The quality of this 2:2 battle wasn't anything exciting.

Since I couldn't escape, the only thing I could do was take them down.

"Grrrrrrr."

The way that the soldier crouched made it look like they were going attack at any moment.

On top of that, since it didn't have any muscles, their movement was very flexible.

Since my arm was cursed, I couldn't wield anything due to the lack of strength.

I felt the curse from my left arm spreading throughout my body.

"Grrrrrrr."

The soldier placed a s.h.i.+eld in front of them and changed their tactics to protecting the archer.

It's a technique that's usually used to decrease the number of opponents.

The archer grabbed an arrow and aimed it towards us.

Fwoos.h.!.+

The arrow was shot not that far from us.

The speed of the arrow increased as it flew, it was impossible for an ordinary human to sense the arrow.

Before the arrow was released, I grabbed the Slime that was in front of me and stretched it like a rubber band.

Its slimy skin was stretching so smoothly.

Bloop!!

It sounded as if a pebble was thrown into a lake.

The arrow that the archer shot didn't go through the Slime's body, but was sucked into it.

"Grrrrr."

Bleh!!

As if it didn't taste good, the Slime ended up spitting out the arrow that was sucked into its body.

The skeletons that saw this looked pretty surprised because they looked at each other with a confused expression.

"It all depends on how you use it."

Out of all the C rank soldiers that were weak, Slime was treated as the weakest of them all.

Its offense points were close to zero.

But, this weak soldier had a special ability.

It was resistant to physical attacks.

The weapons that the skeletons had weren't exceptions.

Fwoos.h.!.+ Fwoos.h.!.+

Bloop!! Bloop!!

Maybe it got angry by how the Slime easily blocked its attacks because the archer started shooting multiple arrows.

Every time an arrow flew, the Slime would use its body and block the attacks.

"Grrrrrr!!"

As if the soldier couldn't take it any longer, they suddenly started running towards us.

"Block them for me."

The Slime didn't have ears or eyes, but I could tell that it understood my command.

Since its body could change forms, the Slime transformed into a wall and protected me from the attacks.

Clank!!

I grabbed the axe that was on the ground and clashed with the soldier's sword.

The soldier probably knew that they had the advantage, so they kept on attacking.

Pant!! Pant!!

As my breathing became heavier, I knew that I was walking on thin ice.

They cut my waist once and the cut was so deep that the blood didn't stop flowing out.

Crack!!

"Grrrrr."

For the first time, I managed to injure the soldier.

I felt good, which caused a smile to appear on my face.

Sense - E rank -> Increased to D rank.

The experience that was built-up within me finally increased the rank.

It happened when I was fighting against the Troll.

That was when I was sure of the fact that I had skills when it came to combat.

Maybe I could do it now.

While trying to chop down the tree several times, there was one time when a light appeared.

It happened so suddenly and in order to see it again.

But, it could be possible now.

Swoosh.

The wind suddenly started blowing through this still forest.

A blue energy was starting to circle around me.

Since my concentration was at its peak, the energy was starting to gather into one place like I had hoped for.

Mana Enhancement E rank.

It was an active skill that strengthened an item or the body through mana.

Despite of the fact that my mana level was increasing, I had no way of using it.

But now, I earned a skill where I'll be able to use the mana that's been overflowing.

With Mana Enhancement, my axe's offense points suddenly increased.

The blue light made the skeletons take a step back as if they had the ability to feel emotions.

Boom!!

For the first time in this battle, I made the first move.

The distance between us shortened.

"Grrrrr!!"

The skeleton was shocked and it reacted too late.

Their strong bones were shattered into pieces.

Crack!!

The axe hit their left shoulder and ended up cutting through their ribs.

"Grrrrrrr!!"

The skeleton released a white breath.

As if they couldn't believe that they lost, the skeleton started patting the broken bone.

Drizzle.

Taking out the Holy Water from my inventory, I poured it over its head.

There was only one remaining.

Before taking them down, I drank a HP potion to restore some of my health.

When I turned around, I noticed that arrows were stuck to the Slime's body.

The Skeleton Archer wiped its forehead as if they were sweating.

"Grrrrrrr."

After realizing that their comrade was taken down, the soldier took a step back.

As soon as I saw the back, I started running towards it.

I was aiming for the spine.

Crack!!

The archer's neck detached from its body and rolled on the black dirt.

The body that lost its head was running really fast and ended up falling forwards.

Drizzle.

I poured the Holy Water on them too.

I threw the axe that I barely had the strength to wield like it was trash.

"Ah……"

I'm tired.

My entire body was aching.

If I pa.s.sed out now, I feel like I would see my life flash before my eyes.

Why am I suffering like this?

Did I really have to survive in this h.e.l.l-like place every day?

I'm getting…sleepy.

"Ack!!"

I became wide awake after being enveloped by something cold.

As if they were trying to be cute, it stuck to my body and started trembling.

"I know, I know, I'm alive thanks to you."

I wasn't sure how to pet it, so I just petted a random spot on its body.

Maybe it felt happy because its body trembled even more.

"Let's get the item first."

Red Skeleton's Bow (Rank 9)(Dropped Item)

This bow is special because it's made out of bones instead of wood.

It doesn't look flexible and may look like it lacks power, but it's very flexible.

Red Skeleton's Sword (Rank 9)(Dropped Item)

The skull that's embedded at the hilt makes the item stand out.

Red Skeleton's Armor (Rank 9)(Dropped Item)

It's lightweight and its defense is excellent.

Red Skeleton's Red Eyes (Special Utilization Item)

It can be consumed and it will have a fishy taste.

Once consumed, it will raise your mana level.

Key of the Ruin (Special Utilization Item)

The key you can use to enter the second stage's ruin.

There was a lot.

I thought they were strong monsters, but the items they dropped were pretty good.

I was pretty satisfied with the bow and armor.

I thought I made the right decision by not purchasing any armor from the store prior to coming here.

But, my happiness only lasted for a moment.

My left hand was still decaying.

Despite of drinking the Release Potion that I purchased from the store, it didn't make it any better.

I needed to heal this as soon as possible.

"…Let's cut it."

Other than that, I couldn't think of another solution.

If I don't cut it, it'll spread to my organs.

I'll no longer be human.

It didn't explain how it can be healed.

If I do it now, I can keep my shoulder and bicep.

The more I hesitate, the more parts I'll lose.

After raising the axe, I lightly placed it right on top of the decomposed part.

I had injuries all over my body.

Do I need to do this in a different way?

I didn't have any idea.

This was my first time, so there was no reason to nitpick about it.

I hope it falls off with one strike.

I didn't want to strike my twice.

Swoos.h.!.+

"Ack!! Cough. Cough."

Thankfully, the axe was really sharp so I was able to cut it off with one strike.

After seeing the blood seeping out, I drank the Health Potion and the Blood Recovery Potion.

"d.a.m.n it. Gahhhh."

Tears escaped my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

The largest scar that I earned from the stage just happened to be the one that I gave myself.

But, I somewhat felt sad.

I ripped off my clothes and wrapped it tightly around my arm.

Thanks to the Blood Recovery Potion, I didn't lose that much blood.

Despite of the fact that I acquired the key, I couldn't go in there in my current condition.

I had to return to the fortress.

"No. 1 and No. 2 might faint."

Thankfully, the torch that was placed on the tree didn't go out.

Even though the door of the ruin was right in front of me, I didn't have any choice but to leave.

End.

Staff :

Kuhaku (PR)