[Level Up! Reached Lv. 31!]
[Level Up! Reached Lv. 32!]
"You scoundrels, how do you like the taste of the dimensional gate bug? You got so used to plundering from the territory every year that you thought you could do it again this time, didn't you?"
I was slaughtering ogres and goblins, sweeping up experience points. They couldn't easily come out. The gaps between the dimensional gates were too narrow, so when they tried to come out, they would end up entering another gate, advancing against their will.
Of course, the smarter ones tried to twist their bodies sideways to squeeze through. But the biggest problem was that the entire area around the dimensional gate was engulfed in a massive wall of fire. Thanks to the abundance of magic stones used as catalysts, the flames soared high into the sky.
"Graaaah! Screeeech!"
"Kiyaaak! Kieeek! Kiyaaaak!"
The ogres, with their tough bodies, held out a bit longer, but the goblins died instantly the moment they touched the flames. Their entire bodies were engulfed in fire, and everything melted away quickly, starting from their skin. It was like watching ice cream melt helplessly in the heat.
"Ugh, ugh."
I kept gagging at the stench that pierced my nose. Goblins and ogres alike were being burned, and the foul smell was everywhere. If it were the smell of roasting pork ribs or beef ribs, I might have enjoyed it, but the smell of burning monsters was unbearable.
"Ugh!"
Even though I emptied my stomach in an unsightly manner, I didn't lose my smile. I was having fun. Monsters kept pouring in endlessly, but not a single one managed to scratch me. The ogre called 'Krundle,' who seemed to be the leader, was the same. It kept screaming at me, but in the end, it couldn't come out, blocked by the dimensional gate. It was stuck, unable to do anything because of the monsters continuously coming from the opposite dimension.
"Kiieek! Kiieek!"
Some goblins, trying to save themselves, turned around and attempted to go back through the opposite dimensional gate. Of course, it was futile. They were crushed to death, trampled by their own kind who didn't know what was happening and kept pushing in.
"Plenty of mana, no issues with the magic stone dimensional gate, nice. I'm so grateful to be a 4th class. If I weren't, I wouldn't be able to use the Dimension Door spell."
I leisurely observed the flames, reinforcing the firepower with a Fire Wall spell wherever it seemed lacking. I watched the situation unfold with my arms crossed. Except for the mournful screams of the ogres and goblins piercing my ears, everything was a satisfying scene of a stormy level-up.
"Graaaah! Graaaah! Aaaah!"
Krundles were screaming endlessly. They always thought their massive bodies were a symbol of a brave warrior and the source of their strength. But today, that belief was completely shattered. The larger the body, the more area it covered, making it a nightmare in the sea of fire.
Crunch. Crackle. Crunch.
Under Krundles' feet were the burning, disintegrating corpses of goblins. They wished the bodies would pile up and end this hellish cycle, but the foolish monsters crossing the dimensional gate kept pushing the corpses of their fallen comrades forward.
'They said there was nothing but a remote land with foolish humans beyond the dimensional gate...'
The master who sent them here had said so. Just like always, it was supposed to be a happy and enjoyable time of plunder this year too! But this place was hell. Judging by the fact that only goblins were visible behind them, it seemed the thousand-strong ogre legion stationed at the front had all entered. The bigger problem was that Krundle was the only survivor among those ogres.
It was a complete disaster! Because of that human mage within arm's reach, all the ogres and goblins were being annihilated.
Just then.
Whoosh!
"Graaaah!"
The flames intensified as if oil had been poured on them. At that moment, Krundles' skin, which had somehow been enduring, finally began to melt. They had been using their unique regenerative abilities to heal their burnt skin, but they had reached their limit.
"Graaaah...!"
Krundles screamed. The intensified flames quickly melted their skin, then penetrated their flesh, muscles, and bones.
"Save me! Please save me!"
The dignity of a leader vanished in an instant, leaving only desperate pleas for life.
"Even in July, the Forest of Nightmares is cold. Haha, my hands are freezing. The fire is warm and nice."
"Damn human mage...!"
Krundles stretched their right hand towards Jared, who kept taunting them from the front. But they couldn't reach him, and in the meantime, more ogres and goblins pushed them forward from behind. In an endless loop, going round and round the same spot, Krundles' stamina was rapidly depleting in the hellish cycle.
"Grrr."
The last monster coughed up blood-mixed foam and collapsed forward weakly.
"Is it over?"
I cautiously approached the dimensional gate. I checked the gate connecting this place to the opposite dimension, not the one I created. Just in case, I shot a few Flame Arrow spells into the gate. But there was no sound. If there had been anything, I would have heard a dull thud or a scream.
And after a while.
Swoosh.
Suddenly, the dimensional gate closed. It didn't seem like it closed because the duration ended. This gate was also the retreat for the monsters that crossed over.
"Abandonment... is that it?"
I didn't know who, but it seemed someone who confirmed the monsters' annihilation intentionally closed the gate. Demon King? God? Another dimension? I couldn't tell which world it was connected to, but the link disappeared just like that.
'Level 60, huh? My level doubled in two hours. Well, I did take down nearly ten thousand monsters.'
Though the experience gain from the numerous low-level goblins was a bit lacking, the complete annihilation of a thousand ogres significantly boosted my level.
Level 60. During the process of breaking through levels 40, 50, and 60, I received 'limit break' bonuses, and my wisdom increased accordingly. It rose by 150 in an instant. In terms of levels, it's equivalent to 150 levels' worth of stats, and compared to artifacts, it would take at least a 7-star grade to achieve such a rise in just two hours!
In <Paradiso>, it would have taken weeks, even assuming I did nothing but hunt. After investing all 150 distribution stats gained from the 30-level increase into mana, I checked my stat window.
[Jared – Lv. 60]
[Strength: 35]
[Stamina: 35]
[Mana: 2050]
[Wisdom: 360]
[Agility: 35]
[Charm: 205]
[Physical Defense: 135]
[Magic Defense: 265]
[Remaining Stats: 0]
'Surpassing 2000 mana and 300 wisdom. This is definitely 5th class stats by <Paradiso> standards.'
I felt proud. Although I hadn't met Berhard yet to undertake the 5th class entry quest, it seemed like becoming a 5th class would be quick once I met him. Typically, it takes at least five years for a white mage to grow from 4th class to 5th class. That's assuming they follow an elite course, study under a great mage, and steadily gain practical experience.
Many never grow beyond 4th class, even after investing their entire lives. That's why white mages on the continent of Nas jokingly call 4th class the 'class of death.' One in two white mages hits a limit here and can't grow any further. A mage whose growth stops naturally sees their honor and status in the magic world decline. They end up employed as regular mages in the kingdom or empire's magic corps or as resident mages in territories like Akron, eventually retiring.
From 5th class, they become active in elite magic corps or as royal or imperial mages, leading to a brilliant future.
At that moment, two messages simultaneously activated in the title window, blinking. I could easily guess what titles I had received. In fact, I had planned this operation with those two titles in mind!
[You have obtained the title 'Monster Slayer.']
[Magic damage to all targets except humans increases by 250%. Mana permanently increases by 500.]
[You have obtained the title 'Incarnation of Hellfire.']
[All fire-type magic damage increases by 100%. You can use the special condition magic, Flame Burst.]
'With Flame Burst, creating variables becomes much easier!'
I was delighted. Flame Burst is a magic that activates conditionally when a target is exposed to fire magic for more than five seconds. When used, a fire demon summoned through the flames mercilessly attacks the target. Unlike regular magic, it's a fire demon that can't be dispelled, and it bites and torments the enemy until it vanishes. It's a terror for those who dislike fire, especially those with low magic defense.
Moreover, the expected damage value exceeds at least 5th class, and it consumes no mana, making it even more fearsome.
'Bugs, tricks, and efforts not to forget all become nutrients.'
A satisfied smile spread across my face. I never imagined the experience and knowledge from <Paradiso>, along with over a decade of posting experience, would be such a great help. They say you never know with people, and I was thoroughly enjoying and relishing the benefits now.
[Having surpassed level 50, the upgrade of Insight has been achieved. Would you like to check it?]
The awaited upgrade of Insight had been achieved. Insight grows in 50-level increments. However, the bonus effects gained from the upgrade are random. So, I needed to carefully examine what perks I had received. If unlucky... sometimes the perks are as good as nothing. For example, a perk that shows the opponent's physiological needs – whether they need to relieve themselves – as a percentage. Something I neither want to know nor feel good about knowing.
[Insight: Dual]
[Visual Interference Correction: You can see through bright flashes or thick smoke to focus on the essence of the target.]
[Weakness Analysis: The probability that your instinctive attack will target the enemy's weakness increases. The chance of a critical hit doubles.]
'Lucky!'
I succeeded in the draw. With visual interference correction, I could accurately see what I wanted even if my vision was disturbed. It's a good option that aligns with the name Insight. Moreover, weakness analysis increased the likelihood that my magic attacks would deal maximum damage – critical hits – so it was also good.
And.
"Wow, top-grade magic stones! There's no better blessing for our territory!"
I shouted, raising both hands high into the sky. The sparkling stones piled around the dimensional gate were undoubtedly magic stones. They were dropped by the goblins and ogres upon death, and judging by their brilliant purple hue, they were definitely top-grade magic stones. Even at a rough estimate, there were well over a hundred.
A single top-grade magic stone is worth a thousand gold, equivalent to a billion won by past life standards! A total of a hundred billion won!
First, rapid leveling.
Second, the upgrade of Insight.
Third, obtaining titles.
And fourth, magic stones that would serve as the foundation for the territory's development.
The result of a fruitful one-man defense that returned with the blessing of four birds with one stone.