Chapter 51: Do all monsters speak?
"So I've gotten 206 exp + my 20 exp equaling 226. 100 EXP went into getting to level 12, and now I need 150 EXP to level up!? Scam! I need to meet the creator of this system." Alden barked at nobody in particular before finally distributing his 5 points into strength. Now he needed 24 EXP to get more points. It sucked, but he couldn't be choosy.
So far, he'd taken down a bunch of dragons, now, he felt he was closer to the boss. He'd also acquired some new lackeys so that made him glad.
Alden found that the tunnel through which he walked led far underground. It grew hotter and stuffier the further down he got.
Alden observed the lava that could be seen with cracks and in puddles across the dungeon. As Alden got deeper, he began to find more and more larva all around him. Finally he reached the end of the tunnel, he entered a large and spacious dungeon. He admired it's stunning interior, taking in every single detail.
The rock surface of the walls were smooth and shiny like diamond marbles, and all over the dungeon were pools of larva. Aldens eyes dragged across the dungeon, admiring every little detail until at the end of the dungeon, he saw a massive plateau. Behind it was a larva waterfall, which probably fell into a larva pool.
What was more interesting though, was what sat atop the plateau. On the Rocky platform was not one, but two dragons. One was the size of an adult elephant while the other was significantly smaller.
Both the dragons had deeply dark and reddish scales, the surface of which was as smooth as ice. Alden was sure that if he got close enough, he'd see his reflection on those scales.
These dragons, unlike the others, had arms that were attached to their wing like a bat. They also had short spikes forming a ridge from above their head to the end of their tails. Something else Alden picked up, which was more present was the dragons menacing aura. Their presence was unlike anything Alden had encountered, minus the S-class Captain Sarah Foster. These dragons were at the very least, upper A-class.
"Oh! Human! So you've made it this far? You're not so weak then, are you?" The larger dragon opened it's massive jaws and spoke.
Alden nearly swore hearing the dragon speak. "I mean, at least Mar Kirr looked kinda human. This guy is no doubt a proper monster!" Alden thought to himself in surprise.
The dragon stood up before jumping unto the ground. The other dragon did not speak nor move, but it kept it's gaze on Alden.
"I spoke to you, impudent boy! Or are you perhaps awed into silence?"
"Maybe, it's kinda because I never thought I'd see an animal speak," Alden replied to the massive dragon."it doesn't matter because I will beat you anyways."
"hahh, you're a cocky one," The dragon let out a low chuckle. "I assure you, I will enjoy killing you."
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." Alden jumped up and down, warming himself up before rotated his arms."My mom would be really sad if that happened."
Alden watched the dragon cautiously, he needed to analyze the creature first, so he chose to remain in defense. He would wait for the dragon to show it's cards.
If it was too fast? Alden doubted it would be fast with such a large body, but he had [GLITCH] in case of any surprises.
Alden held his hands up in a guard position. It was the only way he knew to fight, since his father taught him that in the single week they had to train.
So far in the dungeon he had been reluctant to use gravity to enhance his punches, as he wasn't sure if it would count as non-hand to hand combat.
Alden had decided not to take the risk and chose to just do without it.
The dragon realized that Alden wouldn't be attacking anytime soon and chose to takethe initiative.
It shot tears Alden like a bullet, it's rapid movements raising dust. Alden leaped to the side, avoiding the dragon. The dragon changed direction quickly, and launched another attack which Alden avoided by again darting to the side.
"He's fast!" Alden thought to himself.
Alden decided to test the waters and attack. Like a an eagle tearing through the skies, Alden shot towards the dragon, his hand pulled back to throw a punch. The dragon didn't move an inch, it was clearly undermining Alden's fighting ability. He would make use of that carelessness.
Alden grew near enough to attack, and he swung his fist toward the dragon. He made sure to place every ounce of his strength into the attack, so that he dealt as much damage as possible with his punch. Furthermore, that wasn't the only boost he got.
[GRAVITY (lv4) ACTIVATED]
Alden made sure to activate the skill at the last minute for two reasons. He had discovered that activating it too early slowed down the momentum in his punches, so he decided it was best to activate it last minute. The second reason was because he didn't feel comfortable using the skill too long.
His fist made contact. A large sound was heard, a large sonic wave formed. The dragon stumbled backward.
Alden began launching multiple punches, they were not as strong as his first one since they lacked a boost, but they were powerful.
Left, right, right, left. The blows were barely visible, and the rapid blur of his hands was all that was seen.
The dragon stumbled back again before letting out a roar. Then Alden knew, it had gotten serious. It spun around, it's tail smashing into Alden and sending him twisting and rolling in the dust.
Alden coughed uncontrollably and stood up as quickly as he could, ready for another attack.
"You're pretty strong boy! I'll give you that, I'll get a little serious now." The dragon said, no longer as arrogant as before. It stood high on its feet, and flames could be seen jumping amongst it's many sharp teeth.
"Good, now I can beat you up properly," Alden said, a smirk on his face. Though he seemed confident, in reality he was a little worried. His first attack was dependent mostly on the essence of surprise and the dragons laxity. Now that those were gone, he had no other advantages. All he could do was try to sneak in one or two skills that'd help him get a few attacks in.
From the dragons mouth emerged a huge flame ball , and it shot toward Alden. Alden readied himself as the ball of fire flew toward him. Alden jumped to the side to avoid it. Another ball made it's was toward Alden but he dodged that one two.
With the agility of a monkey, Alden avoided numerous attacks, even making some acrobatic flips in the process.
"I need to get close!" Alden thought. He began running toward the dragon in a maizing run, as he tried to avoid the energy attacks.
As he got close he tried to leap toward the dragon in an effort to attack it. He only realized what an error he made when something struck him so hard, he was sure he had shattered every bone in his body.
Alden crashed into the ground before flying into the distance like a rag doll, dust covering his trail. He stopped himself before standing up.
There was no time to catch his breath. For there was no time at all. He had to dodge the next menacing blast that made itself toward him.
"I can't expose myself like that again. I've got to find an opening to attack from."
In order to do that he'd have to get closer, and he'd have to move as much as possible. Then he'd find an opening. But he knew it was not as easy as it sounded.
He still had to try.
Alden made a plan internally, before deciding to execute it. He began to charge toward the dragons, ready to execute it.
A flame ball came, he rolled to the left and began to run around the dragon, ducking and diving to avoid attacks. His direction changed. Now to the dragon. Another energy ball. He dived to the right and ran there.
All this while, Alden kept low and made his boy as small as possible. Attacks continually flew at him, and Alden patiently dodged them. Soon the dungeon was filled with dust, and that was where Alden's plan came into action. He had ensured the attacks hit the ground a raised dust all over the dungeon, allowing him to hide well.
The dragon realized his plan, and slowly turned around, waiting for Alden's attack. It was then that it heard something charging toward it from behind.
"There you are!" Th dragon spun around, and jumped toward whatever had tried to attack it. That impudent human, it thought it was. But when the dragon lifted it's claws, it found only rocks within it's feet. The broken rocks formed a rough shape of what it was before.
A golem.
The dragon's eyes widened and it spun around, but it was too late. Alden's hand had already struck it's side. This time Alden hit the scaleless side that was wide open. The dragon was pushed back by the attack, and it fell to the ground and rolled over violently .
Alden charged. He had to attack. But the dragon quickly got up. It unleashing another golden energy blast.
Alden widened his eyes. It was heading toward him! He tried to escape, but he was late. It hit Alden hard, and directly.
Alden found himself pushed backward. He flew through the air, and into the ground. A huge crater formed, within which his limp body lay.
"So much of bravado," the dragon chuckled rather spitefully. "yet, you've lost so easily over here?"
The dragon walked slowly toward the crater in the ground. However, am expression that seemed to be surprise showed as its large brows furrowed.
"Where is he?"
[GLITCH(lv2) ACTIVATED]
"Here," Alden muttered, before stabbing his swordstaff into the dragons belly.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone