Armour

'This boy…'

Alexa stared at Kieran in awe.

She didn't expect this.

His sudden action caught her off guard.

'What rewards does he even want? Aetheris? Fame? Or is he just reckless?'

Her lips curled into a smirk.

"Hahaha… You're amusing," she said, taking a step forward.

She turned to face the troll boss, her crimson eyes gleaming in the dim light of the cave. Behind the massive creature, a small army of trolls stood, waiting for their leader's command.

Alexa exhaled.

"I won't interfere in your fight," she said, crossing her arms. "No matter what happens."

Kieran raised a brow. "You sure?"

Alexa grinned.

"In fact, let's make a deal."

A deal?

Kieran's curiosity piqued, but before he could question her further, something strange happened.

A gentle breeze swept through the cave.

The troll boss shifted uneasily. It felt something—something unnatural.

A heat flared behind it.

The beast's blood-red eyes darted back.

And what it saw made its massive body freeze.

Its entire army—gone.

Where once stood dozens of snarling, bloodthirsty trolls, there was now nothing but ash.

The flames had swallowed them whole, leaving behind only blackened remains.

Kieran's eyes widened.

'Such control…'

Even after everything he had seen, this shocked him.

The troll boss trembled, its massive fists clenching around its club. It was furious, but despite its rage, it did not take a step forward.

It feared her.

Alexa ignored the monster's terror. She turned back to Kieran, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"The deal," she continued, her voice smooth and confident.

"If you win," she said, "I'll give you my soul contract. I'll be yours to command, eternally bound to your will. No resistance. No conditions."

Her posture was unwavering, her arms resting on her waist as she practically dared him to accept.

Kieran fell silent, contemplating her words.

To have her completely under his control?

Even though Alexa was his summon, forcing her to act cost him Aetheris. It was a constant drain. That's why he needed Loyalty Points—to reduce the cost.

But a soul contract…

If he had that, she would have no choice but to obey his commands—without costing him a single drop of Aetheris.

And if he defeated the boss, the system rewards would be huge.

'I'd be a fool not to take this chance.'

Kieran exhaled sharply, steeling his resolve.

"I'll do it," he said.

Alexa chuckled, stepping back with an amused expression.

"Hmph. Don't get crushed too quickly."

Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she walked past him, taking a seat on a jagged rock at the edge of the battlefield.

The troll boss had been watching their exchange closely.

It wasn't like the mindless, lesser trolls.

It was smarter.

It understood that Alexa had the power to obliterate it in an instant.

And yet…

She had left it to fight the weaker one.

The insult burned hotter than any flame.

A thunderous roar erupted from the beast's throat, shaking the very walls of the cave.

The air vibrated with raw, primal rage.

Its bloodshot eyes bulged, veins protruding from its thick, muscular frame.

It gripped its club with bone-crushing force.

It was done waiting.

This was a fight to the death.

Kieran exhaled.

He sized up the creature in front of him.

It was bigger than the others.

Stronger.

Its thick, armored skin would be tough to pierce.

And worst of all…

He was still unarmed.

All he had was a sharpened rock.

'This won't be enough… I need to find a weak spot.'

The troll boss didn't give him time to think.

BOOM!

The beast charged, swinging its club with enough force to shatter stone.

Kieran's body moved on instinct.

He ducked.

The club whistled past his head, missing him by mere inches.

THOOM!

The impact sent a shockwave through the cave, shaking the ground beneath his feet.

Kieran's heart pounded.

'If that thing hits me, I'm dead.'

Alexa chuckled from the sidelines.

"You don't even have a proper weapon," she mused. "Are you sure this was a good idea?"

Kieran gritted his teeth, ignoring her.

There was no time for distractions.

The club was coming again.

This time, he rolled.

The troll missed again.

'It's strong, but slow…'

Kieran's mind raced.

'That's its weakness.'

He needed to use that against it.

But before he could form a plan—

CRACK!

Pain exploded through his right ankle.

His vision blurred.

His body slammed into the ground, the impact knocking the air from his lungs.

For a split second, the world spun.

He couldn't even scream.

His ears rang, and his vision swam with white.

And then—

A shadow loomed over him.

The club was coming down.

Fast.

Kieran's breath hitched.

His body moved before his mind.

ROLL!

The club slammed into the ground with earth-shattering force.

A massive crater formed where he had been lying just a second ago.

Kieran gasped, struggling to move.

His ankle was shattered.

Blood poured freely from the wound, pooling around him.

'Damn it… I can't run anymore.'

The troll exhaled, steam rising from its nostrils.

It grinned.

It had won.

A Desperate Gamble

Kieran's eyes flickered.

He wasn't done yet.

{10x Rebate Activated.}

{Eyes of the Phoenix—> Upgrading to Eye of the Sun.}

{New Skill Acquired: Eye of the Sun.}

{This skill allows direct control of flames. Can be used three times every 12 hours.}

{Skill: Flame Explosion Activated.}

Kieran gritted his teeth.

'I won't die here.'

The troll boss roared, raising its club for the final strike.

Its red, hate-filled eyes met his.

And in those last moments—

Kieran smiled.

BOOM!

Flames erupted.

The heat was blinding.

The troll staggered back, roaring in agony as fire coiled around its body.

For the first time, it was the one in pain.

He looked at the flame covered troll. He exhaled.

He had done it.

He had landed a real hit.

But—

{Ding! Warning: Troll Boss has activated its Magical Ability – Armor!}

Kieran's eyes widened.

The troll stepped forward.

The flames did nothing.

The beast grinned.

And the club swung down.

Fast.

And this time—

There was nowhere to run.

---