Among the demons, there were existences that possessed exceptionally outstanding or overwhelming abilities.
Demon Force Commander.
The ones acknowledged by the Demon King of the Demon Realm led the demons and invaded humanity from the front lines. The abilities they displayed were on an entirely different level.
Faced with absolute power that effortlessly surpassed SSS-rank hunters, humanity fell into despair.
During the Demon King's invasion of the world, humanity had only managed to kill two Demon Force Commanders.
'The demon of growth that I defeated last time. That one was also destined to become a Demon Force Commander.'
I had stopped that from happening beforehand. In other words, it could also be said that I had saved the lives of millions of people that thing would have killed.
And now, there might be equipment here that a future Demon Force Commander would have used.
'The undefeated demon.'
It had crossed over into this world long ago and had been pretending to be a hunter. It mixed among humans, created a guild, conquered gates, and collected items.
However, its true identity was a demon targeting this world.
'It was shocking when its identity was revealed.'
That was why it was the most well-known Demon Force Commander among humans. The dungeons it had visited and the items it had acquired had all been studied and investigated.
The heroes had shared such information with one another.
I had heard the information that had leaked out in the form of rumors.
Of course, even without that, this dungeon had been famous.
'It became famous as a D-rank dungeon that no one could enter.'
Yoon Jeongsu would eventually fail to conquer this place and sell it off. After passing through the hands of several guilds, this dungeon would be conquered by the undefeated demon.
That was why I did not know what item was sleeping inside.
'After all, it was just something I heard as a rumor.'
According to the rumors, it was an item the demon had used until the very end. There were many opinions about its true identity. Some said it was a weapon, some said it was a summoned creature, and others said it was equipment.
The hero who returned alive from the battle against the undefeated demon died not long afterward, so the truth disappeared into mystery.
'It's only a D-rank dungeon. Could there really be an item that good?'
Still, it was enough reason to expect a reward.
However, there was one thing that bothered me. The problem was that there were no ordinary monsters here.
It was disappointing after finally defeating the demon of growth and having the Level restriction removed.
'Well, Level also increases from defeating bosses.'
Since my Skill Levels were high, it was worth attempting.
'Then should I start moving again?'
After passing the first checkpoint, I had taken a short rest.
After finishing the ion drink I brought with me, I stood up. Since it was a drink that no longer existed in the ruined world, it tasted incredibly sweet.
After resting, my physical condition was definitely lighter.
I moved my arms and legs to do some warm-up exercises.
'From here on, not only mental attacks but traps will appear as well.'
Since it was a famous dungeon, I knew its structure.
'Who would have thought that constantly reading Monthly Hunter would be this useful.'
Monthly Hunter was the hunter-related magazine I liked. It was an excellent magazine that turned valuable information, difficult to obtain even online, into articles.
Although I was an F-rank hunter, I had diligently collected hunter information for the day I would someday rise.
'Well, I never actually managed to rise until the end.'
Even so, it ended up helping me in this way. It was not meaningless. You really never knew what could happen in life.
I finished my warm-up completely.
'My body is ready. All that's left is breaking through the remaining checkpoints.'
This dungeon consisted of four checkpoints in total. I had just broken through the first one, and now it was the second.
Unfortunately, I did not know the exact locations of the traps.
'The key point of the second checkpoint is arrows.'
I stepped into the next checkpoint. A strange resistance could be felt. It felt as if the weight of the air had become heavier.
I had to endure this mental attack while avoiding the traps.
Whoosh!
The sound of an arrow flying from somewhere and cutting through the air rang vividly in my ears.
『 Skill 'Perception Lv.10' is activated. 』
『 Skill 'Agility Lv.10' is activated. 』
Slash!
I reacted as soon as I saw it, but the arrow brushed past my arm. I avoided it, but my body did not move exactly as I wanted.
『 You are receiving a mental attack. Some of all attributes decrease. 』
『 Skill 'Mental Fortitude Lv.5' is activated to partially defend against the mental attack. 』
Two conflicting messages appeared.
Without the Mental Fortitude Skill, the arrow would have pierced straight through my heart.
'I'll break through like this.'
I continued walking without stopping. Every time I passed certain sections, arrows flew from multiple directions. I calmly focused on listening.
The increased Perception ability affected all five senses. Until now, I had relied too much on my vision.
'If I try to see and dodge, I'll be too late.'
『 Skill 'Perception Lv.10' is activated. 』
'I need to hear and dodge.'
Sound traveled faster than arrows. I had to determine the direction first using that. Seeing came afterward.
The sound of an arrow being fired came from somewhere.
'Left side.'
I immediately turned my body in the opposite direction, and the arrow passed by me.
'This time, right.'
Dodging the arrows was no longer difficult.
『 Skill [ Mental Fortitude Lv.6 ] has been acquired. 』
『 Skill [ Mental Fortitude Lv.7 ] has been acquired. 』
The Mental Fortitude Skill was also gaining a large amount of Experience. As the Level increased, the weight of the surrounding air became lighter. Moving my body became much easier.
Dozens of arrows poured down targeting me, but I was able to avoid every single one without difficulty.
Thud.
That was how I passed the second checkpoint.
The color of the floor, which had been gray, changed to purple. It meant I had moved on to the next checkpoint.
I looked beyond the passage.
'The third checkpoint requires speed.'
The moment someone stepped inside, the walls on both sides would begin closing, and the floor to stand on would disappear one section at a time. The challenger had to run through the path quickly before being crushed.
It was a simple trap, but from the third checkpoint onward, mental interference became much stronger.
I heard that even famous hunters often suffered serious injuries while attempting to conquer this place.
'There's no need to gamble.'
I turned back toward the second checkpoint. I entered that area. Even in the second checkpoint, where the traps had already disappeared, only the mental barrier remained.
The air sank slightly again.
I stood there straight, crossed my arms, and remained completely still.
『 Skill 'Mental Fortitude Lv.7' Experience increases. 』
A smile formed on my lips.
The method for conquering this place was simple.
At least for me.
'Good.'
I only had to wait here until my Level became high enough.
Rumble...
I ran forward without hesitation between the slowly closing walls. Along the way, sections of the floor collapsed or disappeared, but I easily jumped over them.
『 Skill 'Mental Fortitude Lv.9' is activated. 』
When the Mental Fortitude Skill reached Level 9, the mental barrier felt as if it did not exist. Jumping over obstacles and finding places to step on without any interference was too easy for me.
Tap.
I passed the third checkpoint instantly.
Once I completely passed through the checkpoint, the walls that had been tightly closing returned to their original positions.
'Is the next one the final checkpoint?'
This time, purple mist had completely filled the inside of the dungeon. It looked as if it was warning me not to enter any further.
The method to conquer this place was the same as before.
'Easy. Too easy.'
I turned around and accepted the mental burden directly.
I calmly accumulated Experience. The Experience increased by 100,000 times surged instantly.
The walls closed toward me, but I could simply escape whenever I wanted.
Eventually, messages appeared.
『 Skill 'Mental Fortitude Lv.10' has been acquired. 』
『 Skill 'Mental Fortitude Lv.11' has been acquired. 』
『 The 'Mental Fortitude' Skill has reached its maximum Level. 』
'Oh.'
The Experience of the Mental Fortitude Skill filled up in an instant.
Somehow, I had reached Level 11. It was my first Level 11 Skill. The effect was immediately noticeable.
'My body actually feels lighter.'
Even while standing at the checkpoint, I could not feel any mental interference at all. I even felt a refreshing sensation.
I quickly understood the reason.
『 The 'Mental Fortitude' Skill has reached Level 11 and acquired an additional effect. 』
『 From now on, you will not receive negative effects from mental 'magic'. 』
'Complete immunity to mental magic?'
It was an unbelievable effect. I celebrated inwardly.
Skills that reached Level 11 usually received additional effects. The effect granted at that point could differ from person to person.
The additional effect I received was completely broken.
Gulp.
I raised my head and looked forward.
Purple mist filled the inside of the dungeon. Inside that area, even more vicious mental magic than before was probably being used.
A bizarre difficulty level that even S-rank hunters could not withstand.
But now, it was fine. I was immune to mental magic. Curses of dungeons, such as barriers, were also sometimes treated as a type of magic.
'Let's go.'
Without hesitation, I entered the mist.
Fwoosh...
I walked calmly through the blurry mist where I could not see even one step ahead.
'Like the first checkpoint, there are no traps here, but...'
Something flickering in the distance began to take shape. The figure of a dwarf appeared, lying face down on the ground and trembling.
The dwarf, wearing armor that looked like something from a fantasy story, could not overcome his fear and babbled incoherently.
Behind that illusion, a horrifying scene appeared.
Two people swung their swords at each other like mad, scattering blood. They screamed desperately while cutting each other apart.
Someone repeatedly muttered words of regret while stabbing a fallen companion.
Such illusions gradually increased. Dozens of illusions rampaged in madness.
Watching them made me frown. It was practically a vision of hell.
'Are these the memories of people who were swallowed by this dungeon's magic?'
Could it be an image of memories created by the dungeon separately from the magic?
I watched the illusions indifferently. It was a horrific sight, but this was not something that happened in this world.
'Because no one has attempted to conquer this dungeon yet.'
There must be another world. That was something that could be guessed from the existence of demons and gates.
The things happening there probably were not much different either.
The massive rewards of magic stones and items sleeping inside dungeons.
And hunters or adventurers drawn to them like moths to a flame.
Their final memories were vividly engraved here.
This dungeon must have swallowed people in that way.
『 Skill 'Mental Fortitude Lv.11' is activated. 』
『 Negative effects are ignored. 』
The despair and fear of those blocked by the dungeon's magic could be felt vividly. Thinking that such things were still repeating in another world felt bitter in one way.
Fwoosh...
I passed through the illusions and exited the mist. The purple mist seemed to release smoke in regret. Even so, it could not harm me.
'Now, only the boss remains.'
After passing the fourth checkpoint, a wide circular area appeared.
Flickering torches, an eerie atmosphere, and mist.
Beyond it, piles of sparkling magic stones.
In the very center.
There was armor emitting purple mist.
A swordsman covered entirely in black armor. The darkness inside its helmet stared at me.
Clack.
The thing raised its sword.
'The difficulty of this dungeon is abnormal.'
The amount of magical energy observed from outside and its power were not proportional. It was probably affected by demonic energy.
It was the accepted theory that due to the activities of demons existing in the Demon Realm, demonic energy seeped into dungeons and gates.
'Not every abnormal gate or dungeon is like that, but this time, I should assume it is.'
There was no need to worry too much.
No matter how much it was corrupted by demonic energy, its foundation was still a D-rank dungeon. The power of the central boss probably would not exceed C-rank at best. Generously speaking, perhaps upper D-rank.
I took a deep breath and took the Special Blade 'Soul Devourer' from my inventory.
However, the condition of Soul Devourer was strange.
'Huh?'
The chill flowing from Soul Devourer's blade had become much stronger. That alone would not have been noticeable, but black energy was mixed into that chill.
The armored swordsman had still not moved. I quietly checked Soul Devourer's information.
『 Item Information 』
The Attack Power had increased by 3, and one new function had appeared.
『 Soul Devourer: Demonic Energy Devouring 』
Oh.
That meant its Attack Power increased every time it defeated a demon. Since I had only taken it out for the first time after defeating the demon of growth, I had not noticed.
'I didn't know it had such a function.'
That was good. I had another chance to increase my Attack Power after defeating this boss. It was not a demon, but it seemed to have been stained with demonic energy.
The armored swordsman was still standing there, watching me.
'Is it waiting to see me come first?'
Then I'll go first.
I put strength into the foot touching the ground. Immediately, I kicked off the earth and shot forward. The distance between me and the boss closed in an instant.
I thrust out the sword that had been pulled back.
Clang!
However, the next moment, the boss's sword was already touching mine. A numbing shock traveled through the blade.
'Still, if it's sword against sword, there is no reason to retreat.'
『 The effect of Skill 'Swordsmanship Lv.10' is activated. 』
I unleashed a barrage of attacks as if overwhelming it. The wind pressure from my sword scattered the mist released by the boss.
Step by step, the boss began moving backward.
'Now!'
It was the moment I tried to deliver the finishing blow.
Purple mist gathered around the boss's sword like a vortex. A mass of mist emitting an ominous energy beyond anything else.
"!"
BOOOOM!
A crescent-shaped magical energy released from the boss's sword covered me. An indescribable force surged forward and pushed me away. I was swept up in the shockwave and rolled across the floor.
Only after crashing into the wall could I stop.
'Kugh... Why is it this strong?'
Blood seeped into the hand holding Soul Devourer. My entire body hurt as if I had been struck by a hammer. Right now, I had no means of blocking magical attacks.
If I had one, it would be Soul Devourer's Soul Release, but I lacked enough stacks.
『 The effect of Skill 'Toughness Lv.10' is activated. 』
『 You can continue acting even after receiving critical damage. 』
『 Toughness Lv.10 [34%] 』
Thanks to the Toughness Skill, I could still move my body. I clenched my teeth in frustration.
'Damn it. If only I had been a little faster.'
If I had used Straight Slash first, I could have devoured it. It must have noticed that and aimed for the opening created when I attacked.
'Intimidation doesn't work either.'
I had inserted it into my previous attacks, but it did not work. That meant the abilities it possessed were higher than mine.
I was already using every Skill I had.
'If only my Level was higher...'
My current Level was 20.
A Level that had only just reached D-rank.
'This is bad.'
If I had known this was the dungeon I remembered, I would have hunted even one monster beforehand.
Sss...
When I did nothing, the boss raised its sword this time. Purple mist gathered around the blade in an instant.
Once again, crescent-shaped magical energy surged toward me.
BOOOOM!
I barely rolled away and dodged. Since I was already injured, the longer the fight continued, the worse it would become.
'Does that thing not even have a cooldown?'
Without even a moment to catch my breath, its magical attacks continued flying toward me. Since its movements were obvious, dodging was not difficult.
Compared to the missiles fired by the demon of growth last time, avoiding them was simple.
'It's just that I don't have an opening to attack.'
A direct confrontation was too dangerous. Before I could deliver a finishing blow, it would definitely aim for a counter.
Clack.
The boss's movement stopped after repeatedly firing slashes filled with magical energy. It seemed to have learned that its attacks were not hitting me.
However, it did not approach me.
'Boss, are you unable to move from that spot?'
Extremely powerful abilities always came with restrictions.
My guess seemed correct.
The boss remained standing in place and raised its hand.
Swoosh.
With a cold metallic sound, mist gathered.
Ssss...
Soon, small knights appeared before the boss. Knights smaller than the boss itself.
Clack, clack.
There were two in total.
The two subordinate creatures immediately began approaching me. They gave off an intimidating presence, as if they intended to hold me firmly so I could not escape.
'Should I just run away? But it would be such a waste...'
There was also the option of returning after leveling up again. But I could not help feeling regretful.
'Is there really no way?'
I slowly stepped backward.
Tap.
A wall that had appeared at some point collided with my back.
That was when.
A forgotten thought passed through my mind.
'Oh, wait a second.'
Did the monsters summoned by the boss also give Experience?
After combining the knowledge I knew, the answer came quickly.
'Right, definitely...'
Subordinate monsters gave Experience.
『 Level Information 』
And I had still not leveled up yet.
'This is an opportunity.'
A smile appeared at the corners of my mouth as I looked at the two subordinate monsters..