Quest Completed

Carefully scanning the war shadow, Alex could feel that it had become stronger after eating several magic stones. Alex instinctively perceived the danger and became alert. Then the war shadow narrowed the distance in an instant.

Kwaang!

There was a storm in the aftermath of his movements. The ash scattered all over the place and the ground were shaken. It immediately aimed a sharp kick.

"It's fast."

Instantly disappearing from his position, Alex muttered as soon as he appeared a couple of meters away. If not for his sharingan, his perception might not be enough to react to the war shadow's attack.

Even it was a strengthened species, it had significantly less health and defense, but it exerted overwhelming attack power and agility.

Monsters could be divided into the main categories of: attack, defense, support, and balance. While it was possible to classify them in more detail depending on species, attributes, skill, etc, these were just the basics.

This was a good thing. Alex could exert overwhelming attack power, so he found it more comfortable to deal with offensive types compared to defense types. It was possible to take care of the opponent quickly.

His eyes were filled with confidence. But he still remained calm. His head was cold while his chest was hot.

"Phew."

Alex grasped the Splitting Edge tightly and took deep breaths. He waited for a moment. The war shadow stared at Alex, then a red light flashed in its eyes. It made a posture like a sprinter, then quickly narrowed the distance towards Alex.

Alex timed it.

'One. Two. Now!'

It was a perfect timing. As soon as the war shadow ran into his Splitting Edge's attack range, Alex released all his tensed muscles. Wanting to test something, Alex swiftly threw a dagger straight at the war shadow which it easily dodged.

Instantly appearing at the Assassin's Decree, Alex immediately brandished the Splitting Edge slashing the back of the war shadow who was unable to react with Alex's sudden appearance.

*Spurt*

From the head to it's groin, a dagger carved a dark red line along the war shadow's body, knocking it over to its back. As an offensive type monster, the war shadow was aggressive even it shrieked in pain. It didn't learn and aimed for a frontal attack again.

'Now!'

Alex calculated the perfect timing for a counter. He swung the Splitting Edge the moment the war shadow missed it's attack.

Chaaeng!

This time, it was a vertical slash. The heavier blow fell upon the war shadow's shoulders. With his dagger, Alex quickly spun to his right and darted right beneath the monster in front of him. At the same time, he drew another dagger with his left hand holding it in reverse and immediately sliced right in the neck with [Assassinate].

*Spurt*

Blood sprayed upward like a fountain as the dagger severed its jugular vein together with the activation of [Coup de Grace]. Alex then threw the dagger in between the fountain of blood, piercing another war shadow's head then he swiftly cut the waist, neck, and shoulder.

The war shadow was hit repeatedly and let out a strange noise. It paused for a moment before heading directly to him again.

"This is a great timing."

As Alex was about to activate the [Flying Thunder God] to evade, a sudden thought came into his mind.

As he now possessed a strong regeneration ability because of the [Dragon Heart], he found that this was a perfect opportunity to raise his Endurance. As he no longer had to worry about fatal wounds, Alex found that this was plausible so he should refrain from avoiding it's attacks.

Deciding on taking all of it's attacks head on, he prepared to counter. He once again swung Assassin's Decree with proper timing. But this time, there was a completely different result.

The same move no longer worked. The war shadow avoided the attack by moving its upper body the moment Alex struck. Then it moved around the dagger towards Alex's side.

'A fake?'

A chill went down on Alex's spine. A monster is using a trick! Then the war shadow rotated, gathering the centrifugal force before it kicked Alex's chest.

It was just a kick. In other words, a simple blow. Except, that "simple blow" caused some broken bones and but was restored and disappeared without a trace.

'There's no feeling of pain?'

Alex muttered in surprise as even he let the war shadow deal a fatal blow on him, he didn't felt even a tiny bit of pain. To be exact, he felt nothing even he was momentarily wounded.

What Alex didn't knew at this moment that it was because of his [Perfect Status Immunity] that nullifies the abnormal statuses of pain and bleeding. If he didn't have the skill, he might have needed the passive skill [Pain Tolerance] that could be upgraded into [Pain Resistance] which significantly reduced the pain he will feel.

Then Alex fired a Phoenix Sage Fire at the war shadow. 17 ball of flames covered the war shadow's body. But it didn't do much damage. The war shadow surprised him by avoiding 12 of the flames.

[Due to a certain action, the spell 'Phoenix Sage Fire' has been created.]

[Phoenix Sage Fire Lv.1]

Rating: Uncommon

[* Creates a volley of small fireballs, which are sent flying in an unpredictable manner assaulting the enemy. The damage dealt to the enemy is 30% to the caster's magic.

Type: Active

Skill Proficiency: 4.1%

Cooldown Time: 35 Seconds.]

'It's really fast!'

Alex inwardly muttered as the war shadow leapt into the air like a martial artist and evaded. Then it flew above his head and its heel descended which Alex hurriedly defended.

The war shadow let out a deafening roar. His monstrous roar exuded an overwhelming aura. With his sharp instinct, he felt the murderous intent blowing across the lair like a windstorm.

*Swish*

Ignoring the suppressive aura as he wasn't affected even a bit, his sword struck the war shadow.

"Burn it Krausel!"

Alex called out the name he had decided for the Celestial Cat who was hiding itself for an ambush. Immediately turning into it's form of [Celestial Fiery Cat] as soon as it heard his master, waves of red flame appeared from its two paws. The flame scattered down in a fifteen meter radius around the war shadow.

Alex immediately followed up by casting [Grand Fireball]. Making it one of its eyes was destroyed and the burnt skin was festering. The war shadow had serious injuries on the upper half of its body, but it couldn't just stand there crying in pain.

"This strengthened specie is really tough."

Alex muttered as even he had dealt several attacks on the war shadow already, it still haven't fallen. Knowing about this, Alex wondered how many magic stones it had eaten for it to become this durable.

Suddenly, a powerful killing intent filled and suppressed the air. The war shadow also flinched in response. It perceived great danger from the black energy around Alex's dagger.

For it who have slayed many adventurers already, it now knew how dangerous the weapons used by the adventurers. The dagger in Alex's right hand resembled lightning as it swiftly stabbed towards the back of his victim.

By the time war shadow wanted to react, it was too late. Alex's dagger had already arrived, penetrating deeply into it's back.

*Shlink! Splurt!*

The dagger easily cut into the war shadow, as blood splurted while the [Coup de Grace] was triggered again allowing Alex to deal a deadly critical strike.

Alex pushed his dagger deep into war shadow's throat and put an end to it's life.

"Vital Strike!"

Alex's dagger seemed to carry a cold glint as it streaked through the air, slitting the war shadow's throat.

"Between humans and monsters, it's only kill or be killed."

It's eyes were filled with disbelief as if he had seen a ghost.「Thud.」 The war shadow's body collapsed onto the floor.

[War Shadow Hunter Quest: Completed.]

[You have received 100 points.]

[You have received 1 skill point.]

As Alex was intently watching the system panels in front of him, messages appeared which pleasantly surprised Alex.

[A growth of Splitting Edge has been completed!]

[Splitting Edge has grown from normal to uncommon rating!]

[The information about Splitting Edge has been updated.]

Without hesitation, Alex immediately looked at the updated information of his sword with clear enthusiasm in his eyes.

[Splitting Edge]

Rating: Uncommon (Growth)

[Durability: 29/45 Attack Power: 42~50

* The damage of slashing attacks will increase by 40%.

* Releases flames explosion unconditionally when attacking.

* One option is added every time the rating increases.

A short sword made by a Legendary Blacksmith with skills and a commitment beyond human limitations. A blade of steel that was hammered more than million times in a short period of time, it is beyond ideal and has a divine power.

However, it is limited by the typical form, causing its power to be sealed. It will gradually find the right form and release its true strength in the process of being cut, hit and reworked.

Restriction: None.]

It has become a smooth and sharp sword that is red from the handle to the blade. Occasionally swinging it, The sword leaves a dazzling visual effects of red afterimages when used.

After calming himself, Alex now noticed that the tough war shadow he had been fighting with was the quest target all along. He breathed in relief that he had fought against it after having the system as it made things easier for him.

Happily accepting the quest rewards, Alex decided to continue adventuring in the dungeon and moved forward to the eighth floor. Looking at the magic stones on the ground, Alex knew that the stones were from the monsters who were caught up from the recent battle.

Humans and monsters had to kill each other. And once again, he had been made painfully aware that this place was where the weak get eaten by the strong. Just like his initial intention, Alex aimed to have atleast the sufficient strength that he wouldn't be suppressed and violated by anyone.