God, why did Eren ever feel excited to train with this bastard? He muttered to himself as he dodged yet another wolf’s lunging attack. The beast was fierce-looking, its fangs bared and eyes glinting with hunger. Eren's heart raced as he barely managed to sidestep, feeling the rush of air as it missed him by inches. Cuts and bruises dotted his arms and legs, reminders of his increasingly brutal training sessions.
As he prepared to strike back, he cast a glance over his shoulder. There sat Azar, lounging in a folding chair like he was at a beach resort, wearing ridiculous sunglasses, pants that seemed more suitable for a night party, and sipping something that looked suspiciously like a cocktail. He seemed utterly unfazed by the chaos around him.
“Do I still have to do this?” Eren shouted, his voice cracking from exertion and frustration. “This is getting ridiculous!”
“Of course!” Azar replied casually, not bothering to look up from his drink. “You can’t build character without a little bit of pain.”
“Well, fuck you!” Eren yelled back, narrowly avoiding another wolf swipe as he delivered a kick that sent the creature stumbling.
After a brutal week of training with Azar, Eren could still remember the moment he learned the basics of Valestrian Swordsmanship. Azar had insisted that it was the foundation of strength and agility, emphasizing the importance of footwork and balance. Under Azar's guidance, Eren had begun to pick up low-tier Swordsmanship, mastering a few basic techniques.
Azar had shouted at him during those sessions, “If you can’t even keep your footing, you’ll be ground into dust!”
The memory made Eren shudder as he barely dodged a second wolf, his muscles aching from the constant strain. He had also gained a new technique during that time—Titan’s Punch. It was a powerful strike, and every time he used it, he felt a surge of strength that made him feel invincible for a split second. Not to mention, Azar had taught him how to use Mana Armor for protection, which helped—until it didn’t.
“Hey! Get back in the fight!” Azar shouted, leaning back in his chair with an air of amusement. “You’re not fighting just to survive; you need to win!”
Eren let out a frustrated growl, lunging forward to engage the wolf again. With a swift, well-placed punch, he knocked it off balance, giving him the opening he needed. He followed up with a slice from his training sword, his new techniques coming together, albeit clumsily.
“Nice one!” Azar called out, the hint of approval in his voice making Eren feel a bit better, even if he was still panting like a dog. “But you need to focus! You’re gaining experience—look at those stats!”
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With a surge of adrenaline, Eren countered the wolf's next attack and felt the rush of gaining experience as the creature fell. His status window popped up, showcasing his recent improvements.
Status:
Name: Eren Valestrix
Trait: A Regressor's Return (X Grade)(Unyielding Will)(B Grade)
Title: Goblin Slayer (+5 Strength, +6 Durability)
Level: 15
Quest: Major Quest - Reclaim Your Memories
Objective: Reach Floor 50 of the Tower to regain lost memories of your previous regression.
Stats:
Strength: 32 (+5)
Vitality: 34 (+6)
Agility: 25
Intelligence: 13
Mana: 16
Perception: 20
Skills:
Swordsmanship: Low-tier Valestrian Style
Titan's Punch: Basic Level
Mana Armor: Basic Level
“See that?” Azar gestured towards Eren's status window. “Your stats are improving! You’re becoming a decent low-tier swordsman!”
“Yeah, but it’s still not enough!” Eren groaned, wiping sweat from his brow as he took a brief moment to catch his breath.
“That’s why we’re here,” Azar said, standing up from his chair with a grin. “Now, let’s move on to something fun!”
Eren raised an eyebrow. “Fun? What do you mean by fun?”
Azar’s smile grew wider. “We’re going somewhere fun after all that training!”
“Uh, what?” Eren hesitated. “Is it safe? You’re not dressed for combat—are you?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Azar said with a wave of his hand. “We’re just going to have a good time!”
Eren felt a mix of excitement and dread. “Can’t we just stay here? This isn’t so bad… right?”
Without waiting for a reply, Azar swooped in, picking Eren up effortlessly. “Too late for that! Let’s go!”
“Hey! Put me down!” Eren yelled, squirming in Azar's grip. “I’m not some sack of potatoes!”
As they approached a shimmering portal, an uneasy feeling crept up Eren's spine. “What’s on the other side?” he asked, eyeing the swirling colors suspiciously.
“It’s just a vacation spot!” Azar assured him. “It’ll be great!”
But then Eren sensed something—something monstrous. A cold chill ran down his spine. “What the hell is that mana?” he gasped, the energy prickling against his skin.
Azar laughed. “It’s a sort of vacation, after all! You’ll love it!”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Eren shouted. “Those monsters are crazy strong! I don’t even know if you can take them!”
Azar’s expression turned serious. “Don’t joke around. If you’re actually being serious, it seems your mana sense is fucking shit. They’re only five stars. I could beat them in my sleep!”
“Five stars? That’s still strong!” Eren exclaimed, instinctively trying to step back.
Before he could escape, Azar moved with blinding speed, catching him effortlessly. “Too late for that! We’re going in!”
“Put me down, you bastard!” Eren yelled, flailing his arms as Azar threw him into the portal.
Just as he landed, a notification pinged in his vision: Dungeon Raid Started: Valestrix Solo Raid.
Eren looked around, realizing where he was—surrounded by darkness, shadows lurking in the corners. “I fucking hate you, bastard!” he shouted at the top of his lungs, the echoing silence a stark reminder of his predicament.
image [https://i.imgur.com/6kuzqKA.jpeg]