Harry stood before the Dungeon portal, sheathing his magical wooden sword. His heart pounded, but Shin's coolness kept his fear at bay.
"Confirmed. Accessing Dungeon."
[System processing Host request.]
[Initiating dimensional teleportation. Destination: Insertion Point, Goblin Labyrinth.]
The light from Innovate Clear vanished, replaced by a damp, icy darkness. The air smelled of wet earth, mold, and something vaguely metallic and putrid. The sound was a steady drip of water.
Harry activated Levitation to raise his hands, trying to feel the walls. He was in a corridor of rough, uneven stone.
[Active Mission: THE GOBLIN'S LABYRINTH]
[Objective: Defeat the Boss, Goblin Hob, and obtain the Treasure]
[Risk Class: D]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 0 SC]
"Pitch black. Annoying," Harry muttered.
He focused his mana in his palm, but instead of lighting a lamp, he cast a non-lethal reconnaissance spell.
"Wind Magic: Windblades," Harry said, holding the green magic circle in his hand.
A small gust of wind brushed past the wall. The echo revealed the structure: the cave was narrow and extended to the left.
The sound of shuffling, weak footsteps approached.
The barely discernible creature was small and weak, armed with a stick. Harry didn't use magic; he wanted to test his physical strength and Continuous Body Enhancement.
He charged forward, relying on his Agility (15). The Goblin shrieked, swinging the stick clumsily. Harry ducked beneath the blow and slammed his reinforced fist into the Goblin's jaw.
The blow sounded like a hammer on a piece of meat. The Goblin collapsed with a hollow thud.
[Threat Neutralized: Basic Goblin.]
[Enemy Energy Conversion Completed. Reward: 1 SC.]
[Loot: None.]
—1 SC. The fight was necessary. —Harry absorbed the single credit and pressed on.
He advanced cautiously to a crossroads. Two larger, better-equipped creatures were scavenging through the rubble.
[Threat Alert: Scout Goblin (x2). Class D.]
Harry drew his reinforced wooden sword. He decided magic was more efficient at range.
—Fire Magic: Concentrated Fire activated.
A piercing blue beam shot from his left hand (without his wand), striking the first Goblin Scout in the chest. The fine leather armor scorched, and the Goblin fell with a howl.
[Threat neutralized: Goblin Scout. Reward: 5 SC.]
The second Goblin Scout, surprised, tried to flee into the darkness. Harry used his new sword skill, Quick Slash.
Harry charged and used his Strength (12) to close the distance, delivering a clean, sideways blow to the Goblin's neck.
[Threat neutralized: Goblin Scout.] Reward: 5 SC.]
[Loot: Bone Dagger (x2), Skill Scroll (Darkvision).]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 11 SC.]
Harry kicked the second goblin's body, picking up the scroll. It was a piece of tanned hide with a symbol that glowed faintly in the dark.
"Darkvision... I need this." Harry touched the scroll, and it dissolved into a pulse of mana that merged with his head.
[New Knowledge Acquired. Ability: Darkvision (Passive).]
[Installing Ability...]
Suddenly, the darkness of the cave was no longer absolute. Harry could see shapes and contours, traces of dampness, and small piles of bones with a functional, gray clarity.
Harry heard the distinctive sound of metal scraping across wet stone, and his Darkvision revealed armed silhouettes. Three large figures with short swords and iron helmets. They were Goblin Warriors.
Harry didn't hesitate. The narrow passage was his tactical advantage. He raised both hands, channeling mana to create a protective wall that would cut off their charge.
"Wall of Water!"
A wall of dense, shimmering water rose from the floor, halting the Warriors' charge in its tracks and breaking their formation.
The mana flowed effortlessly, and Harry decided to expend energy to ensure a swift elimination. Through the wall of water, he cast an explosive spell.
"Fireball!"
The explosion and hot steam stunned the three Goblins, who groaned in pain.
[Threat neutralized: Goblin Warrior (x3). Reward: 30 SC.]
Harry dispelled the water barrier, quickly approaching the bodies. The Goblin Warriors were dropping more useful equipment.
[Loot: Iron Sword (x3), Leather Armor (x2), Skill Scroll (Sword Handling).]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 41 SC.]
The Sword Handling Scroll vanished instantly in a flash, merging with Harry's knowledge.
[New knowledge acquired. Skill: Sword Handling (Intermediate). Installing…]
[Skill: Sword Handling (Novice) has been upgraded to Sword Handling (Intermediate).]
The feeling of mastery over the blade solidified his resolve. His Quickslash was now instinctive.
Harry continued his advance through a corridor that wound and branched off. His Darkvision revealed a nest of lesser creatures. There were too many to waste an area-of-effect spell on.
Harry drew his newly acquired iron sword, feeling its solid weight and enchanting it with a light touch of mana (Basic Charm).
"Coin is the most valuable mana. I must save magic for the elites. Basics are taken out with a sword," Harry thought, using Shin's logic.
Harry glanced at scattered groups of Basic Goblins (x6) and Scouts (x3).
Harry charged. His Agility (15) made him appear as a blur. The Basic Goblins, with 1 SC each, were purely cannon fodder.
Harry cut through the first section, using only his sword and Continuous Body Reinforcement.
—Quick Slash!
The blade, combined with his Strength (12), sliced through the necks and shoulders of three Basic Goblins in a single, fluid motion. The other three fell under the pressure and the sharp blows of their leather armor.
[Threat neutralized: Basic Goblin (x6). Reward: 6 SC.]
The three remaining Rangers, armed with daggers, tried to retreat. Harry gave them no chance. He raised his free hand.
—Windblades!
Three silent projectiles finished off the Goblins at a distance.
[Threat neutralized: Ranger Goblin (x3). Reward: 15 SC.] [Loot: Skill Scroll (Tracking), Bone Bow (x2).]
[CURRENT BALANCE: 41 + 6 + 15 = 62 SC.]
Harry saved the scrolls for later. Tracking would come in handy. He had over 60 SC. He was ready for the boss.
Harry had used up a portion of his mana, but his objective had been achieved: SC gain and preservation of high-powered spells.
The tunnel opened into a large cavern, where Harry felt the pulse of foul magic and the stench of hot metal. His Perception spiked.
A Goblin Shaman, distinguishable by his tattered robes and an animal skull, was raising his arms as his two henchmen charged. A Warrior and a Ranger.
"The Shaman must die first. Earth Spear, piercing strike."
Harry didn't waste a second.
"Earth Spear!"
A razor-sharp stone spike erupted from the ground with tremendous speed, impaling the Shaman before he could complete his spell.
[Threat neutralized: Goblin Shaman. Reward: 10 SC.]
The Warrior and the Ranger stopped, shocked. Harry used the pause, knowing the Shaman was the only one dropping spell scrolls.
"Wind Blades!"
Two invisible, silent projectiles sliced through the air, decapitating the Ranger and leaving a deep gash in the Warrior's armor.
[Threat neutralized: Goblin Ranger. Reward: 5 SC.]
[Threat neutralized: Goblin Warrior.] Reward: 10 SC.]
[Shaman's Loot: Magical Spell Scroll (x1), Magical Bone Pendant (x1).]
[FINAL BALANCE IN PRE-BOSS CHAMBER: 87 SC.]
Harry caught his breath. He was earning a fortune and valuable resources.
Harry caught his breath. He was earning a fortune and valuable resources. He picked up the Shaman's scroll and the pendant hanging from its neck.
—System. Analyze the Scroll and the Pendant.
[Initiated Object Analysis.]
Magic Spell Scroll
[Magic Spell Scroll (Rank D).]
[Contents: Mana Drain (Basic).]
[Description: Dark/Nature contact spell. Allows the user to steal a small amount of Mana from the victim to replenish the caster's own reserves. Useful for sustaining high-cost Elemental Magic in prolonged combat. Cost: Medium.]
Harry absorbed the knowledge with a touch of mana. Dark magic felt cold, yet extremely practical. It allowed him to use his Rank B spells and instantly recover them without relying on meditation.
[New Spell Acquired: Mana Drain (Basic).] [Installing Skill...]
[SKILLS LEARNED (Update):]
[Blood/Nature Magic: Mana Drain (Basic).]
Magic Bone Pendant
[Magic Bone Pendant (Rank D Artifact).]
[Origin: Swamp Beast Bone enchanted with Shamanic Magic.]
[Passive Effect: Minor Resistance to Filth (Immunity to mud and Rank E poisons). Grants a temporary +1 to Luck in underground environments.]
[Status: Equippable. Recommended for use in the Dungeon.]
Harry placed the pendant around his neck. The cool bone provided a slight cleansing sensation, blocking the stench of mold and rotting flesh from the cave.
[I equipped a Magic Bone Charm.]
[Temporarily Increased Luck Attribute: 9 -> 10.]
[FINAL BALANCE IN THE PRE-BOSS CHAMBER: 87 SC.]
Harry sheathed his iron sword and ate some berries, recovering his magic. He was ready for the confrontation.
"Mana Drain is perfect. I'll be able to use Fire Tornado if necessary, knowing I can recover it. And luck... maybe it'll help me with the boss loot."