Bab 16: Boss fight
I stepped into the room, heart pounding as the looming figure of the Orc Lord turned his back toward me. His stats had left me shaken. The defense alone was enough to make me question my chances. Despite my advantage in speed, his sheer power could end me with a single hit.
But fear wouldn't stop me. I'd come too far.
The moment I crossed the boundary of the safe zone, I felt a surge of danger. A massive blade, seemingly materializing out of nowhere, soared toward me. Time seemed to slow down as I glanced back, my eyes locking onto the Orc Lord. He had thrown the weapon—a monstrous butcher's knife—attached to his wrist by chains. The speed was unbelievable.
"Move!" my instincts screamed, and just as the blade was about to strike, I vanished in a flash of light.
Swish!
Boom!
The ground where I'd stood shattered like glass, the blade impaling the earth. Before I could even catch my breath, I felt it—the immense shadow behind me, a wave of pure, murderous intent. I barely turned in time to see the Orc Lord's fist, massive as a boulder, aimed straight for my skull.
One thought ran through my mind: Fuc—
Bang!
I didn't even feel the impact as everything went black.
---
I reappeared in front of the yellow crystal at the boss room's entrance, a sickening lurch in my stomach as I manifested back into existence. "Heaven and hell... it's all a lie. There's only darkness!" I yelled, more in shock than anything else.
The old witch chuckled softly, amusement flickering in her eyes. Her presence was eerie, a constant reminder of how outclassed I felt.
"Hi," I greeted awkwardly, feeling like an idiot.
"How was the fight?" she asked, her voice carrying a lightness that irritated me.
I sighed, shaking my head. "I got one-shotted. It was like staring death in the face. I couldn't do anything."
She gave me a knowing look. "That's what happens when you charge in blindly. You thought brute strength would carry you through, but you lack finesse. You went in without a plan, thinking your abilities alone would save you."
She puffed from her cigarette, her words cutting deep. "Most adventurers are like that—arrogant. And that arrogance leads them to death. You were lucky you had spawn checked. If not, you'd have lost all your progress. Brute force alone won't defeat him. Think before you act, or next time, you'll lose more than just your pride."
Her words stung, but they rang true. I had all the power, yet I'd been fighting like a novice. Sanji's techniques, the Light-Light Fruit's power—I had them, but I hadn't truly learned how to use them in synergy. I was no better than a child swinging a gun.
"Thank you," I said, bowing my head. "I've been relying too much on my powers without understanding how to use them."
She nodded with a faint smile. "The dungeon isn't just about completing your template. It's about growing stronger, both in body and mind."
With new resolve, I turned toward the gate. This time, I wouldn't rely solely on power—I would use strategy. But just before I touched the handle, I paused.
"Hey, you said there were other adventurers before me. Who were they?"
The witch's gaze grew distant, her smile fading as she looked into the depths of her memory. "You'll know when you're ready."
I wanted to press her further but knew she wouldn't answer. So, I left it at that and asked June instead.
"June, are there others like me?"
<That information is not available. But what I can say is, there is only one person with a system in this world. As for your question, you will know when the time is right.>
Another dead end. I sighed, accepting there were things I wasn't yet ready to know.
---
The Orc Lord stood in the center of the arena, his back still to me as I approached. My heart pounded in my chest, but this time, it wasn't out of fear—it was determination.
"Your time is up, pork chop."
He hurled his blade at me again, but this time I was ready. I teleported out of the way, reappearing midair, my hands already gathering light.
"Sorry, Orc chop. Time to go big."
I called on every ounce of my power, condensing the light into a singular, blinding attack.
"Final Flash!"
The beam shot forth, searing the air as it collided with the Orc Lord, engulfing him in a violent explosion of light. The ground shook beneath me, and dust filled the arena.
I landed with a confident smirk. No way he survived that.
But the notification I was expecting from the system never came. I frowned, and as the dust settled, my heart dropped.
There he stood, his hulking figure unmoved. His armor smoked from the attack, but he was very much alive.
"Impossible..." I muttered in disbelief. I fired a barrage of light beams, desperation creeping into my every movement. He didn't even flinch.
The Orc Lord stomped his foot, and the ground cracked beneath him. A red circle appeared, radiating from his feet, and I felt it wrap around me as well. My breath caught in my throat as a voice, ancient and terrible, seemed to echo from the void.
"Domain Expansion: Void Pit of Gluttony."
The circle beneath me turned into an abyss of pure darkness, black hands clawing up from the void, grabbing my limbs, dragging me down. I struggled, firing light in every direction, but it was no use. The hands tightened, pulling me into the abyss.
I looked at the Orc Lord one last time before the darkness swallowed me.
And then, there was nothing.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone