The Master of Strength

Two Great Fox Kings soon emerged from the bushes, causing Fabian’s party of four to become quite nervous.

“Two is a bit too much.”

“What are we going to do, Fabian?”

“Um….”

He was in quite the dilemma since it would be impossible for them to take on two at the time, but it was also quite unlikely that they escape unscathed.

‘What a shameful moment’

Thought Fabian as his face turned red. Not a minute ago he had bragged about his superiority to Myeonghu, but was now facing down death.

Rawrrr!

Grrrr!

The two foxes lunged forward and Fabian cried out bravely.

“Let’s fight to the end, even if it leads to our deaths!”

After his inspiring battlecry, he pulled Myeonghu along with him.

‘Huh, what is this guy up to?’

Then, looking at the incoming Great Fox Kings, he began to fall back slightly, sporting a vicious smile.

“Since you are going to die anyways, at least buy us some time!”

In his mind it was clear that Myeonghu would follow his instructions, dying valiantly and return to his village. His only goal was to buy enough time for him and his team to escape. As he ran away, he looked back in time to see the closest Fox strike with its front paws, however Myeonghu had already formed a fist and punched first.

Bang!

The punch stopped the huge fox in its tracks, as Myeonghu moved on to the second one.

‘What?’

Fabian was even forced to stop retreating, surprised that his sacrificial lamb was buying more time that he had expected.

Bang!

The second fox likewise slumped down to the ground and Fabian wasn’t able to believe his eyes.

‘…?’

He and his party stood there, rooted in place as they were unable to comprehend the situation.

“Seems I leveled up twice.”

Myeonghu muttered to himself as he turned to look at Fabian.

“Thanks for the previous information.”

He spoke earnestly as he bent down to pick up the loot.

-You have obtained the Great Fox King’s Pelt (X2)

-You have obtained the Great Fox King’s Claws

-You have obtained the Great Fox King’s Inner Core

-You have obtained a Claw Key

“Ah, I found a Claw Key.”

Myeonghu shouted loudly as his looked towards Fabian with ridicule.

“It’s easier than I thought to get back, work hard you guys.”

Fabian could only stare back with a blank look.

* * * *

As he was walking through the forest, he suddenly stopped when a thought struck him.

“Now that I think about it, my level has risen quite a bit lately.”

He first confirmed that there were no monsters nearby and opened up his character window.

Name: Myeonghu
Nationality: Helioka [Empire]
Age: 22 
Class: Warrior
Level: 30
HP: 59450
MP: 420
Strength: 2930(+40) Agility: 15 Stamina: 17 Intelligence: 10 Wisdom: 11
Bonus Stats: 70

Even he was surprised by how many levels he had gained since having left the village, all because he hadn’t bothered keeping track.

“Boss monsters are such a nice source of Exp.”

He had leveled up 9 times by catching just 7 Great Fox Kings. Such a thing would be unthinkable if one was hunting just common monsters.

“Oh, I guess I can now wear those bracelets.”

He took the two Bracelets of Patience out form my inventory and equipped them. I also went ahead and dumped the 70 Bonus Stats into Strength as usual.

Name: Myeonghu
Nationality: Helioka [Empire]
Age: 22 
Class: Warrior
Level: 30
HP: 89450
MP: 420
Strength:4230(+100) Agility: 15 Stamina: 97 Intelligence: 10 Wisdom: 11
Bonus Stats: 0

“Wow….”

After distributing his stats, he was able to realise the power of items.

“My Strength is on another level now.”

He once again reaffirmed the importance of Strength related bonuses, like those provided by the bracelets which would synergize well with his passive. He thought of some Items which he previously hadn’t been able to use. With a smile, he closed the window and continued moving through the forest.

He was thinking about what he had learned from Fabian regarding the monsters in the area. The Great Fox Kings were the weakest ones here, and there were even the Monstrous Foxes and the mysterious Nine Tailed Fox Boss.

“Just what would it look like?”

He wondered if it would look more like a human, or a fox?

As Myeonghu walked around aimlessly, my thoughts in the clouds, he stumbled in a clearing where three Great Fox Kings were resting, with another prowling nearby.

Grrrrr!

The one which had been standing guard was the first to spot him, and its growls alerted the others, as he stared down four pairs of eyes.

Grrrr!

Rawwr!

The foxes seemed to be communicating between themselves as they took up a formation.

One of them stood in front, crouched low ready to pounce, while two stood on either side and the last one took the rear, forming a diamond.

“I’ll start with you!”

Myeonghu shouted as he swung his fist at the one closest to him, but ended up in an awkward position as it paused its lunge and instead flattened itself to the ground, causing the punch to sail harmlessly overhead. At the same time Myeonghu was besieged by the other three, two of them flanking form the sides and slashing with their paws, while the last one sprang up from behind, sailing over his head and striking his back with its back legs.

This unexpected blow from behind sent him forward a couple of steps and further set him off balance, just as the first Great Fox King which had ducked his fist struck out.

Pak!

Myeonghu was sent into the air, the two Foxes on his flanks struck out once more, followed by the one behind him which joined in as well.

“….”

It was such an embarrassing situation that he was at loss for words. He was just stuck here in midair, being juggled around by the attacks of the three Foxes.

Pak! Pak! Pak!

They had finally let up after the last attacks and his was able to fall down to the ground, only to be greeted by the fourth fox which had been waiting for him on the ground.

Pak!

However he managed to stay on the firm footing as he fled from their encirclement, checking his health.

‘I lost 7700?’

He couldn’t believe that he had lost so much so he double checked, but it was indeed the right number. Before he could come up with a plan he was once again surrounded.

“What, already?”

They fight totally different compared to the other foxes I’ve encountered.

“I can’t make any mistakes or I’ll really end up dying here.”

Myeonghu muttered to himself as the Foxes closed in on his position. Having formed his conviction, he dashed forward toward the incoming foxes.

They assumed the same formation as before, but at the very last second, just as the fox leading the charge slouched down to the ground, Myeonghu changed the direction of his punch towards the one flanking from his left as he cried out.

“Die!”

Bang! Pak!

Unable to take a single one of his punches, the Great Fox Kings collapsed to the ground.

[Level Up!]

He had endured the attack form the Fox attacking from his right, but he quickly recovered and punch down to the Fox which had been crouching low on the ground.

Bang!

[Level Up!]

He flattened it to the ground with a single blow, then picked himself up and glared menacingly at the last two remaining foxes.

Rawrrr!

The bigger of the two foxes stood proudly and roared back at the challenge, as it sprang forth. Myeonghu watched it approach with a wicked smile.

Bang!

Wuuu…

[Level Up!]

Myeonghu let out a sigh of relief as he turned to stare at the last remaining fox.

Gr….

It looked back and forth between the dangerous human and its dead comrades, before slowly retreating in embarrassment.

“…?”

As Myeonghu took a step forward, the fox would take a step back.

Rawr

Unable to take the mounting pressure, it let out a single defiant roar before turning tail and disappearing into the thicket.

“….”

Myeonghu stared at its fleeing silhouette in surprise, before shrugging his shoulders and going back to pick up the items.