He felt it—something far more dangerous awaited him ahead.
Gripping his dagger tightly, Nyx moved deeper into the dark tunnels.
His footsteps echoed dully against the stone slabs of the floor. The air in the dungeon grew heavier, filled with dampness and something faintly… unpleasant.
He tensed, slowing his pace.
His eyes quickly adjusted to the dim light, but his instincts already warned him—he was not alone.
A narrow tunnel stretched ahead, its walls covered in scratches, as if something frequently passed through here. The distant sound of dripping water disturbed the silence, but… not just that.
Somewhere ahead, a faint rustling reached his ears… barely audible, yet Nyx was sure—it wasn't the wind.
Slowly, he drew his dagger, tightening his grip.
"Alright, let's see what kind of company we have here," he muttered, moving forward carefully, stepping as quietly as possible.
Nyx instantly crouched lower, blending into the shadows along the wall. He held his breath, assessing the situation.
In the dim torchlight ahead, a small group of goblins moved. They weren't in a hurry, but their coordinated movements hinted at a certain level of discipline.
"Two warriors… found themselves some decent armor," he noted mentally, watching their rough but seemingly sturdy leather gear.
Two warriors stood at the front, holding sturdy shields and short swords—a serious obstacle for a frontal assault. Behind them, the archer loomed, his arrows a deadly threat if given a chance to strike. A scout moved slightly to the side, carefully scanning the corridors. The rogue, standing near the archer, looked relaxed, but the sharpness in his eyes betrayed his cunning nature.
Silently, Nyx activated "Scan", focusing on the archer. Instantly, a system window appeared before his eyes:
Goblin Archer (Lv. 4)HP: 80/80Strength: 8Agility: 14Endurance: 9
Skills:• Poisoned Arrows – Each attack inflicts additional poison damage over a few seconds.• Precise Shot – Increases accuracy of ranged attacks.• Quick Volley – Fires two arrows in rapid succession.
Description:The Goblin Archer prefers to keep his distance and attack from afar. He isn't particularly strong in close combat, but his speed and agility allow him to evade attacks. If left unchecked, he can become a serious problem.
───[End of Analysis]───
"The archer could be dangerous if I let him attack. He needs to go first."
Nyx remained hidden in the shadows, carefully evaluating the situation. Five enemies. If he attacked incorrectly, he risked being caught in a barrage of arrows and strikes.
Holding his breath, he tightened his grip on the dagger. The enemies were getting closer, still unaware of the danger lurking in the darkness.
Nyx pressed himself against the cold stone wall, hiding in the thick shadows. His heartbeat remained steady, his breathing slowed. The five goblins continued moving through the tunnel, oblivious to what awaited them.
First step—eliminate the archer.
He stood slightly behind the main group, an arrow ready on his bowstring. If he was given the chance to attack, the battle could become deadly.
Nyx silently slipped out of hiding, gliding between the shadows like a ghost. One swift dash—and he was right behind the archer.
The dagger flashed in the dim torchlight.
The blade silently slid into the goblin's neck. He let out a faint gasp, his bow slipping from his weakening fingers as his body collapsed lifelessly to the floor.
Second step—the scout.
The scout hadn't even realized what had happened to the archer. He glanced around warily, but it was already too late.
Nyx quickly threw his dagger. The blade whistled through the air and struck the scout straight in the chest. He gasped, clutching at the hilt, but his strength was fading fast. Staggering backward, he took one last step before collapsing to the ground, motionless.
Next—the rogue.
Nyx wasted no time. He instantly opened his inventory, pulled out the goblin's heavy battle axe, and charged forward.
The rogue barely managed to draw his dagger, but Nyx was faster.
"Your time is up."
The axe crunched through his shoulder, cutting through flesh and bone. The goblin's scream echoed through the tunnel, but only for a moment—one final swing took his head clean off.
"Two left," Nyx noted, adjusting his grip on the axe.
The goblin warriors charged, their rusty swords glinting in the faint torchlight. Nyx stepped back, analyzing their movements. They were stronger than regular goblins, but slower. He could use that to his advantage.
Nyx quickly bent down and yanked the dagger from the dead scout's chest. The blade was still warm with blood, and he didn't waste time—he threw it at the nearest warrior.
The dagger spun through the air before landing with a sickening thunk right in the goblin's throat.
Only one remained. His eyes darted between the fallen goblins and Nyx, who, covered in blood, was breathing heavily but hadn't lost his fighting stance.
"Come on, then," Nyx taunted, raising the axe and pointing it at his opponent.
The goblin growled, tightening his grip on his rusty sword. He lunged, swinging from the left, but Nyx sidestepped effortlessly. The blade slashed through empty air.
"Too slow," Nyx muttered, countering with a strike of his own.
The goblin tried to block, but the sheer force of the attack sent him stumbling. Nyx didn't give him a chance to recover—he drove his foot into the goblin's stomach, forcing him back, then swung his axe one final time.
The goblin's skull split open as the axe crashed down.
The lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
System Notification:
You killed Goblin Archer! +50 XP
You killed Goblin Rogue! +40 XP
You killed Goblin Scout! +45 XP
You killed Goblin Warrior! +60 XP
You killed Goblin Warrior! +60 XPTotal XP gained: 255[XP: 180/400 → 435/400]
Congratulations! You have leveled up![Level: 3 → 4][XP: 35/600]
You have received 5 automatic stat points and 4 manual stat points.
Choose an additional skill:• Stealth (Passive): Reduces the chance of being detected by enemies.• Dash (Active): Allows for a sudden burst of speed to either close the distance or evade an attack.
Nyx frowned at the system window.
"That's odd…" he muttered. "Weren't there supposed to be three skills?"
Usually, each level-up granted him three skill options, but this time, the system had 4 provided stat points and a single skill choice.
Nyx narrowed his eyes, recalling how he obtained his first skill.
"Scan" had appeared on its own when he focused on analyzing his surroundings. Back then, he had simply tried to assess his enemies, and the system rewarded him for it.
"Throwing" had come to him when he had instinctively hurled a dagger at the scout's chest. That wasn't just a random action—it had been a precise, calculated throw.
"If the system adapts based on my fighting style, then maybe… it doesn't just give me skills randomly, but improves the ones I actually use."
If that were true, then the system wasn't just handing out skills per level—it was adjusting to his personal combat style.
Nyx pondered deeply, analyzing his current battle tendencies.
He glanced at the stat window. Before, each level had given him three skill choices, but now there were only two.
Stealth would help him avoid unnecessary fights, letting him sneak up on enemies and eliminate them quietly. Given his fighting style—precise strikes from the shadows—it would be invaluable.
Dash, on the other hand, would allow him to rapidly close the distance or retreat in dangerous situations. In close combat, that could be a lifesaver, letting him strike in an instant or dodge fatal blows.
You have chosen the skill: Stealth.🔹 Stealth (Passive) – Allows you to blend better with the shadows, reducing the chance of being detected by enemies.
As soon as Nyx confirmed his choice, he felt a subtle shift in his body. His movements became smoother, his footsteps—quieter. He took a few test steps and noticed that even on the stone floor, his feet made barely any sound.
"Useful," he noted with a satisfied smile. "Now ambushes and sneak attacks will be even more effective."
Nyx frowned as he looked at the fallen goblins. He had gained experience, leveled up, even unlocked a new skill… but something didn't add up.
An ordinary enemy should have dropped something.
Running a hand over his face, he recalled the recent battle. When he had killed one of the goblins… he had received a Goblin's Battle Axe.
But why?
That goblin warrior had clearly used the axe in battle. Which meant the system didn't just hand out items randomly—it only left behind what actually belonged to the enemy.
"So, if an enemy has weapons or armor, they can be looted… But items won't just drop for no reason," he muttered.
That made sense now. He glanced over the fallen goblins again, searching for anything valuable.
Nyx stepped forward toward the nearest goblin. The creature had wielded a simple short sword, now lying beside its lifeless body.
He crouched down and reached for it…
System Notification:"You have searched the goblin warrior."Loot obtained:• Rusty Short Sword (Common)Attack: 12-18. A simple, worn-out sword, but still usable in battle.• 5 copper coins
Nyx smirked. Now it was clear—if he wanted loot, he had to search the bodies himself.
System Notification:"You have searched the goblin warrior."Loot obtained:• Sharpened Combat Knife (Uncommon)Attack: 15-22. An improved version of a standard knife, designed for swift attacks.• 7 copper coins
"I see. Just killing them isn't enough. I need to check what's worth taking."
Nyx didn't rush to stand up, his sharp eyes scanning the rest of the goblins. Now that he understood how the loot system worked, searching fallen enemies became second nature.
He moved toward the second body—the goblin scout. This one was lighter than the others, and his clothes were in slightly better condition. Maybe he had something useful.
System Notification: "You have searched the goblin scout. "Loot obtained: • Hunter's Belt (Common)A small belt with several pouches. Allows you to carry extra throwing knives. • 3 copper coins
Nyx raised an eyebrow slightly. Extra throwing knives? That could come in handy.
Next was the goblin rogue. Given his role, he probably carried more money—or maybe something valuable.
System Notification: "You have searched the goblin rogue. "Loot obtained: • Leather Gloves (Common)Durable, comfortable, slightly worn. Slightly reduces damage taken from hand strikes. • 9 copper coins
"Heh, not bad."
He slipped on the gloves, feeling how snugly they fit his hands. They were looted gear, but any extra protection was welcome.
Nyx then turned to the last goblin—the archer.
This one had been the most dangerous of the group, but judging by his equipment, there might be something worth taking. Nyx stepped closer and crouched beside the body.
System Notification: "You have searched the goblin archer. "Loot obtained: • Composite Bow (Uncommon)Attack: 12-18. A lightweight yet sturdy bow with reinforced string tension. • 12 arrows • 5 copper coins
Nyx tested the bow in his hands. It was better than most goblin-crafted junk—sturdy, well-balanced. However, he wasn't skilled in archery yet.
"I'll need to train with this," he muttered, stashing the loot into his inventory.
Final Loot Summary:
• Weapons: Sharpened Combat Knife, Rusty Short Sword, Composite Bow. • Armor: Basic Chainmail, Leather Gloves. • Extras: Hunter's Belt, 12 arrows. • Currency: 29 copper coins.
Nyx mentally summoned his status menu, and a familiar window appeared before his eyes.
Character Status
Name: Nyx Kaiser
Level: 4
HP: 130/150 (+20)
MP: 80/100 (+20)
Attributes:
Strength: 14 (10 + 4)
Agility: 17 (13 + 4)
Endurance: 14 (11 + 3)
Intelligence: 16
Wisdom: 14
Luck: 7
XP: 35/600 Stat Points Available:7 (Can be distributed manually) Currency:29 copper coins
Skills:
Scan (Active) – Allows analysis of targets.
Throwing (Passive) – Increases accuracy and power of thrown weapons.
Inventory (12/1 slots) – Grants access to a personal spatial storage, invisible and inaccessible to others.
Passive Skills:
Cold-Blooded – Grants complete composure when receiving crucial information or in extreme situations.
Danger Sense – Subconsciously detects threats before they manifest.
Stealth (Passive) – Improves blending with shadows, reducing the chance of enemy detection.
Nyx rolled a copper coin between his fingers.
"Money…" he muttered.
Up until now, he hadn't thought much about its purpose. In a dungeon, coins had no real value—monsters didn't accept bribes, and there was nothing to buy.
"Why does the system even give me money?"
As soon as he asked himself this question, a system notification flashed before his eyes:
[System Notification]The shop will unlock at Level 5.
"A shop?" Nyx narrowed his eyes.
Now it made sense why he had been collecting money. That meant at Level 5, he'd gain access to purchasing… what exactly? Equipment? Potions? Information?
"I need to level up faster…" he decided.
Nyx glanced at his system window and frowned.
Inventory (12/1 slots).
"Wait…" he muttered. "Does that mean my inventory is already full?"
He quickly checked his storage. The only occupied slot he had noticed before was the mystery box he had stored earlier. But now, he had gathered multiple items.
"Then why are things still fitting in?"
Either the system was automatically organizing loot using some unknown storage method, or… he had a way to expand his inventory capacity.
"I need to figure this out," he decided, his gaze lingering on his list of gear.
Without hesitation, Nyx pulled out the Rusty Short Sword and tossed it aside. The metal clanged against the stone floor. He reopened his inventory.
Then, he began equipping his new gear.
Basic Chainmail. He expected to feel the weight of the metal rings, but… nothing changed. His clothing remained the same.
Leather Gloves. They, too, vanished as if fusing with his skin.
Hunter's Belt. Even this piece became invisible.
Nyx sighed and activated Scan on himself.
[Equipment: Equipped but not visually displayed. Full defensive effects remain active.]
"Just like Sung Jin-Woo…" he muttered, referencing the hidden gear mechanics he had seen before.
Nyx nodded, closing the system window. Now he knew that his armor worked—but remained unseen.
"I can use this to my advantage," he thought.
If enemies couldn't see his defenses, they might underestimate him or fail to target his weak points. That gave him a tactical edge.
Nyx opened his inventory and examined its contents.
Inventory (12/6 slots):
$5000
Plastic Hammer
Sharpened Combat Knife
Composite Bow
Assassin's Dagger
(Equipped) Basic Chainmail
(Equipped) Leather Gloves
(Equipped) Hunter's Belt
12 arrows
"Six slots filled…" Nyx mused.
"Should I leave something behind? Or find a way to expand capacity?"
He ran his fingers along the Assassin's Dagger and double-checked his gear. Everything seemed in order—so it was time to move forward.