[14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow Dungeon, CGA Branch
What I observed was quite different from what I had expected.
I thought enchantments wouldn't offer much at my level, but this one? It delivered more than I could've hoped for.
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Basic Iron Sword (Enchanted)
Type: Weapon (One-Handed Sword)
Grade: Tier 0, Vernis (Rank 0)
Description:
A standard iron sword enhanced with basic enchantments, providing improved durability and attack power. Its fiery enchantment adds a potent magical effect, making it a more dangerous choice for new adventurers.
Attributes:
Attack Power: +12
Durability: 70/70
Weight: Light
Special Effects:
Fire Strike: 20% chance to deal additional 50% of the weapon's attack power as fire-based magical damage on hit.
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It was too overpowered for a starter weapon—perfect for someone like me trying to push through the early stages of the dungeon with ease.
"So this is what an enchantment feels like," I muttered, giving the sword a casual swing. No flames. No aura. Just a red, marble-like gem embedded in the hilt.
"Well then, let's test you out, cutie."
After a short walk, I spotted a slime dissolving fallen leaves under a tree. Poor thing didn't know it was about to meet its end.
I emerged from the bushes and slashed at it. The slime flinched, trying to roll away—but too late. My sword landed, sending it flying backward into a tree trunk.
Its HP bar popped up—already cut in half.
"Huh? When did I get this strong?" I muttered before recalling the stat points I had plundered earlier.
"So now I can one-shot these guys. Nice."
I moved closer and plunged my sword into the wobbling slime. A small burst of flames erupted from the blade, and the slime disintegrated.
"Whoa… so that's Fire Strike," I grinned. "Only a 20% chance, though. Not bad—but not great either. Still, it's manageable."
{You have defeated Lv.2 Slime. You gained 15 EXP.} [110/100 EXP]{You have leveled up to Lv.2.}{You gained 10 Unassigned Stat Points.}[10/150 EXP]
"Finally! The road to power begins now." I quickly opened my status screen.
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{Stats}
Health Points (HP): 100 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: .5/minute = 10*.05)
Mana Points (MP): 110 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: .55/minute = 11*.05)
Strength (STR): 9
Agility (AGL): 11
Vitality (VIT): 10
Intelligence (INT): 11
Endurance (END): 9
Stamina (STA): 5
Unassigned Stats: 10
Attack Power: 24+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 16/17 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5]
Defense: 14+5 [DEF: END+STA*1]
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Not bad. Those plundered stats had settled in nicely—clean, neat, integrated. My stat sheet looked perfect.
"With this new weapon, my role has shifted. I'm no longer just a support. I'm a frontline attacker now," I said to myself. "That means I'll need more STR for damage, AGL for mobility and attack speed… INT for mana and spell power… but most importantly—STA."
It was still my lowest stat, and in melee combat, that could be fatal. No stamina, no fighting.
{Stat Allocation: +3 STA, +2 STR, +2 AGL, +2 INT, +1 VIT}
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{Stats}
Health Points (HP): 110 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: .55/minute = 11*.05)
Mana Points (MP): 130 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: .65/minute = 13*.05)
Strength (STR): 11
Agility (AGL): 13
Vitality (VIT): 11
Intelligence (INT): 13
Endurance (END): 9
Stamina (STA): 8
Unassigned Stats: 00
Attack Power: 29+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 20/21 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5]
Defense: 17+5 [DEF: END+STA*1]
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This was peak performance for a Level 2. My attack stats were practically those of someone who had invested all 10 points purely into offense. Genius? Maybe. But it was all mine—talent included.
"Alright, time to rumble," I said, glancing at my MP bar. It had been at 46 before. Now—
[57/130]
Yep. That's the beauty of Intelligence. MP regen was noticeably faster now.
I headed toward the deeper section of the dungeon, clearing out remaining slimes along the way.
Meanwhile, deeper inside another part of Verdant Hollow...
Lucas had just finished slaying a pack of Forest Wolves. One of them, severely burned and slashed, howled skyward before collapsing.
"These wolves are troublesome," Lucas muttered. "They always run when they're close to death and alert the others."
He glanced at the trail of corpses around him—burned, bitten, beaten.
"I've killed twenty-five so far," he said, wiping sweat off his brow. "But it's worth it."
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[Status]
Name: Lucas Benett (Lucas Vale)
Age: 18
Race: Human (98%), Dragon (2%)
Class: Novice Battlemage (E) {Growth Type}
Title: Wolf slayer
Level: 5 [80/300]
Tier: 0
Talent: Dragon Insight (SSS)
___________________________
[Stats]
Health Points (HP): 100 --> 220 {1:10 of CON}
Mana Points (MP): 130 --> 210 {1:10 of INT}
Strength (STR): 11 --> 21
Agility (AGL): 10 --> 20
Intelligence (INT): 13 --> 21
Constitution (CON): 10 --> 22
Stamina (STA): 14 --> 21
Endurance (END): 17 --> 20
Unassigned Stats: 00
____________________________
[Skills]: Arcane Strike Lv.2, Mana Shield Lv.1, Fireball Lv.2
[Racial Ability]: Dragon Fear Lv.0
____________________________
"I'm way stronger now… All my stats are above 20," Lucas noted. His
Add to that his title, which boosted his power against wolf-type enemies… and he was a predator among prey.
His mana regen? Off the charts. He barely noticed it anymore—it just filled up on its own. Whether it was his dragon blood or sheer talent, it was ridiculous.
He moved deeper into the dungeon. He had a goal—to win this exam, gain the 1% dragon blood bonus, and push his limits.
Back on the other side, I finished off the remaining slimes.
[90/150 EXP]—a solid haul.
I didn't think other monsters would coexist in slime territory, so I hadn't seen anything else… until now.
I had summoned a skeleton earlier—just in case. I didn't want to take chances this life. I'd play it smart, cautious, efficient.
"No pain, no gain," I whispered as I marched into the deeper zone.
"Alright, Skeleton, let's go put some blazing swords into those monkey daises."
But then—something happened.
Something unreal.
So shocking that even my summoned skeleton vanished—not from damage, not from battle… but from pure shock.
It was the kind of event that didn't happen to other hunters.
And what was it, you ask?
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—To Be Continued —
Want to find out what shocked Evan so badly?
Then do your part—add this to your library