Kill The Old Ones!

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Kobolds present another difficulty spike for dungeon explorers.

They live near volcanoes or anywhere that has high temperatures. They despise cold environments and would be weakened in them. Because of this, the biomes that spawn in stages 16 to 20 will be near or inside volcanoes. It’s very rare that it’ll be a desert.

No explanation was needed as to why this adds to the difficulty of clearing the dungeons.

The orc swamps might be disgusting, sure, but being inside active volacanoes was far more dangerous than wading through swamps.

Yes, the volcanoes can erupt while the party is inside. There were many instances where parties were wiped out by the unexpected eruption. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen, and that is enough.

As for the kobolds? They won’t die. To them, a volcanic eruption was no different than being hit by an unexpected geyser eruption. At worst, they’d probably drown for a bit before remembering that they could breathe underwater, or in this case, under hot lava and magma, and then they’d be fine. They’d just swim in it until it overflows.

It will be no different than an unexpected bathing time for them.

Kobolds are creatures of fire with the faintest draconic bloodline, like the lowest of the low. Still, the power of the draconic bloodline shines through them because even though they only have the faintest concentration, it’s still enough to give them so many inherent advantages.

They’re at the smaller size compared to the majority of monster sizes out there, but this doesn’t mean that they’re lacking in power.

Sure, they are considered beginner-level monsters, but they’re not locked into this level. They can grow much stronger than this. In fact, kobolds could still be found on later levels of the dungeons. Rare they might be, but they certainly appear more often than slimes, goblins, and orcs.

Ren decided to explore stages 16 to 18 all on his own just like how he did for the past dungeon levels. But since he had technically caught up with the progress of the party, some things have changed.

For the party to gain more experience together, they will also have to raid all five levels together. This won’t just allow them to improve their team’s synergy; it’ll also be a form of training for them, specifically for hot temperatures and hostile biomes like this.

This, however, doesn’t mean that they’re forbidden to challenge the dungeons solo. Nowhere in their contract states that, and if Sir Justin insisted, they could use that to challenge his decision.

Not that he would do that, of course. He’s a veteran party manager; he knows his stuff. But the suggestion was welcomed since it’s for the sake of the party’s well-being.

Ren doesn’t have any complaints. He’s more than happy to grind dungeons solo and with a party. It’s just what he wanted, so why would he complain?

Of course, he went in solo first.

He wanted to gain firsthand experience first and foremost so that it’ll be easier for him to adjust when it’s the party’s turn later. Plus, going at it solo makes this more difficult for him, and he really wanted to check it out.

Ren spawned directly at the entrance to the mouth of the volcano where the kobolds lived.

Not a great start, that’s for sure, but the dungeons still have some conscience at these levels, so it wouldn’t dump him directly at the pool of boiling lava, so it could be worse.

This area was his safe zone for this dungeon, and there were two ways for him to go: either go to where the kobolds live or check out the circumference of this volcano he found himself at.

Ren decided to check the outside first. Just a quick run around will do.

Of course, he wanted to check for exposed resources he could gather. That said, Ren didn’t put much faith into this because of the kobolds.

Just like the orcs, kobolds will leave their lairs to fetch resources. They’re capable of making and using tools. In fact, they’re even better at it than orcs.

They could craft better materials since they literally live in a natural furnace. You can say that crafting was a key part of their lifestyle.

If there were any resources around the volcano, they’ve probably been dug out and harvested by the kobolds; that’s why Ren didn’t put much faith into his search. He just wanted to see if there were some still left. If there were, great! That goes to his pockets. If not, fine. Down he goes.

What makes this biome unique is that Ren was practically caged into this volcano. His only way forward was down to the mouth of the volcano. He can’t climb down from the outside since there is an invisible wall that would prevent him from doing so.

His assumptions were proven true when he saw how barren the outside of the volcano was. He saw traces of previous activities around, suggesting that kobolds got here before him and had already taken what should’ve been in here.

Ren just ran around for a couple of kilometers, and after seeing traces of kobolds everywhere, he ran back to the safe zone. He didn’t need to continue. He already knew that he wouldn’t find anything outside, so down he goes.

The passage leading to the depths of the volcano came in the form of risky and narrow ledges running along the walls. Some looked like they’d collapse the moment he stepped on them.

Actually, some already collapsed, preventing him from advancing.

The kobolds weren’t the ones who made this. They don’t need it. They could use their claws to cling to walls and climb. They’re more like lizards than dragons, after all, and they certainly don’t have wings they could use to fly.

At least, not the ones that could be found in these levels...

Fortunately, Ren was always prepared. He had climbing gear in his inventory ready for use, new and shiny, even. He already tested them before and found them satisfactory. The ones he bought are resistant to harsh temperatures and got good handles so that they won’t slip from his grip.

If Ren didn’t have enough space to make a secured jump to the other side, or if there were other obstacles in his way, he’d use his climbing gear instead.

The further he went down, the hotter it became. The heat emanating from the depths of this active volcano was no joke.

Ren, even with his preparations, was already sweating a lot. His clothes and leather armor were already soaked in his sweat because of how hot it is in here.

Although it’s not enough to scald him to make it impossible for him to go even further, it’s still uncomfortable. Furthermore, his sweaty palms made it more difficult for him to keep a proper grip on his climbing gear.

What’s worse is that, even after climbing for a while now, Ren has yet to see a shadow of a single kobold, which meant that he needed to go down even further.

The small caves he had seen previously lead to dead ends; they were probably made by the kobolds to serve as temporary resting spots. Not ideal for a human like him, though.

Still, Ren persevered through sweltering heat until he reached the bottom.

At this point, Ren thanked his luck for finding the Lion King’s leather armor. Had he chosen something else, his boots would’ve felt like walking on coals by now due to how hot it was in here.

Since his leather armor was highly resistant to elemental effects, his leather sandals didn’t feel as hot as they should.

Now that he’s on, relatively, flat ground, Ren has more space to work with, and his speed can increase.

Aside from thanking his luck for finding this leather armor, he also felt lucky that he had a system inventory, in which time was frozen. The cold water and ice packs he placed in it were still perfectly chilled when he took them out now.

The cold water cascading down his throat felt nice and refreshing; it lowered his body’s temperature and regulated it. He also attached some ice packs on his arms and legs for momentary comfort.

Of course, they wouldn’t last because of this heat, but even temporary comfort was welcomed to keep him going.

While he does this, Ren optimized his chakra flow.

He was certainly not used to this kind of environment, and that discomfort extends to his chakra production.

Adjusting to this kind of environment wouldn’t happen right away. Ren has to actively help his chakra to maintain its flow under this kind of environment to help it adjust.

His chakra will eventually learn how to do it on its own, but right now, it needs him, just like how it needed him to teach it how to flow properly for the first time.

Beginner-level dungeons are proving grounds for martial artists; the lessons they’re trying to teach aren’t so direct. It’s up to the martial artists themselves to perceive them and interpret them for their own use.

The kobold lairs are no different.