Park Changwon.
He was currently forty-one years old.
He had been fortunate enough to awaken in his early thirties, yet he still remained at Level 4.
That was the limit of his natural talent.
Because of that, he subtly looked down upon Ascenders who appeared weaker than him to bolster his own self-esteem.
He was doing the same thing now.
‘What an irritating face.’
Had he said his name was Kim Hajun?
He had the smooth, delicate features of a pretty boy.
Park Changwon could not understand why women these days liked that sort of appearance.
Even before they entered the dungeon, several female Ascenders had kept glancing in Hajun’s direction.
For some reason, that irritated him.
‘And he only knows a worthless skill like Mana Bolt.’
He had probably awakened a one-star Trait.
Park Changwon’s growth might have stopped at Level 4, but that man might not even progress beyond Level 3.
After all, he looked to be in his mid-twenties.
“Oh dear! Mana Bolt—”
Park Changwon subtly prodded at the man’s pride.
Most people became visibly flustered when he did this.
They would usually turn red and apologize, promising that they would work hard.
It was an innocent reaction.
Perhaps that was because this level range contained an unusually large number of young Ascenders in their early twenties or younger.
In any case, all he had to do afterward was tell them not to worry and to trust him.
Those who heard those words often looked at him like loyal dogs gazing at their master.
Whenever that happened, Park Changwon felt his self-esteem swell.
However, this time—
GLARE.
‘Oh?’
Hajun’s gaze sharpened as though he were about to snap back at him.
Did he have more of a temper than his appearance suggested?
Excellent.
If he became angry, he would be even easier to manipulate.
Just as Park Changwon thought, Go ahead and lose your temper—
The party leader intervened.
“Let’s enter first.”
‘Tsk.’
What a disappointment.
In that case, he would thoroughly crush Hajun’s confidence inside the dungeon.
The moment they entered, Park Changwon intended to overwhelm Kim Hajun with his superior ability.
“It’s a jungle terrain.”
The dungeon had taken the form of a jungle, the most common terrain found in Level 3 Goblin Dungeons.
Park Changwon had encountered this terrain more often than any other during the past several years.
His confidence rose even further.
Park Changwon naturally began issuing orders as though he were the party’s leader.
“I’m the highest-level member here, and I also have extensive dungeon experience. As long as you follow my commands properly, we should be able to clear this place much more easily.”
He puffed out his chest as though telling everyone to place their trust in him.
Han Suyeon, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward.
“No. I’ll stand on the front line as well.”
“There’s no need for you to—”
“If you don’t like it, I’ll find another team.”
“Ah, hahaha. Yes. Of course. Then we’ll stand together.”
Park Changwon was inwardly flustered.
‘What is wrong with this team? Usually, people simply ask me to take care of everything.’
Had she said her name was Han Suyeon?
She seemed to reek of wealth.
Was that why she was so strong-willed?
Even so, Park Changwon remained confident.
Once they began fighting the goblins, he would inevitably take control.
When he was in good condition, he could sometimes defeat a goblin within five exchanges.
While the others struggled desperately against a single goblin, he would demonstrate his ability.
“One goblin ahead. It appears to be a scout.”
“Skree, skree!”
A goblin appeared at the perfect moment.
Now, then.
Shall we begin?
“Prepare for battle! We’ll attack once it comes closer. Those of you in the rear who are Magic Types, provide covering fire.”
When Park Changwon said that, Kim Hajun stepped forward.
“I’ll deal with it.”
“Huh. If you fail to kill it immediately, it will summon its companions. We need to wait and eliminate it in a single attack. Other skills might work, but with Mana Bolt, I’m not so sure—”
Park Changwon snorted.
Just look at him.
He truly was a novice.
If a goblin was not killed immediately, it would cry out to summon its companions.
Then two or three more would continue appearing, making the situation increasingly troublesome.
With particularly poor luck, more than a dozen might arrive at once.
‘This is a good opportunity to humiliate him.’
An excellent idea flashed through Park Changwon’s mind.
“Then why don’t we see what you can do first, Mr. Hajun?”
A devious glint appeared in Park Changwon’s eyes.
Kim Hajun paid him no attention and stepped forward.
He extended one arm straight ahead.
“Mana Bolt.”
A cluster of white light the size of a fist immediately formed above his open palm.
‘His Casting Speed is rather fast.’
Park Changwon was slightly surprised by the unexpectedly rapid casting.
‘Still, speed alone will not be enough—’
The instant he had that thought—
SPLAT!!
With a sound like a watermelon bursting, the goblin clutched its throat and toppled backward.
It had died from a single shot.
“W-What?”
Park Changwon’s mouth fell open at the absurd sight.
The only reason I had stepped forward against the Goblin Scout was because Aleon had advised me to do so.
‘You want me to use Sage’s Senses?’
* Correct. Use Sage’s Senses and focus upon that creature.
Like an obedient student, I immediately followed his instructions.
[Lv 3]
[Goblin Scout]
The goblin’s level and information appeared clearly above its head.
After using Sage’s Senses countless times over the past week, I had already grown accustomed to seeing levels.
* More! Concentrate even harder.
Unlike usual, Aleon ordered me to immerse myself more deeply in Sage’s Senses.
Why?
The question crossed my mind, but Aleon undoubtedly had a reason.
Therefore, I concentrated.
And then concentrated even harder.
FIZZLE!
‘Huh?’
At some point, the area around the goblin’s neck suddenly began glowing red.
A System message appeared at the same time.
[The proficiency of ‘Sage’s Senses’ has increased.]
* You succeeded. Well done!
‘What is this?’
As I blinked, Aleon continued his explanation.
* You are seeing your opponent’s weak point. Strike that red area with Mana Bolt.
My eyes lit up at Aleon’s words.
A weak point?
Was it similar to a Critical Zone?
Good.
Let us do this properly.
I carefully aimed at the approaching Goblin Scout’s neck.
Fire!
WHOOSH!
Mana Bolt tore through the air.
SPLAT!
It struck the Goblin Scout squarely in the throat.
“Gurrrk!”
The goblin collapsed while clutching its neck, releasing a final gurgling cry.
A direct hit.
‘Wow. I killed it in one shot?’
It was astonishing.
I had killed a goblin with a single Common-grade Mana Bolt.
Being able to see an opponent’s Critical Zone meant that I could increase my effective attack power yet again.
Only then did I finally understand the direction of power pursued by the Sage Trait.
‘A single decisive strike.’
Amplify the attack with Sage’s Aura, then strike the opponent’s weak point.
It was the power to erase any enemy with a single blow.
The Sage Trait pursued the principle of killing with one decisive strike.
* That is why I was known as the strongest and most fearsome being on the continent of Pangaea. After becoming the Great Sage, I even annihilated a Demon King who descended upon the continent with a single spell.
Aleon’s shoulders rose subtly beneath my admiration.
* In any case, you did well! The more I observe you, the more exceptional your talent for controlling mana appears. You remind me of myself in the past.
Aleon continued praising me.
In exchange for my pitifully small mana capacity, I had been given an extraordinarily refined degree of control over Magic Power.
That was why I had been able to drive Mana Bolt directly into the goblin’s throat.
“Wow. Your control is incredible. That was amazing.”
Another voice of admiration came from beside me.
Had he said his name was Lee Naksu?
He was an Ascender of the same Magic Type as me.
He was staring at me with open admiration.
Han Suyeon said nothing, but her gaze conveyed the same sentiment.
“H-Ha. You were fortunate. To think you happened to hit the goblin’s vital point.”
Only Park Changwon looked flustered.
His gaze showed that he still refused to acknowledge me.
Good.
Let us see how long you can maintain that expression.
“Let’s continue.”
Leaving the suddenly quiet Park Changwon behind, Han Suyeon took the lead.
“Skree!”
“Skrrrk!”
“Skree, skree!”
More goblins appeared.
This time, there were three.
“Prepare for battle! There are three this time, so I’ll launch the first attack—”
Park Changwon shouted confidently, as though his opportunity had finally arrived.
“Mana Bolt!”
“Fire Bolt.”
Lee Naksu and I manifested our skills simultaneously.
SPLAT!
THUD!
“Gurrrk!”
“Gurk—”
Once again, my Mana Bolt killed a goblin with a single hit.
What surprised me was that Lee Naksu had also killed one instantly.
When I turned toward him with slight surprise, he winked and smiled with his eyes.
* That fellow……
Just as Aleon began to say something while looking at Lee Naksu—
SWISH! SLASH!
Han Suyeon rushed forward before Park Changwon and cleanly slit the carotid artery of the final goblin.
“Wow.”
I could not help admiring Han Suyeon as well.
Her skill was clearly exceptional.
However, what stood out even more were the two daggers in her hands.
I had not noticed while they were still inside their sheaths.
Now that she had drawn them, however, I could tell at a glance that they were extremely expensive weapons.
‘So this is what superior equipment looks like. They’re incredible.’
That was not an exaggeration.
The blades were pitch-black, as though darkness itself rippled across them.
Geometric markings that appeared to be runes were engraved upon their surfaces.
The weapons suited her black tights remarkably well.
“H-Huh?”
When the three of us eliminated all three goblins in an instant, Park Changwon stopped awkwardly in the middle of charging forward with his spear.
The ability of his party members had exceeded common sense, leaving him frozen in place.
“W-What in the……”
He repeatedly opened and closed his mouth, unable to conceal his confusion.
I could not resist saying something.
“Mr. Park Changwon, I think it would be enough if you stood at the front and carefully counted how many goblins appear.”
That was right, Park Changwon.
You could serve as our scout.
That role alone seemed sufficient for you.
The other two were so capable that even without me, there appeared to be no opportunity for Park Changwon to intervene.
“…….”
Park Changwon could not respond.
After that, he could not even look the other party members or me in the eyes.
Seeing a middle-aged man behave that way made me feel somewhat sorry for—
‘—him? Not at all. Why did he provoke an innocent person in the first place?’
I quietly clicked my tongue.
A person should understand whom he was dealing with before picking a fight.
Throughout the dungeon, Park Changwon failed to make a single meaningful contribution and ended up being carried by the rest of us.
In any case, that meant our dungeon expedition proceeded smoothly.
We advanced at a remarkable speed.
My pathetic supply of Magic Power quickly began running low.
However, because Han Suyeon and Lee Naksu could also kill goblins in a single attack, we appeared capable of clearing the dungeon without difficulty.
But……
‘Aleon, why are you so quiet?’
Aleon had remained silent for quite some time.
When I questioned him, he finally spoke.
* That Ascender named Lee Naksu does not appear to be Level 3.
What?
He was not Level 3?
* Correct. Use Sage’s Senses.
At Aleon’s instruction, I looked at Lee Naksu and concentrated.
[Lv 10]
[Lee Naksu]
Sage’s Senses activated.
A puzzling level appeared above Lee Naksu’s head.
‘W-What? Level 10?’
That was the highest level possible on the first floor.
When high-level Ascenders from the upper floors descended to lower floors, their power was reduced.
They could not enter low-floor dungeons at all.
In other words, one of the strongest Ascenders capable of entering a dungeon on the first floor was traveling with us.
‘What is going on?’
I could not understand it.
Why was a Level 10 Ascender doing this here?
No wonder he had defeated the goblins so easily.
Then could Han Suyeon also be hiding something?
I used Sage’s Senses on her as well.
A level appeared above her head.
[Lv 3]
[Han Gain]
‘…….’
Her level was honest.
But her name was different.
It also seemed vaguely familiar.
Could Park Changwon be hiding something too?
I used Sage’s Senses on him as well, but both his name and Level 4 status were genuine.
That left the identities of Han Gain, who had concealed her name, and Lee Naksu, who had concealed his level, deeply suspicious.
‘Did that woman hire a bodyguard with money?’
It was the most reasonable conclusion.
Many Ascenders worked as mercenaries who guarded clients inside dungeons, so it was entirely possible.
‘In any case, I should leave this team after a single run.’
Curiosity killed the cat.
If I followed them merely to satisfy my curiosity, I might become entangled in something beyond my ability to handle.
Therefore, once this expedition ended, I intended to find another team.
We had already entered the cavern containing the Boss Room.
All that remained was to enter the room ahead and defeat the boss.
“What is that?”
However, just before we reached the Boss Room, Han Gain tilted her head and spoke.
Everyone looked in the direction she was staring.
Right beside the Boss Room—
Something small was wriggling in a shadowed corner that was difficult to see.
“T-That is!”
Everyone, including me, shouted.
Why?
Because the creature hiding in the shadows was a Treasure Goblin.
“C-Catch it!”
Everyone’s eyes widened with greed.
Mine were no exception.
When killed, a Treasure Goblin had a chance to drop an enormous amount of wealth.
And it was not limited to money.
It could also drop Legendary equipment, Artifacts, and even Skill Cards.
The estimated probability of a Treasure Goblin appearing inside a Goblin Dungeon was only 0.0001%.
* What extraordinary fortune! Capture it immediately!
Even Aleon reacted that way, so it was only natural that everyone else lost their composure.
“Skree!”
When we rushed toward it, the Treasure Goblin jumped in fright and fled.
Unlike ordinary goblins, it possessed gray skin, making it extremely difficult to see within the dark cavern.
Its speed was also extraordinary.
“It went that way!”
After a prolonged chase, the Treasure Goblin opened a door in an unfamiliar section of the cave and slipped through it.
What was this?
Why was there a door here……?
The question flashed through my mind, but no one had the time to consider it.
We had all grown desperate at the thought that the Treasure Goblin might escape right before our eyes.
“AAAAARGH! Catch it! We have to catch it no matter what!!”
Park Changwon was the most enthusiastic of all.
Foam gathered at the corners of his mouth as he chased after the Treasure Goblin.
Infected by the atmosphere, I refused to fall behind and followed him.
All of us passed through the doorway.
“This place is……”
Beyond the door lay an enormous cavern.
At the far end stood a colossal goblin statue.
“Skree! Skree!”
At some point, the Treasure Goblin had climbed onto the statue’s head.
It began laughing wickedly down at us.
What was wrong with that thing?
Why was it suddenly behaving like that?
Before I could finish the thought, something changed.
HUM—
“……?”
A sudden vibration rang through the cavern.
GRRRRRIND.
The enormous goblin statue began to move.