After the brutal fight with the Giant Toad, Yuuto stayed still for a while, letting his breath even out. His body and mana were fully restored by the level-up, yet his mind still trembled from exhaustion. Facing such a monster alone—no wonder he was drained.
He sighed softly. "Guess I'd better clean this up."
Rising from the cold stone floor, he looked at what remained of his enemy—a mound of foul sludge, all that was left after his Break skill tore it apart. Now came the unglamorous part: salvaging what was valuable. The battle might be over, but his work was not.
"Break."
This time, he cast the skill with care. It wasn't the violent version he used mid-battle, but a precise disassembly—pulling useful elements from the waste one by one. A faint light shimmered across the heap. Impurities vanished. Soon, several objects glimmered in the muck.
[Acquired: Giant Toad Mucus (High Quality)]
[Acquired: Giant Toad Tongue (High Quality)]
[Acquired: Magic Stone (Medium)]
"Good. That should do it," he murmured, sliding the materials into his pack. As he did, he recalled the title he'd earned upon leveling up:
[Title: Giant Killer] — a small stat boost when fighting stronger foes.
A modest bonus, but perfect for someone like him—someone who always fought alone against impossible odds.
He smiled faintly. The rewards were worth the pain. The high-quality mucus and tongue could serve as waterproof, flexible armor materials. And the medium-grade magic stone—so much heavier than the small fragments he'd collected before—would sell for a good price.
This run had paid off.
Yuuto packed everything carefully, movements practiced and efficient. The clumsy novice he once was no longer existed.
When all was done, he looked around the silent cavern. The glowing walls hadn't changed, yet something within him had. He could feel it.
"I've gotten stronger," he thought. Not just in numbers or levels, but inside. The courage to think clearly under pressure. The nerve to face stronger foes. The will to turn loneliness into strength. All of it had been forged here, in this cold underground world.
Was joining a party really the right path? Companions might make battle easier. They could share burdens, divide roles, and guard each other's backs. But didn't that also breed dependency? The thought that someone else would handle things? The risk of losing focus when surrounded by other voices?
He remembered Suzuki's group—how they followed their leader's commands without a spark of their own ideas. If any of them faced the Giant Toad alone, could they have survived?
"I have my own way."
Yuuto reached his answer. Solitude was no weakness—it was his sharpest weapon. Alone, he could gather all information, choose the best tactics, and pour every drop of experience and reward into himself. That was the optimal solution he'd found as a solo explorer.
Of course, danger came with it. One mistake, one moment of bad luck, and he could die with no one to save him. But he understood that risk. He accepted it.
"Just a little more," he whispered. The day's goals were already achieved, yet he wanted to test himself—his new strength, his new confidence.
He left the underground lake and entered a fresh passageway, his steps steady and sure. Goblins ambushed him along the way, but they were no longer a threat. His level-four body moved faster than they could see. He cut them down with calm precision. Every strike of his iron dagger hit deeper now, powered by his boosted strength. His agility made him a blur; his intelligence sharpened every spell.
Battle by battle, Break by Break, his experience grew. The synergy of his titles pushed him beyond the pace of any ordinary party.
"I can do this," he thought. He had once been fired from his job, cast off by society, trapped in despair. But not anymore. Now, he carved his own path—not to please others, not to serve them, but simply to survive on his own terms.
And that, strangely, filled him with peace.
Eventually, Yuuto reached a familiar junction—the way out. He decided to stop there. No overexertion. That, too, was part of a solo explorer's code.
Outside, the low sun stung his eyes. He stretched, feeling the air on his skin. His body was tired, but his heart felt light. The backpack on his shoulders was heavy—the weight of his day's work, the proof of his growth.
Without stopping at the guild, he walked straight toward the station. A faint smile touched his lips. It was the quiet pride of a man who had seized his future with his own hands.