'Shit, is this how I die...' Noah thought, despair gripping him as the Goblin Champion's axe descended. Dodge seemed impossible. Fate sealed.
BADHUM!
A sudden energy surge coursed through Noah's veins, unlike anything his title had ever provided. Time distorted.
The axe's descent slowed, as if trapped in molasses. Noah's shock gave way to swift reflexes.
Seizing the moment, he sprinted sideways, avoiding the axe's deadly path.
Time snapped back to normal.
The axe crashed into the ground with a deafening boom, sending shards of stone flying.
"What just happened?" Noah wondered, stunned.
'So, you didn't just have the title, huh?' the System said, its voice barely above a whisper.
"Wait... Was that the work of the bloodline you spoke about earlier?" Noah asked, awe and trepidation mixing in his voice.
The System remained silent, leaving Noah's question hanging.
"...?!" The Goblin Champion's confusion turned to shock as it gazed at the spot where its axe had bitten into the ground, then shifted to Noah. Noah's eyes blazed with an unsettling golden glow, radiating an aura that made the Goblin Champion's instincts scream surrender.
The air vibrated with an ominous power, as if Noah had tapped into a force beyond mortal control. Charlotte witnessed the spectacle, her eight eyes widening in awe. Her calamitous nature sensed the shift in power dynamics, and for a moment, she considered Noah a more formidable presence than herself.
"G-Grqeopbfah?" The champion stuttered incomprehensible words, its confidence waning.
With a snarl, the Goblin Champion charged toward Noah, its massive battle-axe trembling.
[Ding! All stats have temporarily been boosted!]
Noah's eyes gleamed with renewed hope as he gazed at the incoming Goblin Champion.
"Rrrra!" The champion's battle cry echoed through the air, its massive axe swinging downward in a desperate bid to crush Noah.
With his boosted agility, Noah effortlessly sidestepped the attack, dodging the axe's deadly arc by mere inches.
Boom!
The axe's impact with the floor reverberated through the air, and the Goblin Champion struggled to free its embedded blade. Desperation etched on its face.
Noah seized the moment, dashing forward with dagger in hand. The worn leather wrapping on the hilt creaked under his grip.
His dagger, nearly broken from previous battles, trembled with anticipation.
The Goblin Champion's eyes widened as Noah closed in. "Graaah!" it roared, tugging futilely at its stuck axe.
With a swift, precise motion, Noah raised his dagger.
Slash!
Noah's dagger sliced through the Goblin Champion's neck, its razor-sharp edge biting deep. The champion's eyes widened, frozen in disbelief.
The champion's body crumpled, its head rolling onto the floor with a sickening thud. The sound of its lifeless form hitting the ground echoed through the cavern.
[Ding! You killed Goblin Champion]
[Experience Gain: 1,200]
Noah stood panting, his chest heaving with exertion. The golden shine in his eyes flickered, slowly dimming as the adrenaline wore off. Relief and accomplishment washed over him, followed by a wave of exhaustion.
"Haa... That was really close," he muttered, his voice shaking.
Noah's legs buckled, and he collapsed to the floor, his body trembling. Memories of the near-death experience flooded his mind, sending shivers down his spine.
'Noah, are you okay?' the System questioned, its digital tone devoid of emotion, yet laced with underlying concern.
"Yeah, just a little shaken up..." Noah replied, his voice still unsteady.
He paused, collecting his thoughts before addressing the System again.
"But that feeling... Is that the bloodline you spoke about?"
The System responded, 'If you have the energy to ask me such questions, then you better carry on.'
Noah's eyes narrowed, a hint of determination sparking within. He took a deep breath and pushed himself up, wobbly legs beneath him.
"Alright... Let's keep moving," Noah said, gritting his teeth.
Noah and Charlotte walked deeper into the dungeon for about 30 minutes, allowing Noah to recover most of his lost energy. "This..." Noah muttered, his voice trailing off as he halted before a massive bronze door adorned with a snarling Goblin's face.
The door's intricate etchings seemed to leer at him, radiating an aura of foreboding.
[Ding! You have reached the Boss Room. Defeat Gorthok, the Goblin King, to clear the dungeon!]
Noah's eyes locked onto the door, determination burning within. "Gorthok... The Goblin King."
Noah took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Let's do this."
With a resolute nod, he grasped the door's rusty handle and pulled it open.
Beyond the threshold lay the Goblin King's lair, shrouded in darkness and the stench of decay.
Not wasting anytime, Noah entered, but as Charlotte tried to follow behind him, she was halted.
[Ding! Due to the large gap in strength, Charlotte has been stopped from entry into the boss room.]
[New Objective Issued! Defeat Gorthok, the Goblin King alone!]
"What the..." Noah muttered, his eyes widening in surprise as the message flashed across his vision.
He spun around, but the door had already closed, separating him from Charlotte.
"Tsk," He then clicked his tounge as he turned around.
Noah's gaze fell upon the darkness ahead. Gorthok's ominous presence lurked within.
With a deep breath, Noah steeled himself. "I'll show you my strength."
He ventured forward, into the heart of the lair.
***
This chapter is short by 134 words.
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