Ep. 7 — Chapter 28: Time on the Clock (4)

The treasure of the dungeon. The one that belonged to the ancient King was there, sitting on the steps of the throne. At a glance, anyone would think that it was just another addition to the steps. But Leon's perception allowed him to quickly locate the keyhole made of gold.

"Where is this…?"

The room was lit with several torches hung around the walls. Especially the lion shaped armrests, illuminating a golden light. He couldn't tell whether it was the natural constitution of the armrests or if it was only reflecting the torches.

Still, it was a captivating sight.

[You have entered the 'Boss room'.]

Ggggggg….!!!

The room shook, and the sound of a wall crumbling was heard. Leon quickly turned to the entrance to the boss room, seeing the shadows of the Minotaur. He backed up near the throne, tightening his grip on the shovel.

[You have been spotted.]

The message appeared not in a hurried manner, but like a finale. Like it was telling him that it was the end.

The boss inched closer and closer. The footsteps became even more heavy. The thudding sounds of the Minotaur's movements were shaking the entire room—and possibly the entire dungeon itself. Cracking followed with the giant thuds, until the boss's entire figure covered the entryway.

[You dare enter my home?]

Chills ran down his spine as he heard the voice. It was a voice full of power, causing him to tense up. His knees weakened at the sound of it.

[I have had robbers like you before. They all came here for my seat. For what belongs to me.]

Was this what Sir Rayes wanted? The ancient King's treasure? Normally, it doesn't feel right that he stole from someone else, but this time it's different. If Sir Rayes wanted this, he would gladly do it.

There were several instances where Leon thought he may have messed with Rayes's plans. Even from slight moments of hesitation. Sir Rayes seems to always be thinking of things, plotting things. His short moments of hesitations might have become a hindrance for Sir Rayes's ultimate plan.

[Speak, you thief. Who dares enter my home?]

Leon remained silent, but watchful. He continued to observe the entrance. Since the entryways were small, the boss shouldn't be able to come in with ease. As long as he's not aggravated and pushes through the massive walls, Leon should be fine.

He quickly ran about, going to blind spots within the room that isn't visible from the entrance. Behind the throne, a sweet-scent filled his nose. A nice fragrance. It was unusual since he thought the Minotaur would smell more…putrid.

Footsteps were heard. It got closer. Leon was now confused: just how long can someone keep getting closer and closer but never actually there?

Maybe the being was never near him to begin with. A trick of the mind. The layout of this place, was it meant to make sounds travel around even more? If that is the case, then…

Leon moved from behind the throne. And at that moment, something came flying his way.

[Found you!]

He barely managed to evade. The object flew past him and slammed into the wall, causing cracks to spread across the entire room. The wall seemed like it was going to fall any second now. The object revealed itself. And Leon's eyes widened.

Not through fear, but because of confusion.

The Minotaur…it was tiny.

It was human-sized at best. He had expected the Minotaur to be a giant. Full-body beast, a literal walking giant bull. However, it had a human body with a bull fur coat and trousers. Only the head was that of a bull.

[Initiating the boss battle sequence!]

The Minotaur walked closer to Leon. Despite its rather humane size, Leon still felt the suppressive aura being flooded out of the Minotaur.

"You seem to understand human speech?"

[And? What if it was the case?]

"Are you the real Minotaur?"

[It seems you stumbled across these ancient ruins by coincidence. How unfortunate for you, having your life cut short simply because you failed to learn your way around these parts.]

Leon realised that the boss had not thought of letting him free.

"I…It would be a lie if I say that I came here by accident. No, it was all planned out."

Leon started to curse himself from the inside. Damn that attribute of his.

[Attribute, 'Man of Quality' is lighting up.]

The Minotaur laughed out loud. Now he sounded more like a bull than before. He cocked his head and faced Leon with pride. [So you're one of them?]

"One of them?"

[The 'good' people. Heroes of myths and legends. There was someone like you. A golden-hearted individual that came here. He was a hero.]

Hero?

[Despite being utterly defeated by him, I felt no humiliation. No, it was something else. He came here and offered me something. Now that he has passed…] The Minotaur stepped around and stood next to the throne, rubbing the head of the chest. [I must protect his sacred relics.]

Golden aura appeared before the Minotaur and at the same time, red flashes occurred.

[Warning! A System Monitoring is being conducted!]

[Hm. I should watch what I say…now, human. Come face me. You will not lay a hand on this treasure.]

Leon didn't understand the full story. However, something was for certain. The Minotaur is not 'evil'. Not necessarily. It's only protecting its own home. And the treasure of this dungeon. Which then brought a feeling of despair to Leon.

He was going to face this beast to take from him.

[But I shan't let you live either. You will not leave this place alive.]

Leon took the weapon in his hand. He took into battle stance and glared at the Minotaur, pointing the blade of the shovel at him. "Likewise, I too have someone to fight for. No matter what, I will take you down!"

Light aura surrounded Leon and he felt his strength increasing. Yes, he was now utilising his Ability for the first time.

[You have activated your Ability, 'Battle Cry Lv. 1'!]

[Several aspects of your constitution has increased by 5!]

[Your Strength has reached level 21!]

[Your Agility has reached level 20!]

[Your Durability has increaaed to level 23!]

…

His body seemed to grow physically as well. The muscles stretched and inflated, and he felt his arms becoming more rigid. His body transformed into a sturdier build as the effects of the skill took charge.

[Your ability has been enhanced due to your attribute and your current situation!]

Golden aura surged throughout his body, his blond hair fluttering around. It reached his eyes, the irises turning golden as well.

[Your two abilities are certainly familiar. Perhaps, you truly are a 'hero' as he was.] The Minotaur spoke, his mucles also getting bigger as well, as if to mimic Leon's upgrade. [If you defeat me here, I believe that treasure will be in good hands.]

The Minotaur leapt forward, a golden sickle in his hand. Leon's own shovel struck the sickle, causing spamrs to erupt from the collision. Leon held the Minotaur down, his feet planted on the ground.

The Minotaur, though a bit shorter was able to push Leon back. His physicality didn't matter.

"A sickle…?!"

Leon had seen pictures and vidoes and read some things regarding the Minotaur. Though they were for schoolwork, he had thought and believed that the Minotaur wielded a large axe. Or even a hammer. But this…?!

It was just a tiny gold sickle. And he himself wasn't that big either.

Even so, he was nothing short of powerful.

The sickle reached under and swung up. Leon stepped back, the sickle nearly splitting his chin. "Urgh…!"

At the next second, the Minotaur reached forward and threw him forward. The throne was crushed by the impact, blood spewing out from Leon's mouth. Uncontrollable coughs followed, coming out of his mouth.

"Gaaaaaah!"

Leon gritted his teeth and grabbed the Minotaur by the neck, pressing the shovel against it. Pained gruntings came forth, but the Minotaur didn't back off.

[Guahahahaha! There hasn't been a single man aside that one who was able to hold me down as such! You are a noble man, indeed!]

The Minotaur continued to push down. Cracks followed, the throne behind him collapsed. The golden lions armrests broke, rolling on the ground before crumpling into gold dusts.

[However, I've killed many noble men! Heroes! And you are of no exception, regardless how upright you may be!…Kueok?!]

Crackkk!

Leon grabbed hold of the golden lion and slammed it against the Minotaur's head. The heaviness of the item strained his arm, but it caused damage to rhe Minotaur, causing it to let free. Blood spilled from the Minotaur's head.

"If you know they are heroes, why do you kill them?!" Leon managed to yell back.

[Because it is my duty. That should be of no question.]

Duty?

[That was how I was created. I am only an object of the system. And a villain.] The Minotaur rose to his feet, the sickle being tossed to the side. The clangning was loud, echoing even more because of the hollow inside of the room.

[And you, hero, must die at my hands.]

[Your story is being written in the 'Book of Myths'.]

The message appeared again. The arrival of the sudden message caused the Minotaur to gasp, his eyes becoming wide. His bull-like features turned into one of confusion and anger. But then laughter emerged from his lips. [Hah. Yes, you will be remembered by the Book of Myths. I applause you, hero.]

"…hero."

[Hah?]

Leon looked up, and began speaking loudly. "Why do you keep calling me that?"

[What are you talking about? Your attributes. You are a hero.]

Was that all there is to it? It is true that he possessed a hero attribute. But to have an attribute, there must be a reason to it. Why is he a hero?

As if reading his mind, the Minotaur spoke.

[You don't know about yourself. It doesn't matter. If you are a hero, then I am your enemy in this scenario.]

"If that's what you want."

[…]

Leon threw his shovel to the side.

[Do you wish to take me bare handed? No matter what you are, it is foolish. You know you cannot take me easily.]

But then, he moved his feet. The Minotaur watched with wide eyes. His foot touched something and kicked it open. A clicking sound is heard and the Minotaur yelled in rage.

[You…! Don't you dare!] He ran up, dashing forward at Leon with eyes full and anger.

Golden aura radiated from Leon as he bent down, picking up something. The Minotaur brought his fists forward and slammed it agaisnt Leon.

Shwinnng!

[Guaaahhh!!!] The Minotaur yelled in pain, staggering back with horrified eyes. [How are you…?! You shouldn't be able to touch that!]

Leon held tightly to the weapon.

The treasure of the ancient King.

A long blade of golden colour. The blade emitted pure aura similar to Leon's own golden colour. A couple messages flew in at that moment.

[You have acquired a new Achievement!]

['Treasure of the Ancient King' has been obtained!]

[Your Attribute, 'Hero Lv. 1', has begun its 'Ascension' process and will soon evolve.]

With the [Treasure of Ancient King] in hand, Leon pointed it at the Minotaur. The Minotaur staggered back even more, sensing the threatening aura flowing out of Leon's character.

[You shouldn't be able to…] He was baffled. The fact that Leon was able to obtain the weapon was near impossible. Unless…

[The 'Treasure of the Ancient King' has chosen its master.]

As the message appeared, brught flashing lights emerged from the blade. Golden and white aura appeared and circled Leon's character and a suppressive aura came to as well.

Rayes was outside, fighting off everyone else just so he would be able to make it through.

So now, it's for him to take down the boss, clearing this dungeon before Rayes appeared.

"This time, I will fight."