Level Up with Skills - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

TL: handCream

First floor (2)

First of all, he should analyze. He couldn’t remember clearly because he dealt with the rodent decades ago. Tae-san looked at Big Rat.

“As expected, it’s damn too big.”

It’s the size of a cat. It was similar to capybara, the world’s largest rodent that lives in a tropical area.

But it wasn’t as cute as Capybara.

Black with frizzy fur. Its ugly molars that were sticking out were pretty impressive.

“Squeak! Squeak.”

Big Rat, who had been looking at Tae-san for a moment, rushed in.

It was fast. In the blink of an eye, Big Rat arrived right in front of his ankle.

He felt a sharp pain in his ankle.

[10 damage to you]

Tae-san quickly hit the sword. But in vain, his sword only hit the floor.

“Squeak! Squeak!”

Big Rat had already fled far away. Tae-san smirked.

“Just as I thought, it’s fast.”

Its movement was difficult to follow. But cats were several times faster. The speed was much greater because of their legs.

Its speed was at a level in which a player can see the afterimage but can’t react until their stats are raised.

It didn’t matter if he cleared the Easy Mode or if he caught the Big Rat. . The situation was very different from then.

Easy Mode allows players to meet each other. And with that advantage, the Boss Monster, would be defeated by many players.

‘If I chase the rodent, it will make me tired.’

And there is also a difference in stat. No matter how easy the other mode was, as the rodent was the fifth-floor boss. Every player’s stats were raised which helped them to respond to the speed of Big Rat.

But right now he was alone and his stats were also that of a beginner. It’s virtually impossible to defeat the monster.

So that’s why Lee Tae-yeon ran away.

After returning to the store on a brink of death, she received the dwarf’s disdainful gaze and listened to their advice.

And that was the correct decision. Among the Solo players who cleared the first floor, none raised to fight against the monster. And whoever did return dead.

‘I roughly know what it feels like.’

But Tae-san grabbed his sword with a grin.

He knew the difficulty of Solo Mode. Without any confidence, he wouldn’t have entered this mode in the first place.

The reward system of the labyrinth was simple.

If a player can achieve what others couldn’t.

If such an undisputed feat is performed, the reward would be compensated accordingly.

Tae-san’s goal was to be stronger than anyone else here. So, he had no reason to run away from Big Rat.

And he knew this wasn’t unachievable.

* * *

He calms his heart.

Right now, he shouldn’t get agitated.

He’s seen countless players who have died despite being able to clear enough floors. Remaining calm was the greatest value in the labyrinth.

[Your mind is in a tranquil state]

In the stillness, Tae-san recalls Big Rat’s information.

The size of this monster wasn’t larger than a cat.

Its jumping ability wasn’t very high. It wasn’t enough to reach and bite off a player’s neck.

Then obviously it would reach out for a particular place.

“Kki-ik!”

[9 damage to you]

Big Rat bit his ankle. Tae-san quickly swung his sword, but just like before it cut through the air.

Tae-san frowned and focused once again.

Big Rat, who was observing him, rushed in to attack.

Tae-san swung his sword downwards.

This time it was faster than before.

Chink!

But still, the sword hit the ground.

[8 damage to you]

‘Just as I expected this alone wouldn’t work.’

He knew that the rodent was coming while concentrating on the attack. The difference in response was still 0.3 seconds. It is impossible to defend and attack at the same time.

Big Rat has rushed in again.

Tae-san didn’t bother swinging his sword this time.

[10 damage to you]

Little by little, his physical strength was decreasing. However, Tae-san didn’t falter.

“Status window.”

[Kang Tae-san]

[Level: 1]

[Health: 63/100]

[Mana: 10/10]

[Strength: 10

[Intelligence: 10]

[Agility : 10]

[Attack +1]

[Defense +2]

[The subject is in the best condition]

He had enough physical strength. And there was no sign of other monsters intervening.

Damage dealt per attack was 8 to 10.

Then it’s very simple.

He just needed to succeed within 6 tries.

‘I got this.’

Even if it hit only once at a time, it was infinitely getting weaker.

Meanwhile, Big Rat continued to attack his ankle.

‘As expected, it’s only aiming for my ankles.’

Big Rat couldn’t aim elsewhere because of their difference in size.

But the only problem is that he couldn’t react fast enough.

It is an impossible task in the first place for human reflexes just because the afterimage of the rodent is visible.

‘Should I give up?’

Tae-san’s eyes sank after he concluded.

Unwavering, eyes locked on the Big Rat. The monster couldn’t help but flinch for a moment.

Big Rat’s instinct rose in danger. But he was convinced that the creature, who has not lost in a fight yet, would deny these different results.

“Squeak!”

Big Rat just as expected rejected its instinct.

This creature was weak. It’s unable to respond to its movements. As soon as Big Rat tries to launch itself to the ground to bite his ankle.

Screams!

A sword accelerated towards the monster.

Squeak! Squeak!

Big Rat, surprised by the strike, stopped.

‘Did the human see my incoming attack? No, no. Even if that happens, he couldn’t have stopped me.’

Big Rat concluded, but just as before its attack failed.

Scream!

“Squeak!”

Just as Big Rat pours strength to its body for the next pounce, the sword hits the floor blocking him. Big Rat, momentarily overwhelmed by the sword, stops moving.

“Kki kki kki!”

Big Rat didn’t understand the situation. With his under-developed brain, it seemed that Tae-san knew every movement of his.

[Big Rat is agitated. Big Rat’s movement is slowing down.]

Tae-san smiled brightly.

“It worked.”