The days inside the dungeon blurred into one another. Without the sun to mark the passage of time, Josh only knew it was a new day when KingOrc barked at him to start training again. The Orc King's training was relentless, unyielding, and almost inhuman. But Josh had no choice—this was his only shot at survival. Beyond that, it was his first true step toward his dream of saving Maria.
---
**Day 1**
"Again!" KingOrc bellowed, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the dungeon.
Josh's body was drenched in sweat, his muscles screaming for rest. He barely managed to lift the conjured sword in his hand, the weight of it dragging him down. He swung weakly at the training dummy KingOrc had summoned, the blade barely connecting before falling out of his hands.
"Pathetic!" KingOrc snarled, towering over him. "Your swings are weak. Your footing is sloppy. You'll never survive out there if this is the best you can do!"
Josh collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. "I… can't… do anymore," he stammered, tears welling in his eyes.
KingOrc knelt down, gripping Josh's chin and forcing him to look up. "And what will you do when a monster towers over you, boy? Will you cry and beg for mercy? Mercy will not save you. The only thing that will save you is strength. Now, *get up!*"
---
**Day 3**
Josh's body ached in ways he hadn't thought possible. Every inch of him was bruised and battered from the training sessions. KingOrc had drilled him relentlessly: sparring, endurance runs, obstacle courses created from the dungeon's magical terrain.
"Swing, *boy*! Swing like you mean it!" KingOrc barked as Josh clashed swords with him.
Josh gritted his teeth, his arms trembling as he tried to hold his ground against the Orc's sheer power. "You're going to kill me at this rate!" he shouted, barely deflecting a blow.
KingOrc let out a rumbling laugh. "If you cannot survive this, then you're already dead out there. The world will not hold back, and neither will I."
Josh lunged forward, trying to catch KingOrc off guard, but the Orc sidestepped easily, knocking Josh to the ground with a swift kick. "Again!" the Orc roared.
---
**Day 7**
Josh swung his weapon with newfound strength, the blade cutting clean through the training dummy. He stood there, panting, sweat dripping from his brow, but he couldn't deny the progress he had made. His movements were sharper, more precise.
KingOrc nodded approvingly. "Good. You're finally starting to look like someone who could hold their own in battle."
Josh wiped his brow, giving the Orc a weary smile. "And here I thought you'd never say anything positive."
KingOrc grinned, his tusks gleaming. "Don't get used to it, boy. You're far from ready. The true test has yet to come."
---
**Day 10**
Something had changed. Josh noticed it first in the way KingOrc moved. The once-mighty Orc seemed slower, his strikes less forceful during their sparring sessions. At first, Josh thought it was a trick to test him, but as the hours passed, the truth became clear.
"KingOrc…" Josh began, lowering his weapon. "Are you… are you okay?"
The Orc straightened, his imposing figure suddenly seeming smaller. "Focus on your training, boy," he said gruffly, turning away.
Josh hesitated but nodded, returning to his drills. Yet, the thought lingered in his mind.
---
**Day 14**
"Your next lesson," KingOrc said, his voice quieter than usual, "is Attribute Infusion. A technique I developed myself. With it, you can enhance your body's capabilities—strength, speed, endurance—by channeling magic directly into your muscles."
Josh listened intently as KingOrc demonstrated, his form glowing with a faint aura. Even in his weakened state, the Orc's power was undeniable.
"I've never seen anything like this," Josh admitted, trying to replicate the technique.
"Of course not. It's my creation," KingOrc said proudly, though his voice wavered. "Now, focus. Feel the magic within you and direct it to where it's needed."
Josh closed his eyes, reaching for the newfound energy coursing through him. Slowly, he felt his muscles surge with strength, his movements becoming more fluid. When he opened his eyes, he saw KingOrc watching him with a strange look—pride and sadness mixed together.
"You're learning faster than I expected," the Orc said softly.
Josh smiled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It's because I have a great teacher."
KingOrc chuckled, but it was a hollow sound. "Boy… there's something you need to know."
Josh frowned, stepping closer. "What is it?"
But KingOrc shook his head. "Not yet. Focus on your training. You'll understand soon enough."
---
The days dragged on, each one pushing Josh closer to his limits. But as he grew stronger, KingOrc grew weaker. The Orc's once-commanding presence seemed to fade with each passing moment, though he never let it show during their training. Josh couldn't ignore it, though. The realization gnawed at him, even as he continued to push himself.
KingOrc was sacrificing himself for Josh's growth, and the weight of that truth was almost too much to bear.