**Time passed, and Lin continued exploring the dungeon.**
He was astonished when, before his eyes, a city-like structure emerged within the dungeon. Its walls were smooth and illuminated by what appeared to be primitive torches—bundles of burning wood.
In front of him was not a desolate stone plain with sparse vegetation but a crudely constructed village. The cave floor bore grooves that seemed to mark pathways, and small huts and cabins made of mud and stone were scattered haphazardly along the paths.
Lin Sei became alert. Although he usually attacked anything in his path without hesitation, this sudden change in scenery piqued his interest and attention.
While scanning the area with his spatial awareness, he spotted numerous small green creatures, the tallest barely surpassing a meter in height. At the same time, they saw him.
When they did, they suddenly started shouting at one another, seemingly communicating.
"CRA CRA CRE CREEERI!"
They all grabbed their weapons and gathered around the main stone hut in the center of the village. Heavy footsteps echoed throughout the city as the door to the hut creaked open. Emerging from the shadows was another green creature, but this one was about 1.7 meters tall and had a round, bulky body. Its figure was clad in armor made of beast bones, and it carried a massive battle axe on its shoulder.
"CREEEE!"
Without wasting a moment to think, Lin attacked. He knew it was kill or be devoured. Each of his movements distorted the space around him, slicing through and dismembering the goblins that stood in his way, but Lin focused solely on their king.
He attempted to strike from behind using his teleportation and sword mastery, but the attack left no mark.
"Kekekekeke," the Goblin King let out a strange, guttural laugh upon seeing Lin's confusion. One of the things the king loved most was watching his enemies desperately try to breach his defenses to no avail. He held back, confident that today he'd witness yet another amusing scene. Unfortunately for the king, his opponent was Lin.
Quickly, Lin activated his **Dragon Projection** alongside his heightened senses, hoping to detect a weak spot in the creature.
The Goblin King didn't wait. With a deafening roar, it raised its axe and charged. Thanks to his **Enhanced Perception**, Lin Sei anticipated the move. He leapt aside, narrowly avoiding a blow that shattered the ground like paper. Dust and debris filled the air.
—He's fast for his size, —Lin Sei thought, his eyes scanning for gaps in the armor as his lungs heaved for air.
In a swift motion, he used **Minor Telekinesis** to hurl a rock at the goblin's face, hoping to unbalance it. The creature barely blinked and advanced with unrelenting fury. Its strikes were precise and devastating, forcing Lin Sei to retreat. Each block with his sword sent numbing shocks through his arms. The goblin's strength was monstrous.
Sweating profusely, Lin activated his **Dragon Projection**. A ghostly, serpentine dragon appeared around him, amplifying his presence and creating illusions to disorient the enemy. Taking advantage of the distraction, he struck at a weak spot: a small gap in the shoulder joint of the armor. His sword, empowered by his **Sword Mastery**, pierced slightly, drawing a roar of pain from the goblin.
But the goblin wasn't finished. With a swift turn, its axe connected with Lin Sei's side. Even though his **Danger Sense** warned him, it wasn't enough to avoid the impact. Lin was thrown against a wall, feeling his ribs crack. Blood poured from the wound, but his **Regeneration** began to close it slowly.
—This isn't working, —Lin told himself, dodging another swing. Normal attacks wouldn't break the armor.
Knowing he couldn't last much longer, Lin activated his trump card: **Monarch's Time.**
A dark, majestic aura spread across the room. The air grew dense and heavy. The goblin's movements slowed as if trapped in time itself. Lin Sei could feel every detail of his surroundings: the goblin's heartbeat, the creaking of its armor, and the trajectory of its next attack.
—Now it's my turn.
Using **Medium Teleportation**, Lin appeared behind the goblin. Taking advantage of the time dilation, he delivered a devastating strike to a gap in the helmet, exposing the vulnerable flesh beneath. The goblin roared, but its movements were sluggish and uncoordinated.
The Goblin King was furious. It raised its massive axe and attacked. The goblin swung its weapon with immense force, but Lin teleported out of its path just in time. Although gravely injured, the goblin still had strength. In one final effort, it hurled its axe in a devastating arc. Lin barely dodged it, losing part of his cloak in the process. The creature staggered, weakened by blood loss and the domain's effect.
Lin charged again, using the opening he had created. Grabbing the goblin's arm, he distorted space, applying immense pressure until the arm crumbled into a pulp.
Gathering all his remaining strength, Lin leapt at the goblin, sword held high. With a furious shout, he plunged his blade into the creature's chest, shattering its armor from within and piercing its heart.
The goblin dropped its axe. Its body trembled before collapsing with a thud.
"KREEE!"
Lin Sei fell to his knees, gasping for air. Blood, both his and the goblin's, soaked the ground. **Monarch's Time** dissipated, and the air returned to normal. His regeneration worked to mend his most severe wounds, but his body was at its limit.
He looked at the Goblin King's corpse, still imposing even in death.
—One down, —Lin Sei muttered with a faint smile.
He prepared to use the **Monarch's Physique Technique**. The goblin's corpse rapidly vanished as Lin felt his muscles, tendons, and tissues being pulled and compressed. His body recovered slowly, but his physique improved immensely. His bones became tougher, his muscles more defined.
A stray thought crossed Lin's mind. When he returned to the **Tanhai Region**, he wouldn't leave Jin alive.
Right now, Jin wouldn't last even two breaths against Lin, but Lin didn't want him alive. As the saying went, revenge is a dish best served cold.
**[2 DAYS REMAINING]**