Chapter 5 - Skill Issue

The adventurer who had checked the pulse appeared older, his long white hair and beard giving him a wise and seasoned look. The other three adventurers were the same group members who had previously entered the dungeon to gather information about the newly formed dungeon.

"My son, how did this happen? Which monster dared to do this?" His voice trembled with grief and anger as he questioned, tears flowing unabated from his eyes. The pain of losing his precious son was evident in his faltering voice and the agony that weighed heavily in his heart.

"I asked, which monster? Answer me!" He yelled at the rest of the adventurers, his voice filled with a mixture of grief and fury as he demanded to know which monster had dared to take his son's life.

The other adventurers trembled in fear upon hearing his voice. A chill ran down their spines, and their hair stood on end. None of them dared to speak, the weight of his grief and anger leaving them speechless.

"Magic Missile," Suddenly the elder cast the spell sending it towards the dungeon's ceiling where he sensed a presence.

Bong was hiding in the darkness using his skill Shadow Stealth, but he didn't realize that his skill level was too low for the experienced elder adventurer to detect. The elder was in agony and his hands were shaking. He missed the shot, which only grazed Bong. Filled with fear, Bong panicked and flew as fast as he could to escape from there.

"A bat, so it was a bat," The elder adventurer murmured, finally realizing the source of the disturbance.

"Huff, huff. I could've been a goner... again. One death was enough, thank you very much," Bong muttered, his breath ragged and his whole body quivering at the mere notion of facing another demise.

"Wait, huff, huff, why did I flew off like that? I'm immortal, impervious to death. But, gosh, I'm practically defenseless too. I'm so feeble," Bong muttered to himself, his tone initially confident but then turning somber as he pondered the futility of being immortal in a weak state.

"I must quickly increase my level and skill proficiency. This world is fraught with danger, and I'm far from achieving my goal of ascending to godhood," Bong resolved, fully aware of the obstacles he needed to overcome.

"Ogres are indeed terrifying creatures, just like the one that killed that adventurer. It appears that Ogres also exist in this world," Bong pondered, a shiver coursing down his spine as he recalled the formidable monster responsible for the death of adventurer.

"System, are you receiving my message? Can you provide guidance on how to enhance the proficiency of my skills?" Bong asked, hoping for some helpful advice.

[ALERT]

[Skills require EXP, and you gain skill EXP by practicing the skill until you reach zero mana]

Bong began to focus on increasing the proficiency of his "Shadow Stealth" skill. He wanted to test how long he could maintain the stealth form and improve his skill at the same time.

After one minute.

"I can only sustain it for 1 minute right now. The mana consumption is quite high," Bong observed, a tinge of frustration in his tone as he recognized the current constraints of his skill.

[ALERT]

[Skill exp gained : 10 EXP ]

"How much EXP is required to ascend to the next level?" Bong inquired.

[ALERT]

[Beginner: 0 EXP

Novice: 250 EXP

Apprentice: 800 EXP

Adept: 1500 EXP

Skilled: 2500 EXP

Proficient: 4000 EXP

Expert: 6000 EXP

Masterful: 8500 EXP ]

After watching the exp required to level in proficiency his eyes widen with shock, it requires so much training in skill.

"Bong, buddy, chill out! You were like the superstar of humanity, the last hope and all. This challenge? Pshh, a walk in the park. You scaled that tower like a champ, remember? So, no biggie! Let's rock and roll!" Bong's pep talk to himself was so convincing that he burst into laughter, tears rolling down his cheeks as if he'd just heard the world's funniest joke.

Meanwhile inside the Dungeon, they were roaming for hour inside to find the Ogre who killed his son, but Ogre suddenly disappear and no one able to find him, they killed all the monster inside the dungeon and it's now empty.

"Let's proceed to the Kingdom and inform the Emperor that the dungeon is now cleared. However, we were unable to find the Ogre responsible for my son's death. But I swear, I will find him and take revenge for my son, " The elder adventurer declared with a furious expression and a determined rage in his eyes. His gaze shifted to one of sadness, tears welling in his eyes.

"Strange, where did the Ogre go?" Bong muttered to himself, curiosity flickering in his expression as he observed the adventurers heading toward their kingdom. He maintained a safe distance, employing his 'Sonic Sense' to track their movements.

"Now, let's head into the dungeon. They've already taken care of all the monsters, making it the perfect place for me to train," Bong muttered to himself, a mischievous grin forming on his face as he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Bong entered the dungeon that had been cleared by the adventurers in their pursuit to find the killer of their comrade and someone's son. However, they couldn't locate the Ogre responsible for the death. Bong began his training to increase the proficiency of his skill 'Shadow Stealth.' He believed that mastering this skill would allow him to evade danger while he was still weak, and it would enable him to strike from the shadows like an assassin, aiding him in leveling up further.

After enduring numerous hardships to level up his 'Shadow Stealth' skill, Bong spent days hiding in shadows and practicing to maintain his form. Exhausted and persevering through challenges, he finally achieved an increase in the proficiency of 'Shadow Stealth' from Beginner to Apprentice level.

[ALERT]

[Proficiency of Shadow Stealth Upgraded : Apprentice ]

Meanwhile somewhere in forsaken land.

"I've helped you realize your own power. Now, let's see how far you can go from here," The Ogre said in its lair, transforming into a lady with long hair, red eyes, and an embroidered white dress. A sinister smile played on her lips, accompanied by malevolent eyes.