The Third Wave of Monsters has become slightly scarier for Ethan as three large wolves came out of the darkness, each baring large fangs and eyes filled with bloodlust. They are bipeds, standing on their pair of hind legs. These monsters were normally categorized as werewolves or kobolds.

They have agility, dexterity, and sharpness that the goblins don't possess. Although there are only three of them, they were a bit of an obstacle for him to the point that their claws managed to reach Ethan’s skin.

However, utilizing the wooden clubs and sticks left by the goblins, Ethan had farther reach and thus, eventually smacked each kobold’s head until they dropped to the ground.

“Hu-!” Ethan breathed out, a little disoriented but still mostly unscathed. His high DEF and VIT stats did wonders. The kobolds’ claws were only able to pierce the outer layers of his skin, not letting a drop of blood be seen.

On the Fourth Wave of Monsters, a single creature came out. Although one, this monster was twice as big as Ethan who was not short by human standards. It had large limbs and especially its round stomach with brownish skin. Together with a much bigger club carrying over its shoulder and its pig-like face, it can be categorized as an orc.

Learning from his previous fight, Ethan began testing the waters and found that the orc may be tough and strong but it’s slow, a complete opposite to the kobolds. If Ethan didn’t have high AGL, he would've had trouble with this wave. Eventually, the orc dropped to its knees and let out its last squeal.

The next waves released greater and greater threats such as lizardmen with some intelligence and weapons, a minotaur, and crabs that breathe fire. The usual fantasy monsters Ethan was familiar with.

Throughout the Trial, Hjodona was analyzing the battles. However, she didn’t need to see much to conclude that Ethan was a complete amateur at this fighting!

‘What kind of life did he live? I’ve seen five-year-olds who have better skills than him.’

Glancing at her side, Hjodona saw Phel’s troubled face. Asking what’s troubling her, Phel just replied that she just doesn’t like pointless deaths. However, she is already aware that she couldn’t apply much logic and attachment to this place so she is only mildly affected.

Glad to hear that, Hjodona then looked at the snow-haired woman who had been quiet all this time. She didn’t know when but the small ice mountain had formed stairs from its foot to a flat platform where the ice throne chair was situated.

“What the…”

Upon focusing on the person sitting on the throne chair, Hjodona was a bit stupefied to see the snow-haired woman had her eyes closed while emitting a low “zzz”.

‘How the hell can anyone sleep in this situation?’

The snow-haired woman even stretched while yawning before changing position like a fetus. Something was forming between her arms that she embraced. The ice throne chair shifted as well and began to cover her, looking like a sleeping chamber.

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Eventually, Hjodona just ignored the snow-haired woman, confused if she was either sleeping or faking it.

Returning to the fights, Hjodona couldn’t help but understand where the snow-haired woman was coming from. As a Warrior of Gallant, she was used to earth-shattering battles. Each swing of hers could break mountains and split waves.

On the Seventh Wave of Monsters, Hjodona began to give advice to Ethan who is now wielding a scimitar he got from the lizardmen against an unseemingly undying army of skeletons.

She had only spoken now because Ethan was able to handle the battle by himself until this wave.

“Break the bones. Drop the blade and get the big weapon of the pig-faced monster.”

“When carrying heavier weapons, lower your center of gravity and solidify your balance by having your feet planted on the ground at the same distance with each other as your shoulder width.

“Then make small movements since the weapon is heavy enough to break the bones easily. However, make large movements when swinging horizontally to counter their number.”

Ethan did what Hjodona said and was able to take a breather since the skeletons stopped “reviving” back to the battle. After completing the wave, Ethan made a huge thumbs-up.

“Big thanks for the assist!”

“A little to your right,” Phel said after receiving the thumbs-up not meant for her.

“Ah”

[Eight Wave of Monsters!]

With Hjodona’s guide, the complete amateur Ethan had begun to pick himself up. There was no better teacher than Hjodona at this moment. Not only does she have countless techniques with different weapons and stances, she can also adopt this into countless situations with her deep experience in battling similar monsters and enemies. With just a glance, she could determine the strength and weaknesses of the enemy. However, Hjodona didn’t reveal everything and gave Ethan a favor by letting him face the problem himself. As long as it’s within his capabilities, Hjodona would let him. After all, she hates weak and pathetic people. One characteristic of a weak and pathetic person is being completely dependent on the strong instead of adapting and making changes to oneself.

Ethan has proven himself not a joke in the very least. He listened and made mistakes. However, he would try again. When met with a scolding about his mistakes, he made no rebuttals. Most importantly, he didn’t actively seek the Hjodona’s thoughts on the battle and made most of the decisions by himself.

“He, at least, has an average potential. Even without the useless System he chose, I could train him to become a fine warrior,” however, Hjodona soon shook her head because potential alone is not enough to make one a warrior.

It was a matter of time before the Ninth Wave of Monsters was completed by Ethan. He had received a few scratches that made him slightly bleed and bruised. However, overall, no fatal injuries were taken.

On the Tenth Wave, however, everything will change.

[Boss Wave!]

What came out of the darkness was something even Hjodona could not analyze.

Similarly, Ethan’s face was pallid once again.

“What is that being? It resembles nothing that I know of,” Hjodona said and even Phel had to agree.

Replying to them, the System said, [It’s what killed Ethan in his previous life.]

Its legs were black and circular, with metallic patterns covering the center. Its whole body was just a metallic box. Its head was pearl-white and its forehead was transparent, revealing dry organs behind it.

Its eyes opened as light beamed from them. At the same time, the creature released a resounding war cry:

“Honk-!”