Running through the hallway, I immediately crushed any goblin I passed into a bloody meat paste. Johnathon did his best to keep up, but eventually he ran out of stamina. Giving him a piggyback, I continued zooming through the dark hallways. Eventually, I saw a much larger figure than a goblin blocking the way. Upon getting closer, I saw that it looked like a goblin, only larger and muscular with orange skin and a black mane.
“What’s that monster?” I asked, addressing Johnathon on my back.
“Looks like it might be a hobgoblin. They’re like goblins, just larger, stronger, smarter, and better at combat.”
“Ah, I see. Let’s see if it’s really any stronger than those goblins.”
Placing Johnathon down, I then dashed straight at the monster. It roared and swung its broadsword, but the blade just stopped on my skin. Looking at me in confusion, it tried to take a step backwards. However, my fist made contact with its chest and burst out its back.
Pulling my blood-covered fist out of its body, it fell to the ground. Blood pooled out of the hole in the hobgoblin’s chest. Picking up the sword it had been using, I received a message.
[You have leveled up x2]
[Str +4]
[End +7]
[Con +7]
[Dex +3]
[Sen +5]
[Hobgoblin Warrior’s Broadsword]
[Type: Item]
[Subtype: Sword, One-Handed, Heavy]
[Rank: Common]
[Restrictions: 25+ Str]
[Durability: 40/55]
[Damage: 10 + Attack Power]
[Options: none]
[Rusty but sturdy, this sharp single-edged sword was well-used by a hobgoblin warrior.]
“Eh, it’ll work. Besides, I haven’t need a weapon yet so far anyway.”
“H-hey, maybe there are other Items to loot on the body?”
“Oh, you’re right. Let’s check it over.”
After several minutes of searching, we found one other Item.
[Warrior Totem Necklace]
[Type: Item]
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
[Subtype: Necklace, Buff]
[Rank: Uncommon]
[Restrictions: 50+ Int]
[Durability: 112/112]
[Options:
1. +10 Int
2. +10 Arc
3. [Mana Surge] Skill]
[The necklace worn by a hobgoblin warrior to increase and strengthen its meager Mana.]
“I can’t use it. My Int is only 47. You take it. You could probably use it better than me anyway.”
“Oh, okay, thank you.”
Johnathon took the necklace from me and put it on. Already, I could feel a slight difference in him, though it seemed fairly negligible. Nodding in satisfaction, I began charging down the hallway again. However, instead of killing the monsters with my bare hands, I was now using my new sword. It cleaved through them like paper.
[You have leveled up x1]
[Int +8]
[Agi +6]
“Cool. I wonder if anything else will happen as I continue to level up.”
As I wondered this, I heard an earth-shaking roar from outside the building. Running to a window, I looked out to see a massive green-skinned humanoid creature. Its skin was a dark, swampier shade of green than the goblins and it didn’t have their features, so I assumed it was another creature entirely. It also held a large tree trunk in its hand like a club. Roaring again, it smashed its weapon into the university building.
The building shook and part of the hallway wall collapsed. Shaking my head, I wondered how regular people were ever expected to defeat this thing. Though, I supposed that’s merely escaping was also an option to complete the Quest. Jumping through the collapsed wall, I landed on the grass below.
“Hey! Why don’t you try picking on someone closer to your weight class.”
The monster looked at me and snorted. Raising its club, it casually swung it down, trying to crush me. However, I caught the attack with a single hand, though it did require quite a bit of effort. Dropping my sword, I punched the tree trunk. It broke apart, wood splinters and fragments flying everywhere. The monster’s eyes widened in shock at my display of strength that seemed nearly equal to its own.
“You do seem pretty strong. Maybe it’s time for me to try out this Skill I have. [Body Enhancement]!”
A green glow lightly surrounded my body as strength and energy rushed through me. Feeling stronger than ever before, I dashed forward. Avoiding the monster’s erratic but slow attacks, I leaped up onto its arm when it swung at me. Jumping onto its shoulder, I then punched its head as hard as I could. The head went flying off of its shoulders, spraying blood as it flew. It then smacked into a campus building with enough force to splatter into paste, gore and brain matter dripping down the side of the building.
[Congratulations! You have defeated Boss Monster [Angry Ogre] by yourself]
[You have accomplished an amazing feat!]
[You have obtained Title [Boss Killer]]
[You have been awarded 250 Points]
[You killed a Boss Monster with a single blow]
[You have accomplished an amazing feat!]
[You have obtained Title [One Hit Kill]]
[You have been awarded 500 Points]
[You killed a Boss Monster bare handed]
[You have accomplished an amazing feat!]
[You have obtained Title [Bare Knuckle Brawler]]
[You have been awarded 1000 Points]
[You have leveled up x6]
[Sen +7]
[Agi +9]
[Int +6]
[End +11]
[Con +13]
[Str +20]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 10!]
[You may select a Class Card]
A bunch of blue glowing cards popped up in front of me. They all had a different picture on them and under the picture were stars. However, I noticed that the number of stars differed with each card.
“The only question is, do you want more stars or less stars?”
Shrugging, I just touched the one I saw with the highest number of stars.
[Congratulations! You have chosen the 6-Star Class [Asura]]
[Due to the vessel being too weak, your current Class is [Lowest-Grade Asura]]
[Become stronger to improve your Class]
“Interesting. Considering how much stronger I most likely am compared to other people, it’s…intriguing that I’m apparently too weak.”
I then remembered what Johnathon told me about dead monsters. Walking over to the ogre’s corpse, I began searching it. I found an old-fashioned book with a hand-stitched purple cover. A message popped up explaining what it was.
[You have obtained [Ogre’s Strength] Skill Book]
[Using it will consume the Item and give you the [Ogre’s Strength] Skill]
I immediately activated the Skill Book. It vanished into golden particles which were absorbed into my body.
[You have learned Skill [Ogre’s Strength]]
[Ogre’s Strength]
[Type: Active]
[Effects:
1. Raises Str by an amount equal to Con]
[Cost: 25 stamina per minute]
[Duration: for as long as the user can supply stamina]
[Cooldown: 30 minutes]
“Oho, very nice. This seems like a decent Skill. Now, to continue hunting. I’m the only one who can do so to protect everyone. Because, you know, I’ve got nothin’ better to do.”