Troll King Time Trial

In the distance, Sung Min-woo and Yerin came into view.

Those guys are relentless.

They were still hunting Troll Kings.

Boom! Kwang! Kraaang!

Seeing them made Mu-hyuk's hands itch for action.

Hmm, maybe I'll take down a few myself.

He drew the Sunset Longsword from his waist and the shield from his back.

He locked eyes on a distant Troll King and charged. The distance closed rapidly. Even from afar, the beast reacted.

Definitely different.

Its high level meant quick reflexes.

Kieeeaaak!

The Troll King screeched, whipping branches like lashes. Mu-hyuk veered left, dodging the strike.

More branches thrust toward his path.

Going straight ahead would mean getting hit.

Of course, it wouldn't dent his HP much, but taking a hit at all soured his mood—he intended to evade every one.

Activating his new skill sent his body surging instinctively. He swerved right and rocketed toward the Troll King. The impossible maneuver startled even Mu-hyuk, leaving the beast no time to react.

Kieak?

Mu-hyuk's shield slammed into its torso.

Kwaaaang!

As the Troll King reeled back, Mu-hyuk checked the damage.

He pursued, slashing down at the Troll King's face.

Thanks to the strength potion and weapon swap?

A critical doubled the damage, but even accounting for that, it was impressively high for his level.

Plus, the Sunset Longsword hadn't been enhanced yet. Still, Mu-hyuk wasn't satisfied.

It's lacking.

He craved more power.

Just a bit more.

As that insatiable desire filled him, the Troll King began writhing in agony.

Kiaaaaak!

Mu-hyuk backed away, eyeing it.

This time, from range, he unleashed arrows.

Peng! Pububung!

Storm made them explode on impact.

He fired more arrows.

Pang!

After a barrage, Mu-hyuk realized the Troll King's regeneration was exceptional. Arrows alone would take too long. He transformed back to sword form and closed in.

Storm-enhanced slashes carved its skin.

Sgeek! Sgeek!

Much faster than arrows—even its HP regen couldn't keep up.

As expected, sustained attacks made it stagger.

Power Dash finished it off.

Its regen dragged it out.

What if I enhance it?

Curious, Mu-hyuk timed it properly with another fierce battle.

A bit later.

Five Troll Kings down—he averaged it.

About 8 minutes 45 seconds each.

Enhance the Sunset Longsword and armor, then recheck.

He moved to the center amid his scattered skeletons and began enhancing.

Kaang! Kang!

+1 done, straight to +2.

Straight successes to +5.

For his own weapon, he aimed for at least +7. Focused strike on the red dot—but...

Down to +5. Pity.

Fine, again.

Composed, he continued.

*

The audience buzzed with anticipation.

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Meanwhile, the Sunset Longsword hit +6.

Mu-hyuk, spotting the chat, muttered,

"I'll show it at +7."

He enhanced immediately.

A smile crept across Mu-hyuk's lips.

+7 success.

"+7 achieved. Here's the info."

Mu-hyuk activated view mode; viewers followed.

A hologram appeared.

Overwhelming attack power.

Mu-hyuk pulled out his armor and kept enhancing.

Time ticked on.

*

Finally, his equipped weapon and armor were done. Sunset Longsword +7, armor mostly +6.

Status window.

Whatever else, focus on details.

Details.

Drastically boosted phys/mag attack, defense too.

Enhancements skyrocketed key stats. Skeletons were his main force, but personal power was a plus.

Player fights hinged on tiny edges—more was always better.

Phys atk 1,159?

Pre-enhance, Kurkan's sword barely hit 700. Now this.

Defenses up over 200 each—Power Dash damage must've surged.

Time to test.

Swoosh.

Mu-hyuk stood, gripping sword and shield, scanning.

No monsters? Skeletons cleared them. No waiting for respawn—he headed to Sung Min-woo and Yerin resting afar.

"Oppa? Hunting?"

"Yeah."

"Whoa, what's up?"

"Just a few."

Yerin stuck to his side.

"Oppa, oppa."

"Yeah?"

"This place is getting boring."

"Is it?"

"Yeah. Move soon?"

"Sure."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Bit far from village."

"Oh... forgot. Stay longer then."

"Need new spot eventually. Can't stay forever."

Planning casually, Troll Kings respawned.

"Oh, here."

"Later on that. Gotta time solo."

"Okay."

"Oppa timing it?"

"How'd you know?"

"Hehe, we tried too~"

Sung Min-woo chimed in.

"Takes me 3:10 per Troll King."

"Solo?"

"Nah, with spirit..."

Mu-hyuk chuckled.

"Solo 6:30 max!"

"6:30, huh."

Be faster than that.

"Time me too."

"Got it."

Mu-hyuk transformed sword to bow, nocked arrow.

Arrow struck torso.

Total 6,032 damage. Pre-enhance: 3,728. Over 2,300 boost.

Multi-shot?

Skill fired.

Pang! Pabang!

Four arrows arced beautifully, embedding everywhere.

Multi-shot total: 13,936. Sweet.

Impressed, he switched to sword.

Dodged whip, Power Dash.

Kwang!

Troll King staggered back.

Pre-armor enhance: 6,028 total. Now 9,294.

Perfect!

Damage surge fired him up.

Skills ravaged it relentlessly.

Kiaaaaak!

No skills? He circled, shredding skin. Cooldowns up—skills again. Rinse and repeat.

It collapsed sideways.

Time? Just 4:56.