After a three-day journey, we finally arrived at the entrance of Mordath. The massive opening was sealed with a glowing purple magical barrier. While it prevented the monsters from escaping, I could feel the oppressive weight of their auras pressing against it. The entrance itself resembled a cave—dark and foreboding, with an unsettling hum emanating from its depths.
"So this is Mordath, a C-tier dungeon filled with the undead. It reminds me of the old days," Fidelis remarked, his eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and excitement.
"Have you faced the undead before?" I asked.
Fidelis nodded, a gleam of experience in his eyes. "Back when I was an adventurer, I took down around 200 of them. Most were weak skeletons—no armor, just rusty swords. But every now and then, you'd encounter something worse. Some undead can wield powerful magic, like a lich. Those are entirely different stories."
During my training in monster studies, I had learned a bit about liches. Encountering one would definitely be a serious issue.
"Commander Shinya," a voice called out. When I turned, I saw a group of adventurers approaching us—three warriors, two mages, and a healer.
"I am Barca, a B-rank adventurer and the leader of this group," he introduced himself. He was a warrior.
"Pleasure to meet you, Barca-dono," I responded with a respectful nod.
"Likewise, Commander Shinya," he replied. "The guild master assigned us to accompany you and report on what happens in the dungeon. This is the first time we’ve encountered a situation like this. Until now, Mordath has never housed the undead."
"So that’s why the guild master requested our assistance," I said, and Barca nodded in agreement.
"Fidelis, are our men ready?" I asked.
"Yes, all preparations are complete," Fidelis confirmed.
I walked over to our soldiers. Some looked anxious, while others seemed eager for battle. "Comrades, we are about to embark on our first mission," I addressed them. "Do not let fear control you. Our enemies are just a handful of skeletons." My words sparked a bit of energy among them, but I decided to add more encouragement. "And whoever takes down the most undead will earn a reward!" I declared. This lit a fire in their spirits, and they now seemed ready for battle.
Fidelis grinned at me. "A fine speech, my lord."
"Give me a break, Fidelis," I responded, my tone serious. "To be honest, I'm worried. This is my first real battle. What if I mess up? It's a heavy burden, especially when the lives of your soldiers are on the line."
The weight of responsibility pressed down on me. They would follow my orders and trust my decisions. I had to be rational. During my training, I had read countless books on tactics, but I knew the stark difference between theory and practice. That knowledge gnawed at me. When life and death were at stake, would all this preparation be enough?
"Shinya," Fidelis said, placing a firm hand on my shoulder, his expression a mixture of confidence and seriousness. "I understand that the burden you carry feels heavy, and you're right, it won't be easy. But remember, you're not alone. We carry this weight together. The lives of our soldiers and the success of this mission aren't just your responsibility—they're all of ours."
Fidelis paused for a moment before continuing. "Yes, you'll face tough decisions, and things might go wrong. But no matter what happens on the battlefield, you must keep fighting. Don’t let fear or hesitation stop you. We fight as one, and we trust each other. That trust, Shinya, is our greatest strength."
His words didn't completely erase my anxiety, but they did give me some motivation.
"I'm glad to have someone like you by my side, Fidelis," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder in return. My heart was still racing, but now it beat with anticipation rather than fear. Taking a deep breath, I cast off my tension.
"Now," I said in a low voice, "let's send these damned undead back to where they belong—into oblivion."
With morale high and weapons at the ready, we all passed through the barrier and entered the dungeon.
The moment we stepped inside, an eerie chill coursed through us. The cold, damp air from the entrance seemed to warn us of the dangers lurking within. The distant howls from the corridor echoed like wails or moans, as though the darkness itself was whispering to us.
As we advanced, we noticed the corridor was dimly lit. Magical stones hung in niches carved into the walls, glowing with various hues of blue, green, and purple. These stones gave life to the shadowy depths of the underground. Their light offered a strange sense of tranquility while simultaneously heightening our unease. Made from valuable minerals, these stones required specialized equipment to extract, so adventurers typically left them for mining companies.
At the end of the corridor, we entered a vast chamber. In front of us stood about twenty undead skeletons, swaying slowly from side to side, armed only with rusty swords. They stood like a silent army, devoid of life in their hollow eyes and brittle bones, yet emanating a subconscious rage.
The moment they sensed us, they began to stagger forward with heavy, uneven steps. Each movement echoed on the stone floor like a death march, drawing us into the reality of the battle that awaited.
"Paladins! Take your positions!" I commanded, my voice echoing through the vast chamber. The paladins moved swiftly into formation, raising their shields and readying their swords. "Healers! Prepare barrier and reinforcement spells!" I added, watching as they chanted with precision. A pale blue glow enveloped the area, and a protective aura formed around our paladins.
Finally, I gave the order, and the paladins launched their attack in unison. A brief skirmish ensued between us and the undead. Despite their ominous appearance, the skeletons proved to be little challenge for our forces. Every strike of a blade against bone resonated, and it quickly became clear that this battle was merely a warm-up for the paladins. In no time, the skeletons lay shattered on the ground, nothing more than heaps of broken bones.
"Good work, paladins!" I encouraged them, taking solace in their proud expressions. Their morale boosted mine as well.
Fidelis scanned the surroundings with a frown, his brows furrowed. "Only twenty skeletons?" he muttered. "That seems... rather few."
He was right; the guild master had reported an unusually high number of undead in this area.
"Maybe the rest are elsewhere," I suggested, then turned to Barca and asked, "How did the guild master determine there were so many undead here?"
Barca, with a thoughtful expression, replied, "The aura emitted by undead is distinct from that of other creatures. When the guild came here to reassess Mordath's classification, they detected an abnormal level of energy unique to undead using their measurement orb."
"I see. Then we’ll need to go deeper," I said, to which Barca nodded in agreement.
After the adventurers gathered the magical stones and valuables dropped by the skeletons, we resumed our journey into the dark corridors. The deeper we ventured, the heavier the dungeon’s oppressive atmosphere became. The unknown lurking ahead grew more foreboding with every step.
As we continued through the dungeon, a sudden wave of malevolent energy washed over us. The sensation was chilling, cutting through to the core of our being. Instinctively, we stopped, scanning our surroundings, but saw nothing.
"Did you feel that too?" I asked Fidelis, my voice tinged with alarm.
"Yes," he replied, unease evident in his tone. "It was... truly horrifying."
The aura wasn’t like that of a typical creature. It wasn’t merely dark or threatening; it felt profoundly sinister, almost unnatural. I had encountered dangerous creatures during training, but none had emanated such an intense aura.
"It’s likely deeper in the dungeon," ventured Barca, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.
"How do we descend to the lower levels?" I asked, curiosity laced with caution.
“There’s a path ahead that leads down,” Barca said, regaining some composure. “There are five rooms below. One of them is the dungeon boss’s room. However, before facing the boss, we need to kill the monsters in the other four rooms and activate the magic glyphs.”
“That sounds pretty easy. Just clear out four rooms and take down the boss,” I said, somewhat sarcastically.
“It’s not as simple as it sounds,” Fidelis replied, his expression turning serious. “Each of those four rooms contains a mini-boss. We need to defeat them to activate the glyphs. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘mini.’ They’re no pushovers.”
“From what you’re saying, I’m guessing you’re a former adventurer, Fidelis-dono,” Barca said, a look of admiration appearing in his eyes.
For a moment, traces of old memories flickered across Fidelis’s face. He took a deep breath and then replied in a low voice, “Yes.”
As we descended the path, we found the five rooms just as Barca had described. The first four rooms were arranged in two rows—two rooms side by side, with another two directly across from them. Above the entrance of each room were magical glyphs that symbolized the creature within. These glyphs represented an orc, a spider, a snake, and a minotaur—likely indicating the mini-bosses inside.
Further ahead, a fifth room stood out with a much larger door than the others. Above this door, the four glyphs representing the mini-bosses glowed prominently. However, what caught my attention most was the damaged glyph symbolizing the dungeon boss. Cracks across the glyph made it impossible to fully discern what kind of creature it represented. Its image faded and deteriorated, a threatening remnant that no longer reflected its original power.
“Barca-dono,” I said, carefully examining the damaged glyph, “the glyph symbolizing the dungeon boss is broken. What is Mordath’s boss?”
Barca looked at the glyph with a puzzled expression, his brows furrowed slightly. “Yes, this is truly strange. The glyph was intact the last time I was here. The dungeon boss is a Cyclops,” he said, taking a deep breath. “A massive, one-eyed creature. It carries an enormous club and has a single horn on its head that gives it an intimidating appearance.”
The presence of mythological creatures from my old world in this one was intriguing, I thought to myself. Cyclopes were mythical beings that only appeared in ancient legends. But now, here they were, presenting a very real danger.
When we entered the orc mini-boss’s room, a nauseating stench engulfed us. The unbearable mix of blood, sweat, and decay churned my stomach; each breath left a bitter taste in my throat. For a moment, I almost vomited, but I forced myself to hold it in. Looking around, I noticed that some of my team members were struggling with the same stench; a few clutched their stomachs, their faces pale.
As we proceeded down the corridor, the scenes before me grew increasingly horrifying. On both sides, the decaying bodies of brutally mutilated animals, humans, and various creatures were piled high. Bloodstains extended from the walls to the ceiling, forming grotesque shapes in the dim light. Splintered bones, fleshless skulls... My eyes struggled to endure the dreadful sight. The images seared into my mind, swelling a sense of revulsion and terror within me.
A shiver ran through me, and I found it hard to stay on my feet. I had never witnessed such a horrifying scene before—far more brutal and terrifying than any battle I had faced before. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on my breathing, but the overwhelming stench rendered my efforts useless.
As we approached the main hall, the sounds of shouting and clashing weapons at the end of the corridor grew louder. Though I tried to gather my focus, the overwhelming fear gripping me refused to let go. My steps grew heavy, and my heart pounded wildly in my chest.
“Are you alright, Shinya?” Fidelis asked, as if he could sense the storm raging inside me. Despite the horrific scene around us, he remained calm and composed. I looked at him with envy, wondering how he could face such a merciless sight with such tranquility.
“No living being deserves to die like this—not even the wicked,” I said, my voice trembling, unable to conceal the turmoil I felt. My eyes drifted momentarily to the lifeless bodies on the ground. “Even death should have dignity. Every living thing deserves to pass away peacefully, in old age.” I genuinely believed that everyone deserved a painless farewell. Just as life deserved respect, so too did death. But the deaths here defied that belief—they were cruel and dishonorable.
Fidelis, as though weighed down by a sorrow from the past, muttered without taking his eyes off the corpses, “At least they’re lucky to be dead. There are fates worse than death.” His voice softened for a moment, and a pained glint appeared in his eyes.
I felt like I understood what he meant, but this was no place to dig into his old wounds. A wave of curiosity rose within me, and I wanted to ask about his past. However, the corridor, thick with the stench of blood and decay, was far too eerie for such a personal conversation. For now, we needed to focus on the battle ahead; the shadows of the past could wait for another time.
The shouting and echoes of battle grew louder as we neared the entrance to the hall. The moment we stepped through the door, the heavy stench of blood and decay engulfed us. The entire team became acutely aware that we were in the middle of a horrific conflict. My eyes quickly scanned the room, and a chill of dread ran through me. The orcs dominated the chaos around them with savage glee; their massive frames and predatory gazes made them the very embodiment of nightmares. The feral energy of these creatures stirred a deep unease within me.
In the main hall, fifteen orcs and five demons were locked in a deadly battle. Around them lay the corpses of several demons. The sounds of the clash reverberated through the air—each blow, each growl, and every scream weighed heavily on the atmosphere. Sitting on a throne, a massive orc watched the chaos unfold with a dark sense of pleasure. Its colossal body, burdened by the marks of countless battles, was covered in scars. A deep gash stretched from its chest to its arm, a testament to its survival against countless lethal blows. Deep cuts and the marks of spears and swords adorned its body, some nearly exposing bone. These wounds stood as badges of its battles, telling the story of how it had ruthlessly defeated its enemies.
The old scars barely visible through his thick armor revealed just how resilient and fearless the orc was. Some of the scars were surrounded by tattoos, as if each one was a reminder of a victory he had achieved for his tribe. A particularly deep scar on his shoulder indicated that even when he sustained it, he hadn’t retreated but fought on, embracing victory.
As he looked around with a repulsive grin, the long slash mark on the right side of his face drew attention. The red streaks running downward like dried blood from the scar hinted that he had once nearly lost his eye, only to survive and grow even stronger. The terrifying and oppressive aura emanating from him, combined with the scars and the bloodthirst in his wild eyes, filled the entire room with a deadly atmosphere.
Orcs embodied the classic image of savage warriors to the fullest. Their ugly faces bore harsh features and grotesque expressions. Their sharp ears were adorned with earrings and piercings, each making them look like true predators. Their bodies were covered in a dark green hue, muscular and powerful. Some were so massive that they were two or even three times the size of an average human. Their teeth were large and menacing, with their lower canines jutting out of their mouths, further enhancing their fearsome appearance. Alongside their foul stench, the bloodstains and scars on their bodies stood as proof of their love for battle.
Focusing on the chaos of the battle, I finalized my plan and issued orders quickly.
"You ten paladins and two mages, go assist the demons. You two healers, support both the demons and the Knights of Light."
Upon hearing my instructions, they nodded and swiftly went to assist. The others preparing obediently even in this terrifying environment sparked a small flame of courage within me.
Turning to Fidelis, I continued, "Five paladins, two mages, and one healer will come with me. We’ll attack the orcs on the left."
I then instructed Fidelis to attack the orcs on the right with a few paladins.
"Fidelis, take a few Knights of Light with you and attack the orcs on the right. The remaining Knights of Light will join the adventurers to engage the other orcs."
I turned to Barca and added in a softer tone, "Barca-dono, you’re an experienced adventurer. Act as you see fit. The Knights of Light accompanying you will support you."
He nodded, gripping his sword firmly with a determined expression on his face.
When everyone had completed their final preparations and focused on the battle, I tightly held my sword and shield. Taking a deep breath as if to further solidify my resolve, I thought to myself, We have to win against this orc army. There’s no escape. I cast one last glance at my team and shouted, "Let’s go!"
My words echoed through the room, and with fury and determination, we charged at the orcs.
Amidst the chaotic rhythm of the battle, I surged forward as the orcs' hideous faces and nightmarish gazes quickly drew closer. A fleeting shiver ran through me at the ruthless nature of the enemy. I was scared, and my body was pumping adrenaline like crazy. But there was no option to retreat.
For a moment, both the orcs and the demons froze upon noticing us. In the midst of the battle, both sides momentarily took a defensive stance against us. A deep silence fell, and then a slightly wounded male demon, with a confused expression, asked, “What are the Knights of Light doing here?” He was pressing his hand against a wound on his stomach. Immediately, a healer stepped forward and quickly healed his injury.
Fidelis, even in the midst of the chaos, smiled without losing his sarcasm. "Oh, we just felt like killing a few orcs, that’s all!" he shouted. The slight mockery in his voice seemed to challenge the grim atmosphere.
Meanwhile, I had already focused on the strategy. I fixed my eyes on the five massive orcs on the left; their wild and bloodthirsty gazes turned toward us. I quickly gave orders to my team. “Healer! Cast a strengthening and barrier spell on the team! Mages! Provide support with offensive spells from the back! Paladins! The orcs are much stronger than you; a single blow could kill you. Strike quickly and efficiently!” At my command, all the team members simultaneously shouted, “At your command, my lord!” and took their positions. They exchanged quick glances and refocused on the enemy.
As the noise of the battlefield rose again, I locked onto one of the orcs in front of me. It was raising a massive club, preparing to strike me. Focusing all my attention on it, I shouted, “Light Speed Rush!” Using the light-speed attack spell, I sprang into action. Suddenly, everything around me seemed to slow down, as if in slow motion; the enemy's breath, even the dust floating in the air, seemed to move slowly. I darted toward the orc’s heart, plunging my sword, Lux Divina, deep into its chest. My sword sliced through the orc's skin like paper; while a normal sword would have struggled to pierce such thick, tough skin, Lux Divina was as sharp and merciless as a judge’s execution. Before the orc's body collapsed to the ground, it froze for a brief moment, its lifeless eyes staring at me. Then, with a loud crash, it fell to the ground. At that moment, the other orcs and their leader turned to look at me, momentarily stunned.
I gently pulled my sword from the dead orc's chest and wiped the blood from it in one smooth motion. Fidelis and his team, along with the adventurers and demons, had managed to kill another orc. For now, the battle was in our favor, but it was still far too early to enjoy victory. The remaining twelve orcs and their seated leader were still a threat, and this fight was far from over.
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At that moment, I sensed danger approaching from behind. When I turned around, another orc was rushing toward me, lifting a massive axe. I quickly leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike as the huge axe slammed into the ground, shattering the earth. The axe's power was so great that the orc struggled to pull it from the ground. Seizing the opportunity, I swiftly moved to attack. I swung my sword toward the orc’s hand holding the axe, aiming to disarm him. But the orc swung a massive punch with his other hand, and the powerful blow sent me flying through the air, crashing several meters back. Although my armor absorbed most of the impact, I still felt a crushing pain throughout my body. Struggling to get up, I quickly healed myself and cast a strengthening spell. Without a moment’s hesitation, I charged forward again.
In the meantime, the orc had managed to pull his axe from the ground and, roaring, began charging toward me. Strapping my shield to my back, I shouted, “Holy Light Ball!” and, extending my hand, sent spheres of light toward the orc’s eyes. The bright light blinded him, causing him to stagger and pause for a moment. Seeing this moment of weakness, I quickly targeted his leg and, in one swift motion, severed his left leg.
The orc, whose leg had been severed, howled in agony as he fell to the ground, desperately clutching his amputated limb and writhing in helpless pain.
Taking advantage of the orc's vulnerability, I launched another attack. The orc, lying on the ground, swung a fist at me with a final effort, but his movements were slow and sluggish; I easily dodged his strike. With a few quick steps, I leapt into the air, aiming my sword at the orc’s head as I shouted, “Light Speed Rush!” I unleashed my attack at light speed, and with all my strength, I drove my sword into the orc's skull. My sword pierced the orc's skull and sank into his brain; the massive creature let out one last breath before falling still.
As time returned to its normal pace, I looked around. Our team had taken down several more orcs, and some of the wounded were being healed. No one had died so far. The healers were doing their best to tend to every injured warrior, and the mages continued to provide support from the back. Each of our faces reflected the awareness that the battle was not over, and greater dangers awaited us. Still, as our enemies fell one by one, a small seed of hope began to grow within me.
On the side I had attacked, only one orc remained. His bloodshot eyes scanned the battlefield, but there was an unmistakable look of despair on his face. Uncertain, he raised his massive sword and swung it around; the paladins, having anticipated his move, nimbly pulled back. The orc was now alone, and he realized he was cornered.
“Mages! Prepare the Light Explosion spell. Aim for the orc’s face!” I commanded, my orders echoing across the battlefield as the mages swiftly raised their hands to the sky, whispering the incantations. The orc, sensing the gathering magical energy, suddenly charged toward them.
“Paladins, protect the mages!” I ordered. The paladins and I raised our shields and charged at the orc. “Anyone who can use the Shield Burst ability, do so now!” I shouted. A moment later, we struck the orc with a tremendous force, our shields bursting in unison. My shield burst was stronger than the others; with the magical energy, the orc’s skin began to burn, and his scream echoed across the battlefield. His body seemed to smolder as if charred by the flames.
At the same time, the mages completed their spells. Both of them shouted, “Light Explosion!” and unleashed powerful bursts of light toward the orc’s face. The blast of light filled the area, blinding everyone momentarily. The orc’s face was engulfed in flames, his eyes burning and rendering him blind. Groaning in pain, he swung his staff randomly, but unable to see, his desperate attacks flailed helplessly through the air.
“Fall back a little!” I ordered my team. Despite the chaos, the disciplined healer immediately cast a strengthening spell on the paladins.
While the orc was still on his knees, he slammed his massive staff into the ground. I saw an opportunity. “Light Speed Rush!” I shouted, activating my light-speed rush spell. The world around me slowed as time seemed to almost stop. As the orc’s staff was still on the ground, I pounced on him, swiftly slashing my sword toward his hand. My blade cut through the orc’s hand, severing it from his body like cutting through paper.
As time resumed its normal flow, the orc's scream filled the battlefield as he flailed, his severed hand twitching in the air. "Paladins! Now!" I commanded, signaling them to attack. The paladins charged with battle cries, and through the flashes of shining swords and fists pounding on shields, I could hear the orc's final breath.
Surrounded by paladins, the orc fell to the ground under their combined assault, releasing one last, monstrous grunt before collapsing.
Looking around, I saw that Fidelis, the demons, and the adventurers had all taken down the remaining orcs. We had yet to suffer any casualties, though there were wounded. The healers immediately rushed to tend to the injured. I, however, stepped forward to face the orc leader seated upon his throne. His infernal eyes fixed on me, a faint, almost predatory smile creeping across his face.
"You’re strong, human. What is your name?" the orc leader asked, his voice deep and guttural, almost like a growl.
"You can speak," I replied, narrowing my eyes slightly. Both my team and I were stunned. I had never imagined these creatures were capable of speech, let alone expressing thoughts. After a few seconds of processing, I straightened and replied, "My name is Shinya Kage. And you, who are you?" I tried to stand as boldly as possible, not allowing his dark, oppressive aura to crush me.
"I am Gor'Karash, the ruthless leader of the Bloodhowl Clan!" Gor'Karash bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls, shaking the very floor. The sheer power of his voice vibrated the stone beneath our feet, and the room seemed to tremble with every word. Everyone but Fidelis had visibly recoiled in fear. Barca’s face was stretched in a mixture of terror and disbelief.
“Th-this… it’s impossible. You shouldn’t be here. The boss of this room was supposed to be someone else,” Barca stammered, his voice trembling with fear. The terror on his face confirmed that Gor'Karash was no ordinary beast.
"The orc before me died. He was weak. In my clan, there is no place for the weak!" Gor'Karash roared, his voice filled with cruel malice and a crushing aura that filled the room. His gaze never left us, and with a sense of pride that seemed to feed off the fear around him, he stood tall. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
"So, what do you want from us?" I asked, striving to make my tone as confident as possible.
"I want to fight you, human. If you defeat me, I will give you my power. Also, one of the seals on the door to your great boss will be unlocked. Of course, you’ll have to kill me," Gor'Karash said, his eyes gleaming with excitement for the battle.
"Are you not afraid of death?" I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice.
"No, human. Death is not a terrifying thing to me. That’s why I never feel regret when I kill. To be killed by a strong opponent is the greatest honor for me," Gor'Karash replied, his words filled with genuine sincerity. It was his belief.
I turned around and looked at the faces of my teammates, eager to hear their thoughts. "What do you think?" I asked.
"I think we should all attack together. If only Commander Shinya attacks, it might not be enough," one of the mages said, a worried expression on his face.
"Are you saying Commander Shinya is weak?" one of the paladins snapped back, anger in his voice as he defended his comrade.
"Everyone, calm down. This orc is very powerful. Even when fighting the other orcs one-on-one, most of you got injured. If we all attack together, some of us might die," I said, my tone serious. "Therefore, I will fight Gor'Karash alone." I then turned to Fidelis, searching for a sense of trust in his eyes. "If I die, you’ll take command. We must complete the mission," I added.
Fidelis smiled, keeping his usual mocking attitude. "That’s not happening. If you die, Eleanor will kill me, just so you know," he said. I could see the concern behind his mocking words, but they were a friend’s support.
"Thanks, Fidelis," I said, giving him a grateful look. I turned back to the team, my voice resolute. "Please step back a bit. I don’t want anyone getting hurt unnecessarily." Everyone obeyed, retreating to a safe distance.
I fixed my gaze on Gor'Karash again. "Gor'Karash! I accept your challenge. But I have one question for you," I said. Gor'Karash grunted lowly, signaling that he was listening.
"Do you have any information about the boss in the big room?" I asked. This kind of information was invaluable to us; every detail could make a huge difference in our survival.
"No, human," Gor'Karash answered shortly, his expression filled with contempt.
I nodded and gripped my sword tightly, raising my shield. "Fine, get ready, because I’m coming for you now," I said boldly. I shifted into a combat stance, focusing all my attention on Gor'Karash as I prepared for the battle.
Gor'Karash’s eager smile widened further. He picked up a massive warhammer, which, though ordinary to him, seemed enormous to me. With his muscular arms, he easily lifted it and let out a roar that challenged the entire room. His roar echoed through the chamber, shaking the very walls and almost deafening us. At the same time, a dark red aura surrounded his body, representing a primal, blood-scented savagery. At that moment, I knew that this fight wouldn’t be just a duel—it would be a battle to the death.
Gor'Karash charged at me. Each step he took caused tremors, as though small earthquakes were shaking the ground. My eyes were drawn to his massive form. Larger even than the other orcs, Gor'Karash’s muscular body showed through his heavy armor, and with each step, the ground trembled. Though his size slowed him down, every movement hid immense power.
As the giant shadow of the hammer fell over me, I quickly leapt to the side. When Gor'Karash's hammer struck the ground, a powerful tremor spread throughout the room. The floor cracked, and stones flew into the air. I fought to maintain my balance during the impact, managing to stay on my feet. Gor'Karash looked at me and let out a loud laugh. In the face of his immense power, I realized that winning this fight would not be easy.
Byl boosting my speed, a faint glow surrounded me as I sprinted toward Gor'Karash. Just as I got close, I leapt into the air with all my might. But at that moment, Gor'Karash swung a massive fist toward me. I was determined not to repeat the mistake I made last time.
As the punch neared, I shouted, "Light Speed Rush!" and activated my ability. Suddenly, everything around me slowed down; Gor'Karash’s fist seemed to hang in mid-air. Using this moment, I jumped on top of his massive fist and slashed my sword at his wrist with all my speed. Just as the blade connected, time returned to its normal flow. However, to my shock, my sword, which could cut through orcs like paper, only left a shallow cut on Gor'Karash’s wrist.
"How!?" I gasped, my eyes locked in horror on the barely noticeable wound. It was as if he hadn’t been hurt at all. The massive orc leader looked at me and burst into a vile laugh. "Hahaha! My body is not like the other orcs, Human," he said, his voice a dark echo that sent shivers through the room.
During his laugh, his foul breath hit my face, and my stomach lurched. Just as I tried to recover, Gor'Karash swung his massive hand in a sudden motion. His fist caught me, sending me flying across the room. As I spun through the air, I pulled my arms in front of my body to protect myself, but the impact was still crushing.
When I slammed into the wall behind me, the entire room shook with the force of the blow. As I hit the ground, the air was knocked out of my lungs, and my body stiffened in pain. The intense pain radiated from my joints, as if my bones were broken.
I quickly gathered myself and cast a healing spell; my wounds closed, and the pain subsided. However, the horror I had felt still echoed in my mind. Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself that the battle was still ongoing, and I worked to clear my mind. I needed a strategy against this enormous and merciless orc leader. My sword was usually strong enough to cut through any enemy, but it barely left a mark on Gor'Karash.
But he must have a weakness. Despite his thick skin and massive build, his eyes were still a vulnerable spot. If I could exploit that, I could defeat him.
Breaking free from my thoughts, Gor'Karash charged at me again with an angry roar. He lifted his massive war hammer into the air and swung it directly at me. Just as the hammer was about to land, I activated the boosting spell and jumped backward, flipping onto the wall behind me. I quickly pushed off the wall and hurled myself toward Gor'Karash’s elbow.
As soon as I reached his elbow, I shouted, "Light Speed Rush!" and activated my ability. Time slowed down once again, and everything around me came to a near standstill. Without hesitation, I rushed toward Gor'Karash’s face, aiming directly for his eyes. When I reached his right eye, I thrust my sword straight into his pupil.
When time resumed its normal flow, my sword struck true. Gor'Karash let out a horrific scream of pain; his voice was so loud that my ears rang, almost leaving me deaf. In a swift motion, I pulled my sword free and thrust it into his other eye. He was now completely blind, but amidst his screams, I realized that this didn’t stop him.
He brought his hands to his eyes, hitting them in agony. I quickly retreated. Gor'Karash staggered for a moment from the pain but then let out an odd laugh.
“Hahaha! Perfect! Perfect! This is the first time I’ve experienced such a battle. But I don’t need my eyes to defeat you, Human,” he said. His voice was filled with a triumphant cheer and an insatiable desire for battle. I realized once more how dangerous facing him was; despite losing his eyes, his will remained unbroken.
Surviving his relentless attacks was like a miracle. As he swung his war hammer horizontally, I instinctively jumped to dodge the blow. But Gor'Karash’s speed was faster than I had anticipated; without wasting any time, he brought the hammer down from above. The impact struck just a few inches in front of me, sending me flying into the air. I crashed to the ground, struggling to get up. Just then, the massive orc rushed toward me and, in an unexpected move, kicked me with tremendous force. The blow sent me crashing into the wall, and I crumpled to the ground, blood pouring from my mouth. With every breath I took, the pain in my ribs felt as if they were stabbing into my lungs.
Desperate to survive, I quickly healed myself, but before I could fully recover, Gor'Karash was already on top of me again. This time, he swung his hammer sideways. I jumped quickly, but it wasn’t high enough. The hammer hit my legs, sending me flying through the air and flipping several times. The series of events that happened in such a short time had drained me both physically and mentally. I was drenched in blood and sweat, my body trembling with the instinct to survive.
In mid-air, Gor'Karash swung his massive fist toward me. I couldn’t escape, and I was pinned between his fist and the wall. At that moment, I felt as though every bone in my body had been crushed; my ribs seemed to pierce into my lungs, and breathing became impossible. A few seconds later, when Gor'Karash pulled his fist back, I collapsed to the ground. My ability to move was almost entirely restricted.
Gor'Karash raised his war hammer into the air again, preparing to strike me directly. With my last bit of strength, I whispered, “Light Speed Rush,” and activated my ability once more. Time slowed down, and in that brief moment, I healed myself slightly. I didn’t have time for a full recovery, but at least I had healed enough to stay alive.
When time resumed its normal speed, Gor'Karash’s war hammer slammed into the ground with a mighty crash. The tremor from the impact made me lose my balance, and I fell to the floor. Gor'Karash took a deep breath and turned toward me, still filled with a dark, relentless drive. He grinned savagely at me.
"Human, you're fast. But that's not enough. Because creatures like you are doomed to be crushed," he hissed. "After I kill you, I will eat all your friends alive! Hahaha!"
Gor'Karash's words echoed in my mind. After I kill you, I will eat all your friends alive. This phrase carved itself into my thoughts like a curse, wrapping around every idea I had. Fidelis's smile, the noble stance of the Knights of Light, the fearlessness of the adventurers, even the demons' desire to live—everything I loved, everyone I cared about, could be devoured one by one by this massive monster's teeth. Just thinking about this horrifying possibility turned the spark of anger inside me into a blazing flame.
Every cell in my body began to tremble with the power of that rage. But this tremor was not born of fear; it was the fury that surged through my veins. The feeling that flared inside me was so powerful that it caused no physical pain; on the contrary, it strengthened me, urging me to strike with even more deadly determination at every blow. My breathing deepened, and with each breath, it felt like I was stoking the fire within me even more.
I had felt anger in my battle with Zenita, but this was different. That anger had only given me the strength to win the battle. Now, here, the anger I felt toward Gor'Karash was growing, fueled by the desire to protect not just myself, but my loved ones. I would stand against any enemy that dared to touch them, and alone, I would protect them. With that thought, my eyes began to shine with a pure red light, filled with dark intent.
Around me, a dark red aura began to pulse, a manifestation of my pure anger. This energy cut through the air, reflecting all my power outward like a dark storm. My eyes tinted everything I saw in a blood-red hue. When I saw Gor'Karash’s disgusting face, the desire to kill within me intensified so much that it felt like my very existence had transformed into a weapon aimed at him.
For a brief moment, a satisfied expression appeared on Gor'Karash’s face, as if he were eagerly waiting to test my power. On the other hand, for me, this was not a battle; it was simply the desire to annihilate him.
"Die!" he roared, bringing his war hammer down with all his might. Still, I didn't move. As the hammer was about to strike my head, I caught it mid-air with my hands, effortlessly. The difference between blocking this blow and facing Zenita's divine punch was immense; Gor'Karash's power seemed trivial in comparison to mine.
I could see the shock frozen on his face; it was as if my anger had paralyzed him. Wanting to intensify his shock, he raised his hammer again and swung it sideways. But I blocked it with my shield. The force of the blow only pushed me back a few steps, but I didn't lose my balance.
Now, I was at the peak of the power fueled by the rage building inside me. I could hear the helplessness in Gor'Karash’s cracking voice. "Human, what are you?" he muttered hoarsely.
With my eyes glowing red, I stared at him and answered in a threatening tone, "I am your doom."
With a boosting spell fueling my body with more strength, I climbed up the shaft of the war hammer and rushed toward Gor'Karash's wrist. The rage I felt only intensified the power within me, and in an instant, I was on him. As I raised my sword, I transferred a portion of that power into it. My blade glowed with a red light, and with a single strike, I sliced through Gor'Karash’s wrist as if it were thin paper.
Gor'Karash's scream echoed as he cried out in agony, his face etched with every line of pain and desperation. He gripped his bleeding wrist tightly with his other hand. But that wasn’t enough for me; the desire to kill still burned within me. I leaped toward him again with the enhancement spell, clenching my fist and channeling all my power into it. When my fist collided with his face, his massive body was sent crashing across the room, his large canine teeth shattering and falling to the ground.
But as he thrashed around, my fury only grew stronger. I grabbed the war hammer that had fallen to the ground, spun it around my body, and hurled it toward Gor'Karash. The hammer slammed into his stomach, pinning him to the ground, and he began vomiting blood.
I wasn’t satisfied yet. The waves of anger inside me hadn’t died down; they were boiling fiercely. I rushed forward, and without a moment's hesitation, I attacked Gor'Karash’s half-conscious face. With every punch, I felt more power building within me, more determination to snuff out his life. A red veil descended over my eyes, and my mind blurred at the edges; I had completely given myself over to my anger.
"Shinya! Shinya!" A hoarse voice called from behind, echoing in my ears. I didn’t know who it was, but it no longer mattered. All my thoughts were focused on Gor'Karash. He had to die—he planned to harm my loved ones. Stopping him was the only goal at that moment.
The voice inside me whispered, "Kill him, kill him!" Forsaken's words stoked the flames of my rage.
But just before I could land the final blow, Fidelis grabbed me. When I turned my eyes to him, all the anger inside me seemed to vanish in an instant. "Fidelis?" I asked, stunned. His worried expression hit me like a cold shower. "That's enough, Shinya," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
Hearing his voice caused everything to stop suddenly. I looked back at Gor'Karash. His body was drenched in blood, and his face was nearly unrecognizable. The strength of my punches had left deep holes in his face; each blow had left its mark.
"Shinya," Gor'Karash called, his voice trembling with pain. He struggled to speak. "I am grateful to you for this fight," he said, but the gratitude in his voice reflected not the pride of victory, but the acceptance of his impending end.
As I watched the last of his efforts fade, I suddenly heard the words that escaped his lips: "Gura Morugo, Chikara wa Omae ni." I didn’t understand their meaning, but at that moment, a red magical beam shot from within Gor'Karash, speeding toward me. The beam struck my body, and suddenly, everything changed.
My muscles slowly tightened around every vein inside me, and it felt as though each muscle was curling in pain, driving me mad. My screams seemed to echo the magnitude of the agony. It was as if I had been doing weight training for hours, or even days, and my body was overwhelmed by an incredible pressure.
Then, everything stopped. The pain was replaced by power. There was a sense of relief in my body, but it was a sign of newfound strength. It was as though I had become strong enough to strike a rock with ease.
Gor’Karash’s last words signaled that everything had reached its peak: “As I promised, my power is yours, Shinya.” At that moment, he took his last breath. His eyes remained open for a moment. Slowly, gently, I closed his eyes, showing the respect of a warrior for his fallen foe.
I was filled with conflicting emotions. I knew I had to kill Gor’Karash, but seeing him in this state broke something inside me. Once, I had believed that every living being deserved to die with honor, but now I had turned into a monster. As I watched death take such a cruel and dark form, a strange feeling stirred in my heart. In that instant, my conscience gnawed at me from within.
Of course, I had to protect my loved ones, but this power... Holding onto this cursed strength would only bring me brutality and destruction. With each passing second, the monster inside me grew. That anger had transformed me into a creature. I was no longer human, just a thing burning with the desire to kill. I could see myself, but that reflection no longer felt like me. Anger, pain, and mercilessness... They all tangled within me. I had the body of a beast, but my soul... My soul was still human, still guided by conscience, still knowing what the right thing to do was. Yet this duality was growing harder to bear with each passing minute.
Gor’Karash’s death had satisfied my demonic desires, but it had also left an emptiness. It was as if with every strike, a piece of my humanity had been left behind. Which side of me would win? Which side would dominate me? From that moment on, everything was swallowed by darkness. Was I feeling this pain because I had turned into a monster, or because I had surrendered to the beast inside me? No one would understand. No one could fathom how hard it was.
I clung to Fidelis. In that moment, my greatest strength was the one thing that remained: to be human. But the beast inside me would not allow that. As I cried, each tear deepened my pain. This wasn’t a physical ache. It wasn’t bodily. It was a mental collapse, a conscience tormenting me. I had become the prisoner of the wild power inside me. There was a voice echoing in my mind: “Either I will control this power, or it will control me.” No matter how powerful I felt, I also felt just as fragile. I was fighting myself, and with every moment I won, I took another step toward becoming the creature.
When I heard Fidelis’s voice, I felt a small sense of relief. I looked at him, but my vision was blurred. My tears were wiping everything away. “I’m a monster,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “A heartless monster… Just a creature consumed with the brutal desire to kill…” The words caught in my throat. I shouldn’t have become a monster, but here I was... I couldn’t understand what had happened to me, who I had turned into.
Fidelis smiled, but that smile didn’t offer me comfort; it felt like a lie. “No, Shinya. You saved us. You’re a hero,” he said. I could see the lie behind that smile. Fidelis was calling me a hero, but I... I was a monster. That smile only amplified the pain inside me.
I needed to change something. Maybe holding onto control was the way to protect what was mine. But at that moment, the only thing I knew for sure was that I had to strengthen my will. Otherwise, I was certain that, in the end, the power would control me. This was a battle, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. With every passing second, I was losing.
While Fidelis tried to calm me, I kept crying. The storm inside me didn’t seem to stop. The pain of being a monster was greater than the pain of trying to be human.
“That’s enough for today, let’s camp outside the dungeon. Tomorrow, we’ll attack the next mini boss,” Fidelis said, his voice calm but carrying a hint of anxiety. I nodded, but the turmoil inside me refused to calm. The thrill of killing Gor’Karash quickly gave way to the growing mix of regret and rage. Everything felt overwhelmingly heavy.
As I descended from Gor’Karash’s lifeless body, my steps became slow and uncertain. My head started spinning, as if everything around me was disappearing in a fog. Every time I tried to take another step, the weight of my body grew heavier, and I lost my balance. In that moment, I felt the world blur and drift further away from me.
Fidelis appeared next to me instantly. As I tried to gather myself, my vision began to darken. A brief sensation of emptiness… and then, I felt nothing at all. As my consciousness slipped away, the only thing I saw were Fidelis’s hands gripping me and the silhouettes of the other Knights of Light rushing toward me.
Then, everything fell silent. But this wasn’t death; it was just a brief disappearance.
to be continued...