What is the type of monster that would fit the theme of the ruined city?
.
.
.
That would be the underdogs….
Those abandoned and forgotten people once lived in this world, once saw the brightest era of their world, once ate the most delicious food, made the most beautiful buildings, and achieved impeccable strength….
'Children of Xenon….'
/CREEK/
In front of me is a humanoid monster with silverish metallic skin….
/SWOOSH/
Dashing towards it, I attacked the core of the monster I had spotted with my [All Seeing Eye].
/CLANK/
But my sword missed the attack by a hair's breadth, getting deflected by the metallic surface on its own.
'As I had expected, they are really tough opponents.'
In the first place, there is a strength lower limit to explore this dungeon, as I said before. And the reason for that is these monsters.
'Monster that would neglect all attacks that surpass the band of level 75 in the game.'
Level 75 is basically the average level for the late-mid game.
A human whose body is merged with the metal itself.
'A perfect enemy to practice one's swordsmanship.'
/SWOOSH/
Dashing to the monster again with my sword in my hand, I attacked the core I had spotted.
/CLANK/
And my attack got deflected again.
'Even after all that training, I have yet to perfect my sword, huh?'
I thought.
"CREEEEEK!"
With a loud shout, the monster jumped over me, attacking me with its hands.
"Hisss…."
Releasing my breath, I tensed my muscles again.
'I need to focus my strength only at one point.'
First, imbuing my aura to my feet.
'I won't have much time.'
/SWOOSH/
And then disappeared from the place I was staying, increasing my speed at a rapid rate.
/TINGLE/
Just as before my attack reached the monster, I switched my aura from my feet to the tip of my sword, making it shine with pure blue color.
/CHINK/
"CREEEK!"
This time my attack connected the body of a metallic monster with my sword halfway entering its body, eating its core.
/THUD/
And then the monster fell to the ground with its magic core destroyed, and its metallic body retracted, leaving a human with his limbs showing.
<Ding! Nihil absorbed the core of the 4-star monster 'Child of Xenon.'>
'System, close this notification.'
<Understood.>
/SPLURT/
Taking my sword out from the body, I started walking again while thinking.
'It was just as said in the lore of the game. The ancient humans in this world that once lived there. They have crossed the line they should have never crossed.'
What is the goal of life?
Why are you living in this world? What is the purpose?
Is it the pleasure of life?
Is it the thing we call family?
Is it to serve others and make them happy?
Or, is it to achieve greater strengths, going to higher lengths?
'Apotheosis. Ascension to godhood.'
No matter where you live or where you stay in this world, one thing will never change.
A human's desire to achieve godhood.
'That was the reason why the Kingdom of Xerxes fell down. Because they had crossed the boundary, they should have never crossed.'
'Playing a god…..'
/CLANK/
While I was thinking about those, another monster with metallic parts appeared beside me.
Parrying the attack with my sword, I focused my eyes on his body parts.
'Now, their numbers are increasing, huh? I am getting closer to my destination then.'
'Annihilation Sword. Bladesurge.'
With my sword aligned, I dashed to the monster seeing its weakness.
/THUD/
And then smashed its core again, feeding it to the Nihil.
'Nihil is getting sharper as well. If not, this would not be possible.'
However, as Callius was thinking about that, a monster suddenly appeared beside him.
/SMASH/ /BOOM/
Smashing the ground with its stretched arms formed a mace of metal in its tip.
Smoke was rising from the ground, but the monster didn't stop.
Because it was sure that the man with the mask didn't die because of that.
/SWOOSH/
Swinging the long mace that formed with his arms combined, the monster attacked again.
"Cough…. You really are annoying."
With a slight cough, Callius mumbled.
'Annihilation Sword, Bladesurge.'
With his sword pointing towards the enemy, while his blue aura covered his sword, he dashed to the monster.
/CHINK/
And passed beside it with his sword tainted red.
/SWOOSH/
But just as he stopped moving, another monster suddenly appeared beside him, with its arms covered with metallic blades.
Like a mantis-type insect that had the appearance of a predator.
/CLANK/
"So, now everyone is sneak attacking, huh?"
With a slight mumble, he blocked the attack of the monster coming toward him.
"Kurghk-"
With a slight spray of salvia from his mouth, he got blocked.
/SPIT/
"So, you are stronger than others, huh? Must be a peak 4-star."
Mumbling like that, he took his stance.
"Come."
"CREEEK!"
/SWOOSH/ /SWOOSH/
Just as he said, as they had already determined what to do, the monster and Callius jumped at each other, clashing their weapons.
'Sword of Annihilation, Null Space, Stage 1.'
/CLANK/ /CLANK/ /CLANK/
Even though the monster had two arm blades that could attack Callius, it was not able to overwhelm him with his blades.
Callius was deflecting every strike like a master of blades.
/CLANK!!!!/
With a loud sound, their blades clashed.
But this time, the monster suddenly blasted off backward, being on the losing side of the clash.
'Sword of Annihilation. Blade Surge.'
With his aura compressed, his sword flashed for a second.
/CHINK/
And then stabbed the metallic monster in its chest.
/THUD/
Making its metal body retract and reveal a woman that had already lost life in her eyes.
"Now, let's get going."
Mumbling like that, I started walking again.
'Those mantis-type monsters were probably the former knights of Xerxes Kingdom. I heard they had the arms formed with blades because even at their death, they still wanted to protect their hometown.'
Remembering the contents of the game, I thought.
'I guess this is how normal people would think, isn't it?'
And then went on, clashing with monsters….
