Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Ally or Foe

"Thunderbolt!"

"Thunderbolt!"

"Thunderbolt!"

[Kai! You've slain the Golden Slimes of Aztect. Congratulations!]

[Level up! Level up! Level up! Level up! Level up! Level up! Level up!]

'How long have I been repeatedly doing this? Almost a day? Or two? Three? Four? I don't know. I didn't bother to count the days since I've been resurrected. I just keep killing and killing these slimes that are also continuously respawning everywhere. Their numbers are not decreasing even though I almost defeated half of their kin. And due to that, my status is also continuously progressing.'

'Though, I lost the count of my progress so I don't know how much I've become since then and now. I didn't bother to check either. I am so preoccupied with the thought of killing all the slimes in my sight. So the only thing that I know now is that I am really different from the day I got resurrected.'

"Ha," I breathed heavily. I wiped the sweat that formed on my forehead and let my lightning sword disappear from my right hand. 

And after a while of silence, I looked up at the floor's ceiling, which was made of blue ore crystal that was referred to as the deem light of this Great Old City.

My thoughts consume me once more as I recall my darkest days in my previous life. Whereas, every day is a living hell for me because my school bullies always oppress or even beat me up in an isolated room until my eyes bolt out and my eyes are full of tears because they are bored.

Those are the days I don't want to remember because every time I think about them, a pang of bitterness consumes me, and all I want to do is run away from that trauma, wishing every night that I would never have to go through that hell pit again.

But now, I am beyond thankful that I got reincarnated with all my memories intact because from those bad memories and traumas, I found my purpose. I find my mission to live. And that is to try my best to make this world where I got reborn free from those. To save beings outside this dungeon from oppression and from the same trauma I experienced. Because if I don't save them and be there to stand for them? Who would be, right?

"That's why, I must keep getting stronger and stronger, so I have the capability to be the foundation of the weak and abused," I merely whispered in the air. And in my mind, I call out my lightning sword that instantly answers me.

'Now, time to work my ass out again.' I said to my mind before running over to the slimes that are nearby.

I easily killed the slimes I targeted by cutting them to half. Thanks to my continuous repetition on hunting these reflexive slimes, my reflexes and agility buffed too. Added to that, my swordsmanship too has also increased since I've been using my lightning sword more than my range skills attack like thunderbolt.

I want to practice my swordsmanship because if I rely too much on my range skills it is risky. Since I am inside the dungeon. Added that I am a solo player.

I just keep hunting and hunting the slimes without any rest. I kept that phase for almost a week and after continuous repetition, I totally annihilated all of them.

[Kai! Congratulations! The hatchling obtain the title of 'Golden Slime Slayer' from defeating all the Golden Slimes. Level increases two fold.]

'Ha... title huh? I wish no one could see my title though because it is a little... you know... embarrassing...?'

'Anyway, now, what will I do? There is no use for staying in these ruins. I kill all the slimes. Should I go now to the last floor to defeat the boss? Is my strength enough though to fight it? Maybe not. It is still not enough. Maybe the best decision for me is to go up to the ninety-nine-th floor and gain more experience just like my first plan and go back here to fight the boss once I am pretty confident with my strength.'

"Yeah, maybe I think that will do," I persuaded myself, and then, I didn't waste any more time by staying there and began ahead  to the ninety-nine-th floor.

And because the Great City of Olyzeria is far too expansive. It took me a couple of hours of walking to get to the ninety-nine-th floor.

Heaved sighed.

'I wish my accumulated strength from none stopping killing those slimes will be enough to fight against high-end monsters. Ha... now I am here. I'm nervous. This is my first time fighting a real monster after all since those cute slimes do not really look like monsters.'

I keep my tract as I enter a new domain of monsters. And just like the Great City of Olyzeria, the ninety-nine-th floor is too quiet and peaceful to the point that it is already giving chills and anxiety to me.

I keep my five senses sharp because I keep getting anxious that the monsters living in this area are just preparing for the perfect time to take my head out of my neck.

'T-This is really scary... I want to go home...'

"Lightning sword, comfort," I summoned my main weapon for just safety purposes as I made careful steps.

And as I approach the dungeon's heart. I became more alert when I heard the growl of a dying monster. I looked to the side where the noise was coming from, but because this floor is so dark, I can't see what's going on there.

'Shit...'

"System, can you help me see through there?"

[Kai! The hatchling has magic vision skill. Do you want to use that skill?]

'What's that skill? I didn't know I had that skill. Is that something like a night vision? Anyway, I put that aside for now. I must know first what is really happening there.'

"Yes," I answered.

[Kai! Activating the magic vision. Activation completed. The hatchling is now using magic vision.]

As the system activates that random skill of mine. Instantly, my vision became clearer than ever. I can see everything just like I am in the broad daylight.

'Now, I can see things, what is really happening there...' I focused my vision on where the noise came from.

And from my shock at what I saw there, I can't move for a second. Because not only a group of hell dogs I'd just seen but rather— a barely surviving adventurer too that has been surrounded by the pact of hell dogs! — A human!

'Oh God, a human like me! Yes! They exist! My kind is not extinct! We are still surviving!'

[Kai! Appraisal completed. That adventurer you see is on the verge of dying due to mass loss of blood. The system suggested from the hatchling to save the adventurer before it's too late.]

I gained back my rational conscious after what the system said. I am so delighted to see another human that I forget that he is badly wounded and in bad condition.

'But... can I really save him from that pact of hell dogs? They look strong and scary! What if I die because of saving him?!'

"Ahhh! Levi! What are you thinking!" I slapped my face because of my selfish thoughts.

'There is no choice though! You stupid. You must save that guy! Since if you just watch him die and be eaten by those hell dogs, do you think you can have a proper sleep every night? — So go! Yes. Let's go and save him!'

After scolding my inner self and pulling out my unyielding courage in all my bones. I charged swiftly where that guy who was on the verge of dying was. And just as I arrived from the scene, one hell dog is already on its way, biting out the guy's head who is already closed eyes, accepting his death.

'No! You can't die on my watch!'

"Release! Thunderbolt!" I roared and before the hell dog snapped out the head of the dying guy, it turned to crisp instantly.

And from that moment on, the guy who is already accepting his death opens his eyes wide in surprise and stares from where I am, full of shock.

Nevertheless, I didn't bother to look at him back, rather, I looked into my palm where the thunderbolt came from because I didn't expect the turn of events. Because... really?! Just one hit and a hell dog that looks so buffed and strong, defeated?!

Just what the... how strong did I become by massacring those slimes?!

[Kai! Danger alert. Hell dogs are approaching! System advice to prepare for combat!]

'O-Oh crap. Right. I'm in the middle of a fight! I will check my stats later. But for now, let me defeat these guys!'

And as I get back my attention to the hell dogs, they are already coming from me with an intent of chewing my head. So for counter attack, I release both lightning swords in my both palm and ready myself for bloody combat.

"Come right here, hell dogs! I am not afraid!" As I taunted them more. Their running speed increases. And by biting my bait. I smiled evilly.

I tilt my body to dodge the first hell dog coming from me. And once again, I tilt my body when the second hell dog comes.

And once again, thanks to the golden slimes I hunted continuously, my body became lighter, so moving my body like that is a piece of cake.

And as the 3rd and 4th hell dogs jump at me at the same time frame, I automatically bend my body to dodge their killing bite, and while they are in the top of me, in the air, I use that as my chance to cut their both stomachs in half using my lightning swords.

I showered in the blood of the hell dogs. Though I don't have a chance to care because the two hell dogs who were left don't want me because they literally went insane after seeing what I did in their kin. They launch a coordinated attack from my right and left angles. It is an attack that I believe no one can avoid because you are cornered, and I believe the man I am attempting to save is aware of this as well.

"No! You will die!!" He shouted with all his got together with his sour face. I take a glance at him for the first time and smile at him to tell him that everything will be alright so he is nothing to be afraid of. Because after all, I won't let myself die in the hands of these mere  hell dogs.

'Hell no. I will not die here. I will not let that happen so fast. Not this time that I have a dream to achieve.' I said with full conviction in my inner me. And before the hell dogs reached my head, a shield made of lightning appeared on both my sides. Stopping them from reaching me.

"Lightning shield!" And as I activated my defense ability. I quickly move across the floor and use my lightning sword to pierce the hell dog stomach that is still floating above me. After that, I didn't think twice about directing my palm above my head to the location of the last hell dog.

"Thunderbolt!" I casted. And after that, a dying growl was heard all over the place from the hell dog's mouth until it was gone.

[Kai! You've slain five hell dogs! Congratulations!]

[Level increases five fold due to the unique skill of the hatchling: Exp Lord. All combat skills and stats increase.]

I stand up from the floor and make my lightning sword vanish. After that, I looked at the face of the guy I saved that now is full of surprise reactions.

I heaved sighed before killing our gap to each other.

"Are you ok?" I double-checked and extended my hands for him. Though, he only looked at my offering hand before locking his gaze on my face with his unbelievably intense expression.

"J-Just... who are you?"

To Be Continued...

Up next: Chapter 4: Party