Gazing upon the lingering trail from the skill that had been amplified, Darien lost his ability to speak. It took him several seconds to regain his composure.

"This is too cool!"

Observing the sword in his hand, the current utilization of the skill was on an entirely different level compared to before.

"This enhancement is clearly not ordinary, judging by the characteristics; the amplification occurs in all aspects."

His gaze fell upon the goblin corpses lying on the ground, a portion of their bodies evidently missing. The crescent moon had not merely sliced them but annihilated chunks of their flesh.

"Not only the range but also the width, power, and scale have grown."

After contemplating for a while, he felt an immense sense of excitement.

"This is literally cheating in reality, ha-ha, how awesome."

Overwhelmed with enthusiasm, he swung the sword through the air before finally recalling something.

"By the way, this skill is only at level 2. If I raise it to a new level, does that mean it will become even stronger?"

Recalling the skill, he summoned his character status once more.

[Name: Darien

Level: 4 [694/800]

Age: 24 years [37]

Race: Human

Profession: Hunter

Characteristics:

Strength: 14

Dexterity: 12

Intelligence: 10

Magic: 2

Skills:

Horizontal Sword Strike (Amplified 37 times): Level 2 [323/7000]

Talent: Amplified 37 times]

"Well, there are some minor changes; I've added experience to both the skill and level. Based on calculations, each goblin gave 5 experience points; isn't that a bit too little?"

After calculating the experience he had gained, he felt slightly suspicious about the amount. However, recalling the previous owner's memories, it became clear. Due to the lack of talent, the previous owner had been extremely cautious when traversing dungeons.

Moreover, he had constantly been in the lowest-ranked dungeons, the E-rank, primarily intended for beginners to adapt to the conditions and some monsters until this point.

However, the experience gained there was meager, and magical points were still required to enter even those dungeons. The previous owner evidently did not possess many magical points, and the lack of talent had completely closed his path to becoming a hunter. Only in the last two years had he been able to venture into the weakest dungeons.

Finally, when he entered the E-rank dungeons, his level was already 4. However, this was clearly insufficient to survive in those dungeons.

From the perspective of the current Darien, he could now discern a hunter's true strength. However, it was generally impossible to accurately determine a hunter's level, even when using an identification stone, as it would display a hunter's level differently.

An example of this was now, as Darien was a zero-rank hunter.

"Following the memories, the first condition is to obtain the appropriate level and pass the trials. The trials typically involve combat, where the participant must defeat an opponent.

The main challenge in obtaining a rank is that passing the trial is far more important than attaining the corresponding level.

And the key to passing the trial lies in one's talent and skills. While skills can be randomly acquired by clearing dungeons or purchased from others, some skills also have corresponding ranks."

According to the memories, skill ranks primarily determine their effect and power. The ranks themselves are assigned by people to assess their value, which is why the status did not indicate the skill rank, only its level.

"In theory, the higher the skill level, the stronger it becomes. If a person has a low level but their skills and talent allow them to pass the trials, they can obtain a rank."

However, even increasing a skill's rank was no easy feat. Based on the same memories from the previous owner, he only managed to reach the second level of the ordinary skill "Horizontal Sword Strike" when he was in mortal danger.

In other words, even if a person accumulates sufficient experience, they also need the appropriate conditions to raise their skill level.

However, the levels clearly differed, as "Horizontal Sword Strike" was simply an ordinary amplified horizontal strike using a sword. The previous owner had also purchased this relatively inexpensive skill by spending a quarter of his credits.

"Now, this simple skill has become so formidable that it directly removes the limitations of what I can achieve. Moreover, judging from the earlier sensation, the energy expended was the same as when I used the ordinary 'Horizontal Sword Strike.'

And so, based on the memories and sensations, I can still use this skill four times. The number of uses clearly stems from one of the characteristics, most likely Magic, since the others are evidently physical attributes. But this skill resembles a magical phenomenon rather than an ordinary one. Well, that needs to be tested, but for now, I shouldn't ponder any further. Restoring it will undoubtedly require no less than several hours."

After pondering, Darien approached the goblin corpses and searched for cores. They could be exchanged for magical points or taken out of the dungeon as resources for various purposes.

Collecting the small, transparent, glass-like objects, he placed them in a small pouch attached to his waist.

"Now, I need to consider what to do next. Three goblins came from the depths of the dungeon. I could simply wait for more to appear, but the time here and outside is the same. If I don't leave, the original owner's daughter will undoubtedly worry... Well, since I've taken over this body, I should also take on its responsibilities, haaah... I suddenly feel a strange sensation about having a daughter."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"It seems that, to begin with, I need to exit this place. The E-rank dungeons are publicly accessible and not controlled by anyone except the World Oversight. So, I only need to pay the penalty. Having killed a total of 8 goblins, I should be able to obtain around 120 magical points.

Fifteen points per goblin, not too much."

As he spoke while moving toward the exit, he gradually approached a bend. He had already devised a plan to increase the number of goblins killed.

Since they were unaware of his capabilities, the three would likely attack him as well. However, the key was to lure them into a narrow passage, as the exit area was large and open, giving them a chance to evade.

Thus, his plan was to lure them into a narrow passage and prepare while they rushed toward him.

Taking a few deep breaths, he steeled himself and emerged from around the corner. Ahead, the goblins were still occupied with something, failing to notice him. Seizing this opportunity, albeit hesitantly, he feigned a cry of fear and fled deeper into the passage.

After running a sufficient distance, he turned back, assumed the skill's stance, and waited.

Within a few dozen seconds, five goblins emerged from around the corner and charged toward him. As before, he did not rush, waiting for the goblins to approach closer. Even though his skill could reach the end of the passage, the further away they were, the greater the chance of evasion. Moreover, after witnessing his previous attack, they would undoubtedly be on guard.

Observing the goblins' approach, their shrieks and furious expressions, Darien silently began a countdown, judging the distance.

"3"

"2"

"1"

Unlike the previous skill use, this time, he felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. As he counted down to one, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled upward. He also unconsciously recalled those moments in games when they showcased a grand battle.

The whistle of wind arrived, and with the anticipation that the scene would repeat itself, the crescent moon swept through all the goblins at once. Their clear screeches transformed into pitiful wails. One goblin even had its head cleanly severed, leaving only the torso.

The spectacle was undoubtedly tragic, yet Darien observed it with awe in his eyes, marveling at the consequences arising from a single skill.

"This time, the exertion was less than before."

Ensuring all the goblins were dead, he approached them and collected the cores. However, to his disappointment, he did not obtain a single core.

"What the hell, so unlucky?"

The fact was that not all slain monsters dropped cores.

The previous time, he had been fortunate to gather three cores.

"So, I only gained 45 points, then?"

As he spoke, he gazed into the depths of the dungeon.

"Or maybe I should go hunting some more? If anything happens, I can simply flee, since I've almost leveled up to 5."

Saying this, he checked his status; he needed to kill three more goblins to level up.

Reaching out and stroking his chin, he pondered for a while before making a decision.

"For now, I have time until the daughter returns. I'll also employ the tactic of luring the enemy. Perhaps I can manage to kill a large number at once."

With those words, he headed deeper into the dungeon, following the path he had already traversed several times since awakening.

Along the way, he also took a goblin's head to enrage the other goblins.

Some time later, he finally reached the stone structures where goblins stood guard.

He emerged from around the corner and approached a bit closer to be noticed by the goblins.

Flashing a smirk, he tossed the goblin's head toward the stone structures and waited.

Upon seeing him, the goblins were already screaming furiously and waving sticks in their hands. But when they spotted their comrade's head, their screeches and bodily movements became even more frenzied. It seemed Darien's plan had worked.

Seeing many goblins gathering near the stone structures, he unhesitatingly fled.

The goblins followed suit, his plan remaining the same as before.

Choosing a suitable location, he assumed the stance and began waiting. The area was clear, so there was no possibility of the other side suspecting anything.

Taking the skill stance, he could also hear the gradual approach of many goblins from afar. However, when he saw an increasing number of goblins emerging from around the corner before his eyes, he felt a sense of panic.

This time, their numbers were greater than ever before. He could not even calculate the exact figure, but the approximate count was closer to 20 goblins.

All of them were running toward him, shouting, their movements causing a faint tremor in the ground.

"It seems this time, the skill will be used as intended."

"3"

"2"

"1"

"Whoosh"

A crescent moon swath swept through the passage. The goblins at the front failed to comprehend what had occurred, while those behind barely reacted, losing sensation in their bodies.

However, the scythe-like attack sliced through the crowd, effortlessly cutting them into pieces. In the next second, the horde lay on the ground.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha, yes, this is it!!"

Standing upright, he gazed at the goblin corpses, clearly feeling the skill's power at that moment.

But as he came to his senses and was about to collect the cores from the goblins, a rumbling sound echoed. Turning his attention to it, Darien realized the rumbling had a consistent frequency, as if something was approaching this location.

While he was puzzled, a massive foot emerged from around the corner where the goblins had appeared earlier. As the foot landed on the ground, a rumbling sound resonated. Then, another foot appeared, gradually revealing a larger body wielding a shield made of an unknown metal.

"A large goblin?... No, a hobgoblin."

Upon seeing the emerging creature, it evidently had an impact on Darien.

"Looks like it's time to get out of here."

Although, according to the memories, hobgoblins were slower than goblins, their strength and defense were undoubtedly formidable.

"But I still have two attempts left to use the skill. If I succeed, I can clear the dungeon and also receive a reward for it."

Observing the approaching hobgoblin, Darien was no longer as timid as before. The skill instilled him with enough confidence. Gazing at the hobgoblin, he resolved himself and prepared.

Assuming the skill stance, he watched the hobgoblin. Meanwhile, the latter approached the goblin corpses and halted. It looked at the bodies, then turned its gaze toward Darien.

As Darien wondered what the hobgoblin would do and was ready to act, the ensuing scene caused him to break from the skill stance and dodge to the side.

The hobgoblin swiftly picked up a goblin's body and hurled it at Darien. Darien, in turn, quickly made the decision to evade, as he needed to conserve the skill; otherwise, he would lose his chance.

But as he began to rise from the ground, a rumbling sound echoed, its frequency higher than before.

Darien looked up and saw the hobgoblin holding the shield in front of itself, charging toward him with furious eyes.

Darien's heart started pounding wildly, prompting him to swiftly stand in the sword stance and use the skill.

The whistle of wind rang out once more, but a few moments later, the sound of metal followed.

Darien saw the crescent moon strike the metal the hobgoblin held in front of itself, causing the metallic sound.

The crescent moon hit the metal, partially cutting through it. Fortunately for Darien, the metal was severed, but the remaining force only left a minor cut on the hobgoblin's body.

The opponent wasted no time either, swiftly hurling the piece of metal it held toward Darien, forcing him to evade again.

"Shit."

Cursing, Darien quickly rose from the ground, only to have to leap to the side as the hobgoblin had already reached him. Luckily, although the hobgoblin was charging, it was not agile enough to change its inertia at the last moment.

As Darien fell to the side, the hobgoblin also managed to stop, skidding about five meters due to its momentum. There was no time to think; in a hurry, Darien stood up and assumed the skill stance. The opponent turned, snarled, and charged toward him.

At the moment the hobgoblin entered the skill's range, Darien was also ready. As a result, when he swung the sword, it also grazed the hobgoblin's body.

A thin line crossed the hobgoblin's body, dividing it into two parts. However, a terrifying force emerged from the hobgoblin's back, tearing everything in its path and flying diagonally upward.

Bright blood splattered onto Darien's body, and moments later, the massive body fell. Following this, Darien began breathing heavily, feeling the hot liquid staining him.

"Damn, that was a close call."

His chest rapidly rose and fell, and he gasped for breath, his eyes inadvertently falling on the hobgoblin's body.

Moments later, the hobgoblin's body disappeared, and a chest appeared in its place.

"Phewwww, fuck."