One of the iconic monsters that lived in this 5-star dungeon was goblins.

Their bloodthirsty nature, cowardly disposition, and disgusting underhanded fighting tactics earned them the moniker of Hunter of hunters. Their short build and green skin tone gave them excellent camouflage in the woods. Moreover, they were masters of trap-making and loved to use poison darts on their prey. Needless to say, they were the least favorite monsters of hunters.

Their guerilla battle tactics and fatal traps led to the demise of many hunters in the past. In fact, most of the hunters that enter this dungeon die to these goblins rather than other stronger monsters.

Nel smirked when he saw them growling at him. He wasn’t a blind fool who couldn't see what was happening. They stood together in a single spot without moving. Even after spotting him—a human—they didn't initiate an attack but choose to stay still.

It was strange. Very strange.

Instead of diving straight, he flanked them. It was unknown what kind of traps they might have prepared for him in advance. He would be a fool to step on them.

Grr!! Grrr!!

Those short green monsters became restless when they saw Nel’s strange movements. They looked at each other's faces. Their beady eyes displayed confusion. The script wasn’t right. Shouldn't the human rush at them blindly? What was he doing?

Before they could understand his intentions, Nel was already running at them at his top speed. He didn't use Empowering. It was not needed for this simple task.

One of the goblins noticed him approaching. It shrieked loudly to alert its pals before pulling a blowdart pipe from its back. However, it was a step too late. Nel’s spear had already reached its throat.

With a squelching sound, the spear's tip stabbed into the soft flesh of its neck. Nel almost didn't feel any resistance when it went through the green monster’s muscles and bones. It felt like running a hot knife through a block of butter. Smooth.

He pulled his weapon out of its throat and ran away as far as he could from them, leaving the still alive goblin with a nasty hole on its neck. Bluish blood gushed out like a geyser, making a pool underneath its flailing body.

How to fight with a monster that is a pro at hit and run? Of course, use the same thing against them. Hunters were also masters of hit and run. In fact, some older hunters believed that goblins learned this method of hunting from watching humans.

The remaining three goblins flinched when they saw the bloodied body of their mate. They quickly ran away, leaving their dying pal alone. Nel didn't pursue them. The biggest mistake a hunter can make was pursuing a fleeing goblin. Besides, he already knew where the goblin tribe was. If he wanted to hunt them, he can just waltz in, kill a few, and hightail it out of there before the whole tribe was alerted.

However, his target wasn’t them.

The goblin was still alive, although barely. Its beady eyes looked fearful when Nel kneeled beside its head. He forcefully opened its mouth and pulled out one of its teeth from the upper row. Storing it inside a pouch strapped to his thigh, he kicked it away and continued walking. It was still alive.

He didn't feel a shred of remorse towards them, even though they somewhat looked like a human child. Of course, not as cute. How many hunters had fallen prey to their schemes? Countless. Once a human falls to their hands, these bastards will eat them alive. They liked to relish in the painfilled screams of their prey as they gnaw on their flesh.

Goblins were not one of the most hated monsters just for their ugliness.

The teeth he took would serve as proof for him to collect the bounty. These short green monsters—who looked barely like a human child—had a sizable sum on their heads. The Hunter’s Association was the one behind this bounty.

‘It should be worth at least a thousand crystals, right?’ Nel mused. His eyes betrayed the satisfaction he felt at the unexpected luck. After the short distraction, Nel continued on his path to his predetermined destination.

The monster he came to hunt today was called Moon-marked Bear. It was a Rank-I monster whose physical parameters nearly touched the boundary of Rank-II. With a thick hide, this monster was near invulnerable to physical blows. Its vitality and endurance were off the charts.

It became Nel’s target for two reasons. One, it had a high-defense but weak attack—the perfect target for an agile hunter like him. Second, this monster was a lump of money. From its hide to flesh to bones, everything about it was expensive. As a rare monster, its supply couldn't meet the demand, thus increasing its value even further.

Among thousand of hunters in Vedan, only a few dared to go hunting this monster. Nel was one of them.

While walking, Nel kept his eyes peeled on the ground. Moon-marked bears lived in places that had natural mineral deposits. It was their favorite food. Although omnivores, they preferred crunching on hard mana-rich metals.

Passing through the open field, Nel entered the forest at the foot of the mountain ranges he saw from the dungeon entrance. The entire journey took him twenty minutes—excluding the time he wasted with the goblins.

Holding his spear firmly in his hands, Nel carefully walked through the woods. If his memory served right, there should be eight bears living here. As territorial creatures, these bears were hostile to anyone entering their place. Even if the trespasser was a Rank-II monster, they’ll attack with everything they’ve got.

Suddenly, Nel’s eyes narrowed. He pulled on mana from his Magic Reserve and empowered his body to the maximum. Jumping to his left, he thrust his spear forward.

Ting!!

A sound of metal clashing against metal resounded in the silent woods. The empty space twisted, revealing the outline of a humanoid figure blocking his speartip. A black cloak covered them from head to toe and the only thing visible was the silver-colored blade of the dagger blocking his speartip.

“Who are you?” The cloaked person asked coldly in a feminine voice, revealing her gender as a female.

Nel snorted as he landed on the ground. “You are the one who attacked me out of nowhere. I should be the one asking who are you?” He retorted, applying a little bit of pressure on the speartip.

“Is that so?” The lady hummed. The dagger trembled a little but was held in place firmly by Nel’s spear. Her figure fluctuated like a mirage. Nel suddenly felt a sense of foreboding in his heart. His danger sense went haywire. He stopped applying force on the spear and hugged the ground.

Zoom!! Thwak!

Something flashed over his head. It was small but extremely fast.

“Oh! Your instincts are praiseworthy,” The lady’s emotionless voice came from somewhere from his back. She was already gone from his line of sight. Nel looked around, trying to find her but to no avail. He could no longer detect her.

Slowly he climbed to his feet and turned to the tree that was behind him. A small throwing knife embedded on its bark, going quite deep. His heart skipped a beat.

‘This woman is troublesome!’ Nel frowned as his back soaked in a cold sweat. Not only can she become invisible herself, but she can also hide her weapons. Her mastery over her invisibility skill was astounding.

Nel gritted his teeth. What the fuck was wrong with his luck these days? Why can’t he hunt in peace?