[You have died.]
..
[You have died.]
..
[You have died.]
..
I died 3 more times after that first run, and yet each time, I got further and further. I became engrossed in slaying and raising my stats.
I killed many goblins, and even the Fire Fist Orcs that were along the midway point, yet right as I made it to the door for the boss...
[You have died.]
I'm now going in for my next and final run.
"The time is now, the day I clear the floor that has bothered me for years."
My stats have risen.
I'm at least a D to low C rank in terms of power. But I don't feel like I'm lagging behind, I already feel ahead.
Smiling, I stood up, ready to clear this damned floor already.
"I can't wait any longer!"
***
After getting the gear and going through the same conversation with the punchable James, I was now in the tower.
The goblins were like free XP at this point.
-Slice.
-Slice.
-Slice.
Their heads falling from their bodies with each swing of my sword.
I also got this..
(C-)[Flame Fist]
[Type: Skill]
After killing a multitude of Flame Fist Orcs, on my second run, I drained one of them, and got a skill.
-["So you can also drain skills too huh?.."] I said back then.
When I activate the flames, I can imbue the sword with the flame, making my strikes and slashes much more devastating and painful.
With each slash of the sword, the smell of burning flesh filled my nostrils, and the shrieks of pain echoed in my ears.
I smiled, slicing like a madman as I tore through the waves of goblins like tofu.
"Hahaha! Come at me, you bastards, become points for my strength!"
***
My stats had grown further.
And with the increase of stats, I now stood at the door of the boss.
"7 years... for this. To kill one bastard."
'Let me see your face. So I can chop it off.'
Ah, I'm getting flashbacks..
.
.
-["Did you hear?... He's an A-Rank who can't do a thing, but die."]
-["Really?... It sounds like an OP Class."]
-["Yeah, everyone says that at first. Until they realize how useless it is."]
Laughter.
Ridicule.
By that point in time, I was used to it.
I hardly ever made it past the first wave on the first floor.
My skull would be crushed.
Or my neck would be slit
Arrows may even pierce my back.
Yet I returned and returned, hoping to reach 'that' place.
I wanted to be a top-ranker; I wanted all that came with it.
The 'Tower' teased me with an ability, the beings who did so, I bet they laughed at me too.
-["I'm...useless."]
-
"No, I'm not useless. That 'me' is gone now. The 'me' now will reach that place. And rise above!"
Pushing open the doors of the boss's room, a chilling wind greeted me.
And yet, my steel will remained intact.
"Who dares to open my doors?..."
A deep, cold voice echoed amidst the darkness of the room.
"That would be me, you bastard." I retorted.
"Quite the mouth, human."
There sitting on a throne, its face resting on its hand, it smiled.
Glowing marks aligned along its face, and it wore a tyrannical armour.
Dark-green skin and crimson irises.
"The Orc King," I said in a mumble of ethereal air.
"Nice to meet you," The Orc King Said.
Replying with a smug tone, "Nice to kill you," I said.
-Boom!
The Orc King blasted from his seat, leaving his surroundings a crumbling mess.
"H-He's fast..!"
But I didn't underestimate him; I overestimated myself.
'That's right, even if I'm strong, I need to calm myself.'
-Swish!
He was right beside me in a blur, his large fist of muscle ready to crush me.
Dodging in a backward flip, I pivoted off my left foot into a quick slice toward his jugular.
[Flame Fist]
Igniting the flame fist skill, I applied it to my sword, ready to sizzle him.
The Orc King saw me, ready to grab me.
He underestimated my speed.
-Swoosh!
I was already behind him, slicing his Achilles.
"KIREEEEIK!" In a roar, he fell to his knees.
Raising my sword to stab it through his neck, "It's over!" I yelled.
-Boom!
A red energy blew me back 10 steps, causing me to skid across the floor in a pained grunt.
"W-What was that?"
[Orc King (Berserker)]
The Orc King activated his skill: [Berserker]
His strength just increased twofold.
-Boom!
He blasted off from where he stood, his Achilles healed by the skill.
I was perplexed, yet I couldn't do much.
Before I could dodge, he was right before me.
His fist was ready to send me crashing.
Out of instinct, I raise my fist to block.
-Crunch!
"AGH!"
I felt the bones of my forearms fracture as I flew backward into the debris of his throne.
"..."
Then, my laughter pierced the air of chaotic silence.
"Ha...HAHAHA! What? Am I the king or something now?"
The Orc King snapped his jaw, rushing toward me.
'This is all I have...'
[Flame Fist]
I punched toward him, my fist on fire.
I knew I couldn't best him in a battle of strength.
But I had a plan...
Our fists were about to clash, the Orc King's face a wicked grin of malice.
Yet, I lowered my fist in that instant, and the Orc King went forth with his punch toward me.
I countered, my other fist coming from under with an uppercut.
-Bam!
"Agh..!" I squealed in pain from my now swollen forearms.
The Orc King's head snapped back, his lower chin sizzling with burning pain.
Flame Fist worked like tick damage, for every second the burning effect was inflicted, [-1] damage would be taken.
The berserker skill also wasn't long-lasting.
The Orc King dropped to his knees, his stamina and strength being sapped by the second.
[Berserker skill has stopped.]
[The Orc King is being debuffed.]
[Orc King]
[Strength](↓)
[Agility](↓)
[Durablity](↓)
Seeing my chance, I gripped my sword, all the pain in my broken forearms shooting through my body with a sharp sting.
"ARGHHHH!" I let out a warrior's roar, my sword above my head as I leaped into the sky.
-Swish!
-Slice!
The Orc King's head rolled on the debris-covered floor.
[You have killed the Orc King.]
[You have cleared the first floor of the Tower.]
I wasted no time draining the Orc King.
[+6 Strength]
[+5 Durability]
[+4 Agility]
[+1 MP]
[+3 Sense]
[You have obtained the skill: Berserker]
[Item earned: Orc King's Crown]
"7 years... and now, I've done it."
'I should be happier, but I'm almost disappointed.
-It's only up from here.'
.
.
[To Be Continued]