Recklessly charging in a hunting ground with such a severe level gap was no different from suicide.
Utilizing my superior ranged attack distance to 'Pull' the bastards in one by one from the perimeter was the safest and most surefire standard tactic.
Once I beautifully pulled just one bastard with my arrow, the Griffon and three Goblin Royal Guards waiting behind would take care of the rest, giving it a merciless beatdown.
After setting the goblins to [Escort Mode], I drew my bowstring without hesitation towards an 'Apostle of Oblivion' wandering alone, far from the pack.
Thwack!
I had definitely aimed precisely for the red dot, its weak point, but the arrow ended up lodging in the shoulder blade of the beast as it twisted its body in that split second.
Was it because I missed the vital spot, or because of the whopping 10-level gap?
My arrow, which normally would have pushed the beast away with a heavy recoil upon impact, simply sank in as if sticking into a wall of meat without any knockback effect.
Firmly enraged after being hit by the arrow, the bastard turned its menacing gaze and began to stride towards me.
I calmly stepped backward, completely widening the distance between us so the other monsters nearby wouldn't 'Add' (aggro).
As soon as a perfect 1-on-1 formation was created, I continuously fired arrows and issued the command to advance to the waiting goblins and Griffon.
As the bastard lightly extended its black staff forward, a menacing dark-red magic bullet shot out from the tip like a cannonball.
BOOM!
Just one hit. From that single strike, one-third of a Goblin Royal Guard's health was instantly blown away.
The ignorant damage of a 10-level difference naturally made cold sweat run down my spine.
However, no matter how powerful the magic, there's no prevailing against a group beatdown.
The Griffon and three Goblin Royal Guards, who rushed in like wolves from its blind spot right after its attack, instantly smashed the bastard into the floor and subdued it with a merciless flurry of blows.
[You have acquired Experience Points!]
An unimaginable amount that noticeably filled the EXP bar. It was a completely different rate of increase compared to the meager gains from sharing EXP with party members in same-level hunting grounds.
My overwhelming ranged DPS, reliable guards, and the Griffon created a perfect and cheat-like hunting method.
It was to the point where I felt bitterly resentful and regretful about my past of going on party hunts.
The moment I realized hunting was entirely possible despite the 10-level gap, the corners of my mouth curled up without me knowing.
Using the summons on both sides as meat shields, I endlessly released taut bowstrings.
Unilaterally massacring the monsters of the Ancient City, I began to rake in EXP like crazy.
[You have leveled up.]
[Your stats have increased.]
[You have leveled up.]
[Your stats have increased.]
The cheerful system notification sounds striking my ears one after another.
'Ah, so this is the true joy of storm-like growth.'
Even considering it was the level 30 bracket, thanks to the insane EXP pumping from the 10-level gap, the leveling speed defied imagination.
Watching the rapidly filling EXP bar, I thought anew, 'Kya, this is why I play RPGs,' and the corners of my mouth twitched naturally.
And what about the loot scattered on the floor?
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Valuable, cost-effective items that would sell like hotcakes to players if listed on the auction house right now were pouring out in droves.
I was completely absorbed in the thrill of mindless 'grinding' (shut up and hunt), losing track of time.
However, even amidst the pouring EXP and miscellaneous loot, the 'Rare Necklace' and 'Rare Boots' I was truly eyeing rarely revealed their radiant forms.
Knowing well that the drop rate for blue Rare items was atrocious by nature, I didn't have the thief-like mentality of expecting them to just drop the moment I arrived.
But even though a considerable amount of time had passed, the blue light I had been anticipating so much simply wouldn't catch my eye.
'Damn it, I have to go to that hellish factory again tomorrow. I should stop here and log off for today.'
Succumbing to the pressure of reality, I drew my bowstring with a feeling of regret, thinking I'd catch just one more and log off.
It was the very moment the tautly flown arrow accurately pierced the final bastard's forehead.
Thud!
[Cling-]
Along with a clear metallic sound, the radiant blue pillar of light I had so desperately wished for all night began to spew brilliantly over the corpse of the fallen monster.
"......!"
The brilliant blue pillar of light soaring above the sandy floor!
I ran over like crazy, unable to control my excited heart, and snatched up the radiantly glowing boots.
[Item Information]
? Name: Sand Boots of the Mirage (Rare)
? Defense: 32 ~ 40
? Additional Options: Agility +8 / Movement Speed +7%
? [Unique Effect]: When maintaining a state of not being hit for 5 seconds or more, Movement Speed additionally increases by 5%. (Effect is removed upon being hit)
A conditional movement speed increase of a whopping 12%! For an archer who has to fight while maintaining distance, it was truly a Tier 1 option as necessary as rain during a drought.
[Currently Equipped Item]
? Name: Wind-rider Lightweight Boots (Advanced)
? Defense: 21 ~ 28
? Additional Options: Agility +2
? [Unique Effect]: None
Comparing them to the tattered boots I was currently wearing almost made me scoff.
From defense to stats, and even the unique effect. It was truly the best item with absolutely nothing lacking.
It was a feeling of immense happiness that seemingly washed away the wretched humiliation and fatigue I had suffered at that damn factory.
I had a strong desire to hunt more, but to endure the terrible commute tomorrow, I happily chose to log out at this point.
It was the moment my perfect day, starting with misfortune and ending with the best of luck, came to a close.
The next day.
Thanks to last night's satisfying loot and storm-like growth, I found myself naturally humming a tune even on the hellish commute.
As soon as I arrived at work, I invariably had to face the mug of Vice President Kim Su-cheol acting arrogant with his hands shoved in his pockets, but my insides were as peaceful as could be.
'Phew, yeah. He's always been that kind of bastard. Let it be~.'
Was it the peace of mind brought by a solid spec-up? Overnight, I developed the benevolence to embrace most obnoxious behaviors.
Finishing my day in reality as generous as Buddha, I entrusted my body to the capsule as soon as I got off work.
Upon logging in, the preliminary Wild Field Battles held yesterday had already all ended.
Skimming the guild chat, I could roughly see the results.
It seemed Ian and Jude had gone into a crowded area early on, failed to put up a decent fight, and were eliminated quickly.
Succubus and Kangyu survived until the final stages, but it seemed they were unfortunately eliminated after getting caught up in a chaotic dogfight in the shrinking zone.
[Guild Member] Ian: T_T
[Guild Master] Kangyu: Savior, how did you pass??!
[Guild Member] Savior: Ah, well. I managed to pass somehow.
[Guild Member] Jude: ?!
[Guild Member] Succubus: Congratulations..!
The guild chat, which had been full of whining, flipped out at my single calm reply.
In reality, it was a 'bye via Pass' where I hadn't even gone near those hellish preliminaries, but there was no reason to go around bragging about that.
My own sweet hidden reward obtained by getting the last hit on the Boss monster.
Receiving the shock and congratulations of the guild members all to myself, I resolved to take the truth to my grave.
[Guild Master] Kangyu: Wow, how did you survive that hellish dogfight??;; You're seriously amazing shiver
[Guild Master] Kangyu: Anyway, our guild's sole survivor! Best of luck!
[Guild Member] Ian: As expected! I knew from the first time I saw you that you were extraordinary!
[Guild Member] Succubus: You're really amazing..!
[Guild Member] Jude: Gl
[Guild Member] Savior: Haha, not at all! ......I'll do my best!!
The pouring enthusiastic support of my comrades. A pang of guilt and apologetic feeling washed over me for not being able to confess the truth, but at the same time, a burning resolve ignited deep within my chest.
'I will win no matter what.'
I bit my lip tightly, vowing to stand at the top of that main stage and enjoy the thrill of throwing my resignation letter at that damn factory along with the hefty prize money.
Before I knew it, the promised time passed, and the highly anticipated 64-player main stage announced its grand opening.
Even until the very last second before the summon notification rang, I remained in the
[System: Do you wish to move to the Event Map?]
As the hologram window floated in the air, I lowered my tautly drawn bowstring and gave a short reply in a resolute voice.
"Yes."
Simultaneously with my answer, my body was engulfed in a massive cluster of light.
When the brief blackout cleared and I opened my eyes, I was standing alone inside an unfamiliar waiting room overlooking the arena outside.
Soon after, a panoramic view of the blood-scented arena was projected onto a massive screen, and a system notification window filled my vision.
[System: Greetings. Thank you for your hard work making it to the main stage. We will now explain the rules for the Round of 64 matches.]
The rules were dreadfully simple.
There was no time limit whatsoever.
It was a cruel deathmatch format where two people stepped into the circular arena, and only the one who survived by fighting until one died advanced to the next round.
However, amidst the long explanatory text, there was one fatal phrase that instantly seized my gaze.
[※ Caution: The 'Pet System' cannot be used in the main tournament matches.]