Chapter 146 – The Face of a Hardcore Grinder
Chapter 146
The Face of a Hardcore Grinder
Date : Day 30 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
Hyoren, Elise, and Jackey continued their dive deeper into the labyrinth. Left turn. Then right. Then another left again. The monotonous pattern repeated endlessly as they navigated the cold stone corridors.
Their movement was deliberate and methodical. Each step measured. Each corner checked. And during all that time, they didn't encounter a single adventurer. No distant footsteps echoing through the halls. No muffled voices carrying through the walls. Nothing.
Only the Freedom Party walked through this particular section of the dungeon.
The isolation was profound. The twisting stone corridors stretched in every direction, and the eerie silence constantly reminded them just how massive Akela Dungeon truly was. Even though many parties had entered today, the ancient ruined stone labyrinth simply swallowed people whole. Devoured them without a trace.
They were one of the first people charting this new dungeon. The feeling was both exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure.
The labyrinth itself was a true test of patience. The corridors twisted in seemingly random patterns, doubling back and intersecting without any discernible logic. As if the dungeon itself enjoyed wasting their time. Without Elise's Mapping Skill, they would definitely get lost—wandering these halls endlessly.
And thanks to the dungeon's high monster respawn rate, they could never truly relax. The constant tension gnawed at the edges of their awareness.
They just walked another hundred meters or so—Elise suddenly stopped near another corner.
"Halt. Enemies."
Hyoren immediately moved forward to take the point again. He pressed his back against the cold stone wall and carefully peeked around the corner.
Another ruined chamber greeted his sight. Dust motes drifting lazily through the stale air. Broken stone pillars jutting from the ground like rotting teeth. Cracked walls covered in ancient moss. And goblins scattered lazily around the room, their guttural chatter echoing softly.
He counted quickly.
"Nine goblins."
He quietly pulled back from the corner and pressed his shoulder against the wall.
"Three archers."
Then he looked toward Elise and Jackey. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"But total numbers was less than before."
He gripped his sword handle firmly.
"Let's do this."
This second encounter went flawlessly.
Hyoren charged first. His loud footsteps echoed through the chamber like war drums.
CLANG. CLANG.
He intentionally smashed his sword against his shield while running, the metallic ringing gathering the goblins' attention toward himself immediately. Every pair of goblin eyes snapped toward him.
Then he activated his skill.
"Magic Blade."
Pale blue Aethell coated the broadsword instantly, the cold light cutting through the dim chamber.
Then Dark Magic followed afterward.
"Enchant Maledict."
Black-purple aura wrapped around the blade, mixing with the pale blue glow. The goblins snarled in confusion and fear as Hyoren threw himself directly into the middle of their formation.
Meanwhile, Elise already attacked from the backline.
"Double Shot."
She had learned from previous encounters. The archers were the highest threat—and they needed to die first before they could injure one of them.
WOOSH. WOOSH.
Two arrows streaked through the chamber almost simultaneously, cutting through the dusty air like silver needles.
Both goblin archers on the left side collapsed instantly. One arrow pierced directly through its forehead, pinning the creature to the stone wall behind it. The other lodged deep into the remaining archer's eye socket, dropping it mid-draw.
Elise immediately shifted her aim toward the final archer on the right.
But before she released the next arrow—Jackey moved first.
"Precision Throw!"
Flying Kite Axe spun violently across the ruined chamber, whistling through the air like a pale disc of death.
SQUELCH.
The white axe buried itself directly into the last goblin archer's skull. The creature crumpled without a sound, its bow clattering uselessly to the ground.
Learning from previous mistakes, Jackey now also prioritized dangerous targets immediately.
"Return."
The axe vanished from the corpse and instantly reappeared back in his hand, warm with fresh blood.
Then Jackey charged toward the melee goblins surrounding Hyoren, his boots pounding against the cracked stone floor.
Bloody Axe swung first.
SQUELCH.
One goblin lost its head instantly, dark arterial spray painting the nearby wall. Then Jackey twisted his body and slashed another goblin across its back with his smaller axe, sending the creature sprawling.
Meanwhile, Hyoren continued controlling the center of battle.
BAM.
His shield bash staggered several goblins at once, breaking their formation apart like kindling. The creatures stumbled into each other, completely disoriented.
Then his enchanted sword swept through distracted enemies one after another. Each swing contained dark energy, the Maledict curse sapping their strength with each blow.
Elise supported from behind with precise arrows aimed toward exposed openings whenever goblins focused too much on Hyoren and Jackey. Her shots were economical and deadly—each arrow finding throats, head, and the backs of knees.
The battle ended quickly. Much faster than the first encounter.
And this time—the Freedom Party finished without a single injury.
They quickly gathered their loot. Magic stones and rusted weapons entered their storage bags with practiced ease.
Hyoren let out a slow breath through his nose and adjusted his grip on his sword.
“Good work.”
He glanced toward the darkened corridor ahead.
“Let’s keep moving.”
***
They continued their dive deeper into the labyrinth.
Not long after they resumed walking through the dim corridor, they approached another corner leading into a small chamber. Their boots scraped softly against the uneven stone floor, the sound swallowed by the damp air that clung to the walls. The familiar smell of dust, wet stones, and goblins grew stronger with each step—a pungent mixture that had become almost routine.
Elise suddenly halted. Her pointed ears twitched slightly.
"Another group of goblins in the next chamber."
Her voice remained calm and quiet, yet sharp enough to make the others immediately stop moving.
Jackey whistled softly, his golden eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement.
"This dungeon truly great! So many goblin to whack!"
His grin stretched from ear to ear while he rolled one of his shoulders, loosening the muscle in preparation for another fight.
Hyoren tapped his chin for a moment, considering their situation.
"We have only been diving for less than fifteen minutes, and already encountered three groups…"
He glanced toward the corridor ahead. The faint pale blue glow from the dungeon magic lamps painted shifting shadows across the stone walls.
"Every encounter was easy as long as we stayed careful, but this dungeon definitely has a high spawn rate."
Elise looked at him, her emerald eyes meeting his dark ones with quiet intensity.
"It is good though. We will earn a lot of money and experience."
Hyoren smiled back at her, acknowledging the practical truth.
"True."
Then his expression turned thoughtful again as he looked ahead, his brows drawing together slightly.
"Though the lack of challenge might dull our combat sense if we are not careful."
Elise shook her head slightly. Her silver hair swayed gently with the motion, catching the dim light like threads of moonlight.
"Do not become complacent."
She paused for a brief moment before smiling softly, a hint of teasing entering her voice.
"Right, Hyoren? Fufu."
Hyoren chuckled quietly at her teasing tone. He stepped closer to the corner, his shoulder pressing against the cold stone wall. Shield raised. Sword ready.
Slowly, he peeked around the edge.
Inside the chamber, another group of goblins wandered around aimlessly. Their guttural chatter echoed softly against the cracked walls. Some carried rusted blades that had seen better days. Others held crude clubs made from jagged wood. Two goblin archers stood farther back near the crumbling wall, their eyes scanning lazily.
Hyoren quickly counted them before pulling his head back behind cover.
"Another ten goblins. Only two archers this time."
He tightened his grip around his sword handle, feeling the worn leather wrap press into his palm.
"Let's do it."
The third encounter became another flawless battle.
The moment they entered the chamber, Elise moved first. Her fingers released the bowstring with smooth precision, the motion practiced and effortless.
"Double Shot."
Two arrows sliced through the dusty air almost simultaneously, whistling sharply as they closed the distance.
WOOSH. WOOSH.
The goblin archers collapsed instantly. Arrows buried deep into their heads before they could even scream—their crude bows clattering uselessly to the stone floor.
Hyoren activated his skills right after.
"Magic Blade."
Blue light wrapped around his sword, casting pale reflections across the chamber walls.
"Enchant Maledict."
Dark mana followed after, crawling across the blade like black smoke intertwining with the blue glow until the weapon pulsed with an eerie radiance.
Then he threw himself straight toward the goblin group. His shield slammed into the nearest goblin with crushing force.
BAM.
The attack sent the creature tumbling backward into its companions, scattering their formation.
Jackey followed immediately after him like a raging storm. He became a whirlwind of axes, his twin weapons dancing wildly through the chamber. One goblin head flew into the air, trailing dark arterial spray. Another got smashed across the back before crashing face-first into the floor, its spine shattered.
Crude weapons scattered noisily across the cracked stones as the goblins swung wildly in panic.
The chamber filled with shrill screams, steel impacts, and the heavy sound of bodies collapsing one after another. The coppery stench of fresh blood mingled with the damp dungeon air.
Meanwhile, Elise provided cover fire from the back line. Calm. Precise. Steady. Every arrow found a target. Any goblin attempting to flee or flank immediately fell with an arrow piercing its throat or eye, pinning them to the cold ground.
The battle ended not long after it started.
Inside the small dusty chamber with cracked stone walls, the only things remaining were dissolving particles drifting lazily into the air, several magic stones scattered across the ground, and piles of crude goblin equipment. The silence that followed felt almost surreal after the chaos.
And three satisfied people standing among the remnants.
Jackey raised his bloodied Bloody Axe high into the air, his chest puffed out proudly.
"Easy! More goblins please! WOOOO!"
His loud voice echoed through the dungeon corridor, bouncing off the damp stone walls until it faded into the depths.
Hyoren chuckled while wiping goblin blood from the edge of his sword with a cloth.
"Stop that, Jackey. You will attract goblins here."
Then he paused for a moment. His brows slowly rose as realization dawned.
"Wait, don’t tell me, that's your intention?"
Jackey grinned shamelessly, his fangs catching the light.
"Maybe."
The two of them burst into laughter, their voices briefly filling the once-bloody chamber with something warmer than battle fervor.
Elise looked at them and lightly sighed, though a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Then she crouched near one of the magic stones scattered across the floor.
"Basking in victories was good."
She picked up a magic stone from the floor and tossed it into the storage bag.
"But please do it after we finish gathering loot. Fufu."
Jackey scratched his cheek awkwardly, his cat ears flattening slightly.
"Right, right."
He lowered his axes and finally started helping, crouching down to gather the dropped weapons.
The chamber soon filled with the clattering sounds of loot being piled together. Magic Stones. Crude swords. Bent daggers. Anything with value went inside the storage bag. The goblins' ragged clothing and crude wooden clubs were ignored completely, left scattered across the dirty stone floor—not worth taking.
The dungeon remained dark and quiet. For now. The dungeon diving went on.
***
They would clear one pack of goblins inside a chamber, only to walk down another narrow corridor and discover yet another chamber occupied by a fresh group of goblins. The cycle repeated endlessly.
The dungeon seemed endless. Twisting stone paths that doubled back without warning. Dusty chambers filled with the stench of goblin musk. Cracked stone walls covered in ancient moss and strange discolorations. Damp air that clung to their skin like a cold cloth. And goblins everywhere—lurking in every room, waiting in every shadow.
Yet despite the constant threat, their pace gradually became steady and casual. Almost routine.
Elise would detect the goblins before they even appeared in sight. Her sharp ears twitched, rotating toward sounds neither Hyoren nor Jackey could perceive. Her emerald eyes narrowed slightly, calculating distances and numbers. Then she would quietly inform the others with a calm gesture or a few whispered words.
And then slaughter would happen.
Elise always targeted the archers first, her arrows finding eye sockets and throats with surgical precision before switching into support fire.
Hyoren charged directly into the middle of the goblin pack to take the aggro. His shield absorbing the desperate swings of crude weapons while his enchanted blade carved through flesh and bone.
Meanwhile, Jackey danced around the battlefield with his two axes like a madman unleashed—his white and black weapons tracing bloody arcs through the air as goblin parts scattered across the stone floor.
The goblins, barely a threat to them now, were dispatched with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. Steel flashed in the pale blue light. Blood splattered against cracked walls and floors. Crude weapons scattered noisily on the ground as their owners collapsed.
Then silence returned once more before they moved to the next chamber. The only sounds remaining were the soft drip of water somewhere deeper in the labyrinth and the faint hum of magic lamps embedded in the walls.
They had killed around five packs during first hour of dungeon diving. Each group contained around eight to ten goblins. Experience and loot continued piling up at a frightening pace. Magic stones. Rusted weapons that could be sold. Their storage bag was slowly filling with the loot of their methodical grinding.
After a few hours of this monotonous grind, Hyoren finally stopped walking.
He leaned against the cold stone wall and closed his eyes for a brief moment. Sweat lightly dampened his forehead despite the cool dungeon air, and his shoulders carried a faint ache from the constant shield work. His breathing slowed as he allowed himself a moment of rest.
Elise immediately focused her senses around them, making sure there were no enemies nearby. Her pointed ears twitched slowly, scanning for any disturbance in the silence. Only stillness answered her. The faint dripping of water somewhere deeper in the corridor. The distant humming sound from pale blue magic lamps embedded in the walls. The soft breathing of her companions. Nothing else.
Her shoulder tension loosened slightly.
Hyoren opened his eyes afterward and took a water skin from his storage bag. The leather container sloshed softly as he uncorked it and drank deeply, the cool water soothing his dry throat. A few droplets escaped the corner of his lips, trailing down his chin before he wiped them away with the back of his hand.
Then he looked toward Elise. His dark eyes met her emerald ones.
"This first floor is huge. How's the Mapping Skill going, Elise?"
Elise closed her own eyes afterward, concentrating. Inside her mind, the image of the first floor slowly formed itself. The corridors they had traversed became clearer, marked with details and landmarks, while the unexplored sections remained dark and incomplete. Void spaces waiting to be filled.
She traced their current route mentally. Then compared it with the massive unexplored area still remaining.
"With all the walking we have done, we have only completed around ten percent of the map."
She then took her own water skin from her storage bag on her waist and uncorked it. The quiet gulping sound echoed faintly through the corridor while her slender throat moved gently as she drank. A few strands of silver hair slipped over her shoulder, swaying slightly in the dim pale blue light.
After finishing, she wiped the corner of her lips with the back of her hand.
Hyoren tapped his chin thoughtfully, processing the information.
"About two to three hours and ten percent…"
He exhaled slowly, doing the mental calculation.
"That means we might need about two to three days before we finish this floor."
Elise nodded. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.
She gestured calmly toward the corridor ahead, where the path continued into darkness.
"Ina told me before, dungeon starting from the Bronze-tier above will be vast. Need a few days to fully map the floor."
Then she smiled softly.
"The key is to not get frustrated. We just keep walking, keep mapping, and keep clearing. We will get there."
Jackey, who was also done drinking water and resting his back against the rough stone wall, suddenly added his own experience.
"That's true, Big Bro! I usually only dive Iron-tier and Copper-tier dungeon. But once I got chance to accompany some party into Bronze-tier."
He grinned widely.
"And we needed about a week just to clear floor one! HAHA!"
His laughter echoed through the corridor, energetic and carefree.
Elise shook her head slightly at his volume, though a small smile still formed on her lips.
Hyoren also gave a helpless smile at that. Then he pushed himself away from the wall, his boots scraping softly against the stone floor.
"I see. We planned our first dive to be three to six days anyway."
He stretched his shoulders slightly, rolling out the stiffness that had accumulated from the repeated combat.
"So I guess I need to persist through this boring and monotonous grind."
But despite his words, there was faint amusement in Hyoren's eyes. A familiar thrill of grinding appeared in his face.
Back on Earth, he had been an avid gamer.
The type who could spend countless hours farming levels, materials, rare drops, and skills inside RPG games without getting bored. The repetitive nature of grinding never bothered him. If anything, the steady accumulation of progress satisfied something deep in his core.
And honestly—even in this world, he had already done his own version of grinding.
He had done worse. Much worse.
Back during his survival days inside the Forest of No Return, every single day had been nothing but grinding. Killing Horned Rabbits until his arms screamed to gather their meat and hides. Hunting scattered goblins for their experience points. Searching for edible plants to stay alive. And he had done all of it alone. Inside a deadly forest where everything wanted to kill him.
Armed with nothing more than a makeshift spear and crude leather armor stitched together from Horned Rabbit hides.
Every day had been a balance between grinding and surviving. Fight. Gather. Eat. Survive. Then repeat again the next day. And the day after that. Without end. The cycle continued for a whole month.
Every night was spent inside a rough cave shelter without proper rest because he always needed to stay alert in case something approached. The constant fear of dying in his sleep. The paranoia that crept into every moment of exhaustion. The loneliness that gnawed at his sanity.
Compared to those days, this dungeon grind almost felt relaxing.
Now he had proper gear. Proper supplies. And companions he could trust.
His gaze shifted toward Elise. The silver-haired elf who had become his partner. His first party member. His lover. The woman who had become his anchor in this harsh world of Kresneger.
Then toward Jackey. The younger brother of his second lover, Ina. A new addition to the party, yet he had already proven himself reliable in battle and able to coordinate smoothly with both him and Elise. His enthusiasm was infectious, his loyalty unquestionable.
A small smile formed on Hyoren's face.
"Okay then. Time to continue our dive. Target for today."
He pointed ahead confidently, his voice carrying renewed determination.
"Fill about thirty percent of the map."
Elise smiled immediately, her emerald eyes brightening.
"Thirty percent feels realistic."
She adjusted her bow slightly behind her back, checking the string tension out of habit.
"Before we find a proper resting place to spend the night."
Jackey instantly jumped away from the wall and raised both axes enthusiastically, his tails swishing behind him in rapid excitement.
"WOHOO! Time to whack more goblins!"
Hyoren and Elise chuckled at his endless energy, the sound brief but genuine.
Their brief respite ended there. And Freedom Party continued their dive deeper into the dungeon, their footsteps echoing softly against the ancient stone as they disappeared into the waiting darkness.