The next day, Alexander woke up once again with the first rays of sun as always. And even though he hadn't slept well, again, he was still a bit anxious about the day ahead.
He then went to get the meat he had left drying by the fire and headed to his observation point near the river.
Alexander didn't have to wait long for the pair of orcs to appear to fetch water and patrol the area.
Using |Appraise|, he confirmed they had the same levels as those patrolling the previous day, Lv. 2 and Lv. 3.
While one of the orcs was fetching water, Alexander saw one of the bushes on the other side of the river sway, and it didn't seem to be the wind. As this was what he was waiting for, he activated |Magical Body Strengthening| and |Run|, and charged towards the river.
The orcs quickly noticed him running towards them and entered the river to do the same.
When they were close to leaving the river, Alexander raised both hands, launched the |Minor Lightning| spells he had concentrated in his hands, and jumped to avoid the electricity that would momentarily spread across the ground.
The orc (Young) Lv. 2 was hit in the chest, but the orc (Young) Lv. 3 tried to dodge. Unfortunately for him, the spell that hit his companion paralyzed him, and the second lightning bolt hit him right in the head.
[1 x {Orc(Young) Lv. 2} slain. – You received 50 XP points]
[1 x {Orc(Young) Lv. 3} slain. – You received 60 XP points]
Alexander didn't stop running even when launching the spells, and so he managed to cross the river at an incredible speed.
Maintaining that speed, it didn't take long to catch up with the goblin, who was staggering away from the bush, and kill it with his spear, which he had tied to his clothes with straps.
[1 x {Goblin Lv. 4} slain. – You received 50 XP points]
Once the goblin was dead, he removed his spear and began searching for other monsters, especially the kobold in charge of fetching water. But even after looking carefully, he didn't see any.
After making sure there were no other monsters nearby, Alexander camouflaged himself well in the foliage and went to the goblin cave.
Upon arriving, he realized the goblins were truly terrified of the orcs, as there weren't even guards at the entrance.
"Truly opportune," thought Alexander as he invaded the goblin cave. "This way I can maintain the element of surprise."
[You entered a dungeon]
[You have two new missions]
Since he received 2 messages indicating he would have to fight more than expected as soon as he entered the cave, he made sure there were no goblins nearby and began to rest to recover.
"Strange. I received messages, but no sound..." This change bothered his thoughts for a while, but he soon began to assign the free attribute points he gained upon leveling up.
[2 points added to Vitality]
[5 points added to Intelligence]
Upon assigning his points, Alexander was once again enveloped by a good sensation and noticed it improved when the (Vitality) attribute gained more points. It was a hard sensation to explain, but it was as if he became more... alive.
"It might be my impression, but the sensation seems to be getting weaker and shorter," he analyzed as soon as the sensation left him.
Feeling much better because of the vitality, mana, stamina, and MP he gained by allocating his points, Alexander opened his mission tab and began checking the information of his new missions.
『 Missions 』
Survive (Part II)
Mission Type: Survival.
Mission Description: Survive for 10 days.
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Rewards: (5000 XP points), (Survivor's Boots), (2 growth points) and (10 free attribute points)
Extra Task: Kill one or more monsters during your survival time.
Rewards for the extra task: (100 XP for each monster slain) and (Reward(s) proportional to your completion evaluation)
Goblin Dungeon (Beginner Dungeon – Small)
Mission Type: Dungeon Conquest
Mission Description: Defeat the boss of the Goblin Dungeon. Time limit: 5 days.
Rewards: (1000 XP points), (1 growth point) and (1 free attribute point)
Extra Task: Kill all monsters in the dungeon.
Reward for the extra task: (75 XP points for each monster slain)
Lost Grove
Mission Type: Extermination
Mission Description: The Lost Grove has spent a long time without anyone conquering its dungeons. Clear at least one. Time limit: 10 days.
Reward(s): Depends on completion evaluation.
Alexander rested for about an hour until he was interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from a deeper part of the dungeon. He then took advantage of the fact that the initial corridor of the dungeon only allowed single file to ambush everyone at the first turn by carefully observing the approach of their shadows along the wall with |Ambush| activated.
When he confirmed they had no way to escape, he positioned himself in front of them, holding his spear at chest height, and charged with all the strength he had.
The first one even tried to dodge, but there was no room for that in that corridor. The one behind was even more unlucky and died without even knowing what was happening.
[2 x {Goblin} Lv. 4 Slain. – You received 100 XP points]
Ding!
[You leveled up. But due to the interference of the special skill |Attribute Control|, all your attribute increases upon leveling up were denied and converted into free attribute points.]
*[+7 free attribute points]*
*[+1 growth point]*
As soon as they died, Alexander removed their bodies from the spear and moved forward until he reached the end of the corridor.
Surprisingly, the corridor led to a wide space, illuminated by some glowing stones and with rocky ground with very low humidity.
While exploring the place, he found some goblins, but they were low-level and unarmed.
Since the highest level one was only Lv.4, Alexander was able to slay them all easily.
Those who were alone, he killed using |Ambush|, and those in groups were slain by a combo of |Water Jet|, to wet them; |Minor Lightning|, to cause damage and paralyze them; and thrusts. In this way, those who didn't die from the lightning were killed with the spear.
[3 x {Goblin} Lv. 1 slain. – You received 75 XP points]
[3 x {Goblin} Lv. 2 slain. – You received 90 XP points]
[2 x {Goblin} Lv. 3 slain. – You received 80 XP points]
[2 x {Goblin} Lv. 4 slain. – You received 100 XP points]
After advancing through that succession of corridors, killing all the goblins in his path, Alexander finally reached a staircase leading to a deeper part of the dungeon.
Finding a staircase didn't surprise him, as this dungeon was very similar to the dungeons described in some Earth books. What really surprised him was what happened to the bodies of the goblins he killed, as shortly after killing the goblins, their bodies began to be absorbed by the dungeon in a silent process he almost didn't notice.
"@#$%!!! Is the dungeon alive?"
Upon lifting the body of one of the goblins, he discovered there was nothing underneath it; even the ground seemed perfectly normal. But even so, the body was partially consumed.
"..." Alexander.
He didn't know what to say or think, as this was completely different from everything he had seen before. It was as if the matter had transformed into some kind of energy and the dungeon was absorbing it.
Not wanting to dwell on this, Alexander sat down next to the staircase to rest and began thinking about how to assign the points he had gained upon leveling up.
After thinking a bit, he concluded it was better to increase the level of the spell |Minor Lightning|, as it was his main attack, and increase his (Intelligence) and (Strength) attributes.
Ding!
[|Minor Lightning (Beginner)| leveled up to |Minor Lightning (Intermediate)|]
[5 points added to Intelligence]
[2 points added to Strength]
Taking advantage of the good feeling that came from assigning his points to clear his mind, Alexander began to rest a bit more relaxed.
About three hours later, he managed to recover almost completely, as the increase in his attributes also increased his recovery, and went down the stairs.
On the lower floor of the dungeon, Alexander found goblins of a higher level than those on the upper floor, but they were slightly less numerous and seemed less "alive."
"Strange. There's no trace of them drinking water here," he analyzed. "Even if the number of goblins is smaller, and carcasses disappear over time, there should be at least some container with water like upstairs, shouldn't there?"
Even though suspicious, Alexander continued clearing the dungeon using the same tactic he used on the upper floor, but this time much more carefully, as he didn't want to attract a very large group at once.
[3 x {Goblin} Lv. 5 slain. – You received 180 XP points]
[3 x {Goblin} Lv. 6 slain. – You received 225 XP points]
[2 x {Goblin} Lv. 7 slain. – You received 180 XP points]
[2 x {Goblin} Lv. 8 slain. – You received 220 XP points]
[1 x {Goblin} Lv. 9 slain. – You received 140 XP points]
Ding!
[You leveled up. But due to the interference of the special skill |Attribute Control|, all your attribute increases upon leveling up were denied and converted into free attribute points.]
*[+7 free attribute points]*
*[+1 growth point]*
Thinking about what to do with the points he received upon leveling up while trying to remove his spear from the body of the last goblin he had killed, Alexander saw, in his peripheral vision, a winding corridor ahead being illuminated by a reddish-yellow glow.
He reflexively raised his spear towards the light, but when he realized the true gravity of the situation, it was too late.
