Ting!
[Quest: Defeat 200 Goblins + Goblin King/Shaman Mage]
Progress: 0/200
I exhaled. "Time to go."
A roar echoed through the cavern.
Raaaar!!
Goblins rushed at me from every direction.
I tightened my grip and slashed.
Swoosh—Slash!
A spray of mana cut through the first wave.
Ting! [Goblin defeated.]
"Mana Technique: Mana Slash!"
A sharp blade of mana shot from my dagger, ripping through the approaching horde.
Boom!
Ting! +20 defeated.
My mana was dropping fast, but stopping meant death.
"Attack… no, wait…"
An idea sparked.
"I'll create a skill—Dagger Rush!"
I infused my dagger with mana. When I swung, the energy extended outward like a crescent slash, sweeping through the goblins.
More of them fell. Goblins were the weakest monster species—easy alone, terrifying in groups.
The ground trembled.
Clang! Boom!
A blast erupted beneath me—an underground goblin trying to ambush.
"I can't kill it underground… but I can break the ground!"
"Mana Technique: Giant Mana Slash!"
BOOM.
The cavern shook. After nearly two hours of constant fighting, goblin bodies lay scattered around the cave. My breath was heavy, my arms trembling.
"Phew… that hurts…"
Ting!
[199/200]
A roar exploded behind me.
RAAAAR!
It appeared—the Goblin King/Shaman Mage.
A hybrid monster known for endless fireballs. Once it started casting, after one minute the barrage wouldn't stop until its mana was empty.
"This is bad… If I don't end it fast, I'm cooked."
I pushed everything I had into one final move.
"Mana Technique: Explosion Burst!"
My mana ignited, launching me forward like a shot. The King's barrier shattered instantly.
I pierced through its chest, grabbing the mineral core as the light in its eyes faded.
Ting!
[Quest Completed!]
Rewards:
Skill: Mana Claw
Item: Paralysis Dagger (Forged from Goblin King/Shaman Mage remains. Activates paralysis when it draws blood.)
---
City of Seoul — Later
I stepped into the apartment.
"Big brother, you're back!" Somi ran out with a bright smile.
"Yeah, Somi. I'm home."
"How was the raid?"
"It was… just right."
She tilted her head. "So I guess that means you came back early because of that work? You know, the assignment?"
"Oh—right. What was the question again?"
"What does being a leader mean… and what benefits come from being one?"
I knelt down so we were eye-level.
"A leader helps people," I said gently. "A good leader earns respect, trust, and loyalty. But most importantly… a real leader is someone who's willing to sacrifice for others' safety."
Somi nodded slowly, absorbing every word.
"Thanks, big brother. You're the best."
---