Level Up with Skills - Chapter 21

Chapter 21 

The Final Boss (1)

TL: handCream

PR: Kasaix

Tae-san had no intention of using such a strategy.

Just to fill the room with oil, for that amount,he would have to stay another two days here. And there was also the immense loss of money. Not to mention the advantages of killing the boss, gave the most reward.

So, he would use his brute strength.

Firstly, he needed to check the space.

It was a room about the size of two playgrounds.

It had plenty of room to run away.

The distance to the Giant Rat was about 150m.

Tae-san jumped.

First of all, he needed to widen the distance between them.

Tae-san kicked his feet.

Giant Rat screamed and followed behind him.

“Squeak! Squeak!”

Running away, Tae-san glanced at the Giant Rat.

Although it was waddling, its speed wasn’t slow.

As it was the upgraded version of Big Rat, his speed was quite fast.

However, it didn’t make much difference for Tae-san. Seeing that the Giant Rat was taking quite a lot of time to narrow the distance.

“Good, just as I expected.”

Tae-san turned around. He put the Heavy Tower Shield back into his inventory and pulled out the Wand of Flames. The tip of the wand shone red.

[You have activated the skill Fire-Ball]

Crackle.

Flames arise at the tip of the wand. A fire the size of a baseball is shot at the Giant Rat.

Whoosh!

[14 damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

“Squeak! Squeak!”

Giant Rat cried out in pain. The beady red eyes were filled with anger. But Tae-san didn’t care. Rather, there was something he had to check.

[Checking for burn…］

[Successfully passed. Giant Rat was afflicted with status condition burn]

‘Okay.’

Burn inflicted damage. The effect was simple. Every 10 seconds the target is dealt 1 damage. The duration of the effect basically lasted 10 minutes.

In the initial stages, the damage being 1 per 10 seconds was an appropriate amount. He was going to risk his health by firing two or three more times, but he was fortunate enough that it worked on the first try itself. Thanks to that, he was able to save a lot of Mana.

‘So, next…’

It wasn’t over just yet. Tae-san put back his wand and took out his bow. Before entering, he acquired the Archery Skill by killing a few Big Rats, which was integrated to Ahirak’s Weapons Technique. Though unified, the skill itself did not disappear, so he wouldn’t have any problem shooting arrows.

Tae-san took out a poisonous arrow and placed it on the bow.

Then he pulled it very tightly.

He let go of his hand as soon as he saw the Giant Rat wobbling around.

Swoosh.

“Squeak! squeak!

[7 damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

[Checking for poison…］

[Judgement Failed! Giant Rat didn’t take any damage]

It was within his expectations.

Tae-san began to run away again without any panic. It was normal to try several times. He would have been more in shocked if he were to succeed immediately at the first time again.

Tae-san while running away pulled out another arrow. This time it was a paralyzing arrow.

Swoosh!

[8 damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

[The target is paralyzed. The target can’t move for 10 seconds or until your next attack]

“Squeak! Squeak!”

Giant Rat stopped like a machine.

Its beady red eyes were confused. Tae-san shortened the distance between them and shot again.

[8 damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

[Checking for poison…]

[Successfully Passed!]

[Giant Rat was afflicted with status condition poison]

Poison inflicted damage. Just like with Burn its was simple. Every 10 seconds the target is dealt 1 damage, lasting for 10 minutes. Damage and duration increased depending on the level and skill, but right now Tae-san couldn’t do anything about it. So, these skills were set to the basic duration.

“Squeak! Squeak!”

In an instant, the Giant Rat with two major damages burst into tears of anger. Tae-san pulled out another arrow without panicking. It was another paralysing arrow.

[7 damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

[The target is paralyzed. The target can’t move for 10 seconds or until your next attack]

There was a distance between Giant Rat and Tae-san, but it wasn’t enough for him to stop just to make the monster paralyse. He put his bow bacl in his inventory to pull out his shield. He then rushed towards the Giant Rat, who couldn’t move, holding the shield with both his hands.

Whoo~

“Squeak!”

[Giant Rat is neutralised. Damage is greater]

[13 damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

The shield pushed the Giant Rat. With the force from the shield, the paralysis was also lifted at the same time. But thanks to the shock from the shield, the Giant Rat lost his balance and faltered from the shock again.

Tae-san didn’t just stop there. He wasn’t going to miss this perfect opportunity. He opened his inventory and pulled out his bow once again.

Prick!

“Squeak!”

Giant Rat was paralyzed. He again hit the monster with his shield.

Twack!

Pulled out another arrow.

He shot another paralysing arrow then proceeded to hit the monster with his shield. Again shoot it with the paralysing arrow. He repeated this process endlessly. The Giant Rat had no choice but to become the plaything of Tae-san.

“Just as I expected.”

Tae-san thought as he pulled his bow.

Both the paralyze and poison arrows were expensive. It was hard to find them on the first floor because each one costed around 30 gold. Thanks to the trap from the secret room, he was able to get a hold of them easily.

However, this was also just a limitation. Even if it was expensive, it was not impossible to obtain them. If a player worked hard for a few days on the 1st floor and bought them from the shop. And then shoot the paralysing as well as the poison arrows, they would be able to clear the first floor. But of course, the labyrinth had also prepared with a countermeasure for this situation.

It’s about time. Tae-san began to prepare.

“Squ-squeak!”

The Giant Rat stumbled.

Its head was ringing. Its burnt skin was stinging. The poison had reached his whole body, so it was burning hot.

It’s all because of the human being in front of him. Giant Rat cried sharply.

“Squeak! Squeak!”

[The Giant Rat is furious. It’s going into the Berserk state.]

“It has started.”

Berserk state was a double-edged sword.  Now the Giant Rat lost his ability to think but in exchange it got faster and stronger. The paralyze arrows wouldn’t also work anymore. Tae-san wouldn’t be able to shoot his arrows as he ran away.

However, there was no change in Tae-san’s expression.

In The past, he had killed the Giant Rat. So, he knew this phase would come. The paralysing arrow was about to run out anyway, and this was already enough to play its role.

Berserk state activated when the target’s HP was Below 20% so the scales were now even.

Tae-san lifted his tower shield.

* * *

“Squeak! Squeak!”

With an ugly cry, the hideous claws pushed forward. The shield was pushed out with a loud bang. Tae-san frowned at the power he felt from the Giant Rat.

[8 damage was dealt to you]

‘After all, it’s impossible with my power now.’

Even if he blocked his strength stat was only 11, so the damage would be dealt even if he blocked it with his shield. The answer to this situation lied in using his Agility and avoiding a battle of strength.

The Giant Rat faced him again. Tae-san lifted his shield. The moment its claws touched the shield, he turned away. The claws grazing the shield made a sharp screeching sound and fell onto the ground.

[4 damage was dealt to you]

As its claws were stuck in the ground, Giant Rat’s body was left defenceless. Tae-san pushed it with his shield.

Smash!

“Squeak! Squeak!”

[6 Damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

Giant Rat faltered and swung his claws. Tae-san blocked it with a shield.

[5 damage was dealt to you]

It was his turn to attack now. This time, Tae-san hit the monster with his shield.

Thunk!

[7 damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

[The proficiency of Continuous Combat was increased by 1%]

Tae-san was slowly running out of breath.

His muscles were starting to get tired.

Though the Giant Rat was overwhelmingly pushed to the corner, the situation was still not looking good. It had already been nearly thirty minutes since the battle had started. Even if it was  mostly one-sided, his body was getting exhausted and it was getting harder and harder for him to move properly.

If he didn’t have the skill Continuous Combat he would have run out of stamina long ago.

This battle needed to end soon. Tae-san dug into the arms of the Giant Rat.

[You have activated [Slowed Breathing Attack]. For the next 10 seconds you don’t have to take a breath without any consequence]

The sluggishness he felt due to running out of breath suddenly disappeared. Even though he was from species which demanded oxygen. Through this skill he was free from this restraint. One could also say Slowed Breathing Attack was similar to that of a complete recovery.

Kwoong!

[8 damage was dealt to the Giant Rat]

“Squeak!”

But the Giant Rat didn’t just stand still. It lifted its body and pushed its claws and teeth forward to attack. But Tae-san blocked it with his heavy shield. Still, something felt off. However, as to what, he couldn’t just put a finger on it.

[24 damage was dealt to you]

24 Damage. This was the total of five attacks, including those where he was enduring and blocking, which was about eight times.

He calculated the remaining strength of the Giant Rat.

That’s enough. Tae-san suddenly gave up his defence.  Numerous damage windows  appeared before Giant Rat.

“Squeak!”

Giant Rat and Tae-san continued their attacks face to face.

[25 damage was dealt to you]

[23 damage was dealt to you]

[22 damage was dealt to you]

They consecutively attacked one another and exchanged blows. The Giant Rat pulled his claw out.

[You have activated [Block]. The next attack will be blocked]

The claws curved during the attack.

This attack was forced to miss due to his skill. The Giant Rat was bewildered by his own attack, and used more force to correct its path.

Blocking.

Tae-san collided his heavy shield with the attack. .

‘Come on!’

The Giant Rat swung his claws again. But he couldn’t just reach his target. This time, Tae-san hid underneath to avoid it and hit the Giant Rat’s neck with the end of his shield.

[You have succeeded in a counterattack. Inflicted great damage to the opponent. Obtained an Active skill [Counter]]

[20 Damage was dealt to Giant Rat]

“Squeak! Squeak!”

The Giant Rat stumbled. The Berserk state was released after falling into a dying state. Tae-san needed to finish this.