Chapter 2

-Flashback-

System: Player has discovered, The Lost Islands. Activated Hidden Quest "Past Glory". Temporarily disabled player's communications to the outside world. Unable to leave the map until Quest is completed.

"Here we go."

-Flashback end-

"Ok, first things first, time to think of what happens. First off, we gotta explore and find the elderly man who will give us the test. And I'm guessing since my abilities aren't part of the game, I should be able to pass as a level 3 player. Once found I get the test, choose Hell, and clear it… Sounds good. Lets go." Enzo said to himself as he sent out everyone to go look.

***

After about an hour and a half, they had finally found the central tower of the city. Recalling all his soldiers, he made his way inside and looked around once he reached the top, until he heard the voice of an older man behind him.

"Hello there young adventurer. Welcome to the City in The Sky." Said the white-bearded old man.

"Hello, Respectful Elder. I'm sorry if I have disturbed you." Enzo said.

"Nonsense, it is I that did the disturbing. Say, are you here to get stronger?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. I have come looking for a challenge to increase my strength. Do you by chance have anything you need help with?" Enzo replied with another question.

"Help? No, but I do have something for you to challenge, what do you say? Are you in for a challenge?" He said.

"Can Respectful Elder explain the parameters of said challenge?" Enzo asked.

"It's simple. All you have to do is pass my test. There are three test you could take and three different types of rewards. The normal difficulty, Hard difficulty, and Hell difficulty. Each test gives out a treasure chest which are in order from Mysterious-Iron, Secret-Silver, and Fine-Gold. The hard and hell difficulty also have the ability to grant you additional awards based on your performance. So, which do you choose." He asked.

"I choose Hell difficulty, Respectful Elder." Enzo said without a moment of hesitation.

"Hahaha, I like your enthusiasm, but don't forget that courage could very well lead to your death." The elderly man said before he disappeared.

System: Quest, "Past Glory" accepted. Face off against 1000 monsters of the same level. Considered passed after killing 500 monsters. Time limit 4 hours. Quest Penalty- all Attributes permanently reduced by 10 points.

'Alright, get ready men. Let's show them what we got.' Enzo said as he glanced out the observatory, staring at 1000 monsters all level 3s.

[Specter Warrior] (Common Monster)

Level 3

HP 245

"Everyone out. Cross, start firing spells. Shrews, get ready to tank. Rock Giants, get ready to jump down there, make sure to use as much of your body. Essentially making a star when you're about to land in order to injure or kill as many of them as you can. Go!", Enzo commanded.

And so, everyone did what they were told. All 25 of the Rock Giants jumped down there, dealing huge amounts of damage. Some even killed a few. Cross was firing spells after spells and Shrews was protecting the main way up, which was the stairwell, with the help of the wovles.

To finish this even faster, Enzo also jumped down using 'Gravity Liberation'. As he touched the ground he activated Monarchs Domain, buffing the Rock Giants. After that he activated Stealth and began his attack.

***

After a couple of seconds 300 [Specter Warriors] had been killed. That number was about to increase as well, since Cross had now ran out of MP, so he was forced to attack with his claws.

"What the hell am I thinking?!", Enzo said to himself as he looked around at the amount of, to be, shadow soldiers. He had been too immersed in the battle that he forgot he could raise the dead.

"Awaken!", He said as he gained 300 new Shadow Soldiers.

***

After about 10 minutes, Enzo had begun to recall all his soldiers in order to gain more battle experience. He had gained the experience from Sung Jinwoo, who experienced great and hard fights twice as he was 'reborn', but Enzo still didn't necessarily have the muscle memory. Plus he needed to reach the refinement realm in order to actually achieve something in this world.

After a few seconds of massacring the remaining [Specter Warriors]. Enzo had finished and he had been teleported back up to the top of the tower where the old man was waiting.

"Congratulations, young one. You have thoroughly impressed me. Now as agreed.", He said before taking out a few items.

System: Quest "Past Glory" completed. Rewarding 1 Fine-Gold Treasure Chest, 1 Magic Weapon (Job-Related). Obtained title "Might Of A Thousand".

[Might Of A Thousand] (Title)

When this title is in use, allies in a 50- yard radius will receive an attribute increase of 15%. Simultaneously, title user will obtain an additional +5 Strength and +5 Endurance.

"Now, with your rewards being given, you can go now.", Said the old man before a flash of bright white filled Enzo's Vision.

***

After a few seconds, Enzo opened his eyes and saw that he was once again at the peak of the mountain.

"Well let's open the chest here since it'll most likely attract attention if I go anywhere near the town.", Enzo said as he took out the Treasure chest.

Clicking to open it. Waiting about 5 seconds for it to begin opening, a bright light suddenly shone in the sky as the chest had actually opened this time. And like in the novel, the [Book of Forging] and [Records of Potions] had appeared, as well as a piece of armor which Enzo could care less for.

More than likely because aside from providing extra attributes and skills, it didn't do anything else. Plus he much rather use his skills, which he still hasn't done. Unless of course something like [Parry] popped up.

"Okay, let's get going. We need to make our way back and put some stuff for auction. Oh, actually I almost forgot about my Magic weapon. Shi Feng would've gotten the Abyssal Blade, what did I get.", Enzo asked as he clicked to see the information on the Magic Weapon.

[Sword of Shadows] (Magic Weapon)

Job requirement: Shadow Monarch

Do you wish to bind the equipment?

"Sounds cool, but I don't remember there being an actual Shadow Monarch class in the game. Let's just keep it for now. If I decide I just want to make a blade I will. Let's go get this Forging Talent, or Forging something. Where the hell was it? Dark Moon something.", Enzo said as he looked through the System's features.

***

In another part of God's Domain.

Shi Feng had finally gotten the necessary things to go grind monsters. Due to him not getting the [Ring of Gravity] he had to change his plans. But he still managed to earn some money to buy some explosive berries, smoke bombs, and some food for HP and water for MP. He had told Blackie, his best friend to come over to him so that they can both level up.

***

"Hi there sir, what may I help you with?" Asked a female receptionist.

"I want to put these items up for bidding." Enzo replied to her as he took out the equipment he had earned on his journey.

"Ok, we'll notify you right away when the items have been purchased, but please note, the Auction House will keep 5% of profits earned through sales, will that be okay?" She asked.

"Yes." Enzo said.

"Thank you, sir. Have a good day." She said as she saw Enzo leave.

'Okay, Shi Feng should more than likely be heading towards Dark Moon Valley. That or he's probably making his way to Shrews cave in order to kill some Rock Giants. I highly doubt these little set backs can really do anything to him. It shouldn't matter anyways, let's just head there anyways.' Enzo said as he bought a few things before leaving the Town.

***

After one and a half hour, Enzo had finally reached his destination. He had kept Stealth active every now and then so that he could make it here without any disturbances. And he had been right in doing so because he saw Shi Feng and Blackie fighting some monsters on the way here.

"Ding!" "Ding!" "Ding!"

As Enzo got closer to Dark Moon Valley, he started approaching a smithy next to a river. There, one could see and hear a blacksmith hitting something over and over with his hammer.

In order to get this Hidden Quest one had to watch the Blacksmith quietly and patiently. And then once a certain amount of time had passed, the Blacksmith would talk to the player, giving them a hidden quest in return.

And so, that's exactly what Enzo did. He stood there, watching the Blacksmith hammer over and over. If he was being perfectly honest, it was honestly peaceful, given the scenery was rather serene. Just like that, 10 minutes or so had passed before the Forger started speaking.

"Do you have an interest in forging?" He asked Enzo.

"Yes sir. I've loved Forging since young. It has always fascinated me." Enzo said.

"Then since you love Forging, I can teach it to you. First, you need to help me collect 100 pieces of Meteorite ore. It can be found on the West side of the Crimson Star Mine." He said.

"I would be honored sir." Enzo said.

System: Hidden Quest "Road Of Forging" accepted. Player is requested by Forging Master Jack to obtain 100 pieces of Meteorite ore from Crimson Star Mine.

'Nice.' Said Enzo as he looked over the details of the quest.

"Let's get going then." Enzo said as he started running towards the mine.

***

After arriving at the Crimson Star Mine, Enzo saw many level 4 Kobolds. They all had 420 HP and there was 20 of them in the entrance alone.

"Come out." Enzo called out to his shadow army. After he did, a group of 1000+ shadow soldiers appeared. Their sizes, health, and power varying between each monster race.

"Attack!" Enzo yelled as he activated his Title and his Monarch's Domain skill boosting the army's strength and defense by a lot. Very soon after, the Kobolds had all died becoming new shadow soldiers for Enzo. He now had 1,050 soldiers.

And like this, he continued on for a total of 10 minutes before he reached the main Kobold Camp.

On his way here he managed to kill 94 level 4 Kobolds, which made his total summon amount 1,144. With these Kobolds death, came a ton of loot ranging from different pieces of ore, bronze coins, and all the meteorite ore he needed for the Quest. He had also leveled up to level 4 with 58% til level 5.

So without loitering around he sprinted back to Master Jack.

***

"Here you go, Master Jack." Enzo said as he gave all the ore to Master Jack after he got back.

"Not bad, young man. However, if you wish to become an outstanding Forger, you still need to have enough strength to obtain precious ore. There is a powerful Kobold Chieftain. Go kill it to prove your strength." Master Jack said.

After Master Jack finished speaking, the System updated the quest and it basically said to defeat the Chieftain within an hour to complete the quest.

***

After arriving at the location he noticed the levels of the Kobolds around him. The original Level 4 Kobolds had now been replaced by level 5 Kobolds each one having above 480 HP. And the Kobold Chieftain who was a Chieftain rank monster had 2100 HP.

[Kobold Chieftain] (Chieftain-rank)

Level 5

HP 2100/2100

This creature here was the equivalent of a dungeon boss, so they were incredibly strong. But Enzo had the confidence to take him on because of Shrews and Cross. Those two alone could deal a lot of damage.

"Alright everyone pay attention. The Rock Giants will lead our army. Specter Warriors, you guys will be apart of the front line aswell. Cross and Shrews, you guys will be summoned when I reach the Kobold Chieftain, so as soon as you are summoned be prepared. Kobolds, you guys will assist the Rock Giants. Everyone get ready!"

"Now!"

Enzo said as he told them his plan of attack. Once they received the word they started putting it into motion. And Enzo had activated Stealth and started sneaking into the camp. Making his way through the alerted Kobolds. As soon as he reached approximately 5 meters of the Kobold Chieftain, he summoned Cross and Shrews. After the both of them appeared, the Kobold Chieftain's aggro was pulled towards them.

Mutilate!

As the duo began the 2 v 1. Enzo who had been waiting for an opportunity to strike finally found one. He instantly used his strongest skill which tore through the Chieftain's HP.

Each attack would cause a bleed affect that would cause -36 damage for 3 seconds. And every attack would cause -28 or -56 if it was a crit.

Noticing the human behind him, the chieftain turned its whole body as it swiped its giant ax at Enzo. But he was ready and blocked it. Although he had blocked it, he was thrown 10 meters away. But, very soon after, Enzo was once again striking at it's behind. With Enzo's high DPS, not to mention Cross' who was doing -103 for every regular attack and -206 for a crit, the Kobold Chieftain who had 2100 HP was now dead. With its death, the System started announcing something.

System: Level 5 Kobold Chieftain killed. Level difference of 1. EXP obtained increased by 100%. Obtained EXP 1500.

System: Congratulations for becoming the first player to kill a Chieftain monster. Kobold Chieftain's item drop increased by 200%. Reputation in Star-Moon Kingdom increased by 10 points.

After the System's alerts, the Chieftains body exploded before a pile of loot was scattered around the area. From skillbooks, armor pieces, weapons, materials, and bronze coins. Having seen them, Enzo went to pick them up and then congratulated his soldiers.

"Great job everyone. Time to go back." Said Enzo to the shadow soldiers.

With everyone back inside his shadow, he started extracting all the dead Kobolds shadows.

He had gained quite a lot. From 1,144 to 1,165. Plus most of the new ones were level 5.

With everything in the Mine finished he made his way out of it and headed towards Master Jack.

***

"Master Jack, I have come back from a victorious battle. Here is the skull of the Chieftain Kobold." Enzo said.

"Not bad, young man. It seems you do have the right to inherit my forging skills." He said.

System: Hidden Quest "Road of Forging" completed. Player has learned Forging. Player has become a Basic Forging Apprentice. Player has obtained the Forging Talent, 'Forging Genius'. Rewarding 10 pieces of [Hundred Refinement Steel].

[Forging Genius]

After a successful forging, there is a fixed chance to increase 2 proficiency points

'Nice, with this I can see how fast my Forging goes. If needed I'll just create my own version of it. I guess it's time to go do a dungeon. Shi Feng should be interested in the Deathly Forest, or at least he would've been. I'll go there, do the hell mode, complete it, and then see if I can acquire that certain item.' Thought Enzo as he began making his way to Deathly Forest. Which at the current moment was a pretty popular place due to a dungeon being located there.

***

"Group of 4, looking for a good level DPS, must have one piece of common armor."

"Group of 5 looking for level 2's or above. Must have 1 piece of bronze armor."

As Enzo appeared in Deathly Forest, he saw many people advertising for others to join their parties. Many people were also just watching the chaos.

***

And like that Enzo was now at the entrance of the Dungeon, which prompted the system to say-

System: Please select activation difficulty.

System: Normal, Hard, or Hell.

"Hell." Enzo said as he was teleported into the dungeon. A single man, nothing like a dose of reminder of what was once a regular for Sung Jin-woo.

System: You have chosen "Hell" difficulty. Death penalty increased by 100%.

***

"What! Did you guys just see that? He entered the dungeon alone."

"What is that guy's problem."

Is what the people outside said as they looked at Enzo disappearing.