[Heaven-Splitting Cleave]
A pulse of radiant light burst from Jan’s fingertips, splitting open the stone floor with shining cracks that illuminated the cave with a thunderous rumble.
The fissures raced across the ground, knocking several Shade Hoppers off their feet and sending others scattering in panic.
The Eclipse Hare’s fist crashed down an instant later—but not on Jan. Instead, it flattened a cluster of the scrambling creatures.
[Your "Insight" has reached Level 2!]
[Shade Hoppers] x 14
Excitement surged through Jan. His plan had worked—even better than he'd hoped. What had started as a desperate act had turned out to be a success, and now, even victory felt within reach—
But boss fights are never that simple.
A guttural growl tore from the Eclipse Hare. Its body trembled, muscles coiling tight before it suddenly grabbed a boulder from the cave floor and hurled it at Jan with terrifying force.
"Whoa!" He dove aside, barely avoiding the projectile as it smashed into the wall with an explosive crunch. Stone fragments clattered to the ground, dust billowed up, and Jan coughed—eyes narrowing as a Shade Hopper darted through the haze, dagger aimed at his side.
He twisted just in time, but the blade still grazed his cheek, tracing a shallow line of pain.
[-2]
"Now you go on the offensive?" Jan scoffed, swiping at the rabbit. "Good. That makes things easier."
The remaining Shade Hoppers swarmed him, eyes burning with renewed fury as they attacked from all sides.
Their swift movements made dodging difficult. The daggers did only cause minor damage, but the sheer number of strikes stung like a flurry of needles against his skin.
[-2] [-3] [-4] [-2] [-3] [-4] [-2]...
Jan gritted his teeth through the pain. His sword flashed through the air as he focused on one target at a time, parrying where he could and striking back with precise, deliberate blows.
[Shade Hoppers] x 12
[-4] [-2] [-3] [-3] [-3] [-4] [-2] [-3]...
[Shade Hoppers] x 11
[Your Pain Resistance has reached Level 2!]
[-4] [-2] [-3] [-3] [-3] [-4] [-2] [-3]...
[Shade Hoppers] x 10
Another Shade Hopper vanished in a flash of red light as Jan sliced through fur and flesh. Sweat dripped down his brow, and the remaining creatures regrouped, crimson eyes still seething with malice.
Clang—
Jan blocked the nearest rabbit's dagger, the impact vibrating through his arms. As he shoved it back, he barely noticed a faint whistle of air before a shadow fell over him.
'Another rock?!'
Jan dove sideways, rolling clear as the massive boulder slammed down, pulverizing stone into debris. The shockwave sent several Shade Hoppers tumbling through the air.
Crash—
Jan didn't hesitate. Seizing the opportunity, he dashed forward and cut down another rabbit before it could regain its footing. He moved to find a second, but the survivors had already scattered, slipping back into the shadows.
[You have leveled up!]
"Nice!" Jan grinned as a surge of strength coursed through his body. His muscles felt lighter, his movements faster. He knew he was on the path to victory, but time was running out.
[Time Remaining: 30 Minutes!]
'I need to finish this quickly. Maybe I should rush the big guy now that he has fewer defenders.'
As he weighed his options, a faint glow nearby caught his eye.
'Wait... what's that?'
He picked up the glimmering object. A smirk tugged at his lips—it was a Shade Hopper’s dagger.
The perfect size for a throwing knife.
Jan turned back to the remaining rabbits, their red eyes now showing hesitation.
"Let's see how you like it," he muttered, winding his arm back.
Whoosh!!!
The dagger sliced through the air, striking one rabbit clean between the eyes.
[-22]
Jan lunged forward, slashing another Shade Hopper with his sword before retrieving the dagger from his earlier victim. The remaining rabbits shuffled nervously, now too few to mount a confident attack.
That's when another boulder hurtled toward him.
"You know, I'm pretty good at throwing things as well!"
Jan dashed sideways, evading the rock. Without pause, he hurled the dagger toward the Eclipse Hare's middle eye.
Whoosh!!!
[-25]
[Your Throwing Projectile has reached Level 2!]
"AUUUUGHHHH!!!!!!"
The beast's agonized roar echoed through the cavern as it clutched its head, staggering backward with blood pouring from its eye socket. Seizing the opening, Jan sprinted toward it, the remaining Shade Hoppers too afraid to pursue.
His sword gleamed in the dim light as he swung at the beast's leg with all his might.
[-37]
[-42]
[-28]
Blood splattered across the cave floor as the Eclipse Hare roared again, its two remaining eyes blazing with fury as it entered its final phase.
Its movements became faster, more erratic, both fists slamming into the ground with relentless force in a desperate attempt to crush its elusive opponent.
Boom—Boom—Boom—
Jan weaved through the chaos, narrowly dodging each thunderous strike beneath a rain of stone shards. His breath was running thin, but he refused to slow down. Above the beast’s head, its health bar flickered dangerously low—just a few more hits would finish the job.
'Come on… Just a little more!'
But the Eclipse Hare refused to give him an opening, attacking faster and faster, never allowing Jan to have a firm stance. Sweat poured down his face as he waited for the perfect moment—
"Now!"
Without hesitation, he leapt onto its back and drove his sword into its backside—yes, the hare’s bum! It was the safest spot; he couldn’t risk damaging the glowing herbs.
[Critical Hit!]
[-55]
The monster let out a bone-rattling roar, its muscles convulsing beneath Jan’s grip. He readied another strike, but before he could act, the beast reared up and hurled itself backward, slamming its rear against the cave wall in a desperate attempt to crush him.
Rumble—
Jan sprang clear, landing in a crouch as debris clattered from the ceiling. He quickly raised his sword, ready to strike again—
But the beast was gone.
"A-Are you kidding me…?!" Jan gasped, eyes snapping upward.
The Eclipse Hare clung to the high ceiling of the cavern, its fiery red eyes blazing down at him with deadly intent. Jagged cracks formed beneath its claws as it coiled its legs, preparing to launch itself downward.
Jan's breath caught in his throat. If the beast crashed into him from that height, he'd be reduced to a pulp in an instant. His head snapped toward the exit, but—
'Damn it!'
The remaining Shade Hoppers blocked the way, their daggers shining as they stood their ground. Their eyes held no fear—only cold determination to keep him inside the cave.
"They're planning to throw their lives away just to trap me here…!"
Jan's pulse pounded in his ears as he scanned the cave for an escape. The beast wasn't large enough to fill the entire chamber, but the force of its impact would create a shockwave strong enough to crush bones and send him crashing into the walls.
"I have no choice… I have to try it!"
The Eclipse Hare's shadow stretched wider against the ground as the moment of impact approached. Jan sprinted toward the nearest wall, fully determined to succeed.
'If I time it right, the shockwave will launch me clear. I just need the height.'
He reached and kicked off the ground, channeling every ounce of momentum into his leap. His boots scraped against the stone as he pushed upward with everything he had.
BOOM!!!!!!
RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!
"OUUCHHH?!!"
[-10]
Pain flared through his skull as Jan slammed into the ceiling—he was afraid that he couldn't jump high enough, but to his surprise, he found himself clear of the threat with a great margin.
Below, the Eclipse Hare crashed into the ground with devastating force, obliterating the remaining Shade Hoppers in an instant. The impact rippled through the cavern, shaking the walls and sending cracks spiderwebbing across the floor. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring Jan's vision as he clung to the ceiling for a heartbeat longer.
"That's for being mean little bastards!" he cursed down at the fallen rabbits.
As gravity reclaimed him, he angled his body toward the remaining monster. The Eclipse Hare staggered back to its feet and scanned the cave, searching for its prey. But in the chaos, it hadn't noticed Jan above.
'Now's my chance…!'
Jan kicked off the ceiling with all his strength, twisting in midair as he raised his sword above his head. The air rushed past his face, roaring in his ears as he plummeted toward the creature's skull.
BOOM!!!
[Critical Hit!]
[-360]
ROAAAARRRRR!!!!!
The blade drove deep between the creature’s short ears, piercing bone and muscle with a sickening crunch. It let out one final, earth-shaking roar as its legs buckled beneath it. The beast’s body crashed to the ground, shaking the entire cave, and Jan tumbled clear, rolling across the stone floor.
Dust and silence settled over the cave. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then—
[Congratulations! You Killed Your First Boss!]
[Congratulations! You Cleared Your First Dungeon: The Cave of the Shadowed Depths!]
[You have leveled up!]
[You have leveled up!]
[You've reached Level 20. You can now distribute your points!]
[You have leveled up!]
[You have leveled up!]
Jan, who had rolled a short distance away, quickly got to his feet and sprinted toward the back of the dead Eclipse Hare.
[Time Remaining: 14 Minutes]
"I need to get the herbs before the body disappears!"
The herbs still glowed faintly in the darkness, their pale light reflecting off the stone floor. Jan quickly plucked them one by one, not stopping until a window popped up.
[Collect 20 herbs (20/20)]
[Hidden Sub-Mission: Harvest the Eclipse Bloomleaf (Completed)]
"Eclipse Bloomleaf...?!"
These weren’t ordinary Nightshade Bloomleaf that grew in the forest. They were a superior variety called Eclipse Bloomleaf—a rare herb that grew only on the backs of Eclipse Hares. The Shade Hoppers collected regular Nightshade Bloomleaf from the forest, which the Eclipse Hares then fed on, producing this rare and potent herb.
However, Jan did not know any of this, nor did he have time to dwell on the message. He quickly packed the herbs into his backpack and prepared to leave.
[Time Remaining: 10 Minutes]
As he turned to dash off, the Eclipse Hare’s body vanished, leaving three glowing items behind.
"What's this?!"
Jan couldn't resist the urge. He hurried back and scooped them up: 80 gold coins, a dark-bladed sword, and a glowing crimson gem.
Without hesitation, he stuffed them into his backpack and sprinted toward the exit. On his way out, two more daggers caught his eye. He grabbed them quickly, then bolted through the tunnel.
"Note to self: never rush out after fighting such a big monster…" he muttered as he ran.
[Remaining Time: 8 Minutes]
He ran at full speed through the cave, emerging into the forest. His breath came in ragged gasps as the added weight of his loot slowed him down.
[Remaining Time: 4 Minutes]
As he neared the forest's edge, his heart pounded harder when he spotted wolves lurking in the distance.
'I don't have time for this!'
But to his surprise, the wolves fled at the sight of him.
'What the…?'
Pushing the thought aside, he pressed on toward the city, his legs burning from the strain.
[Remaining Time: 2 Minutes]
Thud!
The guild's door flew open as Jan stormed inside, not stopping until he slammed his backpack onto the counter.
Huff... Huff…
Maria stood behind the counter, her smile warm and proud.
"I knew you could do it, hero!"
Huff... Huff...
Jan collapsed to the side.
"Jan!!!" Maria shouted, rushing toward him.
Ring—Ring—
[Mission Completed]
[Congratulations! You've completed your first mission in the guild!]
[Reward: 10G!]
[Congratulations! You've completed the hidden sub-mission!]
[Reward: 1 Level Up!]
[You have leveled up!]
***
"To Jan's first mission—cheers!"
"Yeah!!!"
Rollo and the knights gathered in the center of the inn, raising their drinks high in celebration. The room echoed with the sounds of clinking mugs and hearty laughter.
Jan, who knew there was no real connection between the guild and the knights, couldn't understand why they were celebrating such a mission. But it seemed they were simply looking for any excuse to sing and drink.
"Congrats, brother! Buhahaha!" Rollo roared, downing his entire mug in one go.
'Wow, he's completely wasted...' Jan thought, shaking his head with a small smile.
"I still can't believe you found the Eclipse Bloomleaf on your first mission!" Maria exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"I guess I just got lucky," Jan replied, smiling sheepishly. Even he didn't think it was that big of a deal.
Slam—
"It was indeed just luck!" Sophia suddenly appeared, wearing a maid's apron. She slammed a plate down in front of Jan with a scowl. "Mom made you this. Eat."
"T-Thanks..." Jan mumbled, eyeing the plate as Sophia crossed her arms.
"Enjoying your punishment?" Maria teased with a playful smirk.
"It's not a punishment! I'm just helping out Mom and Dad!!"
"Aunt Erza punished you?" Jan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I said it's not a punish—ugh, whatever!" Sophia huffed, turning to leave.
“Hold on!” Jan called after her.
“What?!” she snapped back.
“I got you something from the Endlesscape.” He pulled out the chestplate armor and the dark-blade sword from his backpack.
“For m…” Sophia’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she quickly masked her embarrassment with a frown. “I don’t want it!”
“I’ll take it!” Maria chimed in instantly.
“No! It’s mine!” Sophia snatched the items from Jan’s hands without hesitation.
“I thought you didn’t want it?” Maria teased with a grin.
“I said I’m taking it!!” Sophia snapped back, hugging the items to her chest.
As the two sisters bickered, Jan found himself lost in thought.
'Now that I’ve finished my first mission and can finally support myself, I should hit the library tomorrow… Maybe finish that—'
Bang—
The inn's door suddenly flew open, crashing against the wall. A knight rushed in, his face pale with panic, eyes wild with fear.
"WAVE ATTACK!!!"