Weapon Shop Found
Following the path, the uphill slope eventually flattened out.
Something was there.
Various types of weapons lay on an elongated rock.
I approached closer to examine them.
Swords, spears, axes, maces, shields, bows, crossbows, whips... it was like a *Weapon Shop*; nothing was missing.
Was I supposed to choose freely?
*Why is it suddenly being so kind?*
I looked at the passage stretching ahead.
They give me just one sword and make me struggle like that, and now they're suddenly showering me with weapons? I felt uneasy, wondering what they were planning.
First, I chose my weapons.
Isn't a sword and shield combination still the best?
There was no reason to pick weapons I couldn't properly handle.
I discarded the sword and spear I had been carrying and picked up a new sword and shield in each hand.
Tense, I moved forward again.
The passage gradually widened.
At its end was a massive *Cavern*, just like the initial area.
However, the minerals embedded in the walls, which usually emitted white light, now glowed red, filling the space with an ominous aura.
It felt just like a game's *Boss Room*.
Something stood solitary in the center of the *Cavern*.
I stopped time and observed it.
As soon as I saw it, all I could do was sigh.
*What the hell is that now...?*
A *Knight* armored from head to toe, holding a large mace in its hand.
After confirming there was no one else but it, I released time.
Kerr-luk-
The creature let out a distinctively unpleasant goblin cry.
A goblin?
Its size was considerably different from the others.
The *Goblin Knight* strode towards me.
The clanking of its armored steel boots echoed through the *Cave*.
I stopped time again.
Alright, let's think.
How do I deal with that?
An opponent covered entirely in armor.
Striking it with a sword was impossible.
I recalled medieval combat techniques I'd seen in history documentaries once. Opponents clad in full plate armor would be taken to the ground, and their armor's gaps would be stabbed with a knife.
*That definitely won't work.*
As it approached, I saw it was much larger than I'd thought. It looked at least 2 meters tall. Wrestle with a monster like that on the ground? That wasn't a combat method; it was a suicide method.
Still, attacking the armor's gaps was the only way to inflict damage. I had no choice but to aim for them somehow.
*But where are the armor gaps?*
The helmet slit and the joints... aren't those the places?
I'd have to engage it directly first.
My strategy was simple.
Unconditionally *Evasion* or *Defense*, then *Counterattack*.
It was a method proven effective after dealing with six goblins already.
I released time.
The *Goblin Knight*, which had been walking, suddenly lunged with explosive speed.
“...!”
Accustomed to the speed of the goblins I'd faced so far, I was caught off guard.
I split time.
The mace was already descending from above, making it awkward to dodge, so I raised my shield.
CRASH!
A shattering sound, followed by a massive impact that traveled up the arm holding the shield.
My breath caught in my throat.
Unable to withstand the impact, I was helplessly thrown backward, rolling on the ground.
I scrambled to my feet and stopped time.
*What kind of strength is that...!*
I immediately realized my judgment was wrong. The wooden shield shattered in one hit. That was a monstrous strength I shouldn't have blocked. I had to *Evasion* unconditionally.
Releasing time, I felt my whole body ache, but I abandoned the shield and ran.
My arm wasn't broken, was it?
There was considerable pain in my forearm and ribs, but my bones didn't seem broken.
Kieee-!
The *Goblin Knight* let out a shriek and chased after me.
The thought of dying if caught made my body move well for now.
It was faster and much stronger than I had imagined.
But there was no answer in just running away. I had to dodge and *Counterattack* to defeat it.
The distance grew shorter, and I bravely faced the *Goblin Knight*.
I split time again.
The *Goblin Knight*'s arm slowly rose.
From the angle, it was a diagonal *Downward Strike*.
I twisted my upper body to the left, beginning my *Evasion*.
The mace descended along the predicted path... it was fast, as expected.
Moreover, the mace it held was a morning star, a round sphere studded with thick spikes. Its bulk made it harder to dodge than a sword.
Whoosh!
The wind slapped my face.
I barely managed to evade the attack.
I prepared for a *Counterattack*.
Various thoughts flashed through my mind, but no matter how I looked, there was only one clear weakness.
*I need to aim for the helmet slit.*
The slit in the helmet that allowed it vision.
I aimed my sword at the *Knight Goblin*'s helmet and stopped time.
Since splitting time didn't allow me to precisely adjust the trajectory of a sword once it began its thrust, accurately targeting that narrow gap was difficult. Still, I had to do it. It was the only way.
I concentrated and thrust my sword.
Clang!
The result was a failure.
The sword didn't pierce the helmet slit but scraped just above it.
Still not easy.
I quickly pulled back.
The mace followed, swinging with enough force to crush my waist, forcing me to retreat further.
The spikes on the mace caught my shirt, tearing it as it passed.
Damn it, no time to regain my balance...
I kept retreating, frantically dodging the *Goblin Knight*'s attacks.
One hit would be the end.
Attacks grazed my hair and the tip of my earlobe. It stung as if my skin had been torn, but it was better than my head exploding. After dodging five or six times, I finally regained my balance and aimed for another *Counterattack*.
I ducked my head to avoid the mace and lunged inside the *Knight Goblin*'s guard.
Aiming my sword at its helmet, I stopped time.
I would keep trying until I succeeded.
This time, the distance between my sword tip and the helmet slit was closer, making success seem more likely.
I concentrated and, as I released time, thrust my sword with all my might.
With a slight catching sensation, the blade slipped between the helmet and plunged in.
Kieeeek-!
A tearing shriek echoed.
I succeeded...! Fuck.
The *Goblin Knight*'s fist, swung in a convulsion, was heading for my head.
It was too late to dodge, so I used my arms to defend as best I could.
With a dizzying sensation of my head ringing, my body flew backward.
In the midst of it, did I unconsciously think I needed to get away from the *Goblin Knight*?
I deliberately rolled on the ground for a long time.
Bzzzzzz-
What was that? Tinnitus?
I stopped rolling and tried to get up, but a delayed, intense pain shot through my arm.
I looked down at my right arm; it was twisted. Broken.
“...!”
It hurt. It hurt like hell...!
I bit my lip tightly.
My left arm also felt weak, but I managed to prop myself up with it.
Regaining my senses, I looked at where the *Goblin Knight* was.
Fortunately, it didn't seem to have the energy to pay attention to me. It was staggering around with the sword stuck in its helmet.
Thud.
Soon, it collapsed.
The sword had plunged in deeply; did it reach its brain?
“Ugh...”
Sweating coldly, I staggered to my feet.
Is it dead?
I approached the fallen *Goblin Knight* to examine it.
It was motionless.
But no *Completion Message* appeared.
Wondering if its breath hadn't completely stopped, I tried to pull the sword from its helmet with my relatively intact left hand.
Twang!
The sound rang in my ears the moment I grabbed the sword.
At the chilling sound of a taut bowstring being released, I instinctively stopped time.
A little further ahead.
A goblin, lying prone in the corner of the *Cavern*, aiming a large crossbow at me, belatedly entered my vision.
And an arrow, suspended right in front of my abdomen, frozen in place.
...What the hell is that?
There was clearly only the *Goblin Knight*.
My thoughts stuttered for a moment. I had stopped time just before the arrow hit. I couldn't dodge it. It was as good as hit already. At this distance, there was no way to evade it. Not unless I could move at the speed of light.
I had clearly thought the *Goblin Knight* was the final boss, but what was this?
I was half in a state of panic before I pulled myself together.
*What do I do?*
If I release time now, I'll get an arrow in the stomach.
...It'll hurt, right? *Fuck, of course it'll hurt like hell.*
It would probably be far more painful than a broken arm.
Pain was one thing, but I would die. I would die like this.
There was only one path left.
To kill that *Crossbow Goblin* before I died.
If it was the last remaining enemy, then the *Completion Message* would appear. They said all injuries would be healed if I succeeded in the clear, so that was the only possibility I could bet on.
Yes, I had to do it.
I couldn't fail so futilely after coming all this way.
Get hit by the arrow, then immediately run and kill the *Crossbow Goblin*.
Getting an arrow in the stomach wouldn't kill a person, would it? Well, it would kill me, but at least not instantly.
The distance to the *Crossbow Goblin* was only about 10 meters.
It would take only a few seconds to run and stab it.
...But could I endure this pain?
The pain of an arrow piercing my stomach? Me?
And I had to run all the way there while enduring that pain?
The mere thought made me dizzy.
It was questionable whether it was even possible.
*This is driving me crazy.*
Resolve... I need to steel my resolve.
Let's think that the fate of *Humanity* rests on my shoulders.
Ah, but no matter how I think about it, it's a bit...
No. Do it. I can do it.
Alright... I'm doing it.
Really doing it?
I finally steeled my resolve one last time, then released time.
Thud!
With a searing, intense pain.
I couldn't think of anything else. Even though I only thought about running as soon as I released it, my body fell on its own.
“...!”
I stopped time again.
The wave of pain that had bleached my mind white vanished instantly.
When time stopped, the pain in my body also ceased.
Of course, it would start again if I released it.
*You motherfucker.*
The arrow had cleanly pierced my stomach.
Curses naturally spilled out.
Move while enduring that pain just now?
No, this is ridiculous. I can't do it.
It's not something willpower can overcome.
I can't. I won't.
After a moment, I pulled myself together again.
If I can't do it, will I give up? Just die?
I'll kill it.
Even if I die, I will definitely kill that bastard before I go.
Mentally prepared, I released time.
Horrible, intense pain overwhelmed my consciousness.
“Ugh... ugh...”
I couldn't even breathe.
It hurt so much that tears welled up.
The injured area burned with pain, yet a chill ran down my spine.
I bit my molars hard, struggling to my feet. I barely managed to grab my sword.
The goblin's figure entered my dangerously swaying vision.
It was trying to load the next arrow into its crossbow.
If I got hit by that too, I really wouldn't be able to endure it.
That sense of crisis, survival instinct, and the rage to kill that bastard all combined, and my legs slowly began to move.
I ran as if my stomach was tearing apart.
If I hesitated for even a moment, I would fall again.
Miraculously, I didn't fall and reached the goblin's face.
The creature, frantically loading its crossbow, gave up on shooting and tried to flee.
I squeezed out my last bit of strength and threw my body forward.
I plunged my sword into the goblin's back, and we both fell.
Kieeeek-
Half out of my mind, I wildly hacked at its body with my sword.
In the middle of it, the creature pulled out a dagger and stabbed me in the neck.
“Gah.”
Perhaps that was its last struggle, as it no longer thrashed, but my consciousness also became hazy.
Ah, am I dying?
But after all this, couldn't it just say it's over?
Why is there still no *Clear Message*...? I don't know.
I just want to rest now.
“...”
[You have succeeded in clearing *Nightmare 1st Floor*.]
[The Status WindowContext: ut after all this, couldn't it just say it's over?Why is there still no *Clear Message*...? I don't know.I just want to rest now.“...”[You have succeeded in clearing *Nightmare 1st Floor*.][The Status Window and Communication Window are now open.][Absorbing the *Power of the Floor*.][Level Up.][Level Up.][Level Up.]. . .[Level Up.][You are the first to succeed in clearing *Nightmare 1st Floor*.] and Communication Window are now open.]
[Absorbing the *Power of the Floor*.]
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
[Level Up.]
.
.
.
[Level Up.]
[You are the first to succeed in clearing *Nightmare 1st Floor*.]
[The *1st Floor Hidden Route* is now open.]
[Moving to the *Reward Room*.]