Solo Debut in the Goblin Forest
The remains of the Emerald Slime scattered in every direction after its monopolized feast. As the deafening explosion faded, an eerie silence blanketed the gate.
"...Is this... even possible?"
Party leader Oh Seokhyeon muttered blankly. His gaze darted back and forth between the shattered slime chunks and my fingertips dozens of times. But I had no time to bask in their awe.
Boss Monster Defeated.
As if entranced, I opened my Status Window. No hesitation on stats—for a mage, Intelligence was alpha and omega.
HP: 40/40 MP: 5/140
EXP: 0/130
Skills:Mana Bullet
Available Points - Free Allocation
Skill Points: 2
A refreshing surge of mana enveloped my body as I boosted my stats.
'Hold off on skills for now...'
Leveling Mana Bullet to 2 would amp my firepower immediately. But there might be skills with better efficiency, or moments where I'd need something else.
"Jihoon! You're incredible. We'll make sure your dealer share is generous after settlement."
Snapping out of his daze, Oh Seokhyeon approached and clapped my shoulder. A mere level 2 dealer who effortlessly crushed a tricky boss. To them, I must've looked like an anomaly.
Settlement wrapped up fast. Selling the boss byproduct—Emerald Slime body and mana stones—netted me about 1.4 million won. Money I'd struggle to earn in a month as a porter, all in one go.
In the taxi home, euphoria overrode exhaustion. Habitually firing up my smartphone, I scrolled Hunter Gallery and spotted a post.
"...Ah."
A chill ran down my spine the instant I read it. Luckily, dismissed as aggro bait, it buried quickly. But I was a fresh ex-porter hunter—such oddity could spark rumors, unwanted spotlight.
The Status Window's hidden power. Stat allocation. If that leaked, it'd draw excessive attention. Attention was good, but too soon for my fragile state.
Even after stepping out of the taxi, I stood frozen, pondering, before deciding.
"From now on, I go solo."
Solo play—madness to others. But with free skill picks, no big issue. A few more skills, and F-rank gates were fine.
Today's run: tanker enabled safe hunting, but I handled most DPS. For solo, what skills?
Scrolling the list, one caught my eye.
Passively envelops the body in mana to defend against external impacts.
Mana consumption proportional to damage received.
Vitality 1. A light graze from an F-rank monster was lethal. Nothing more vital to patch that.
This skill erased the terror of my abysmal Vitality. Others activated it sparingly to save precious mana, but with my growing pool, worth skipping Mana Bullet level 2.
No hesitation—I invested my 2 skill points.
Mana Shield
In that instant, mana inside me formed a subtle barrier over my skin—a novel sensation. Now mana wasn't just firepower; it was my lifeline.
'Boosting Intelligence enlarges the MP pool, boosting both offense and defense.'
Free allocation birthed insane synergy. While others agonized over Vitality vs. Intelligence, I used skill points to perfect offense-defense with pure Intelligence.
The next dawn, I rose earlier than usual. My stuffy goshiwon walls looked brighter. Checking my banking app, I stared at the 1.4 million won.
"This isn't a dream, right...?"
Recalling porter days, slathering myself in filth for a measly 100k daily—enough to bring tears. Straight to a hunter gear shop in Sinchon.
To finally ogle hunter exclusives beyond the window.
"Can I check these out?"
The clerk nodded; I inspected gear, comparing to my stats.
Defensively, I needed little. Mana Shield covered most F-rank defense. Skipping armor, I spent part of my 1.4 million on hunter survival gear and sturdy leather boots.
'For solo hunts, comfy shoes and rest gear are key...'
Added two emergency mana potions, then left. Bag heavier than before, but my heart lighter.
At the Hunter Association, I headed to party registry, handing over my Awakener ID Card.
"Any F-rank dungeons open for solo entry?"
"...Pardon?! Kim Jihoon Hunter? Solo?"
Receptionist Lee Sua's eyes widened. My card showed level 2—solo for that was suicide.
"Hunter Kim, at level 2, we don't recommend solo entry!"
She recognized me from porter runs.
"You just did your first party yesterday—don't get cocky. Solo clears scare even pre-E-rank hunters."
Her usual pitying gaze turned flustered, voice loud. Nearby hunters murmured: "He's nuts," "Cocky fool'll get carried out."
I ignored them.
"It's fine. Not aiming full clear—just testing. Joining parties for tests is rude. I'll bail if risky."
My firm tone and explanation swayed her; she nodded worriedly, listing options.
I picked Goblin Forest—F-rank, sly tool-users faster than slimes. Lower damage/defense than slimes. No slime gates left.
'Solo means all EXP and items mine...'
Deep breath, I plunged into the swirling gate.
Entered the Gate.
Region: Goblin Forest (F-rank)
A shrill cackle pierced the dense foliage. A green-skinned goblin burst from the bushes, brandishing a broken dagger.
"Kieeeek!"
The sudden flying dagger made me squeeze my eyes shut. But a dull thunk and slight drain followed.
Peeking, the dagger bounced off a bluish barrier right before my eyes.
"Right... Mana Shield."
"Status Window."
MP: 134/140
6 MP per dagger. At Intelligence 10, I could tank over twenty.
Stunned by the unexpected block, the goblin faltered with a dumb look. I smirked, aiming at the fleeing pest.
"Mana Bullet."
Mana Bullet
Poof! The opening salvo pierced the goblin's skull, blue light streaking from my fingertip.