Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: 27. Dungeon
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“GRRROOOAAARRR!”
Was it rage from letting its prey slip away right in front of it?
The Troll King’s roar shook the cavern ceiling as it charged, gripping its massive club.
Boom! Crunch!
Its hulking body thundered across the ground like a tank.
Every spot its feet stomped left craters in the floor, acidic spittle spraying up in hissing plumes.
What kind of messed-up physiology was this?
I wanted to ask if even its sweat was corrosive, not just its blood.
“...”
I didn’t budge until the very last second, as its club came whistling down toward my head.
The wind rushed past my eardrums, and its foul saliva was about to splatter my face.
With a hair’s breadth to spare, I twisted aside, dodging the blow.
BOOM!
The club grazed right past me and smashed into the ground with a deafening crash.
But by then, I was already inside its guard.
Shing.
Slash.
Mana-infused sword light arced like a crescent, slicing across the Troll King’s ankle.
Its skin, thicker than any human’s wildest dreams, and muscles like forged steel...
...melted away like soft tofu before the killing power of mana.
“GRRRAACK?!”
Sharp pain hit it, and the Troll King staggered with a agonized screech.
Even with its ankle half-severed and balance shot, its monstrous vitality kept it upright as it swung the club at me again.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
One mistake here meant death—a brutal, no-holds-barred exchange.
But I danced through its attacks like a fish in water, relentlessly targeting its vitals.
“Over here.”
Wrist, thigh, flank.
Each graze of my blade sprayed red blood and green acid from its body.
“GRRAAAHH!”
Maddened by pain, it rampaged, smashing everything around it—but it couldn’t touch me.
True to its status as dungeon boss, it wasn’t weak or slow.
For its size, it was shockingly agile.
Just bad luck on the matchup.
As time dragged on, its body became a mess of wounds, movements visibly slowing.
Splat!
The final tendon snapped, and the beast that had loomed like a mountain collapsed to its knees.
‘Time to finish this.’
Vmmm.
Black mana condensed at my sword tip, vibrating fiercely.
“Farewell.”
Fwosh!
I shot forward like a streak of light, piercing straight through it.
No time to react.
Not that it could’ve blocked even if it tried.
Pfshk!
“Grk...!”
The Troll King’s eyes rolled back as its massive frame convulsed.
Blood gushed from its throat, life draining fast.
I shook the blood off my blade and caught my breath.
The sword hissed with smoke, acid eating at the metal.
“Alright, loot and let’s head out.”
I gathered useful drops from the twitching corpse, then surveyed the boss room.
‘It was around here.’
Recalling the mental map, I groped along the walls.
Back of the boss room, behind a pillar in the shadowy corner.
A faint crack hidden by moss.
After fumbling over the rough stone for a bit...
‘Found it.’
A different texture under my fingers.
I pressed the seam without hesitation.
Rumble rumble rumble!
Heavy stone ground aside, revealing a hidden chamber.
The space was tight—just enough for one adult at the end of a narrow passage stood a weathered altar.
And atop it, a dusty wooden box.
‘Elixir Fragment!’
My heart pounded.
Carefully retrieving and opening the box released a dusty scent laced with faint fragrance.
Inside, a glass vial held swirling golden liquid, glowing mysteriously.
No doubt about it.
Matched the image burned in my memory perfectly.
“...Got it.”
Relief brought a smile.
This would heal Kaien’s wounds clean.
I tucked the Elixir Fragment securely away and exited.
With the clone clearing the path, return trip to the entrance would be easy.
“Let’s go home.”
I hurried off.
For the girl waiting.
“Th-thank you so much! I don’t know who you are, but this kindness... I’ll never forget it!”
“It’s fine. Just head home quick.”
I waved off the woman bowing repeatedly in gratitude and turned away.
She clung to my hand with a reluctant look, but no time to linger.
By the time I reached the academy, the sun was dipping low.
No time to change—I beelined for the medical wing.
Of course, visiting hours were long over.
Couldn’t use the front gate; had to scale the wall to Kaien’s room.
‘Left end room.’
Melded into shadows, I climbed silently and slipped through the familiar window.
Slide.
So quiet my feet didn’t even whisper on the floor.
The room was still.
Only the dim magic lamp by the bed illuminated Kaien’s pale face.
“...Mm.”
Beside her, Sera dozed in a folding chair, head lolling precariously.
Exhaustion etched deep—she hadn’t returned to the dorms, tending Kaien nonstop.
‘Must be wiped.’
Bitter smile as I approached Sera carefully.
Sensing nothing, I scooped her up gently and laid her on the spare cot.
“Mm...”
She murmured in sleep, face twisting uncomfortably.
I froze, watching if she’d wake.
Thankfully, false alarm—her expression softened.
I covered her with a blanket, then turned to Kaien’s bed.
‘Alright, now...’
Approaching, I propped her limp upper body up carefully.
She slumped into my arms, icy chill through her shirt sinking my heart.
‘Freezing.’
Like a life dangling off a cliff’s edge, fragile as glass.
“...”
I drew out the Elixir Fragment.
The small vial of golden liquid.
This would have her up in no time.
Trembling hands uncorked it, sweet aroma wafting.
“Hang on. It’s not bitter.”
Muttering to myself, I brought it to her lips.
But her mouth stayed shut tight.
Pried with fingers, but her jaw was clenched solid.
‘What now?’
Cold sweat—never saw this snag coming.
Forcing it risked spilling, wasting it.
Couldn’t wait for her to wake.
Once opened, the effects faded fast if not consumed.
‘Should’ve come morning.’
Rushing caused this mess.
“Hey. Seren. Wake up. Hey!”
Shaking gently did nothing.
Deep sleep, head lolling, only her breaths filling the quiet room.
Gaze lingered on her red lips.
‘...One way.’
The surest, fastest.
But riskiest too.
‘No, even desperate, that’s too...’
Shook my head—even I couldn’t believe it.
To a sleeping girl? Her, of all people?
“...Damn it. This is insane.”
No other options.
Decision time.
Sighed and bit the vial’s rim.
Sweet-bitter taste coated my tongue.
‘It’s just treatment. No funny business.’
Deep breath, resolve set.
Purely medical. Nothing else.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I leaned toward her face.
Up close, she looked younger, softer.
Long lashes, pert nose, lips begging to be touched.
‘Eyes shut, do it.’
I squeezed mine closed and pressed my lips to hers.
Soft, moist warmth.
A shiver raced my spine at contact, dizzying unexpected sweetness—but I pinched my thigh, snapping focus.
Can’t forget why I’m here.
‘Concentrate. Focus, Evan.’
Her sealed lips parted slightly to my warmth and tongue’s nudge.
I slipped the elixir through the gap.
No resistance; her throat bobbed, swallowing smoothly.
Gulp.
‘Yes!’
Last drop down, pulling away—
Swish.
Her arm shot up, wrapping my neck.
“...?!”
Eyes flew open to her hazy gaze locking on mine.
“Mm...”
Mistaking me in sleep? Or instinct seeking warmth?
She pulled tighter, lips pressing, tongue boldly entwining.
Almost lost it.
‘Hey, wait...!’
Tried pulling back, but her grip—strength? No, that desperate cling held me.
“Pha!”
“...Don’t go.”
Whisper in the brief parting, voice near-pleading.
What to do? Hesitated, then trembling hand patted her back softly.
“Okay. Not going. Let go now.”
Only then did she relax, sinking back into deep sleep.
Arm loosened, breaths even.
“Whew...”
Finally exhaled, sitting up.
Face burning, heart hammering wild.
Treatment or not, too intense.
Her warmth and scent lingered on my lips.
“...Tch.”
Turning from her, wiped my mouth.
Backed slowly to the window.
Stay longer, guilt might choke me.
Before leaving, glanced back once, then leaped out.
Night air bit cold, but nowhere near enough to cool my flushed face.