Kiel heard both Soeyoon and Xue Er both grunts as they fell on the sand.
Ignoring them, Kiel reminisced about the time he had spent on this level.
There was a village built on the top of the hill on this island that was isolated from the rest of the world.
The Naga infested seas had prevented anyone from coming or leaving and the villagers had not had any contact with the outside world for 2 years.
The stalwart villagers had defended themselves and barely scraped out a living space in this tough environment.
They built a wide moat with spikes embedded in it. They built tall and thick wooden fences with sharp spikes on top and have guards patrolling the fence round the clock.
Yet all those were not enough.
Pushing his dark thoughts away, Kiel called out the "Clear Condition" and "Tower of Extinction: Hell Clear"
By this time, both girls had regained their bearing and had clearly heard what he said and echoed after him.
Ignoring the surprised gasps behind him, he focused at the Green and Red translucent windows flashing in front of him::
#######
Tower of Extinction: Level Three.
Basic Clear:
Condition:
Kill 20 Nagas,
Reach Level 15.
Reward:
None,
Can leave the stage anytime.
Standard Clear:
Condition:
Destroy the Naga Outpost,
Reach Level 20.
Reward:
Can bring an item out.
Can leave the stage anytime.
Perfect Clear:
Condition:
Subjugate the Naga Race,
Reach level 25
Reward:
One equipment upgrade 1 level,
Bonus 1 character Level.
Can leave the stage anytime
#######
#######
Tower of Extinction: Level Three.
Hell Clear:
Subjugate the Nagas,
Help the Merfolk survive the Naga coup d'état,
Establish a good relationship between Humans and Merfolk.
Reward:
Chosen Item upgrade 1 level,
Bonus 1 Character Level.
Bonus Random Skill upgrade 1 level
#######
In his previous life, on the first day of arrival, he barely survived the Nagas hunting team when he tried to fish along the beach.
He was fortunate to be rescued by the villagers.
After that, he had muddled on during this level while building good relationships with the villagers, especially the Village Chief named Boki.
The big muscular chief had taken good care of him, gave him a place to stay and taught him how to fight.
When the final raid happened, Kiel had fought with the rest of the villagers. The fences were breached and the Nagas swarmed in killing many of the unprepared villagers.
Kiel had fought with everything he had while standing beside Boki and all the other village warriors.
Unfortunately they were hopelessly outnumbered and Kiel could only powerlessly watch as the warriors were felled beside him one by one.
It was a long night and Kiel had lost count of how many Nagas he killed but he had barely reached level 15 throughout all that chaos.
He knew he could leave but he decided to hold on till the very end.
It did not take long for the final dozen or so warriors to be the last left standing, surrounded by a massive group of Nagas.
Then, a massive Naga that towered over everyone else approached.
That bastard was sending his underlings to wear everyone and Boki out before coming in to deal the last blow.
As it slithered over, all the Nagas surrounding the final few survivors made way for it. It stopped about 10 metres from Kiel, then it raised its weapon while eyeing Boki the whole time and roared, challenging Boki to a duel.
Boki bravely accepted the challenge and stepped up.
The fight was difficult to watch.
Boki was played like an adult toying with toddlers. The cruel beast literally broke his limbs one by one before finally grabbing him and tearing his head off with its gator-like jaw and chewing it noisily.
Kiel couldn't watch any longer and chose to leave the last few men still trapped by the Nagas.
Their doom was fated. He just prayed for an easier death for them.
He hated this level, every time he saw the brave warrior fell, he felt his heart was torn piece by piece.
It was so cruel and unfair.
He hated himself for being weak.
'I'll make it right this time,' Kiel told himself.
Looking around, Kiel decided to survey the island again.
He wanted to make a round along the beach circling the island.
He was now confident he had enough strength to fully explore the surrounding area.
The mood was weird, in this dangerous area, Kiel was strolling the beach side listening to the sound of waves crashing against the sands while being accompanied by two beauties.
On one side, the rough sea was lapping the beach against the backdrop of the dark skies covered with thick clouds.
On the other side was thick lush forest hiding the inner part of the island making it seem ominous.
The sound of their footsteps along sands soon drew the Naga hunting team over.
Kiel heard their tell tale growls that sounded like rumbling thunders before hearing the leaves rustle as the Nagas came out from the forest.
The two girls gasped at the sight of the three monstrosities.
It had a massive crocodile-like head with short snout which was lined with fins.
Thick humanoid torso covered with thorny scales paired with snake tails from waist down that ends with large fish fins.
The girls yelped and shrink back behind him.
Kiel thought for a bit and simply casted "Instant Step(S)" and appeared behind the Naga in the middle before slicing off its head.
"Naga Scout Killed, 65 experience gained."
While the other 2 Nagas were still surprised, Kiel ruthlessly swung his blade and cut off the right arm of the Naga on his left.
The arm holding the trident dropped on the sands as the Naga roared in agony.
Kiel withdrew his blade and slashed deeply at the spine of the Naga on the right who reacted just a second too late.
The unfortunate Naga simply collapsed in a heap as it lost the ability to control its lower body after Kiel severed its spine.
Kiel then casted another "Instant Step(S)" and reappeared before the girls.
He thought of walking or running back, but decided against it as he thought it wouldn't look as cool.
Facing the girls with his back against the maimed nagas, he told the girls plainly:
"I told you before that I don't want to carry dead weight.
But I'll give you both chances to grow.
Now both of you kill 1 Naga each.
Kill or be killed.
ONE EACH!!"
Kiel emphasised the last two words the. He turned around and waited for the girls' reaction.
Both girls were bewildered but Soeyoon recovered before long.
Kiel knew this as he heard the squeak of the bow drawing taut and a twang from the string.
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw an arrow sped towards the Naga with 1 arm.
The arrow shot true and penetrated its throat.
Kiel smiled and was satisfied with Soeyoon decision.
Kiel fought hard to stop himself from turning around to praise Soeyoon to keep up his cool appearance.
Deep down he wanted to impress this beautiful girl and capture her heart but at the same time he was inexperienced and shy.
He calmly watched the stupid Naga pull out the arrow with its remaining hand and a fountain of purple blood gushed out of the wound on its throat.
The fool desperately held its neck trying to stop the bleeding but it was a futile effort.
Before long, it lay on the sand motionless as its eyes slowly lost its light and it stopped breathing.
On Soeyoon's first kill, Kiel was deeply satisfied.