NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 106: E-Rank Dungeon [2]
As they ventured deeper into the dungeon, they didn't have to go far before encountering their first monster.
Alex's heart raced with excitement—this was his first time exploring a dungeon, and he had been waiting for this moment. The anticipation of facing a real opponent was electrifying.
"Alex, ahead of you!" Aurora's voice rang out, snapping him from his thoughts.
His gaze shot forward, and there it was—a monster emerging from the dim light, ready to confront them.
The first creature they encountered was a Kobold. However, this one was no ordinary Kobold. It stood taller and looked more robust than the ones Alex had seen before. Its muscular frame and menacing stance hinted at its enhanced strength, likely a result of the dungeon's influence.
Despite its intimidating appearance, Alex remained unfazed. Without hesitation, he casted
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[The Host has killed an E rank Monster]
[+10 XP and +1 SP]
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'It seems the dungeon Kobolds are E-rank, but since I've leveled up to C-rank, I don't get much experience or system points for them!' Alex sighed inwardly, suppressing his mild disappointment as they pressed onward.
Soon, they found themselves navigating a series of tight, winding tunnels where Kobolds lurked in the shadows. The air grew damp, the faint glow of moss barely illuminating the crude traps scattered throughout the area.
Simple pitfalls and hidden tripwires lay strategically near the entrances—rudimentary yet effective tools to catch unprepared intruders.
However, Alex's Hunter skill allowed him to spot these hazards effortlessly. With calm precision, he disarmed each one, clearing the path ahead without hesitation.
Alicia observed him closely. She had planned to teach him about the environmental dangers often found in dungeons, but to her surprise, Alex moved with the confidence of someone well-versed in such challenges.
His sharp awareness and methodical approach hinted at instincts beyond what she expected from someone in their first dungeon.
"The traps here aren't too advanced." Alex remarked casually as he disarmed another tripwire with ease, his voice steady and focused.
Moments later, the Kobolds emerged from the shadows, their glowing eyes filled with malice. Enhanced by the dungeon's influence, these creatures were more formidable than their surface counterparts. Armed with crude yet dangerous weapons—wooden clubs, sharpened bones, and small slings—they moved in coordinated packs, using the tunnels to their advantage.
But their cunning and numbers were no match for Alex. The Kobold's cries echoed briefly before fading, leaving the tunnels eerily quiet once more.
"Let's keep going."
After clearing the Kobold Warrens, the narrow tunnels gradually widened, branching into multiple paths that formed a confusing maze. The rough, damp walls gave way to chambers supported by crude wooden beams, hinting at the goblins' attempts at rudimentary construction.
Alex and Alicia entered a larger area where goblins had established small camps. Crude tents made of patched leather and sticks dotted the chamber, and the air was thick with the stench of unwashed bodies and smoldering fires.
The goblins stirred, their keen senses alerting them to the intruders. Frenzied shrieks filled the air as they scrambled into formation, their malicious green faces twisted with rage and excitement.
To Alex, they were nothing more than nuisances. These goblins, unlike the Forest Goblins he had faced earlier, perfectly matched the image in his mind: green-skinned, wearing tattered rags, and armed with crude weapons.
"They're more organized than the Kobolds." Alex muttered, taking note of the makeshift barricades and the archers positioning themselves on raised platforms.
"Careful, Alex." Aurora warned. "Goblins may seem weak, but they're very crafty."
The goblins wasted no time, attacking in coordinated waves. Scouts darted in and out of the shadows, their warriors charged with crude swords and spears, and archers unleashed volleys of arrows from behind barricades.
At the back of the group, Alex spotted a goblin shaman—a distinct figure draped in robes made from stitched hides and adorned with bones and feathers. It carried a crooked staff that pulsed with faint energy.
"Is that... magic?" Alex's eyes gleamed with curiosity as he observed the shaman.
The shaman raised its staff and chanted in a guttural tongue. A ball of crackling energy formed at its tip before hurtling toward them. The spell exploded on impact, scattering debris and sending a shockwave through the chamber.
"That's not bad." Alex remarked with a smirk, casually deflecting an arrow with his sword.
The shaman cackled, its staff glowing as it prepared another spell. This time, the ground beneath Alex and Alicia trembled. Small rocks began to fall from the ceiling, and before Alex could react.
Alicia grabbed Alex's arm and pulling him back just as a cascade of stones fell onto the spot they had been standing, sealing one of the exits.
Alex brushed off the dust, his expression calm but focused. 'These traps are nasty.' he thought, glancing at the blocked passage. 'If master wasn't there, that could've been ugly.'
"They're meant to box us in." Alicia said. "Focus on the shaman before it causes more trouble."
The shaman, emboldened by its success, raised its staff again, its cackling echoing through the chamber. Alex's eyes narrowed, and with a burst of speed, he dashed forward.
Weaving through the goblins, he ducked under an arrow, deflected a spear, and closed the distance to the shaman. The creature's glowing eyes widened in panic as Alex's blade gleamed in the artificial light.
"Let's see how well you cast without a head on your shoulders." Alex said coldly, slashing at the goblin shaman's neck.
The shaman's shriek was cut short as its head separated from its body, rolling lifelessly to the ground. The faint glow of its staff dimmed, and the oppressive energy in the chamber dissipated.
The remaining goblins froze in terror, their morale shattered as the buff spell cast by the shaman faded. One by one, they shrieked in fear, scattering into the shadows or falling to Alicia's precise strikes as she cleaned up the remnants.
There were several similar goblin encampments scattered throughout the dungeon, but Alex cleared them with ease. No matter their numbers or crude tactics, the goblins were utterly outclassed by his skills.
After dismantling the final camp, Alicia turned to him, her gaze calm but appraising. "Do you want to rest before we move forward? It's been two hours since we entered the dungeon."
Alex shook his head politely. "I'm fine, Master."
In truth, his mind was on the clock. 'I need to clear this dungeon in less than four hours to get the rewards.' he thought. His resolve burned brightly, and fatigue wasn't about to slow him down.
The path ahead led to a larger cavern, the air noticeably cooler and the space vast. The uneven terrain, dotted with jagged boulders and rocky outcrops, created an ominous atmosphere. It was an ideal setup for ambushes, and Alex remained vigilant.
As they ventured deeper, his instincts heightened. The Hunter skill hummed with alertness, and soon, his caution paid off. Emerging from the shadows were the next denizens of the dungeon: Gnolls.
A Gnoll—a savage, hyena-like humanoid monster—stepped into view. It stood tall, its muscular frame exuding raw power. In its clawed hands, wielding a jagged machete. Its matted fur bristled, and its predatory eyes gleamed with a glimmer of intelligence that set it apart from the goblins Alex had faced earlier.
Gnolls were a significant step up from kobolds. They were larger, stronger, and far more dangerous, combining their ferocious strength with a degree of tactical awareness.
Unlike the chaotic and often disorganized Goblins, Gnolls moved with purpose, their pack mentality making them formidable opponents.
'Gnolls,' Alex thought, his eyes narrowing. 'More organized than goblins. This might be fun.'
The Gnoll let out a guttural growl, baring its sharp fangs in a threatening display. From behind it, more Gnolls emerged, each armed with crude weapons, their snarls echoing in the cavern.