The place Michael chose for leveling was the Dark Forest, a vast and dangerous area where monsters up to Level 250 could be found. The forest was divided into four zones: Periphery, Outer, Inner, and Core Areas.
Periphery (Level 10-60): The outermost zone, primarily inhabited by Horned Rabbits and Elemental Deer.
These monsters were known for their high agility and surprising strength, making them difficult opponents for low-level players.
But now, things were different.
A dead silence spread across the area as other newbie players gazed at Michael in shock.
After the success of the National Competition, many people had started playing Satisfy, leading to a massive influx of new players. As a result, many of them came to the Dark Forest to level up.
For most beginners, it took an entire party just to take down a Horned Rabbit or an Elemental Deer. But now, their jaws dropped as they watched a solo player cutting through the monsters like they were mere training dummies.
"They're weak," Michael muttered as he sidestepped and swung his sword in a fluid motion, executing a perfect slash.
The Horned Rabbit, in an attempt to retaliate, lunged at Michael with its sharp horn aimed at his torso—but before it could land the attack, its head was sliced clean off.
[ You have defeated a Horned Rabbit (Level 24) ]
[ You gained 9,708 EXP ]
[ You have leveled up! ]
[ You have leveled up! ]
[ Current Level: 18 ]
A few gasps escaped from nearby players as they watched him level up eight times in such a short period.
"I see... leveling here is quite fast," Michael murmured as he continued walking.
This outer section of the Dark Forest was mostly filled with beast-type monsters, making it an ideal place for combat-based players to train.
After just five more minutes of grinding, Michael found himself facing a horde of monsters—a Gem Wolf pack led by a Level 79 Alpha, with the other members around Level 50.
This was the true danger of the Outer Region, where monster levels ranged from 50 to 120.
Michael narrowed his eyes as he observed the Gem Wolf pack in front of him. Their gleaming fur was coated with a mineral-like hardness, making them tougher than ordinary wolves.
The Alpha Gem Wolf (Level 79) let out a deep growl, signaling its pack to attack.
"Here they come," Michael muttered as he tightened his grip on his sword.
Three Level 50 Gem Wolves lunged at him from different angles, their sharp claws glowing faintly.
Michael sidestepped, narrowly dodging the first, then spun around, activating Swift Slash!
— Slash! Slash! Slash!
Three rapid strikes cut through the first wolf, its mineral fur shattering as blood sprayed into the air.
[ Critical Hit! ]
[ You have defeated a Gem Wolf (Level 50) ]
[ Gained 21,430 EXP ]
Before he could react, another Gem Wolf swiped at him from behind—
Michael activated Parry!
With a swift motion, he deflected the attack, causing the wolf to stumble.
"Now!" Michael lunged forward and delivered a precise thrust into the wolf's throat.
[ You have defeated a Gem Wolf (Level 50) ]
[ Gained 21,430 EXP ]
The Alpha Wolf, watching its pack being torn apart, let out a thunderous howl, its body glowing faintly.
[ The Alpha Gem Wolf has activated "Leader's Wrath"! ]
All wolves gain +30% Attack Power and Speed for 60 seconds.
"Well, I should use them now," Michael muttered as he activated his skill.
"Summon: Skeleton Warrior!"
The ground trembled slightly as a dark mist gathered, forming into a Skeleton in decayed armor, wielding a rusted yet deadly longsword. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the Alpha Gem Wolf, awaiting Michael's command.
Before coming here, Michael had asked Luna to grant him some high-rank Necromancy skills. Since his class had an affinity with Necromancy, he wanted to fully utilize his potential.
Additionally, because The White Fang Guild in Satisfy was also an high level Guild, he had managed to obtain three powerful necromancy skill:
[ Skeleton Warrior ] – Summons a skeletal fighter with enhanced strength and agility.
[ Touch of Decay ] – A curse that weakens the enemy's defense over time.
[ Soul Blast ] – Stole the soul of dead foe and then release an AOE damage spell.
"Let's see how well you fight," Michael smiled, watching the Skeleton warrior charge toward the Alpha Gem Wolf.
The Skeleton Warrior let out a hollow screech as it dashed toward the Alpha Gem Wolf, its rusted longsword glinting under the dim forest light.
The Alpha Gem Wolf, despite its massive frame and thick mineral-coated fur, didn't hesitate. It lunged at the undead knight with its jaws wide open, aiming to crush it in a single bite.
Clang!
The Skeleton Warrior raised its sword just in time, blocking the wolf's fangs. Sparks flew as the beast's mineral teeth clashed against the dark steel of the undead knight's blade.
Michael nodded. "Now, weaken it—Touch of Decay!"
A black aura surged from his fingertips, latching onto the Alpha Gem Wolf's body like a creeping curse.
[ Touch of Decay has been inflicted! ]
Defense reduced by 20% every 5 seconds (Stacks up to 50%)
Health regeneration slowed
The Alpha Wolf howled in pain as its rock-like fur started to darken, losing its hardness. It tried to shake off the effect, but the curse had already begun eating away at its strength.
Michael saw the opportunity and commanded, "Skeleton Warrior, attack!"
With newfound speed and precision, the Skeleton Warrior slashed at the weakened beast.
-1289!
-1750! (Critical!)
-1432!
The Alpha Gem Wolf stumbled, its once-imposing figure beginning to falter. The other Gem Wolves hesitated, sensing their leader's struggle.
Michael grinned. "Time to finish this—Soul Blast!"
The souls of the fallen Gem Wolves began to swirl around him, condensing into a dark, crackling sphere of energy. With a swift motion, he hurled the orb toward the Alpha Gem Wolf.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted as black flames engulfed the beast. The shockwave sent debris flying, and when the dust settled, all that remained of the Alpha Gem Wolf was a charred corpse.
With their leader dead, the remaining Gem Wolves let out a piercing howl before charging at Michael in a desperate attempt to avenge their fallen Alpha.
However, their fate was already sealed.
Michael seeing this simply stated calmly. "Skeleton Warrior, take them down."
The undead knight moved like a shadow, its rusted sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. One by one, the Gem Wolves fell, their hardened fur no longer enough to withstand Michael's relentless assault.
Slash!
- 5,320! (Critical!)
- 4,870!
- 6,112! (Critical!)
In less than a minute, the battlefield was silent, with only the scattered corpses of the wolves remaining.