Chapter 9 – The Goblin King's Throne Room

Maximus stood before the massive stone doors at the end of the cavern, his heartbeat steady yet deliberate. The sheer size of the entrance resembled a fortress gate, ancient carvings of goblin warlords etched into its surface.

With a firm push, the doors groaned open, revealing a dark abyss beyond. The thick scent of blood and decay rolled over him like a suffocating wave.

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[The Goblin King's Throne Room]

Stepping forward, his boots sank into the filth-streaked ground. The flickering green torches along the jagged walls cast erratic shadows, making the grotesque carvings seem alive. The oppressive atmosphere pressed down on him, his instincts screaming of imminent danger.

At the heart of the chamber, atop a towering throne of skulls, shattered weapons, and dried blood, sat the Goblin King.

A towering beast, standing 6'5", its hulking frame rippled with grotesque muscle, blackened veins bulging beneath sickly dark-green skin. A scar ran across its left eye, but the other gleamed a crimson hue, intelligent and filled with bloodlust. Jagged gold rings adorned its pointed ears, trophies from slain adventurers.

It exuded pure dominance—and it was watching him.

Beside the throne, a deep pit churned with the remains of past victims. The crude altar to the right dripped with fresh sacrifices, goblin shamans still murmuring guttural incantations.

Maximus exhaled, steadying his grip on his sword.

The Goblin King inhaled deeply—

Then—

BOOM!

It lunged.

A great cleaver, serrated and rusted, carved through the air like a guillotine, leaving a metallic hum in its wake. Maximus barely dodged, the force of the impact shattering stone, sending jagged debris flying in all directions.

His body tensed. One direct hit—he wouldn't just be wounded. He'd be torn in half.

The Goblin King grinned, revealing rows of crooked, yellowed fangs. It gripped its cleaver with both hands, dragging the edge across the floor, sparks flying, before it charged again.

Maximus narrowed his eyes. No hesitation.

He activated Metal Reinforcement, flooding his muscles with raw energy. The goblin's next downward cleave came faster than before—he parried, his enhanced sword colliding against the rusted blade. A thunderous clang erupted, the sheer impact rattling his bones.

Maximus slid backward, his feet grinding against the blood-soaked stone.

The Goblin King wasn't just strong—it was smart.

Before he could recover, the monster's off-hand spiked gauntlet came swinging toward him. A bone-crushing punch aimed straight for his ribs.

Too fast.

Maximus barely had time to shift his weight, twisting mid-air. The gauntlet grazed his side, a searing jolt of pain blooming along his ribs. He crashed against the ground, rolling to his feet just in time to see the Goblin King grin wider.

Then—

ROOOAAAARR!!

A guttural Goblin Warcry erupted from its lungs, shaking the very walls. A burst of energy pulsed outward, sending shockwaves across the chamber.

Maximus gritted his teeth. Shit.

From the shadows, dozens of goblin warriors and scouts emerged, weapons raised, eyes glowing with newfound ferocity. The shamans' chants intensified, crackling magic coiling around them.

The King didn't fight alone.

Maximus's mind raced. Survive first—then strike.

Summoning Fire Control, he ignited his left palm, flames roaring to life. His MP was running low, but he had no choice.

Two fireballs shot forth, engulfing a wave of goblin scouts. They screeched, their flesh charring as they collapsed into the dirt. EXP flooded his system, but he didn't stop to check.

A shadow loomed—

The Goblin King was already upon him again.

It lifted its cleaver high—

Maximus gritted his teeth and dashed forward, slipping past its guard. His hand slammed against the Goblin King's arm, activating Copy before the monster could react.

[Copy Activated – Berserk Rage]

A violent surge of power tore through his body. His muscles burned, his heart pounded like a war drum, and his vision sharpened into pure predatory focus.

But it cost him—

[-300 MP]

Pain stabbed through his skull as his MP reserves plummeted. The Berserk Rage wasn't just a buff—it was a double-edged sword.

Maximus roared, matching the Goblin King's aura, before he vanished from sight—his speed exploding past human limits.

The monster's cleaver struck empty air.

Maximus reappeared behind it in a burst of momentum, his enhanced blade slicing toward its exposed side—

CLANG!

The Goblin King twisted unnaturally, its Unyielding Flesh reducing the damage to mere shallow cuts. It retaliated instantly, one of its throwing axes flashing toward his skull.

Maximus ducked—the weapon whizzed past, embedding itself deep into the cavern wall.

He clicked his tongue. Not enough damage.

Then I'll just have to go further.

Summoning every last ounce of strength, he copied his enhanced knives, creating a dozen in mid-air—each infused with Metal Reinforcement.

"Die."

With a flick of his fingers, the knives exploded forward, piercing into the Goblin King's arms, legs, and torso. Blood gushed as it stumbled backward, snarling.

Maximus didn't let up. He dashed forward, his fire-wreathed blade arcing straight for its neck.

The Goblin King roared in fury—its Berserk Rage activating.

Its speed doubled, its attacks now wild, relentless, brutal.

The battlefield became chaos.

Blades clashed, embers erupted, blood splattered.

Every strike from the Goblin King threatened to end him, every counter from Maximus was met with inhuman resilience.

Until—

A slip.

The Goblin King overextended, its cleaver burying itself into the floor.

Maximus took the opening.

He leaped, raising his flaming sword high—

And with a single, precise, explosive strike—

SLASH!

The Goblin King's head flew from its shoulders, its body collapsing with a heavy THUD.

As the monster's lifeless form hit the ground, a final crack echoed through the chamber—

Maximus's blade shattered, reduced to glowing embers.

The prolonged exposure to Fire Control had burned through the metal, leaving him weaponless.

He exhaled, chest rising and falling. His MP was almost gone, his body ached, his knuckles were bruised from sheer force.

And yet—

He had won.

As the Goblin King's corpse vanished, a golden chest materialized in its place, pulsing faintly with ancient energy.

His lips curled into a grin.

It was time for his reward.