Suri had already given Kana the exact position of the dungeon boss behind the door.

  As soon as Boris shoved the gate open just wide enough, Kana let an arrow fly through the gap—aimed right at the monster’s head.

  Thunk.

  It struck the shoulder instead.

  “Damn it,” Kana muttered under her breath.

  Boris immediately hurled a smoke bomb as planned, the thick mist billowing into the chamber. He crouched low and slipped along the edge, circling toward the monster’s back.

  A low growl rumbled in the dark.

  The goblin boss slowly rose to its full, towering height—its blood-red eyes flaring to life. With a roar that shook the chamber walls, it snatched its massive greatsword and cleaved Kana’s second arrow out of the air.

  Kana’s heart skipped.

  It was fast. Too fast.

  Then, Suri’s summon burst from the shadows. Larger now—nearly half the size of the monster—it took on a humanoid form and charged. The boss howled again, stunning the trio momentarily.

  Suri’s skill kicked in—her summon twisted midair, morphing its shape just in time to narrowly dodge a brutal swing.

  Boris was already in position behind it. He didn’t hesitate.

  “[Spear Strike]!” he shouted.

  The point drove into the monster’s left heel.

  Kana didn’t waste the opening. She loosed another arrow, but the monster’s sword swept up and intercepted it.

  Still, it had turned—just long enough for Boris to land another [Spear Strike] on the right heel.

  The beast dropped to one knee, snarling in rage.

  Suri’s summon shifted again—this time into a shroud, latching onto the monster’s head like a shadowy veil, targeting its sight.

  Kana drew back her bowstring to full tension. The arrow shot clean into the monster’s neck.

  It flinched—but didn’t falter.

  “I’m at my limit,” Suri gasped, staggering beside her. Her summon was barely holding up—its form flickering under the strain of the boss’s thrashing blows.

  Kana’s fourth arrow sank into the boss’s shoulder, earning another roar of pain.

  Boris darted forward again and struck at the knees. The goblin whipped its sword blindly, but Boris had already danced back.

  Then Kana saw it—a clear line, a moment.

  She fired.

  The arrow screamed through the air and struck its eye.

  The monster reeled back, clutching its face. Kana nocked one more arrow, took aim—and fired.

  Thwack.

  Right between the eyes.

  The goblin boss froze mid-roar. Its sword clattered to the stone floor. A heartbeat later, its hulking body toppled back with a heavy thud, purple blood pooling beneath it—before vanishing into mist like all dungeon creatures.

  Silence returned.

  Then, as the echo of battle faded, a faint chime rang in their ears.

  The voice of god.

  You have leveled up!

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  …..

  All three of them sat down on the cold dungeon floor, breathing hard, sweat clinging to their faces—but smiling.

  They had done it.

  Kana blinked as a familiar blue screen popped up before her eyes.

  [Congratulations! You have reached Level 10!]

  [Select One New Ranger Skill to Acquire:]

  [Rapid Shot]

  [Range Extension] (Ranger Exclusive)

  [Dagger Strike]

  [Tame] (Exclusive to Avian Creatures)

  [Trap Bomb] (Crafting Required)

  [Dagger Assault]

  [Two-Handed Dagger Mastery]*

  Curious, Kana zoomed in on each skill:

  [Rapid Shot] – Fire three arrows consecutively in less than four seconds. Duration shortens with higher Agi.

  [Range Extension] (Ranger Exclusive) – Increases range and speed of arrows. Improves with Agi.

  [Dagger Strike] – A quick, precise slash that deals critical damage if it connects. Scales with Agi.

  [Tame] (Avian creatures only) – Chance to tame birds or bird-like monsters. Success scales with Agi.

  [Trap Bomb] – Enables the creation of explosive traps. Damage scales with bomb quality.

  [Dagger Assault] – Multiple quick slashes. Number and damage scale with Agi.

  [Two-Handed Dagger Mastery] – Wield two daggers with increased damage output.

  Kana stared at the options, weighing them. Before she could decide—

  “Kana, look!” Boris called out.

  She turned to see him pointing at something glowing where the goblin boss had fallen.

  A narrow blue beam shone upward from the ground—a vertical line, unmistakably marking treasure.

  They gathered around the object.

  It was a ring.

  “Looks like it’s enchanted,” Suri said, eyeing it carefully.

  “We won’t know for sure until it’s identified,” Kana replied. “Could be cursed for all we know.”

  “I can tag along with my Da when he visits town,” Boris offered. “I heard the Adventurers’ Guild is still active there. They should have an appraiser.”

  “Good. Keep it safe,” Kana said, handing it over to him. “Lose it, and I will kill you.”

  Boris grinned nervously and tucked the ring into a hidden chest pocket. He wasn't about to test fate by wearing it.

  …………..

  Kana didn’t wake up until noon. She was still groggy, her body sore from last night’s battle, when Suri’s loud knocks hammered at the door.

  “Kana! Kana!”

  Kana grumbled as she forced herself up. She shuffled to the door, blinking sleep from her eyes. The moment it creaked open, Suri slipped inside and shut it behind her.

  “Have you heard about Boris?” Suri asked, her tone urgent.

  Kana rubbed her eyes and yawned. “No. I just woke up.”

  “The village chief caught him sneaking out last night. Said he was missing one of the smoke bombs—and they found more on him when they checked.”

  “Ah…” Kana leaned against the doorframe, still half-asleep. “We rested too long last night. The chief probably woke up early with all the preparations for the duke’s visit.”

  “You’re not worried?” Suri raised a brow.

  “About Boris?” Kana shrugged. “Not really. He’s always getting into trouble. It’s kind of his thing.”

  “So you are worried,” Suri teased with a smirk.

  Kana didn’t reply, just rubbed her temple. “I heard he’s grounded… What are we doing tonight?”

  “Nothing. Tonight we rest,” Kana said firmly. “We’ll check the dungeon again after the nobles leave. It’s better if we lay low for now.”

  “Agreed.” Suri nodded. “Anyway, I came to get you. You haven't eaten yet, right?”

  Kana’s stomach growled in response.

  ….

  After eating, Kana and Suri walked casually through the village. The air buzzed with movement as villagers swept porches, repaired fences, and carried supplies in preparation for the duke’s visit. Kana and Suri strolled like idle overseers, watching it all unfold.

  “Suri,” Kana said, breaking the silence, “how many skills do adults usually have?”

  Suri looked thoughtful for a moment. “Two, most of the time, my mom got three. My dad told me some people are born with three—but they’re rare like my mom. Mostly nobles. And I think a few high-ranking officials in the capital or veteran adventurers have three too.”

  Kana brushed her hair aside, thinking hard. That sounded right. Everyone she knew had only two or three at most. Did that mean people didn’t make it to level 10? Or maybe they didn’t understand the system’s prompt when it appeared?

  What Kana didn’t know was that for most commoners, reaching level 10 in a lifetime was nearly impossible—unless you spent your days hunting monsters.

  “I’m about to get a third skill,” Kana said quietly, eyes on the path. “I just don’t know which one to choose.”

  Suri stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide. “What? Are you serious? How?”

  Kana shrugged. “You’ll probably get one soon, too. You’ll see what it’s like when the time comes. Just… don’t tell anyone, alright?”

  Suri nodded slowly, still trying to process it. Kana took a slow breath, staring ahead as the village bustled around them. She had decided what to choose from.