Chapter 08: Give Me More!!!

Aron's screams of frustration echoed through the air as he found himself trapped within the raging bonfire. Mocking words from the system added insult to injury.

[...*Pffff, after all that big talk, you end up like this pathetic weakling*.... SLAP!....My apologies Master]

Embarrassment washed over Aron as he recalled his earlier 'Tough talk'. He had boasted confidently, only to get the beating of his life that drove him to this near-death state. Still, he snapped back, unable to tolerate the system's taunts.

"Shut up! I had everything under control. I didn't expect him to possess such power."[Master, a true warrior never underestimates his opponent and always expects the worst outcome, considering every possibility.] The system's words resonated with newfound wisdom.

Aron took the advice to heart, reflecting on his fight from a different perspective. He realized there were numerous possibilities to win if he had chosen a different approach. Lost in thought, Aron completely forgot about being inside the giant bonfire until the crackling fire jolted him back to reality.

"Hey! I'm not taking any damage... Is this a joke? What's going on?"

Expecting the fire to scorch his skin and leave him screaming in pain or running naked and ablaze, Aron's face flushed at the thought.

'Well, wouldn't that make for an interesting scene?'

Instead, he felt comfort and warmth within the fire, as if he belonged there. The sensation was so calming that he hesitated to step out, fearing the loss of this comforting feeling. Suddenly, multiple notifications appeared.

[Analyzing]

[Racial passive detected]

[Passive: Immune to fire]

Aron's smile widened as he read the notifications. Being immune to fire gave him a tremendous advantage. But then another notification popped up, shocking him.

[Your body is reacting to the fire. Absorbing the mana around you.]

Aron pondered for a moment, recalling his skill, "Mana Manipulation."

Eyes closed, he delved into the sensation of his own mana, remembering it from the time he opened the cage. Surprisingly, he could effortlessly perceive and feel the dark-red mana residing at the core of his chest. What's more, a bright-yellow mana, the essence of fire, surrounded him, enveloping his entire body. The mana reacted in a way that led Aron to believe it was seeking his permission to enter his being.

"I welcome you"

Immediately, Aron's dark-red mana started spreading outside of him and connecting to the mana of the fire, pulling it inside him. The moment the bright-yellow mana entered inside him. His body swiftly began healing, with bones aligning and every crack and shattered fragment returning to their rightful place. All of his wounds and cuts closed as if they had never existed. To Aron, it was as if time itself had rewound before his injuries.

[Your skill "Mana Manipulation" has leveled up]

Suddenly, Aron's dark-red mana started gathering around his fists and feet. A wicked grin carved its way onto his lips as his eyes burned even brighter.

Outside of the bonfire, the red goblin turned his back and made his way to his fellow goblins, who shouted and cheered for his victory. Halfway through, the red goblin froze in his place. His eyes widened as he felt a chill down his spine.

He could sense a dark and sinister aura looming behind him. The moment he turned his head to investigate, all he could see was a heavy fist burning with dark-red energy around it, making its way directly to his face. The impact was so hard that it sent him flying in the air before slamming into the wall a few meters away, taking a few goblins with him as they were crushed by his weight.

The red goblin, shocked and confused, quickly rose to his feet, staring at the figure who just made him fly all the way to the edge of the cave. His face paled. Holding his breath, fear found its way to his heart as he gazed at the figure in front of him, arms and legs engulfed in dark-red flames, his skin emitting a stream of smoke. On top of that. The two flaming crimson eyes intensified his terror.

The goblin's mind could only conjure one thought: a demon was coming for his soul. In his despair, the red goblin charged at Aron, throwing a heavy punch with all of his remaining strength; at least he was confident in his physical strength.

Aron, however, chose to retaliate with a punch of his own. When the two fists collided, the goblin screamed in agony as his fist exploded into many pieces. Seizing the opportunity, Aron swiftly delivered a sidekick to the goblin's knee, instantly shattering the bones. The red goblin dropped to his knees as Aron quickly jumped in the air behind the goblin.

Aron raised both of his hands in the air, striking the goblin's shoulder with force and breaking his bones. Now defenseless without the use of his arms. Aron capitalized on this opening before the red goblin's regeneration abilities kicked in. Aron formed a claw shape with his fingers, channeling the remaining mana into his fingertips, and swiftly pierced the goblin's neck.

His fingers instantly pierced the goblin's neck with ease. He then used more strength to dig further into his neck before turning his hand into a hook-like shape.

Standing atop the red goblin's shoulder, Aron exerted all his strength, pulling with fierce determination. The goblin felt his spine being wrenched out; panic, tremors, and screams consumed him. But it was all for nothing.

Seconds later, Arons succeeded in tearing the goblin's head from its body, along with his spine. The headless red goblin fell to the ground, and the crimson liquid spread all over the place, painting Aron red as he held the severed head and spine high in the air.

[You have killed: Goblin Champion]

[+100 XP]

The sudden turn of events left everyone in shock. Silence enveloped the area; even Raum gazed at the scene with mixed emotions.

"Damn! That's brutal." He couldn't help but express his thoughts out loud.

The goblins stared at their champion's head as a demon with red eyes held it high in the air. They growled and screamed, further adding to their rage. Aron burst into uproarious laughter, bellowing the words,

"MORE!! Give me More!!"

[Quest completed]

[Level up]

[+2 Attribute Points]

All hell broke loose. Every goblin in the area charged at Aron, attempting to take revenge for their fallen champion. Witnessing the horde of goblins closing in, Aron threw the goblin champion's head at them, wreaking havoc with the sheer force of the head.

Enraged by his actions, Aron not only killed their champion but also wielded the severed head as a weapon, further fueling their fury. Now more determined than ever, the goblins were desperate to tear him apart.

Aron scanned the area, searching for something he recalled lying around. Upon seeing it, he quickly dashed toward its location. Along the way, multiple notifications appeared in quick succession.

[New skill Granted: #@?&*#é]

[Error Error]

[Analyzing]

Ignoring the flood of notifications, Aron reached a spot that contained what he was looking for: a weapon. A one-handed iron mace that belonged to the now-dead goblin champion.

He swiftly grabbed it, seeing that some of the goblin horde had reached his spot. One goblin leaped in the air, trying to grab Aron's neck, only to be met with a beautiful kiss from the iron mace to his jaw, instantly breaking and rotating his head backward. Three more goblins pounced on Aron, attempting to stab and bite.

Once again, Aron wielded his mace, striking one goblin in the chest. With his left hand fueled by dark-red mana, his fist obliterated anything it touched, including the goblin's head.

Another goblin, nimble with his feet, leaped onto Aron's shoulder, driving a small knife into him. The urge for killing rose again in Aron's heart; all he wanted was more blood, igniting his thirst for more carnage. With a forceful elbow to the chest, he threw the goblin off his back and swiftly seized the goblin's head. Aron's fingers burrowed deep into the goblin's face, exerting immense pressure until the head burst like a ripe fruit.

[You have killed: Goblin]

[+20 XP]

By now, the rest of the goblins had reached Aron's location. With no hesitation, from every angle. With no way out, Aron had unwavering courage and determination to end the lives of these goblins that dared to attack him. Each swing of his mace claimed the lives of countless goblins. Those who didn't get a kiss from the iron mace found themselves crushed beneath Aron's foot.

The battle raged on, Aron losing himself in the frenzy. He had forgotten that the dark-red flames engulfing his fists and feet were rapidly depleting his mana. It was only when the flames around his feet began to fade that he snapped back to reality. Nevertheless, Aron disregarded it, his sole focus fixed on slaying every last goblin. The rage within him was simply uncontrollable.

Suddenly, a certain notification appeared in front of Aron's vision.

[Skill: "#@?&*#é" is corrupted, Alternative skill detected]

[Skill: Fire Legacy]

Right after the last notification, Aron dropped to one knee as an overwhelming surge of energy, or rather, literal fire, coursed through his chest, causing searing pain as the fire spread through his entire body, his veins pulsating with a burning sensation. The smell of charred flesh permeated the air as smoke rose from his skin and mouth.

"Ughhh! S-So… much…Power!"

Aron clutched his chest, only to find it hot as molten lava. Immobilized, he became vulnerable. One goblin took this chance to sneak behind Aron, wielding a spiked club and aiming for Aron's head. Suddenly, the sound of clapping wings drew the attention of that goblin.

"Kaaahh".

A set of beautiful claws from a magnificent black raven found their way to the goblin's eyes, blinding him. Raum made his way to help his friend, protecting his back.

Aron admired Raum appearing behind and defending him. However, he couldn't do anything as a burst of knowledge flooded his mind, nearly overwhelming him. The knowledge that Aron gained revealed the nature of his new skill and its application to some extent.

Raising his hand toward the bonfire, Aron called the fire to his aid. An explosion erupted from within the bonfire as the flames surged upward, twisting and twirling like a serpentine creature.

The sudden, unusual behavior of the fire made all the goblins halt their assault and draw their attention to it. Their faces quickly paled as they witnessed the serpent-like fire advancing towards them, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The fire cleared everything behind Aron's back, burning any creature that dared to stand in its path.

Aron gazed at the blazing inferno behind him, a warm smile spreading across his face. Rising to his feet, he tightly gripped the mace, pointing it toward the remnants of the goblin horde. With a cold voice, he uttered a single word,

"Burn"

The goblins realized their imminent demise as they saw the jaw of a serpent-like flame behind the crimson-eyed demon reduce them to ashes.