For I Am A Side Character - 39: Running in the Caves

Deep underground, in a cave of a maze.

Soril’s only clue to find where the locked dungeon was, was with the simple deduction of figuring out where the Golems were marching from. By following their rugged footprints, its no problem to see where it would lead him to.

But seeing as how there was still a long line of golems marching on to the hole’s direction, it would  at least take hours before all of the golems would finally exit the underground.

Soril knows that waiting wasn’t an option, so he took the next best way to find the dungeon.

If he remembered it correctly, the way that Jason and Miss Fien were able to make their way to the dungeon was through the simple path of following the footmarks left back from the golems, but seeing as how this is not a choice for Soril, the only thing left for him to do was find the small clues that would certainly lead him back to the dungeon.

Those clues being the green moss themselves.

It was said by the book that once Jason and Jessabelle were able to reach the dungeon, they were able to see that this dungeon was filled from ceiling to floor, with every crevice and crack full of glowing moss. In it, this description made Soril believe that one option he can lead by is the simple sense of seeing which moss was more in the ceiling.

The more the moss is between two paths, that path is most likely to be the one to lead him to the dungeon.

So he paced himself by following this instinct.

As he went and ran, Audrey Yagami made sure to follow him behind with no complaints, but her expression was filled with worry and question.

‘…What am I even doing? Why am I following him? I sure am right to think that this person is suspicious…especially with the fact that he jumped into the hole with no sense of hesitation. He knows what’s going on…that’s for sure. So I have to follow him…I have to know what he’s doing here.’ she thought to herself.

In the current situation down below, Soril and Audrey were about 10 kilometers away from the locked dungeon. Although it may not seem far for the two, the one thing that would ultimately ruin their pace is the dungeon itself.

The Locked Dungeon has already made influence way beyond the point that it reached the academy…so by definition, Soril and Audrey were pacing themselves inside a dungeon. And being a dungeon meant that there were monsters.

With all the dungeons being ranked from F to S, this dungeon right now was ranked B…the kind of dungeon that wasn’t recommended for someone like Soril or Audrey to walk into. And Soril knows this…he knows the difficulties up ahead…

Compared to when the Book tells of how Jason and Jessabelle were able to pass through the dungeon, it was only possible with the help of Miss Fien who was their combat instructor. But for Soril and Audrey, they were left on their own…with no Miss Fien to help them.

All immediately, as they were pacing in a  path in the maze underground, up front, Soril could see a couple monsters that was common in this dungeon.

[Working Ant – Class C Monster]

It was a pair gigantic ant that was covered with moss on its upper shell. Almost about 4 meters tall and it carried a clump of rock with its mouth. Seeing its duty, Soril can tell that it wasn’t worth the fact that he could attack this ant. By its simple description, this ant was simply working.

This ant was one that could have easily crush Soril with its mandibles if they had the chance to eat him alive…but its priority at that moment was simply to work.

Knowing his knowledge about this dungeon, that ant wasn’t worth attacking. There were a variety of ants working  in the dungeon…they were the one’s expanding the influence and area of the Dungeon. Aside from these working class monsters, there were also the typical ground type monsters who simply live by their own rule.

As when he avoided the working ant, Audrey was a bit shocked by the fact that Soril was able to let that monster go, but seeing as how it didn’t react at all to their intrusion in the cave, meant that it was probably safe to move on forward.

‘…did he know that ant wouldn’t attack us?’ she questioned herself.

As they moved forward, they were then met with a monster that did pose a threat In their way.

[Mauling Ground Rogre – Class C monster]

This monster was only 3 meters tall, something that wasn’t as big as that of the working ant. Buts its defined clawing nails that were a foot of length and their backs that were filled with protruding stones covered in moss, as well as the fact that their face resembled a salivating ogre, made Soril and Audrey know in that moment, that this monster would attack.

As the Rogre turned its head to where they stood, its only instinct was to feed itself.

“NNGhaaarrrrhhh!!!”

It screamed the moment it saw them…and to this violent reaction, it ran up to them with no sense of hesitation at all.

“Tsk!” Soril clicked his tongue the moment he saw it pace itself towards them, so he brought  out his sword and shield, and dashed forward with the same unhesitating gaze as the monster.

With the monster reaching out its claw to try to slash down on Soril’s face, he simply reacted by facing it with his shield. The moment the claw was able to reach his shield, he parried its attempt and plunges his sword straight to its mouth.

In that single thrust, his sword dug deep into its mouth and with a little bit of more force, he simple pierced his sword through. The Rogre bleed quite much and to it, it tried to scream for help, but..

And in that key chance, Soril activated his skill.

[Heavy Slash!]

A violent force was made and the Rogre’s entire head was simply cut clean off.

[+1100 EXP]

Killing that monster gave him the experience points to level up.

And to this revelation, the amount of experience given was a lot…

Compared to when he was simply hunting a rat in the sewer dungeon, where each of them gave 100 EXP, this single Rogre was equivalent to 11 rats.

“haa…haaa….” heavy breaths were made in that single kill.

Seeing as how thick its skin was, it was a clear sign on just how tough the monsters were going to be in this dungeon.

After taking 10 seconds of rest, he moved on forward.

Meanwhile, Audrey was behind him, observing his very skill.

‘…he took out a Rogre’s thick skin with just one slash…he isn’t your normal hunter that’s for sure.’ she said to herself as she followed him.

Currently, Soril’s profile was simply a simple F-ranked student, but his status was comparable to that of an D-ranked hunter. And paired with the amazing skills of the Araneans, he can possibly go toe on toe with a B-ranked monster.

[Profile:]

Candidate: NPC

Mission Status: In Progress

Level: [7]-[ >9,900 exp until to the next level…]

Strength: 25

Endurance: 24

Intelligence: 19

Agility: 24

Mana: 60/60

With the gained Experiences in this dungeon, he found this to be an opportunity to grow even stronger.

So he smiled, he smiled at the opportunity.

‘If I can kill 9 more of these Rogres, I can become a Level 8 hunter.’ he thought to himself he then took this chance.

***

Minutes passed and Soril and Audrey were able to travel about 2 kilometers into the dungeon.

With that kind of distance, they were able to meet 14 Rogres on the way…

Soril killed 9 while Audrey assisted with 5 kills.

In this chance, Soril was able to gain a level…and with this benefit, his entire body was also healed.

[Leveled Up!]

[With The Benefits Of Being the Chosen Candidate, You will be rewarded with 5 Stat points. And Your Body Will Be Restored.]

[Profile:]

Candidate: NPC

Mission Status: In Progress

Level: [8]-[ 12,000 exp until to the next level…]

Strength: 25 (+2)—> 27

Endurance: 24 (+1)—> 25

Intelligence: 19 (+1)—> 20

Agility: 24 (+1)—> 25

Mana: 60/60

He distributed his status points equally, and with it, he moved on forward fresh as ever from being healed by the system.

While Audrey on the other hand was the same as before. She never looked tired nor did she seem bothered against all the dangers that was in this Dungeon.

“…” without saying anything, they moved on forward. But this time, Soril was able to speed up a bit seeing as how he leveled up his agility.

As they moved on forward, they suddenly came at a standstill. For what was in front of them was the sight of a squad of monsters. With sharp claws, fang-filled teeths, rough and misshapen armor, gray skin and an expression only filled by that of a cannibalistic nature, a monster only titled by its nature, was standing before them.

[Demented Ghoul Warrior – Class B Monster]

Carrying a variety primitive weapons, from a bow to a spear and a sword, these monsters were created from the essence of the dungeon itself. With a direct connection to the Locked Dungeon, Soril knew that the Dungeon was aware of their presence.

He knew that these ghouls, being under the command of the Locked Dungeon, would only be sent when it knows that a threat was proceeding by. They were its personal guard.

These monsters were class – B Monsters…something that he should never take lightly when fighting.

‘…to think that the dungeon has already sent in its guards…what a bastard.’ he thought as he then readied his position to fight.

And in his action, Audrey was compelled to do the same.

Two hunters against a dozen of B-ranked monsters may seem overwhelming, and through the nature of being a hunter, it may seem more logical to retreat, but he can’t. and he decided not to retreat.

Simply put, he realizes that this was the way of the dungeon.

Falling back is not an option.

So with no regards to his own life, he dashed forward.

[Heavy Rush!]

In just a simple burst of energy, he rushes in like an unstoppable train. Coming in close, the moment he clashes in with the group, he then used a countering skill to stagger the ghouls.

[Heavy Shield Counter!]

In that split second of action, he made his next skill to simply finish off these monsters.

[Heavy Slash!]

The force of his swing was so strong that it simply threatened the ghouls from their place, making them fall back on instinct. But to their retreat, one was not lucky enough to dodge Soril’s blade.

In that single heavy slash, a ghoul’s neck was found flying across the air and straight into the floor, splattering its blood like sauce.

[+2500EXP]

In that simple but added combo of an attack, he regained a large number of experience from that single ghoul alone. So much so, that it simply made him smirk by the chance he would get from killing these ghouls.

A Smirk so diabolical that it made the Ghouls flinch in fear.

“Kehehehe” his laugh was one that made them retreat one step back.

Meanwhile, Audrey Yagami on the other hand was rushing in forward with the same unaffected cold expression.

With her Katana brought out, it was brimming with a flashing light made from the lightning element. She came and swung her sword at an unbelievable angle and speed, that through her own power, she was able to instantly cut off the entire upper body of a Ghoul with no named skill needed. Her simple strength was what feared the Ghouls.

The two of them…were simply unstoppable in the eyes of the Ghouls.

But even as they feared the two, a certain order from the dungeon was simple undeniable. So as they feared, they still moved forward…until finally, their instincts to attack simply bursted forward and they screamed like a maddening group of choirs.

“Krraaahahhhhhh!!!!”

“KhhhaaaaaaRRR!!”

“Raaahhhh!!”

And in that scream, they lunged themselves at the two with no concern for their bodies.

Four ghouls went and attacked with their weapons to Soril to try and overwhelm him, while another four went and tried to overwhelm Audrey as well, but as they leaped forward, Soril had already created 8 mana spears to put them back in their place.

[Mana Spear!]

As he fired, each ghoul was struck in the chest, but none were so badly harmed that they lost their lives…but they were staggered from the pain that came from the spears.

In that instant, Audrey used this chance to quickly eliminate any close ghouls,

When she rushed forward, she attempted to use a skill that would kill at least four ghouls, but as she ran forward, four arrows were fired towards her direction. She simply saw this coming weaved with every chance she could. As she got close enough, she brought out her skill.

[Flash te Flash: Charging Cut]

In that skill, a charged force of magic was gathered at her katana, and as she swung her katana, a force of sharp light was thrown at the Ghouls, instantly, they felt this light…but they didn’t feel the pain that came from a sword…

“..?”

They stood rather confused for a second…and as the second passes, all of a sudden, four Ghouls fell to the floor with their bodies cut in half.

“…!!” the Ghouls nearbey were shocked by this, and to it, they felt the overwhelming sharp blade of the Lady.

[Heavy Slash!] in that chance where they were caught shocked by Audrey’s attack, Soril used his skill to take out another Ghoul.

In the command of the Dungeon, one would think that B-ranked monsters were fit to fight against the intruders…

But the fact remained that one of those intruders was a talent that only came one in a billion and another intruder was blessed and chosen by God’s hand. One who wold be known as God’s mercenary.

In the end, the Squad of Ghoul’s weren’t enough to stop the two. And they were completely annihilated.