Chereads / The Tower's Villain Returns / Chapter 7 - Tutorial 6

Chapter 7 - Tutorial 6

"....Human. You are strong."

My eyes widened in confusion.

In my last life, the orc chief had never spoke, only letting out growls and roars.

"You... can speak?"

"I only speak to those worth speaking to... and I believe you are one of those people."

His deep voice boomed throughout the boss room.

Honestly, I was planning to kill him immediately, but it seemed like something interesting could come out of this.

He continued speaking.

"Human, what is your name?"

"...Zeon"

"It's a good name... I am Koron. It may be strange to you as I am your enemy.. but could you listen to my request?"

"...I mean... sure? I can at least hear it out."

"Thank you... First, I should explain my circumstance.

I am fully aware that this is what you humans call a tutorial.

I am doomed to watch my people die endlessly, and then either kill or be killed again and again.

Yet as soon as the next batch of players come in, it all repeats.

For me, this is the greatest torment imaginable.

I am prevented from using my strength, and I cannot leave this blasted hut."

His story was honestly terrible.

I hadn't expected such a scenario to occur at all.

Even if he were my enemy, infinite death is not something I could wish upon him.

But still, I didn't understand where he was going with all this.

Perhaps he had seen my expression, which led him to say the following.

"The reason I am telling you all this... is because I believe you can free me."

"I'm guessing you have some sort of method, because there's no way I can possibly break the magic of the system."

I immediately questioned how he expected I could perform such a feat.

"Naturally... 

Many have bore this curse before me, yet there is a way for us who have been cursed to inhabit the tutorial to be free.

It is to fight someone with our true strength.

My power has been decreased greatly for the sake of this tutorial.

But... if you agree to fight me, in my true form, and you win the battle, then I can be freed, albeit another will take my place.

Perhaps this is a lot to ask, but I have seen your strength, you are my best shot at freedom.

But alas, it is your decision, if you decline my request... Well, I will allow you to kill me without resistance."

Now I just felt bad for the poor guy.

Honestly, I'd be left with a bad taste in my mouth if I just declined and executed him so easily.

"...Alright then. Let's go at it, Koron!"

My blood started pumping in anticipation of his true strength.

".....Ha! I knew you would take me on! I saw the fire in your eyes! Zeon, let's fight!"

The somber mood from earlier had been burnt away by our passion to fight.

The goblin chief, standing at about 8 feet tall, grew to 11 feet.

His green skin darkened into an almost black color.

His muscles bulged and grew inhumanly.

His short white hair grew to his shoulders.

If someone looked at the goblin before me, they would call me an idiot for referring to it as a goblin.

He had transformed into an Oni, a high evolution which originated from the meager goblin race.

I flashed a toothy grin and got into stance.

Koron mimicked my movements, taking on his own martial stance.

I took the first move.

I dashed at him, ready to strike him in the chest.

My mana coiled around my outstretched arm in the form of a dragon.

Koron blocked my strike by moving both of his arms into an X shape.

He was knocked back a few feet, but kept his footing.

He did not seem the slightest bit bothered, and in fact, his smile grew wider.

"It's my turn now!"

He jumped backwards, and landed on the wall of the boss room.

He launched himself off of said wall, and bulleted towards me.

"Accelerate!"

It was a dangerous attack, and I had no choice but to use my sigil in order to avoid it.

I slid underneath him and delivered an upwards blow from underneath him.

The punch landed square on his abdomen, and his skin began sizzling.

It was the first of three effects gained from my class.

[Dragon Fist - Legendary - Passive]

Dragons are known for their relationship with thunder and fire. As long as you have mana, your punches will deal increased damage and direct hits will cause the [Dragon Flare] effect, leading to burning of the skin as well as slight paralysis. This effect increases with level

"Oomph!"

He landed on the ground and looked down to see that some of his skin was burnt.

"It's an interesting ability, but I have some skills of my own!"

He let out a great roar which reverberated across the room.

Immediately, I could feel it in my bones, and a great sense of fear enveloped me.

I remembered then the ability of the Emperor Caestus that I wore.

It could instill fear in weaker beings.

Perhaps, that could dispel the fear effect Koron had placed on me?

I activated the ability with a thought, and my mind stabilized.

"That's a good item you have there!"

But I was a little too slow in dispelling the fear.

He had already launched his fist at me, and I was knocked back into the wall.

A massive throbbing pain enveloped my chest, and I was sure at least a few ribs had been cracked.

I was about to use my healing talisman, but Koron did not leave any room for recovery.

He leaped at me as I was recovering. I raised my hands to block what was coming.

A flurry of punches were released, targeting the spot which he had hit me before.

The bones in my arms were beginning to shatter from the impact of his punches.

Roar!

This time, the roar was released from me.

It was the second skill I obtained from my class.

[Dragon Roar - Epic - Active Ability]

Release a roar reminiscent to that of a dragon. Temporarily stun opponents. Ineffective on significantly stronger beings. Weaker enemies may be entirely knocked out.

Koron was temporarily stunned, and I immediately used my third skill.

[Dragon Crush - Legendary - Active Ability]

Magic power turns into draconic lightning which envelops the user, dash forward with extreme speed and deal massive damage to opponents in front of you.]

Blue mana gathered around me, covering my body with blue electricity, which quickly transformed into purple draconic lightning.

My muscles, which were torn apart, were suddenly recharged with massive strength.

Koron was released from his stun, and immediately tried to dodge.

But I immediately dashed through him.

I found myself several meters from my original position, back in the center of the boss room, instead of being pummeled against the wall.

I looked behind me to see that Koron had a massive hole at the side of his waste, it was bleeding profusely and bursting with electricity.

It seemed he had just managed to dodge, preventing the attack from travelling straight through his chest, but he was still in a terrible state.

As for me, my legendary blood slayer trait began to work, and my previously broken and shattered bones, as well as my torn muscles, regenerated.

Although I wasn't in perfect condition, I was back in a position where I could fight back.

Koron's massive body turned around, and he began to laugh once again.

"Truly, you're an amazing opponent, I can't remember the last time I fought like this.. with my life on the line!"

"Yeah, you're not half bad yourself, huh?"

I gave him a compliment in return.

But our brief break from battle was cut short as we immediately dashed at each other again.

Koron winced in pain, clearly from the massive circular hole I had left in his body from earlier.

But he seemed to be quite a tough guy.

We released a flurry of punches at each other.

His massive fists met my comparatively tiny ones, yet my strength was no lesser to him.

We were caught in a stalemate for several seconds, until he leaped back, preparing another attack.

"Demon Palm!"

His outstretched palm began gathering mana, which turned into a red and black miasma.

It was not something I wanted to get hit by.

But at this time, my Dragon Crush ability was ready to use again.

He dashed at me with his palm, ready to annihilate me.

I crouched down, stretching my hands to my sides as if I were a beast ready to pounce on its prey.

"Dragon Crush!"

Electricity gathered, and I travelled straight through him.

His palm briefly met me, and I felt massive pain.

Yet the lifesteal effect from my trait healed me.

That meant that I had dealt massive damage to him.

I turned around, and saw Koron standing still, a massive hole burnt through his torso.

He had been defeated.

I approached him slowly, to look at him face to face.

"Thank you.... Zeon...

For giving me... a great fight, and more importantly... freedom."

He died standing tall.

I had never expected to meet such an amazing opponent in the tutorial.

He was someone who deserved my respect, not just as a powerful monster, but as a great fighter.