Hador's Nest
Hador's Nest was known as the final dungeon near Shunel Village, so not many people sought it out. It was a place for those who had finished all their farming and leveling to test themselves or chase lottery drop items. Of course, there were no entry restrictions like level requirements, so anyone could enter at any time, but it was a dangerous zone crawling not just with Hador but hordes of fire lizards.
That said, it could also be seen as a spot ripe for mob farming. But for someone around level 100—still low-level—even a mage specialized in AoE spells couldn't wipe out the fire lizards in one go. Instead, they often got overwhelmed by the surging horde, accumulated flame damage, and died absurdly despite being well over level 100.
"Non-agro? Feels like free lunch."
But Vulcan could weave through the masses of fire lizards like it was his own living room. Thanks to one effect of the Fire Lizard King Set: non-aggression limited to fire lizards.
If they struck first, he'd counter, but the fire lizards seemed to recognize him as kin and didn't attack, letting him close in tight. He could claim his ideal position, distance, and angle before unleashing his opener.
You have leveled up.
"...This is broken. For real."
Using that, he'd stab his sword into their heads or torsos. They didn't have high HP, and pinning their sword to the ground neutralized their quick movements. They'd flop a bit, then die fast.
You took 0 damage.
Fwoosh!
Some resisted or slipped away due to bad timing, but that was no issue. The set also granted immunity to fire lizard flames, so their fireballs dealt exactly zero damage to Vulcan. Invincible. At least against fire lizards, he was utterly invincible, letting him clear them swiftly and level up fast.
Of course, he never forgot to scoop up every drop item, no matter how many he killed.
"Gotta loop a few more times once they respawn? Heh heh heh!"
Thanks to that, Vulcan piled up EXP quickly while pushing forward. The fire lizards averaged late 80s to early 90s, and they respawned fast even without Hador dying, so grinding a few laps would get him to level 100 or close in no time.
"Catch you later, cuties."
Grinning ear to ear, he swept them away. He could level more and hunt Hador later, but what really fired him up wasn't easy kills or fat EXP—it was the items waiting in Tud's workshop.
He cleared what he saw while hurrying toward the boss room where Hador lurked.
After about 30 minutes of advancing, he finally faced Hador, crouched in the boss room.
"Hope this works on him too."
One more step, and it'd aggro. As a named boss monster, Vulcan couldn't be sure, but the odds were good. No way a low-level zone had a monster transcending its species limits.
—Why you chickening out? Finish it and get in there. Entrance is right behind it.
As he psyched himself up, Tud's scolding reignited his resolve.
Legendary Craftsman's Secret Workshop
Hidden Dungeon
A workshop briefly used by the legendary craftsman. Purpose here fulfilled, but left intact for his future incarnation.
—Entry Restriction: Tud's Incarnation Eligible
As if sensing the eligible incarnation, the hidden dungeon entrance appeared behind Hador, just as Tud said.
'Chickening? How do you see me? Just figuring out what to do with those behind you.'
But Vulcan hesitated to enter the boss room. Unsure if the Fire Lizard King Set worked on Hador, and even immune to flames, it had patterns to watch. High physical attack too, so hit-and-run to whittle HP was best—but that took time, and tails were following.
—Hmph. Doesn't look like good intentions.
A group of users trailing at a fixed distance since earlier. Normally, field or open dungeon hunters respected space, but this was different. No greetings, no checking order for boss line. Even for boss hunting, they'd approach and talk first.
'They're after something, right?'
They didn't. And Dragon Eye showed their levels weren't normal. That's why Vulcan mind-chatted with Tud.
[Heriyak][Lv 205]
[Skona][Lv 208]
The front two exceeded 200. Here for Hador? What for? Bosses dropped higher-grade items, sure, but only useful for 100-150 range. Over 200s would earn more grinding their level zones than lottery drops.
Which meant they weren't after Hador. What remained? Vulcan himself.
"Ah, golden goblins?"
Then he spotted users far behind them. The ones who'd dropped the excellent Blizzard Staff and gear like golden goblins. Gear changed since last meet, but he remembered the one who'd given an epic quest item.
"What? This fucker!!"
Cave acoustics? Despite distance, they heard Vulcan's mutter and one raged.
"Quiet."
The leader blocked him, or he'd have spammed skills.
"What, wanna try PK this time?"
Vulcan smirked leisurely at them, but wasn't as relaxed. The previous scrubs? Fine. But those two leaders full-force? Low win odds.
Even switching from Fire Lizard King Set to his 200-range gear for smooth hunting—still half attack/defense. Pure stats, they'd outclass him. Gear levels matched too.
'Agility boost maybe...'
But no plans to die easy. Ways to screw them over came to mind; worst case, aggro Hador and bolt to Tud's instance. So he faced them boldly.
"We're not here to fight."
"Hm?"
Heriyak—the one who'd blocked golden goblin—stepped forward, hands raised openly beside head, approaching slowly to show no threat.
"Stop. Don't need your breath in my face. Talk from there."
"Fair. As I said, we're not here to fight you. We came to apologize formally and compensate."
"Apologize and compensate?"
Unexpected. Thought they'd yell or backstab during Hador hunt. But apologize? Backliners' faces showed it wasn't planned, but Vulcan was intrigued. He leaned cockily, gesturing to hear them out.
"What're you waiting for! Apologize!!"
"That... sorry."
"It's my clueless little bro's fault. I apologize too. And..."
Heriyak bowed 90 degrees with him, then slyly eyed Vulcan for the pitch.
"I want to buy back the item this guy lost."
'Knew it.'
Why so groveling? Obvious intent, but Vulcan watched to gauge if they knew the Blizzard Staff's true value. Pinpointing just it meant they knew something—key or clue, at least. Not the full chain to Glacial Heart, but enough.
"The one you dropped? That staff?"
"...Yes. Right. Wasn't originally his—borrowed for leveling from someone else, got awkward. We'll pay full. Sell it back."
Short talk, sharp mind game. They claimed "lost item" for original ownership; Vulcan's "dropped" asserted his now.
"Dunno. Why should I?"
"500 gold."
"...?"
Playing cool, Vulcan got a high bid. Rare ice spell staff—not super popular. Generous considering limits. Past Vulcan would've bitten.
"Nah."
Knowing its worth now? Laughable. Ten times? Still no. Zero temptation showed.
"Fine. 600 gold."
Now they squirmed. Expected yes; his bluff twisted faces. Desperate, upped 100 instantly.
"Told you no."
"700. Real limit. I'm desperate. More time, I'd buy better."
"Auction house then."
"750! Push more, can't help it."
Vulcan's firm no broke Heriyak's patience. Voice hardened like force next; Vulcan watched, then sighed.
"Fine. 750. Gold first."
—You wouldn't...
"How trust..."
"Psh, how I trust you? Almost got PK'd by vicious bastards. Toss gold or fuck off."
Vulcan won. Killing him? Low odds on the staff drop. Heriyak glared murder at mage, grinding teeth. Opened inventory, gripped 750 gold pouch.
"...Fine. Trust you. Vul-can-nim."
750 gold—big sum. But fail recovery? Game over. Anxiety he might run, but tossed pouch first. Last resort: knew his ID.
"Whew, rich! Carrying that much."
Vulcan's grin split wide. Free 750 gold? Hell yeah. And no plans to hand over what they wanted.
Already destroyed!
"Now the staff..."
"Staff? What staff?"
"Take gold and play dumb?"
Vulcan's blank look sharpened Heriyak's tone. Hand on hilt, crouched to pounce.
"Said compensate? This is mental damages. Want staff? Pay separate."
—There it is. You scamming bastard.
—"You scamming fuck!!"
They snapped. No more; dashed with skill.
Bled dry for what?
"Whoa, harsh words!"
Vulcan was ready. Kicked ground hard, widening gap; missed swing sliced air.
"Grab that fucker!!"
Now all-in. PK be damned, full throttle. Another 200-range joined. Melee too. Not Vulcan's strength-dump; balanced STR/AGI/STA. Even with set AGI, couldn't match speed.
"Scatter, scatter, scatter!"
Vulcan focused slowing them. Straight sprint? Caught quick despite AGI boost. So earthen walls to block sight.
"Think this shit works!!"
Boom! Bang! Bang!!
200-range users. Mid-tier; hardened dirt bought seconds only.
"Kirrarrack—!!!"
"!!"
Fwoooosh!!!
But that's all Vulcan needed. They entered boss room; Hador woke.
Just 100-range boss, but boss. Felt 40-50 levels higher. Attribute attacks main weapon. Fierce flame breath engulfed all.
You took 0 damage.
'Nice.'
Level gap or not, attributes weren't easy ignores. Flame resist set? Maybe tanked chasing. Unprepped, they chugged pots in panic.
Not total noobs—hid behind walls for a turn. But Vulcan roamed flames free.
—Gonna fight?
"Nah. Crazy? Egg vs rock."
Never planned prolonged fight. Not now.
'Get one scam item in there, I'll wipe 'em.'
No taste for hopeless brawls, nor eating shit. Tud's workshop—surely goodies. Grab one, no need flee.
Initiated tactical retreat.
"Think you escape!!"
"Block exit!"
Hador ignored him—non-agro? Left it behind, bolted to instance entrance.
Spotted escape, blocked passage—but bought time, widened gap.
"Got..."
One stuck tail. Skill or AGI dump—distance closed fast.
"Flame Burst!"
Intense flames erupted from Vulcan. Released absorbed flames.
Not Hador-level, but blinded and disrupted enough.
"Hya!!"
"...Huh?"
Vulcan yanked forward. Pre-tossed stolen steel manacles hooked instance rock; pulled hard, rocketed in.
"Bye, slowpokes!"
Entry conditions satisfied.
Entered Hidden Dungeon: Legendary Craftsman's Secret Workshop.
Body airborne, he flipped them off diving in.