Acquired the Scam Rune in the Academy

Chapter 44: C-grade Holder Promotion (3)

Chapter 44: C-grade Holder Promotion (3)

-Kerk!

-Kerr, kerrrk…!!

Once again, the wailing of goblins resounded.

These annoying creatures.

No matter how many I kill, there seems to be no end to them.

Even if I throw daggers or thrust swords at them.

Even using my fists and feet to beat them…

I was tired, but their numbers didn’t decrease.

Because of that, I couldn’t stick to monotonous attacks.

I had to develop various attack routes to hunt more easily and quickly.

[Arrows hitting right in the middle! Your accuracy with the bow greatly increases.]

[Rune level has increased.]

The first one is [Bow].

I reused the rune which was in a level 1 state.

Though I became a Multi-Holder acquiring various runes, the main combat runes I used so far were limited to [Sword], [Dagger], and [Combat].

They are the most efficient runes against these enemies and the versatile combat tools in the Holder world.

But when facing a large number of enemies, especially C-grade monsters, using [Bow] becomes essential.

“Take them down from a distance.”

Long-range monsters that are a pain to deal with up close.

It’s better to eliminate them first before engaging in close combat.

I had asked Choi Yoo-min in advance about this situation.

I requested her to create not only swords and daggers but also various weapons.

My archery skills, which were initially amateurish, gradually improved as I hunted the relentless goblins.

[Withstanding attacks like a fortress. Your shield skills in blocking enemy attacks are becoming more proficient.]

[Rune level has increased.]

The second one is [Shield].

[Lizard’s Scales] or the derivative skill [Hardening] are good, but they have certain limitations in continuous usage with specific runes and skills.

No matter how sturdy the toughness is.

If you keep getting stabbed and slashed, you’ll eventually take a hit.

“The potion I received from Choi Arin is almost running out…”

So I developed another rune.

[Shield].

The core common rune for warrior-type Holders acting as tanks.

For me, [Shield] was a rune I gained from Hidden Piece in the early days as a Holder.

It allowed me to withstand the relentless attacks of the goblins to some extent.

Although it was slightly inconvenient to switch from wielding a two-handed sword to a one-handed sword due to the shield, I got used to it as dungeons and battles got longer.

[Fast and Ruthless Charge! Your merciless charge will make enemies fall without strength.]

[Rune level has increased.]

[You gain +1 Speed as a rune attribute.]

[Burning fire, fiery flames. Your ability to handle fire becomes even better.]

[Rune level has increased.]

[You gain +1 Magic as a rune attribute.]

Lastly, [Ruthless Charge] and [Fiery Flames].

The growth of runes that I hadn’t used for a while.

As I hunted dungeons alone, without anyone else’s eyes watching, I could freely utilize these runes as well.

The value of the two runes’ usage was beyond my expectations.

“Udududu-!!”

-Kerk?

-Kerrrk!!

[Ruthless Charge] allowed me to ignore physical attacks during the charge, so I could rush into the enemy’s territory without hesitation on the first attack and crush their formation. Using [Sprint] to charge, and [Ruthless Charge] to rush into the enemy line like a bulldozer.

In battles against multiple opponents.

Penetrating the center and collapsing their formation…. It proved to be an advantageous combat strategy.

Roar-!

-Kek, kerrrk…!!

In addition, the use of [Fiery Flames].

Fire attached to my body and various weapons.

Using different weapons in the middle of the enemy’s formation, along with the added power of flames…

The goblins were completely disoriented.

“It should have been impossible originally…”

As a C-grade Holder.

I was diving into the midst of a group of C-grade monsters?

Normally, this would be a risky action that could result in serious injuries.

However, I could do it.

Because I could perform both the roles of a tank and a damage dealer, and my abilities and runes were far superior to regular C-grade Holders.

Moreover, the appropriate use of the mentioned runes was also crucial.

Above all, the power of the Epic Rune [Oppression] was enormous, when facing ‘enemies with lower abilities than me.’ It is a special effect that strengthens the power of a rune Holder.

All the goblins were C-grade monsters with lower abilities than me, so the special effect of [Oppression] was constantly applied.

Therefore, even without exerting much effort, I could hunt easily.

“My arms are getting numb.”

I loosened the muscles that had tightened on my left and right arms.

I fought without giving myself a break.

In addition, the utilization of the runes I hadn’t used in a long time.

It felt like it had been a long time since I experienced muscle soreness.

“Now it seems like it’s all over…”

The annoying sound of ‘kerrrk,’ which I used to hear all the time.

I haven’t heard it in a while.

The countless goblins that were difficult to count are now all taken care of.

What’s left is the boss room, the ‘Chieftain’s House.’

And the boss, the Goblin Chieftain.

If I find him and succeed in the hunt.

The conquest of this dungeon would be complete.

“……!”

After searching for a while.

A wooden house came into view within my sight.

I quickly hid my body from the monsters’ view and concealed myself.

Fortunately, there were plenty of bushes around to provide hiding spots.

‘The Chieftain’s House… It seems to be the right place.’

The wooden house didn’t look ordinary at all.

And a few goblins were guarding the front.

The Chieftain’s house seemed certain since earlier.

‘It’s a boss room with guardian monsters.’

The shape of the boss room varies from dungeon to dungeon.

In the previous underground dungeon of the academy, Grizzly Drake guarded the boss room alone, but there were cases where regular monsters were in charge of guarding the boss room, like now.

Both have their pros and cons, but this time, the disadvantage was that I had to deal with these creatures and the boss at the same time.

I approached slowly, trying to narrow the distance.

Then, to gather some information…

I eavesdropped on the goblins’ conversation by listening carefully.

-Kerk! Kek-ruk?

-Kerr, kerrrk…

Damn.

That’s right.

That damn kerk, kerk.

In other novels, goblins can use human language well, but I can’t understand why these monsters can only make wailing sounds.

I scolded myself for paying attention to such useless things.

‘Forget about information gathering.’

Let’s fight.

I cautiously took out equipment from my magic bag.

The combat style I had been using so far.

It was a preemptive strike using [Bow].

‘Does the bow need to be level 5 for a skill to be available?’

Just like the [Extreme Shot] or [Triple Powershot] from Moon Ga-eun.

I didn’t even want flashy skills like those.

If only [Sharpshooter] were available, it would greatly enhance the usability of [Bow].

The growth of runes and skills is usually related to the Holder’s talent, so I couldn’t be sure when a skill would become available.

Even [Combo], which I gained at level 3 with [Sword], could be gained by an ordinary Holder at level 5, and if someone had little talent, it could be level 7 or even 10… There were Holders who never acquired a lifelong skill.

From that perspective, I, who had already gained seven derivative skills, might be a more talented Holder than I thought, as Professor Kim Myeong-hyun said.

Of course,like [Declaration of Domination] or [Poison Claw], there were special cases where runes and skills were available from the acquisition of runes.

Kikigik-

Feeling a bit tense, I slowly nock an arrow on the bowstring.

The arrow and the string made a unique sound, but the goblins didn’t seem to notice my attack due to the distance.

There were two goblin warriors guarding the front of the house.

Among them, the target of this attack was the one on the left.

I aimed at the head.

If I could hit it accurately…

The battle would start by taking down one of them.

‘Now…!!’

With a taak sound, I drew the bowstring.

At that moment, I realized.

This aim was…The most perfect [Bow] attack in my battles today.

[Bulls-Eye! Your archery with the bow, gains accuracy when drawing the bowstring.]

[Rune level has increased.]

-Kerk, kerrrk!!

Along with the sound of the [Bow], rune level increases.

The goblin on the right jumped around and screamed.

It looked like it was furious because its companion was killed by an arrow.

Without hesitation, I used [Sprint] to rush forward.

[Ruthless Charge].

During the charge, all physical attacks are ignored, and a special effect allows me to push the enemy back twice as strongly as my strength.

The remaining goblin warrior tried to block with its shield, but it couldn’t stop my push, as my strength had reached 70.

-Kerk?!

The goblin warrior was lifted into the air by my push.

I didn’t wait for it to fall to the ground.

While it was still in the air…

I rotated my body, and with my arm outstretched, I delivered a hook punch.

Kwaang-!!

If I could use a volley shot with my elbow, would it feel like this?

My elbow hook, supported by [Combat], turned the goblin’s head and slammed its entire body into the tree.

But it wasn’t over.

“Hup…!!”

A chilling sensation of a blade behind my back.

I could feel the sharpness and the aura of the enemy.

I instantly drew the sword on my back.

I rotated my body to face the sensation.

Kakang-

Chaeaeang!!

My sword clashed with a large axe.

Though there was a considerable difference in strength, it didn’t push me back completely…

I grinned.

“It’s too slow for a surprise attack.”

The last enemy standing in front of me.

A monster that stared at me with a fierce expression.

The boss of this dungeon.

The Goblin Chieftain.