Quest complete! Level Up!

The second 'war' is officially started!

I watched closely as the battle commenced, the Rat King letting out a fierce screech as it faced the mob of at least 30 goblins. Although the Rat King was strong, it struggled against the sheer number of opponents. Surprisingly, it managed to slash down 10 goblins with its sharp claws and powerful tail. This made me realize I had made the right decision not to fight it alone again.

The goblins worked together seamlessly and soon overwhelmed the Rat King. I saw it use its Regeneration ability twice, draining its mana. Now defenseless, its HP steadily dropped under the goblins' relentless assaults. 60HP...50HP...40HP...

Sensing my chance, I readied two daggers in my hands, watching intently. As soon as the Rat King's HP fell to 20, I swiftly threw one dagger, then the other. They sailed through the air with precision.

Swish!

The first dagger pierced its face, dealing 6 damage and producing a sharp clattering sound. Both goblin and Rat King alike were startled. Capitalizing on this distraction, my next dagger found its mark, plunging straight into the Rat King's eye.

[HP: 14/250]

[You have dealt critical damage to Rat King.]

[HP: 0/250]

[Ding!]

[You have killed the Rat King]

[You have gained 500XP]

I'm about to level up again!

Notifications flooded my vision as the Rat King collapsed with a heavy thud. I paid them no mind, stealthily making my way to the stairwell, now emptied of monsters. Thankfully, the goblins didn't see or notice me. They were busy with Rat King's body. Reaching the first floor undetected, I continued directly towards the underground level, focused on my waiting companions.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations!]

[You have leveled up!]

I arrived at the Hallway and decided to check the notifications.

[You are now Level 3]

[Your all stats are increased by 1]

[You have gained free 5 stat points]

[You have gained 2 skill points]

Nice, I leveled up again!

[You have gained 100 Gold Coins]

[You have acquired a Rat King's Essence Core(E)]

[You have acquired Rat King's Crown]

[You have acquired Rat King's Heart]

Oh, the rewards for killing the Rat King are amazing. I was able to get its Essence Core too, and it's an E grade. Although low, it is rare at this moment.

And Rat King's Crown and Heart! I knew my luck would always work. It actually dropped two rare items.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations! Your "Dagger Throw" skill has leveled up: Dagger Throw Lv2.]

Oh, it must have met the requirements, well, it's nice as long as I don't need to use skill points mindlessly.

[Ding!]

[You have completed the Hidden Quest: Rat Exterminator]

Then the quest window appeared.

[Quest description: You have discovered a suspicious number of rats in the train station. Rats are pests that infest the train station. They are dangerous and annoying. They also carry diseases and parasites that can harm humans and animals. You have to kill them and clear the station from their presence.]

[Quest objectives have been completed:

Find their nest

Kill 30 rats

Kill 12 mutated rats

Kill 1 rat king]

[The quest rewards are being prepared...]

[You have gained 100 XP]

[You have acquired 10 stat points]

[You have obtained 1 skill point]

[You have obtained 1 random item, "Poison Steel Dagger"]

Finally! I was waiting for this!

Free 10 stat points and even a Poison Steel Dagger. It will be useful for me since I lost all of my weapons. I couldn't obtain it from goblins because they were engulfed in flame at that time.

[Your skill Stealth's time has ended.]

Oh, it has been already 7 minutes?

I took out the dagger from my inventory and equipped it to my waist. Then I went toward the third room and opened the lock with the keys.

"Big brother!" A beautiful girl with an angelic voice shouted and ran toward me. I sat down and opened my arms wide welcoming the girl, Lucy.

"You weren't scared, right?" I asked as I patted her.

"No," She stepped back and answered. "And are you ok?"

"Of course, I am. You don't know how strong I am." I definitely couldn't appear weak in front of her. "I beat that monster into a pulp. He was so scared of me, you know." Wow, I can't believe I'm lying to look cool.

"OOh!" Her eyes shined as if she was amazed.

"But you shouldn't do anything dangerous, ok?" I needed to be an example to her. "If your opponent is stronger or even equal to you, just flee right away."

"Hmm." She nodded her head. But I guess, she didn't get what I said.

"Thank goodness, you are ok, Leo." Alice, Lucy's mother came over and stood beside her daughter.

"Did nothing happen to you guys?" I asked out of concern.

"Of course, since I am here." Max came out of the room. "I killed two rats you know."

"?" I looked at him in confusion. Oh! Then it hit me. Two rats should have managed to escape before I killed them. They must have come to this room. Dammit! That was careless of me.

"Hmm! I defeated one too!" Lucy also spoke, her voice full of joy. And she looked at me expectantly. Ah! I know those eyes.

"Good girl, you are so brave." I patted her head and took out a coin. "Here, this is for you."

"Oh, shiny!" Lucy's eyes lit up as she held the Gold Coin.

"G-gold?" Alice was dumbfounded. Ah, she doesn't know about it. "N-no we can't accept it."

"Don't worry sis, it is a currency in the game." Thankfully, Max helped me to explain her. "You can obtain them by completing missions and defeating monsters."

"Nice work." I threw a gold coin to him which he catched effortlessly. Guess, my dexterity is working here too.

"Now, then let's go to above. I think I saw the guard that saved you guys." I said as I need to leave them sooner. I managed to take a glimpse of four figures slowly walking out of the Lobby.

"B-but, what about goblins?" Alice asked with a fearful voice. I wonder if she saw something bad.

"Don't worry I cleaned the first floor, there are no monsters there," I reassured her. But I'm sure goblins from the second floor will probably descend to the first floor soon. However, there is no need to tell them about it now.

"Let's go," I said. They nodded and followed behind me with slow steps.

But I had no idea I would soon meet someone familiar as soon as I reach the first floor.