RTGR 25

Chapter 25 …

Raven has two entrances.

The East Gate, called the main gate, and the West Gate, called the rear gate.

Among them, the place new users first entering Raven use as their hunting ground was the grassland outside the East Gate.

[Raven Grasslands]

The first hunting ground encountered on the main continent—and the most featureless one.

True to its reputation, even the monsters are ordinary.

Various goblin tribes appear, such as Red Goblins and Blue Goblins.

If there’s any difference from Arde, it’s that since there are many tribes, the weapons and attack styles the goblins use have some variety.

‘No wonder it’s considered the most average hunting ground on the main continent.’

In other words, it was also that much easier to adapt to.

For users who had just graduated from the beginner city, there was no better place.

And that was why the Warrior Set was highly valued—and why it was considered Arde’s graduation gear.

<Warrior Set Option>

3-set: When facing Goblin-type enemies, inflicts ‘Intimidation’.
Against Goblin-types: Additional Damage +7%, All Stats +2

‘There’s nothing better than this against goblins.’

It could reliably inflict both a status effect and bonus damage—limited to goblins.

With a faint grin, Dohyun walked into the middle of the grassland.

Goblins from each tribe were scattered everywhere in groups, but not a single one dared attack him.

[Due to the Warrior Set option, the enemy is afflicted with ‘Intimidation.’]
[Red Goblin feels an unknown fear.]
……
[Blue Goblin’s morale has been broken.]

This was the effect of Intimidation.

It didn’t directly lower stats or cause stun, but breaking morale was an important effect.

‘Once they’re shaken, their judgment slows—and that shows in their actions.’

Also, even while walking through the center of the hunting ground, there was no need to worry about ambushes.

There was a reason boosting morale was so emphasized in war.

It almost felt like he was a thug beating up harmless goblins that had no will to fight—but these creatures were originally aggressive attackers.

To those without the Warrior Set, the goblins were the real thugs.

‘Red Goblins have high attack power, and Blue Goblins have high HP, right?’

Blue Goblins seemed better for testing.

Having decided, Dohyun immediately used a skill.

[You have used the skill ‘Charge Slash.’]

His body slid forward in an instant.

Despite wielding a greatsword, his speed was considerable.

Thanks to the necklace and title effects, his speed had increased by 15%.

Whoosh—!

“Kirrik!? Kirrik!!”

As the distance closed in a flash, the Blue Goblins that had been cautiously watching flinched and stepped back.

Unfortunately for the one at the very front, it didn’t even get that chance.

Slash!

Before it could even react, its body had already been cut.

And immediately after—

Ding—

[Warrior Set option inflicts additional damage.]
[You have defeated the Blue Goblin.]

“…Huh?”

With a cheerful notification sound, the Blue Goblin vanished.

It had died in a single hit.

“…I didn’t expect that.”

Dohyun couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback.

Blue Goblins had about 1.5 times the HP of other goblins. Compared to the Green Goblins he hunted in Arde, it was more than double.

Yet he had killed one in a single blow.

And not even with a special skill—just one Charge Slash.

‘Is this the power of the Warrior Set?’

In truth, it wasn’t just the set bonus.

The extra 7% damage was huge, but Dohyun’s raw stats had also risen absurdly compared to his time in Arde.

On top of that, he was now wielding a Rare+ grade greatsword instead of some worn iron sword.

Considering that greatswords ranked among the highest in attack power, this monstrous damage was only natural.

[By defeating an enemy, the attack power of the Mutant Goblin Warrior’s Crimson Greatsword increases.]

The amazing part was that it would grow even stronger the more he hunted.

It would power down if he failed to kill an enemy within 10 minutes, but there was no better option for mowing down weak mobs.

And Dohyun wasn’t the only one reacting to the overwhelming performance.

“Ki… kirrik!”

Even though their comrade had died, the Blue Goblins didn’t charge.

Instead, they trembled and began backing away.

Completely unlike the normally aggressive goblins.

Their morale was already broken by Intimidation—and after witnessing a one-shot kill, their will to fight seemed utterly crushed.

“Whoa… what’s with that guy? Didn’t he just one-shot it?”
“What? No way—you saw wrong. Since when do Blue Goblins die in one hit?”
“No, seriously… he just sliced and it died.”

Whispers from nearby players reached Dohyun’s ears.

Fortunately (?), not many had seen clearly, so most didn’t believe it.

Which only meant how far outside common sense it was.

Before long, the topic shifted.

“But that guy’s outfit is weird. Why is it so red?”
“Huh? Whoa, the Warrior Set? You’re right. Look at the goblins freaking out.”
“Warrior Set? What’s that?”

Unfortunately, the subject was still Dohyun.

“It’s Arde’s graduation gear… There aren’t many on the market. Must be some rich whale.”
“That expensive? How much?”
“Hmm… probably around 1,000 gold. Not many people whale this hard in this bracket since it’s useless after the next city.”
“Oh. Then why buy it?”
“Because here it’s insanely strong. It’s broken against goblins… So rich players buy it to power-level fast… tch.”

The man clicked his tongue irritably.

“Seriously, money rules here too.”
“Let’s go somewhere else. It’s annoying to watch.”

Dohyun scratched his head as he watched them leave.

‘Hmm. I didn’t spend even a single coin, though.’

It was a misunderstanding, but he didn’t feel particularly bad.

If it were pay-to-win, that would at least be honest—what he was doing was practically cheating.

If he were in their shoes, he’d be salty too.

‘More importantly… the atmosphere here is definitely different from Arde.’

Unlike Arde, where everyone enthusiastically formed parties together, this place felt strictly individualistic.

Some hunted in parties, others solo—but there was a clear wall between them.

Well, it made sense.

If you party, the experience is split, so in theory solo play is better.

Yet about two-thirds still preferred party play.

‘They don’t really have a choice.’

Because otherwise, hunting was difficult.

Which meant solo players had something—divine traits, skills, or items—that was better than those in parties.

That was probably why the man earlier had looked at Dohyun with such envy.

‘People like that exist everywhere.’

Even back in Demrock, if someone stood out even a little, others would talk behind their back.

Dohyun had been one of those targets.

He had many fans while sitting on the throne as a so-called god—but just as many haters.

There were ambushers.

There was even someone who pretended to be friendly, formed a party, and tried to paralyze him with poisoned food.

For fame. Out of spite. For a contract.

The reasons varied.

‘Well, I crushed them all.’

Before meeting his companions, his days had been quite eventful.

After forming a fixed party with them, even ambushers seemed to give up, and the pests stopped appearing.

With a faint chuckle at the old memories, Dohyun turned.

‘That’s not what matters right now.’

That was the past.

Right now, Dohyun’s opponents were mere goblins.

“Well then… shall I warm up a bit?”

As he turned slightly, the goblins who met his eyes flinched.

They sensed an ominous feeling from Dohyun’s smile.

No message appeared, but he was certain their morale had dropped even further.

[You have used ‘Charge Slash.’]

“Kiieeek!”

And thus, Dohyun’s rampage began.

“Whoa… what is that guy?”
“He’s solo-carrying everything… How good is his gear?”
“Tch. Let him enjoy it now. He won’t be able to pull that later.”
“Yeah… still kinda salty though.”

How long had he been hunting?

Ignoring the surrounding amazement, Dohyun wiped out all the goblins in the area when a notification rang.

[Your Swordsmanship proficiency has increased.]
[Swordsmanship proficiency has reached Lv. 8.]
[You have leveled up.]

‘Oh, sword mastery and a level-up.’

Had he killed around 50 to 60?

He had definitely cleared over ten goblin packs—so at least that many.

And this was the reward.

[Player: Kaiser]
Level: 15

HP: 1,810 / 2,250
MP: 340 / 600
Stamina: 200 / 350

Class: Last Adventurer <Apostle of Kashiyar>

Titles (3):

Max Affinity From the Start?
First Slayer
Throne of Time Attack

Stats:
STR: 35 (+38)
AGI: 35 (+35)
VIT: 5 (+35)
SEN: 22 (+35)
MAG: 5 (+34)

Remaining Points: 21

He had gained three full levels.

‘Levels are rising faster than I expected.’

Partly because his level was still low—but also because he was soloing and not sharing experience.

He was monopolizing EXP while killing faster than most parties.

And there was one thing he noticed while hunting.

‘Once I started using skills, my stamina drains faster.’

Before, even with lower stamina, he hadn’t felt much inconvenience—but now he had already used 110 stamina.

And that was just from adding Charge Slash.

At this rate, once he started using Backstab or multiple skills, it would drop rapidly.

That was why—

‘I’ll hold onto the points for now.’

He didn’t invest his remaining stat points.

Goblins were already getting one-shot, so there was no urgent need—and he wanted to prepare for unexpected situations.

Partly to monitor stamina investment…

But more importantly—

‘I never know what skill might drop.’

Dohyun was an all-master.

Right now he was lucky to have assassin skills that used AGI and SEN as main stats—but what if he got a Hero-grade or Legendary skill that belonged to a mage or tank?

‘I’d be in tears.’

Better to keep spare stats ready for that possibility.

After closing the status window, Dohyun checked his inventory.

To review the loot from this hunt.

Blue Goblin Leather (21)
Red Goblin Leather (23)
Goblin Teeth (11)
……

Along with various junk items from Arde.

Though his inventory was full, surprisingly every single item was trash.

Even considering the terrible drop rates, by this point most players would have gotten at least one decent item…

‘…Yeah, this is so like me.’

For Dohyun—owner of the worst luck in Demrock—this was extremely familiar.

So something this minor didn’t bother him.

Besides, the thing he was aiming for wasn’t equipment.

[Goblin Extermination] – Normal

Goblins in the Raven Grasslands have been increasing. Scout Palson wants their numbers reduced.
Goblins defeated (any tribe): 40 / 40
Reward: 70 Silver, EXP
Failure: None
Time Limit: 24 hours

[Hunter’s Request] – Normal