Giant Ogre of the Phyladia Mountains
Taemin emerged in the Phyladia Mountains and glanced back once before scanning his surroundings. The forest was blanketed in towering trees, a terrain similar to the Beginner Dungeon, but the atmosphere felt entirely different.
This is the mid-level dungeon...
Taemin moved cautiously, keeping a sharp eye on all four directions. In truth, with his current abilities, there weren't many threats here that could challenge him. If he had to name any, it would be the Green Wyvern, ruler of the mountains, and the Giant Ogre, known as the forest's guardian.
The Green Wyvern, in particular, was one of the trickier monsters to hunt. It flew through the air, unleashing magical attacks, and its sheer size demanded a mid-scale raid party to take down.
The Giant Ogre was somewhat more manageable by comparison. At least it stayed on the ground. But that didn't make it a pushover. Despite its massive bulk, it was surprisingly fast, intelligently using the terrain around it. It never faced superior numbers head-on, preferring ambushes to wear down hunters' strength and formation. Constant vigilance was essential against it—one slip, and you'd be staring death in the face.
Not long after setting out, he encountered his first monster. A bipedal beast about three meters tall: a Lizard Warrior. It looked like someone had slapped a lizard head onto a human body, and it prowled the area gripping a massive greatsword in both hands.
"It's actually wielding a real weapon."
Recalling the info he'd seen on the community forums, Taemin activated Insight to gauge the monster's stats.
"Not as strong as I thought."
At this level, it was comparable to the large monsters from the Great Curtain, like Menos-grade beasts. Easy prey.
Taemin deployed his skills and charged. A few more lurked behind it, but that was no issue.
With Arrainba, he closed the distance in an instant. His sword, gleaming with Hydeger's brilliance, sliced clean through the lead Lizard Warrior's neck.
Schluck!
The headless body staggered before crashing to the ground. The rest rushed him, swinging their swords.
Attacks poured in from all sides, but Taemin didn't dodge. He dove into close-quarters melee. With his evasion rate nearing 20%, his movements rivaled a martial arts master.
The way he flowed around the simultaneous sword strikes like water said it all.
Even Taemin was surprised by his own agility.
My body feels this light?
After dispatching the rest with ease, he looted the materials and resumed hunting.
[You have acquired 4,500 EXP.]
[You have acquired 5,300 EXP.]
[You have acquired 4,500 EXP.]
[You have acquired 6,100 EXP.]
[You have acquired 4,500 EXP.]
Kekek! Kekaek!
Shuk! Swish!
Kuak!
Monstrous roars filled the air as countless beasts fell like autumn leaves. From Lizard Warriors to Yol, Goblins, Trolls, and even Centaurs—one hit each, no more, no less.
His new gear pushed his skill-enhanced attack power over 500, so most foes' heads wobbled from a mere graze.
Even Orc Archers sniping from the trees couldn't bother him. Their arrows couldn't pierce his vastly improved defense.
After a frenzy of hunting, a glow enveloped him.
Defensive Power Critical has been opened.
Ambush has been opened.
"Oh, new skills."
Anticipation building, he opened his skill window.
Defensive Power Critical LV2 (+1)
Enemy Physical Defense Reduction: 6%
Probability: 40%
Duration: 10 seconds
HP Cost: 100
Ambush LV2 (+1)
Attack Power x1.2
Duration: 3 seconds (1 explosive burst)
Cooldown: 2 minutes
HP Cost: 120
*Damage x2 when using Invisible
Taemin's face lit up as he reviewed them.
"Damn, not a single dud skill here."
Both were essential for hunting. First, Defensive Power Critical: it shaved down enemy physical defense. The percentage seemed minor now, but it'd shine in the late game, especially in boss raids.
Ambush was the same. It maximized attack power for a single explosive burst—a sure-kill technique. At max level, x2 damage; with Invisible, a whopping x4. No-brainer to max out.
He invested points, pushing both to max.
Defensive Critical LV Max (+1)
Enemy Physical Defense Reduction: 18%
Probability: 120%
Duration: 10 seconds
HP Cost: 160
Ambush LV Max (+1)
Attack Power x2
Duration: 3 seconds (1 explosive burst)
Cooldown: 2 minutes
HP Cost: 200
*Damage x2 when using Invisible
"HP cost is high, so I'll test it on something tough."
He closed the window and pressed on. He had no specific destination today. This was just to gauge his current power and its limits.
And he had a sense now.
Easier than I thought.
He'd expected a huge gap from the lower dungeons and felt a twinge of fear coming in. But it wasn't much different. His gear had skyrocketed his stats.
The Robot Base might be doable too...
Repeating movement and hunts, he entered a mountain valley. Then, a massive figure came into view: the Giant Ogre, sentinel of the mountains.
It looked insanely strong at a glance—not just from its size.
Taemin had hunted bigger beasts, and size didn't always mean power. But elites had a certain aura, and this one radiated it thickly.
Observing from the dense underbrush, he activated Insight.
His hunch was spot on.
Yeah, this guy's basically boss-tier.
For a normal monster, its stats—minus HP—overwhelmed the Pyramid boss Sphinx.
But Taemin looked unconcerned. He'd already hunted Sphinx before gearing up. Now, far stronger, this was playtime.
Time to test it out?
Pushing through the brush, he activated Arrainba. The Giant Ogre whipped around at his movement and charged ferociously.
Taemin met it head-on, activating Hydeger and Defensive Critical simultaneously. White light clashed with red aura, making his sword blaze.
He dodged the massive fist, grazed past, and slashed its left leg.
Shriiik!
The tough hide split with a tearing sound, exposing raw flesh. Muscles and veins laid bare—a deep wound. But the Ogre ignored it, spinning for another assault.
Its reaction speed belied its size. Stats translated directly to blistering pace and agility, the fastest yet.
Whoom!
As the fridge-sized arm swung wildly, Taemin prepped his one-shot skill.
I could take it normally, but gotta test...
He triggered Invisible and surged into close range.
The Ogre paused its barrage, dumbly scanning around. Taemin slipped behind and unleashed Ambush. Energy swirled violently on his blade.
Instinct kicking in, the Ogre twisted back. Taemin leaped, sword tracing a diagonal slash.
Papap! Boom!
A deafening explosion hurled the five-meter Ogre a dozen meters into a dead tree.
Stunned, Taemin blurted,
"Holy shit! It's a bomb?!"
He'd expected just boosted damage, not this explosive spectacle.
Catching his breath, curiosity drew him closer. What remained was unrecognizable minced meat.
Undeniably chunks of flesh.
A pleasant chime rang in his ears.
[You have acquired 91,000 EXP.]