The injured flaming Minotaurs came charging at me in a fit of rage. These two aren't the problem though. I can doge their attacks all day and kill them whenever I please. Their leader is the real issue. I haven't gauged its full strength yet, but its definitely higher than mine.

My best course of action is to take these two out first. I have a few healing potions, I can handle another hit or two... I'll use the same strategy as before.

We all charged in towards each other.

I blocked the two axe hits with my hardened arm and landed another double strike on the two weaker monsters while absorbing some MP in the process.

The leader was close behind and attacked immediately just like before. I braced myself and tried to concentrate even more hardening on my arm to see if I could block the attack if I had full focus.

The leaders large axe came down and made contact with my ultra hardened arm.

"Aggghhh bad idea..."

The second it made impact I heard a crack and saw black crystal fragments fly out in all directions while a sharp pain traveled through my arm and into my shoulder.

It worked a little bit... but my arm is definitely still fractured in multiple places. I need to get better positioning and try blocking with my sword next time if I get the chance.

I jumped back and distanced myself to check my stats and regenerate. It read 485/805 HP, and 680/805 MP.

Not bad.... Just one more time should open things up.

I charged back in and did a picture perfect attack. The two front Minotaurs fell to the ground in a pool of their own blood and my flames. Three good attacks seems to be just enough for me to defeat normal monsters here.

[Level Up]

I blocked another attack while sacrificing my hardened arm one last time before running back about 20m to recuperate and plan for the actual battle at hand here.

My stats read out 355/810 HP, 685/810 MP. As the lone leader eyed me down I took the time to chug an HP potion back up to full health. I could have waited a bit longer, but it's a common sense safety precaution here.

We both charged forward. I ignited my blade in fire and the beast raised its axe.

"CLANGGGGGG"

We met weapons with a clash of flames, sparks, and grunts from both sides. In the end, I was totally overpowered...

The monster's axe came crushing down. I held my own in the test of strength for a few milliseconds, but in the end it was a one sided match up. The Minotaurs axe completely trumped my sword's power and it came crashing down towards me with little resistance. I was forced to retreat and jump backwards.

This feels like some of my old battles... I haven't faced a truly superior opponent in a while. I grinned and stared down the beast as it grunted and started charging towards me again.

I'll have to use my speed to defeat this one, brute strength isn't going to cut it.

I ran forward with my sword ablaze. The monster swung its axe downward and I dodged without attempting to counter it at all. With a swift fiery strike I sliced open its leg as I ran by.

This is a pretty nostalgic feeling. It's almost like I'm fighting that wolf boss from my home town again. Good times.

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I smirked and faced the beast once more. We charged forward and I dodged to the opposite side to land a hit on its other leg. The beast cried out. This wasn't much damage to a monster like this, but it was definitely getting very annoyed.

I continued my assault, switching up my movements and styles to land safe cheap hits every time. It's a pretty boring way to fight, but fighting this thing head on would not be the smart thing to do. I have a very clear speed and agility advantage, there's no point in not using this to my full capacity.

Every time I made a slice in the monster's legs I absorbed a small amount of MP. It's much harder to drain than its weaker counterparts. The monster's level must have something to do with it. An opponent with a much higher experience level takes longer to suck MP from. Another good thing to note. I have to leave a large amount of fire residue in every attack I land, I'd be out of MP fast if I didn't have this new skill.

After around 10 attacks the Minotaur became visibly slower. I started aiming for its abdomen, then upper chest, and lastly the back of its neck. It look a total of 16 hits before I pierced my fiery blade into its head and watched the beast fall to the ground.

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

[Level Up]

____________________

Name: Jay Soju

Level: 167

Hp: 840/840

Mp: 705/840

Strength: 401 [+125]

Speed: 478

Agility: 499

Defense: 357 [+143]

Mental Strength: 401 [+80]

Skills:

Absorption

Swordsmanship

Combat Magic [Fire Summoning]

Inspect [Special Grade]

Enemy Detection

Body Hardening[Special Grade]

Self Regeneration

Spacial Magic[Item Storage]

Plunderer

Items Equipped:

Golden Wolf Ring [+20% Mental Strength]

Cyclops Eye Pendant [+40% Defense]

Stainless Steel Sword [+125 Strength]

_____________________

"Nice, 6 levels from the leader and 1 from the two subordinates."

It relied too heavily on the two weaker fighters. When I had a speed advantage and we were all alone the only thing that beast could do was lay down and die. Unfortunate fate.

I've definitely got a handle on this dungeon. That was a level 191. It's probably one of the highest rated I'll find here, and it was taken out with ease.

With a satisfied grin on my face I walked over to the two weaker Minotaurs that burned to ash and put their mana crystals in my item storage. As I turned around to collect the leader's mana my eyes lit up.

Looks like its my lucky day. After only 6 monsters I already got an item drop! The huge axe sat on the ground next to a large mana crystal. I picked each of them up to place in my item storage.

I started walking back in the direction of the dungeon start point. I'm not leaving yet, I'd just rather be nearby for when I decide to leave and not wander too far off into the dungeon. It's not like I'll be fighting the boss today.

On my way back I came across a pair of Minotaurs level 157 and 154. They were very easy opponents, with my recent level increases I was able to take them down in 2 hits each. I didn't level up, but collected two mana crystals.

As I strolled around the dungeon I got to thinking about what my purpose here in the city really is. After these recent events I have a clear idea of what I have to do.

The C Class exams are in less than 3 weeks. I need to get really serious ... This dungeon is the perfect training ground for my preparation. I'll power level here and make a ton of money from the loot drops to buy some new higher grade gear.

I spent the next 4 hours roaming around the dungeon's start point. This seemed to be the perfect spot for now. I came across 6 more groups of Minotaur.

The first was and easy group of 3. They consisted of a level 157, 158, and 162. They dropped 3 mana stones. I didn't level up.

The second group was a bit more of a challenge. The was a leader at level 183 and two underlings at level 155 and 157. It was a similar battle to the previous trio with a leader. Long, but not that difficult. They only dropped mana as well. I gained 3 levels from this fight.

The third and fourth groups were fairly similar to the first. All of them were between level 155 and 165. Good mana, but no more levels.

After these two fights I got a bit antsy and decided to venture a bit deeper into the dungeon again. Apparently the further I traveled in the stronger the monsters are. I guess it makes sense.

My fifth fight was with two strong Minotaurs. They were level 177 and 179. I had to use my bobbing and weaving tactics to the extreme. My body hardening worked well enough, but hits still hurt and dealt a tiny bit of damage. All in all, it was a manageable fight. I gained 2 levels and collected only mana as loot.

After this fight I was getting a bit tired and hungry. It was time to pack it in. I trekked back to the dungeon start point and faced off against a final group of 3 that weren't much of a challenge.

They were between level 155 and 165. All three dropped large mana stones, and one of them dropped their axe as well. I didn't level up in this battle, but couldn't have asked for a better parting gift.

As I stepped out of the blue portal back into the Dungeon Hub transit area I smirked to myself.

That was a good first day of grinding to get my feet wet. I'm level 172 now, tomorrow I'll venture much deeper into this Minotaur Dungeon.