Slaying the Kaiser
After allowing a single attack to land, Park Taemin's movements grew even more cautious. To offset the openings created when leaping into the air, he had to strike from spots outside the creature's line of sight. But the Kaiser's movements were so swift that even that was no easy task.
Unlike the golems that had shown rigid, stiff actions, this one displayed remarkably proactive motion.
'At this rate, I won't win.'
Realizing time was running short, Taemin immediately cast his smoke screen. Thick black smoke billowed from the Kaiser's body, halting its movements in an instant. At the same moment, Taemin spun around and jumped, slashing down at its neck with his sword.
Krung?
The beast reacted just before the blade made contact, sensing his presence. But with its vision blocked, its wild swings posed no threat to him whatsoever.
Taemin drove several strikes into its neck before landing back on the ground and leaping again. Boldly, he mounted its back. Gripping its mane with his left hand, he hammered away at the wounded area with the sword in his right.
Paht! Pa-paht! Thud!
Critical hits flew amid the relentless barrage, and the gash in its neck began to tear open wider. The Kaiser's thrashing grew more violent in response, but Taemin clung stubbornly to its mane, focusing his assault on that single spot.
His grip sometimes slipped due to insufficient strength, but he pulled off all sorts of acrobatics, refusing to be thrown from its nape.
Continuing his precarious assault, he noticed the wound had gaped open to the size he wanted.
'This depth should do it—I can make it burst.'
Eyeing the deeply gouged injury, Taemin activated Invisible and Ambush. Crimson threads of light swirled around his blade like spider silk.
Since contact would trigger an explosion, he took utmost care with his aim. Aligning his sword with the base of its neck, Taemin plunged it precisely into the wound.
His upper body, along with the sword, vanished into the gash.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted with a deafening roar, the backlash launching Taemin's body skyward. Fortunately, he'd pulled back right after the thrust, avoiding serious injury.
He landed safely on the ground and braced for any potential counterattack. But the Kaiser, already collapsed and gushing blood like a fountain, showed no signs of movement.
Moments later, its body went limp, and the experience notification chimed.
You have acquired 1,320,000 experience points.
"Hoo."
Taemin let out a sigh as the corpse crumbled into dust. Amid the scattering particles, a lustrous bundle of silver fur caught his eye.
Brushing off the dust, he picked it up and muttered under his breath.
"This must be the Kaiser's mane."
A faint smile crept across Taemin's lips. The drop rate was so low he'd hardly dared hope for it, yet it had come on the first try.
"They say you might get one after ten runs, if you're lucky. Talk about striking gold today."
Taemin pocketed the mane, gave the area a quick scan, and headed for the exit.
After emerging from the Crystal Plateau, he returned to headquarters, reported in, and made for his quarters.
Stepping out of the elevator in high spirits and walking toward his room, he ran into Seo Ji-hoon coming the other way.
"Hyung."
Taemin raised a hand in greeting to Ji-hoon, who approached with a friendly wave.
"Hey, what's up? Isn't your room that way?"
"I went to your room to hang out, but you weren't there, so I was heading back."
"My room? Why?"
"Just... lately you haven't been picking up, and I was curious what you've been up to. Why are you so busy? You don't even have shifts."
Taemin gave an awkward smile at Ji-hoon's words.
"Been pretty tied up lately. Hunting, making money, you know. What about you?"
"Me? Shifts and... it's hard to find a hunting party these days, so I just chill after work."
"No hunting party? There are tons of C-rank hunters out there."
"Eh, not really. Once they form parties with their connections, guys like me with no network get left out. That raid team from before was decent, but most leveled up and bailed. Plus, small field teams barely give any EXP anyway."
"Still, you gotta hunt steadily every day for growth. Look at me—I go out no matter what."
"That's 'cause your class is special, hyung. Oh yeah, I heard you've been hitting ruins lately?"
"Ah, yeah. Went a few times, but solo's easier now."
"Huh? Solo where?"
"Caves."
"Caves... You mean the ones in the Crystal Plateau?"
"Yeah, those."
"Those are super rare—why go there? Ruins are way better."
"No interest in cave mobs. Just there for waves."
"Waves... solo?"
"Why? Can't I?"
"No, it's not that, but... how do you solo waves...?"
Ji-hoon looked skeptical, struggling to buy Taemin's claim. Impressive as he was, the guy was still just a C-rank hunter. Not long ago, a full party of thirty including him had failed to clear a dungeon and nearly died.
Taemin clapped Ji-hoon's shoulder with a light shrug as the younger man stared wide-eyed.
"It's possible. Tough right now, but once I level a bit more, I'll take you along. What's your level anyway?"
"Almost 44."
Taemin patted his shoulder again.
"Dude, that's plenty for factory runs. When you're off duty, grind even a little—hunt steadily. Or loop the desert or mountains to save up. Levels matter, but gear's no joke either."
"True. Yours are all rares, right? How much did that set you back?"
"Hmm... around 30 billion? Probably more."
Ji-hoon whistled in shock.
"Whew. No way I could afford that. Ever."
"Didn't come easy for me either. Don't aim for a full set at once—pick one piece and grind for it."
"Got it. Oh yeah, hyung—hear about this?"
"What?"
"The Big Three just hit the Heavenly Stairs and came back. Didn't get the boss Raphael, but swept everything else. Wild, right?"
"Heavenly Stairs? That's a dungeon?"
"Yeah. Like, sixth one cleared in Korea? Anyway, proves I made the right call joining the guild."
"That big a deal?"
"Duh. Sixth in the country means only five guilds had cleared it before. Puts us at least top six overall. And without the guild master or chief of staff? Quality-wise, we're superior."
"Heavenly Stairs an upper dungeon?"
"Yeah. One of the toughest. A few harder ones exist, but they're impossible. Basically Korea's final dungeon."
"Huh."
Intrigued by the news from Ji-hoon, Taemin returned to his room, booted up his computer, and sat down. He was curious what made it the "final dungeon."
"Where's Heavenly Stairs..."
Logging into the guild network, he searched for info on it. But with no one from the guild having gone, details were scarce.
"No info on Heavenly Stairs in all this? Wait... upper dungeons... total guide?"
Grumbling and clicking randomly, he spotted a post pinned at the top of the experience board.
Hello, fellow Wolfsrein comrades.
It's your resident charge specialist, Song Myung-hoon. The crisp autumn air has me feeling a bit restless. Anyone out there—a fine lady, perhaps—to warm my chilly side? (Sorry!)
Anyway, today's info is on upper dungeons. I've compiled it from my experiences and those of other hunters. As I always say when posting, views vary, so take it as reference only. Let's dive in.
- Death Land (B-rank upper)
Everyone knows this as the first gateway to upper dungeons. Just adds elements to mid-tier stuff—nothing much different. With elemental gear, even B-ranks can handle it. No need for details, but check my old post if curious.
- Sea of Chaos (A-rank)
The only underwater dungeon around. Breathe freely without gear, no comms issues. But currents and buoyancy limit movement. Single element: Water.
- Elf Forest (A-rank upper)
First-timers will be shocked. Elves—closest to humans—live here. Stunningly beautiful regardless of gender, and they speak our languages (worldwide, apparently—unconfirmed). Bear all four basic elements, very friendly to humans.
But once raided, they hate us and slaughter on sight. Stay alert. Strong individually, masters of group fights—run if they swarm. Also, near the forest's end: Elf Temple. Zero danger rating? Even S-ranks can't survive. Many vanished inside. NEVER enter.
- Chaos Tower (A-rank)
First raid upper dungeon. Nine floors, each with a powerful boss. Tougher foes higher up, better drops: finished items from rare to unique. Four basic elements, top floor Andariel is dark. Light gear essential. 30-40 person party clears easy.
Others like White Dragon Barrier, Spirit Castle, Legion's Heart, Heavenly Stairs, Dragon Temple, Gods' Battlefield—no personal info yet. Will update as I grow and visit.
If this helped, please upvote!
"Whoa."
Taemin felt his curiosity spike even more at the sheer variety of dungeons. No specifics on Heavenly Stairs, but the ones below it were plenty intriguing.
Underwater dungeons, raid spots for uniques, a mystical elf forest. If he could, he'd hit them all right now.
"Gotta clear Death Land first to see the path..."