hunt without stopping.

Swish, swish...

Rumble-

Splash-!!

This time, I used [Swallowed Vortex].

The cave's shape meant that water was pooled in various spots on the ground.

I made the water surge up and...

transformed it into a massive wave that covered the area.

This was the manifestation of the [New Wave] derivative skill of the rune.

‘Definitely more proficient now.’

I had used [New Wave] during the sparring with Park Jin-woo.

A skill I had used shortly after acquiring it.

At the time, the wave's control was so immature that Park Jin-woo could easily dodge it with his quick speed...

But now, it was definitely more proficient.

I had practiced using the rune whenever I had free time, and my skill level had risen to a point where it was quite useful.

Rumble, rumble-

Rumble-

The amount of water in the cave was enough to overwhelm it.

Actually, this alone couldn't deal much damage to the lizards.

Lizard-type monsters are almost unaffected by water-based magic attacks.

“They’re like fish in water.”

This is due to [Aquatic Breathing].

From the C-rank Lizardmen to the B-rank lizard-type monsters, all of them possess the [Aquatic Breathing] rune, meaning their combat power is not significantly reduced in water.

On the contrary, fast-moving monsters like the Toxin Iguana might fight even better in water.

“So, you little ones, try this too.”

So, I planned a follow-up attack.

[Penetrating Thunder].

A lightning-based attribute magic rune I acquired while hunting the Electrophorus.

I used it to generate electricity in the sword I held in both hands.

[New Wave] filled the cave with waves, and the intense lightning that followed.

Crack, crack-

Crack, crack, crack!!

An enormous amount of excessive current enveloped the lizards.

They couldn't withstand the intensified lightning traveling through the water and were electrocuted.

It was a natural consequence that, after the [New Wave] ended, all the surrounding monsters became crispy corpses.

I scratched my head as I took in the scene.

“This is... the performance is just too good.”

This dungeon exploration was to test the rewards I had obtained after the forest covered in snakes.

Items like [Penitent's Sword] and [Scorched Lizard Leather Armor].

Runes like [Garden of Split Earth], [Penetrating Thunder], [Stealth], and six other additional runes.

I wanted to check their performance and my own improved skills... but the battle dynamics had become so much easier that it was hard to evaluate.

Of course, this is also because I have faced lizard-type monsters many times and know the structure and mechanisms of this underground dungeon well.

I've already attempted this dungeon dozens of times.

“Should I have tested it in a different dungeon?”

I had such a laughable thought.

Anyway, as I steadily felled the B-rank lizards and thoroughly cleared the middle section of the dungeon...

I eventually reached the boss room.

“This is really possible alone.”

I gazed at the boss room entrance and sighed in amazement.

Reaching the boss room entrance after clearing the middle section of the academy's underground dungeon is a first, excluding the initial exploration with a party of five classmates.

Even when hunting with Kim Chae-eun, we couldn't reach this far.

I could feel how much I had grown.

“Then...”

I used [Combat Healing] to treat the minor injuries I had sustained from hunting.

After a brief rest to prepare...

I carefully opened the door to the boss room.

It was the final part of the lizard den, which I hadn't visited in a long time.

[You have entered the Boss Room.]

[A fierce aura of the Red Drake lingers here, reducing the holder's speed.]

The information window that appeared before my eyes.

And in the center of the boss room, standing proudly...

a drake with a red mane.

...Red?

What, red?

“...It’s not a Grizzly Drake?”

I looked at the boss monster with a dazed expression.

In the long-awaited boss room,

a different type of boss monster was waiting.