III

Walking down the only path there was, I continue forward. My encounters with goblins being far and few inbetween.

It was a bit off-putting honestly, I was expecting there to be more. Especially after the only weapon I had found after defeating one of the goblins crumbled to dust in my hands.

I sigh, finding myself lucky to have survived this far. The encounters i've had so far i've survived by pure luck.

I clench my fist, feeling a new found strength.

'Not to mention, I feel like i've been getting increasively stronger through out.'

My attention sways as something I haven't seen before eclipses my vision.

"A giant... door?"

-:-:-

[New location found]

[Floor masters throne room]

[Challenge?]

"Faster than I thought it would take."

Leaning back in my chair I focus on the words boldened in the screen.

[No]

I snicker.

"Think i'm a dumbass?"

On one hand the current stats I have would be enough to narrowly enough to win against the boss.

'But that's not how I roll.'

I crack my nuckles, leaning forward.

[Would you like to train?]

[Yes]

[Loading...]

-:-:-

"Urgh! Come on!"

Pushing myself up, I lift my own weight off the ground in struggle.

"Seven-... ty!"

I lay down on my back, panting in exhaustion. I sit up, rubbing my head as I cool down from my workout.

Clenching my fist, I collect my thoughts.

'I was right, doing this kind of stuff would have been impossible for me a few days ago.'

I stand up, tightening my fist. My knuckles going white as I real it back and throw a solid punch at the wall. It however stopping just short.

"Ok, maybe not that strong."

I could imagine the phantom pain of breaking my hand just then.

'Not pretty.'

Waving my hand around I turn to look at the looming threat.

A great hollow door, it's rusty ridges showed off just how old it was. The decayed wood of it's mass, and the metal of it's hinges. It looked like it was barely standing, yet it was firm and strong.

A slight draft blew through it's crack, an imposing feeling blowing with it.

'Not yet.'

The only feeling I got from it was that I just wasn't ready.

"Whatever god is leading me hasn't lead me astray so far. So i'll keep trusting them for now."

-:-:-

[Would you like to challenge?]

[No]

I sigh, these repetative messages are starting to get annoying. But if the reward for this wasn't up to standards I wouldn't even remotely be bothering with it.

I clicked on another prompt to activate training again, watching my basic stats slowly rise point by point as preporation for a complete boss wipe.

My usual style, overpreparation.

'Much rather be overprepared than under.'

"50 more times should do."

Realisticly I could just keep infinitely doing this, however the time limit says otherwise.

Each character is set off of real world timelines. To put it simply, they actually age as you progress and go through the campaign. So if I just infinitely did just this, since he can't die from dehydration or hunger in the tutorial he'd keel over from old age.

I could stay here for a few years, but for this boss wipe.

"That won't be neccesary."

-:-:-

'It's been about 50 days since i've started training.'

"440, 441, 442, 443."

My body moved up and down as I did sit-ups, my breath steady as my breathing was controlled and smooth.

"500."

I fell to my back, laying down as the sweat trailed down my body.

Sitting up, I clench my fist. Strength beyond what i've ever had coursing through me.

Muscle present in my arms and body showing just how much work I put myself through these past few months.

I stand up, my body still feeling relaxed as I wipe my sweat.

"I've definitely gotten used to this intensity, i'll have to ramp it up aga-"

Suddenly my attention was drawn to the door, confusion filled my face as I was unsure of what just happened until I finally got the picture.

'It was time.'

I examine my body momentarily, taking in my slightly bulkier form as I breath in and out, steadying myself.

I wasn't too much larger, only a small amount of muscle compacted on my small frame. I was never very tall nor strong, so even a improvement of just this size was significant.

Taking strides towards the door, steeling my nervs as I gulp holding it's handle. A single bead of sweat rolled down my face, I wasn't sure whether I was still worked up because of the workout or just nervous.

"Either way, waisting time won't cut it!"

I force the door open, officially stepping outside of my comfort zone and into the oven.

Almost a litteral one.

The heat wave that pushed it's way out blew past me in a turrent. The cool stagnant air of the pathway turned broiling and dry in a second.

"Something tells me this is gonna be a tough ride."

I nervously hold my hands infront of my face, blocking the heat wave as I walk forward.

-:-:-

[Entered fire lords domain]

...

"You're joking."

'To think the rng generated boss would be him.'

I wipe my face across my palms, a long sigh trailing along with it.

It wasn't that that bad of a situation, but it was very much not good. The main issue being is that the bosses main attacks consist of a majority of fire attrivute attacks.

'If the room wasn't already a dead give away.'

Besides, normally i'd have prepared for the chance of this guy showing up. But the tutorial doesn't have anything that allows that.

I click my tongue in annoyance, the situation being more than a pain in the ass.

I click and move my mouse around a few times, bringing up Lucy's stat screen for the final time before the boss fight.

Con - 30

Dex - 28

Wis - 8

"Yeah, i'll still win. But it might not be as decisive as I would have wanted."

[First boss encounter]

[Fire lord Ooz]

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