“Captain, there are several dire wolves ahead of us,” One of the Dark Elves informed Astrid.

The Dark Elf captain looked ahead of them, her eyes quickly spotting the Dire Wolves she was told about. Thanks to her advanced vision, Astrid could clearly see them even from this distance. The Dire Wolves bore purple fur along with the same cracks that she had seen on the goblins and the rest of the creatures in this dungeon.

It appeared that these cracks were a notable feature for the monsters here. Probably due to the Mana Overload event that was stated in the Dungeon’s Description. Regardless, Astrid knew what her next move was.

“Engage them from the trees with an arrow volley attack. You guys need to level up a bit more…”

“Understood,” The dark elf bowed before rushing off toward their comrades to inform them of their next objective.

Meanwhile, Astrid stayed behind, knowing that her comrades were strong enough to take down some Dire Wolves. With them dealing with that, she quickly pulled up her status window to check her progression.

Status Window

Name: Astrid Skogr

Race: Dark Elf

Level: 8

Class: Ranger

Free Points: 0

Attributes:

Strength: 22

Agility: 25

Endurance: 13

Intelligence: 7

Wisdom: 9

Willpower: 10

Astrid furrowed her brow, unsatisfied with her current stats. She wasn’t even at level 10 yet, and it’s already been a couple of days since she’s been thrust into the maws of this deadly dungeon. Her main goal was to reach that threshold while attempting to locate a Sub-Boss, one of the mini-bosses that were scattered around this dungeon.

She didn’t want to wait thirty days just to get back to her home and decided to try the other option of escaping this dungeon instead, which was defeating a Sub-Boss. Attempting to defeat the Dungeon Boss seemed unnecessary and also practically suicide. All Astrid wanted was to leave this place, go back to her tribe, and be with her people.

Doing anything beyond that was out of the question. Especially when she had to fulfill her duties as the Captain of the Grayvolk Tribe, and the daughter of the Tribal Chief.

Astrid was part of a long lineage of Grayvolk chiefs that watched over and protected the Tribe from danger. Not only was she the oldest out of her five siblings, but it was her fate to become the next Tribal Chief, just like her Father. Which is why she had been so impatient about obtaining more levels. The higher her level was, the easier it would be to destroy the Sub-Boss and return home.

Then there were her subordinates who miraculously managed to get put into this dangerous Dungeon with her. She needed to protect and guide them just like she did with the rest of her followers back home.

Not only was Astrid the Daughter of a Tribal Chief, but she was also the Captain of the Grayvolk Legion. She was the youngest captain being only 95 years old, while the average age for the position would be 137. Astrid worked hard to earn her spot as Captain, doing special training to assist her development as a fighter.

She wanted to prove to her tribe that she was worthy of the title. Not just to them but also herself. That way, she knew that one day, she would be able to accept the position of Tribal Chief. As long as her siblings didn’t do anything to prevent that…

Astrid scowled after thinking about her siblings and their strained relationship. Suddenly, she heard a distant scream, one coming from one of her people. Whirling around, Astrid sprinted over to where her people were fighting the dire wolves.

When she arrived at the spot, Astrid was wide-eyed, seeing her people sprawled on the ground and injured. Two of the dark elves stood in front of the wounded ones, facing off against the threat before them.

It wasn’t the Dire wolves that they were facing but something else. Something even worse than them.

They were large, muscular monsters, wearing tribal attire like fur pants and necklaces adorned with beads. Their faces were grotesque as they snarled at the elves, showing off their tusks protruding out their jaw as their long, braided black hair swayed around from their movements.

Stolen story; please report.

Astrid was familiar with these creatures. They were quite common in her world along with the goblins. These hulking bastards were Orcs.

Seeing the monsters in front of her people, Astrid quickly took action and stood in front of her people. Her eyes were directed at the Orcs with a dangerous glare. She then pulled out two daggers in preparation for the fight.

“Liva, Ivar, take care of the others and get away from here now,” Astrid instructed, pointing her daggers at the Orcs.

“B-but, Captain!” Liva called out with a worried tone.

“Let us help you!” Ivar pleaded, his voice both determined yet fearful.

Astrid was happy that they wished to assist her in battle, but compared to her, they were no match for the Orcs, especially after she identified them.

Fractured Orc

Level 10

A common species that was part of this world before the Mana Overload Phenomenon. Now, their vessels have become a hollow shell of what they used to be. As a Fractured species, these Orcs are more primal than their original selves, becoming more violent and brutish than usual.

Level 10…and there were four of these monsters; all of them being the same level. Although Astrid was only two levels below them, she knew better than to underestimate her enemies. Even if they looked like they were falling apart at the seams.

Astrid eyed the visible cracks tracing all over their bodies, a common characteristic among the fractured creatures within this dungeon. She had seen them countless times at this point since every being that used to live in this place was caught up in the Mana Overload event. She still had no clue as to what this event exactly was or how it occurred, but at the moment, there were bigger issues to deal with.

One of the Fractured Orcs snarled at Astride, peeling back their lips to reveal their horrid teeth and tusks. The dark elf couldn’t help but grimace with disgust at the sight. Even if they were from a different world, Orcs were still Orcs apparently.

Soon, the same Fractured Orc let out a roar and charged at Astrid, both eager and determined to take her down. It swung its battle axe at her, aiming for her neck, to separate her skull from her shoulders. But Astrid simply ducked to avoid the blade. Her feet then kicked off the ground and closed the distance between them further, to where she could reach its torso.

Using her daggers, Astrid slashed the Orc’s stomach, digging her blades deep into its body. If this monster could bleed; its lifeblood would be spurting out right now along with its organs spilling on the floor. Instead, there was just a hole in its stomach, revealing how hollow its body truly was.

The Fractured Orc wasn’t dead yet and swung its axe down on Astrid. The dark elf captain leaped to the side, blurring behind the monster. And with her weapons, she plunged her blades into its skull. The Orc stopped moving and collapsed on the floor, soon shattering to pieces and turning into particles of purple light.

Ignoring the Kill Notification, Astrid turned to face the rest of the monsters, her expression brimming with malice and bloodlust. Despite her vicious aura, the Fractured Orcs didn’t back down and instead, attacked her to avenge their fallen comrade.

Astrid readied herself, gripping her daggers tightly. One Orc tried to swing its sword down on her, but missed when she side-stepped with ease, easily avoiding the attack. When its sword struck the ground, she jumped on the Orc and repeatedly stabbed it in the neck, nearly decapitating it in the process. Hopping off the creature, it slowly cracked and then shattered just like the previous Orc, scattering into fragments like glass.

There were two more Orcs left now, and both were planning on attacking her at once. As they charged at the dark elf, she rushed to meet them halfway. Astrid then slid across the ground near one of the orcs and slashed its ankles. Even when the monster howled in anger while stumbling around, she ignored it while setting her sights on the other one.

Her blades were quickly sheathed as the dark elf resorted to using another weapon, unstrapping her bow from her shoulder. The Orc, although mindless, could tell that it shouldn’t allow her to do this and attempted to stop her. However, Astrid was quicker and knocked back an arrow then immediately fired it, striking its skull with one shot.

The orc’s head reeled back while it fell to its knees, then collapsed on the ground then disbursed into particles. Pulling out another arrow, the dark elf aimed at the last Orc. However, her eyes widened when the Orc nearly beheaded her with its sword.

She evaded the attack by rolling away, bow and arrow still in hand. Repositioning herself in a kneeling stance, she once again pulled back the arrow. This time, a dark red aura violently pulsed around the projectile, as if empowering it.

This was a skill she obtained from her First Marker. It was called [Power Shot]. A skill that allowed Astrid to enhance her arrow, making it stronger and deadlier against her enemies.

Releasing the arrow, it bolted toward the Fractured Orc, tearing through the side of its head and obliterating it completely. The Orc stood there motionlessly as its body slowly cracked and then broke down, its fragments scattering in the air.

With the Threat neutralized, Astrid sighed heavily while strapping her bow back around her shoulder. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a very important message.

[You have leveled up! You are now Level 9!]

A grin appeared on the dark elf’s face after seeing the panel, a wave of excitement filling her entire being. Only one more level to go and Astrid was prepared to move on to the next step.

Her attention was quickly pulled away at the sound of one of her subordinates grunting in pain. Leaving her excitement for later, Astrid rushed to her people so she could assist in moving them away from danger.

It wasn’t long now before Astrid and her group were prepared to finally leave this dungeon. Once they leveled up enough, their next goal was hunting down a Sub-Boss and killing it. After that, they were going on so they could deal with the chaos happening there.