OWNED COINS: 2600
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"That should be enough..."
"Shop."
Noah's voice was firm as a collection of various items magically appeared before his eyes. His finger slid across the screen, scrolling through the shop's pages.
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SMALL INVENTORY
A subspace for storing items. It can hold up to 20 objects.
PRICE: 100 COINS
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RUSTY SCYTHE
An old, badly-worn scythe. Its condition is so poor that it's hard to even date it. The only quality this weapon possesses is its durability.
PRICE: 200 COINS
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NIGHT ORB
A sphere containing a large amount of dark mana. The power inside it could corrupt even the purest of hearts.
PRICE: 700 COINS
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BLACK TOURMALINE
A rare stone used for forging. Enhances the attributes of certain weapons!
Warning: Using it on the wrong item may destroy it!
PRICE: 700 COINS
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HESTIA'S FLAME
An inextinguishable flame. Once used, it will return to its owner.
PRICE: 900 COINS
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE! YOUR ITEMS HAVE BEEN STORED IN YOUR INVENTORY.
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"Inventory."
A new screen opened up in front of Noah. Small squares displayed the few items he owned. His arm disappeared into the screen, and when he pulled it back out, he held a long, curved scythe. At one end, along with the long blade, a skull with its mouth wide open adorned the handle.
Noah reached back into the inventory and retrieved the tourmaline. A sphere so black it reflected no light, large enough to fill his hand, appeared out of nowhere. Calmly, Noah inserted the stone into the gaping jaws of the skeleton.
*Clack*
Like a key fitting into a lock, the sphere snapped perfectly into place. Tiny cracks began to form on the surface of the orb. Slowly, the skeleton's jaws closed tighter and tighter until the sphere shattered. A sinister smoke filled the room before being sucked into the skeleton itself.
The rust that had covered the scythe began to crumble away, revealing something entirely different underneath. Noah rested the weapon on his shoulder. The blade, now a shimmering black, contrasted sharply with the curved ash wood handle. The skull, which had been a pearly white moments ago, was now as black as the tourmaline.
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CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE AWAKENED "LADY OF THE NIGHT"
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LADY OF THE NIGHT
Grade: Mythic
One of the mythical weapons. It is said to be the first scythe ever wielded by Death itself.
UNTRADABLE ITEM!
BOUND ITEM!
Skill:
Death Touch – Each time it cuts an opponent, it steals a portion of their HP and restores it to the wielder.
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"Alright, now I'm ready."
Noah smiled slightly.
"Kevin, open the door."
"Got it!"
Kevin walked to the emergency exit. His hands gripped the doors, back muscles flexing as he began to push them in opposite directions.
"Urgh!"
Slowly, the two doors started to separate. Kevin was the first to see what awaited them.
"Holy shit! We're screwed!"
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Kevin slammed the fire doors open, and the rooftop erupted in chaos. Sheets of rain hammered down in a relentless torrent, bouncing off the slick surface and forming dark puddles that stretched like glassy mirrors across the concrete. Lightning carved jagged scars across the pitch-black sky, momentarily casting everything in a stark, ghostly light.
"Shit! We're screwed!"
Kevin's voice cracked, his face pale as his eyes locked onto the creature towering above them.
At the far end of the roof, a massive silhouette rose up, blocking out the storm behind it. Its yellow eyes glowed with malevolent fury, illuminating its grotesque, tusked face. Rainwater cascaded down its hulking, muscular body, sliding off its thick, greenish skin. Thick veins pulsed across its arms and chest, the bluish lines cutting through its bulging muscles. In one meaty fist, it gripped a gigantic spiked club, the weapon resting against its shoulder like an extension of its massive frame.
"Kruagh!"
The beast roared, shaking the very air around it. The vibrations rippled through the puddles at its feet, sending small waves across the reflective surface.
Kevin's hands shook.
"That's... that's a fucking orc?!"
"It's impossible... W-We should run! We're done for if we stay!"
John muttered, his eyes wide with terror.
None of them moved, paralyzed by the sheer size and power of the creature. Kevin, Isabelle, John—they'd all faced tough situations before, but nothing like this. The orc was something out of a nightmare, and the storm surrounding them only added to the sense of dread.
Without saying a word, Noah stepped forward, his footsteps quiet but deliberate on the slick concrete. He didn't falter, didn't hesitate. Rain plastered his dark hair against his face, but his eyes never left the orc. They barely knew him but now, as they watched him stride towards the monster, something about his calm demeanor sent a chill through them.
"Noah, wait—"
Isabelle started, but her voice was drowned out by the storm.
Noah ignored her. His hand rose, and with a flick of his wrist, he summoned his weapon. The Lady of the Night, a sleek, black scythe, materialized in his grip. Its long, curved blade shimmered with an eerie, otherworldly gleam, the edges catching the faint light from the storm above.
Kevin's breath hitched.
"Where the hell did he get that?"
For a moment, Noah stood perfectly still, his scythe held loosely in one hand. Rainwater ran down the blade, dripping off the tip in steady droplets. The puddles around him reflected his form—a lone figure facing down a towering beast.
The orc growled, baring its tusks as its eyes narrowed in on Noah. Its massive muscles tensed, and for a second, time seemed to stop. Everything—the rain, the wind, the fear—froze.
Then, the orc charged.
*Chaff*
*Chaff*
*Chaff*
*Chuff!*
The club came down with the force of an avalanche, aimed directly at Noah. The ground trembled under the impact, sending cracks snaking across the rooftop.
But Noah wasn't there. He had already moved, his body spinning to the side with impossible grace. His feet barely touched the ground as he slid over the wet surface, the puddles beneath him reflecting his every movement like an intricate dance.
The orc's club struck the ground with a deafening crash, leaving a crater where Noah had just stood. Water splashed up, glittering in the air before crashing back down in a torrent. But Noah moved like a shadow, darting past the monster's swings with fluid ease, his scythe cutting through the rain in sharp, precise arcs.
"How is he doing that?"
Kevin whispered, stunned.
The orc swung again, this time faster, the spikes on its club whistling through the air. Noah ducked low, the puddles rippling beneath his feet as he dodged. The reflection of the massive weapon whizzed past in the water, inches from his head.
Noah spun, his scythe flashing. The blade sliced across the orc's side, cutting through thick skin with a wet *shhhlick*. Blood sprayed out, mingling with the rain, but the wound wasn't deep enough to stop the beast.
"Kruagh!"
The orc howled in fury, turning to swing its club again, but Noah was already gone, vanishing into the storm like a wraith.
In the dim light, the fight played out like a dance between shadow and monster, every strike, every movement reflected in the glistening puddles beneath their feet. The water mirrored the orc's wild swings, the heavy splashes as its massive feet slammed into the ground, and Noah's graceful dodges, each one more effortless than the last.
"I've never seen anything like this," Isabelle whispered, her voice barely audible over the storm.
"How is he still standing?"
John clenched his fists, eyes wide in disbelief. "There's no way he can win. Not alone."
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LADY OF THE NIGHT EFFECT ACTIVATED! YOU RECOVERED A SMALL PORTION OF YOUR HP!
LADY OF THE NIGHT EFFECT ACTIVATED! YOU RECOVERED A SMALL PORTION OF YOUR HP!
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Noah's movements only grew sharper as the battle raged on. Each time his scythe struck, the orc's massive frame staggered, bleeding more and more. Yet, every wound Noah took closed almost instantly, his injuries vanishing as if the storm itself were healing him.
"Look!" Kevin shouted, pointing. "His wounds… they're gone!"
"The scythe is absorbing the orc's life force," Isabelle realized, her eyes wide with awe.
The orc's attacks grew sloppier, its rage clouding its judgment. It swung the club again, but Noah sidestepped effortlessly, the rain parting around him as his scythe flashed once more. This time, the blade severed two of the creature's thick fingers, sending them flying through the air to splash into a nearby puddle.
"Kriuuuugh!" The orc roared in pain, its yellow eyes flaring with desperation. It lashed out wildly, trying to catch Noah with its remaining hand, but the young warrior had already moved again.
Sliding through the rain, Noah dropped low, disappearing beneath the orc's legs. His scythe gleamed as he slashed at the beast's ankle, severing the tendons with surgical precision. The orc let out a guttural howl, collapsing onto one knee. The rain splashed around its fallen form, reflecting the fire in its eyes as it glared at Noah, desperate and furious.
But Noah didn't stop. His eyes narrowed, the rain tracing the lines of his face as he brought the scythe up once more.
The orc swung its club one last time in a final, desperate attempt to crush him. But Noah didn't flinch. He waited, standing his ground as the club descended. At the last second, he stepped to the side, bringing the scythe's blade up in a single, fluid motion.
*Zack!*
The orc's arm fell, severed cleanly at the elbow. The creature stumbled, its balance lost, and as its head lurched forward, Noah moved with deadly precision.
With a final, swift slash, Noah's scythe cleaved through the orc's neck. The beast's head toppled to the ground, rolling through a puddle, where it came to rest, lifeless.
For a moment, the only sound was the relentless downpour, the rain mixing with the blood pooling at their feet. Noah stood there, the scythe in his hand, dripping water and crimson, his breath steady.
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CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE DEFEATED A BOSS WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE!
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE EARNED THE TITLE: **SOLO SLAYER**
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE GAINED 2000 EXPERIENCE POINTS!
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE EARNED 2000 COINS!
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE SKILL "GREAT COMMANDER"
Skill absorbed by Corpse Resurrection! Your servants can now learn from their master. (Max servants increased to 10.)
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE ACQUIRED THE SKILL "FEAR"!
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The rooftop was silent, except for the steady patter of rain. Noah turned slowly, the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corner of his lips.
Kevin, John, and Isabelle stared at him in disbelief.
"Noah…" Isabelle began, her voice trembling. "Who... who are you?"
Noah's eyes flicked toward them, his expression calm but unreadable. He rested the scythe against his shoulder, the storm still raging around them, and tilted his head.
"Where's the next monster?"