Chapter 10: Grinding Faces - 2nd Floor Dungeon! [2]

There suddenly was fire!

My hand began to swirl with a golden flame. At first, I thought it might be hot and burn me.

However, I was wrong!

The flames created by my hand were gentle, like freshly warmed bread or when you take your clothes from the dryer, and they feel super soft and hot!

For some reason, the Ratmen seemed to fear me—yes, fear me, for I am your doom!

It seemed they feared the fire that hurt their eyes used to the darkness. Let's not fool around when my life is on the line.

"Haa..."

"Let's go."

"Haa..."

Crack!

My legs kicked off the ground without care for my stance or form. I lunged at the nearest Rat with my hands covered with flames.

Bang!

Despite these monsters being the same as those from the previous floor and just as disgusting.

I felt no aversion to fighting them this time as my fist crushed the lower jaw of the Rat I attacked.

-> Defeated Ratman A

Follow on! Combo!

Thud!

My body followed the images in the boxing skills that fused with the Flaming Wolf Fist skill. Two Ratmen swiped at my side and throat with their sharp blades.

I couldn't completely dodge them due to the reach of their blades, feeling a slight burn before the wet blood on my neck and side began to ooze down my flesh.

The second I saw them pulling back to attack me again.

"Fuck you!"

I pushed all my power into my legs—feeling the sheer size of my bulging thighs as they tensed was amazing before they began to throb, and I pushed off the ground with all my power.

My body shot out like a bullet, with both fists covered in a golden flame.

They crashed into the chest of both Rat with a vile crack, followed by the scent of roasted bacon.

-> Defeated Ratman B

-> Defeated Ratman C

I felt my body almost bouncing as I took an aggressive stance, my hands wavering before my face, chasing down the remaining rats like a violent demon.

There was a sense of euphoria in my mind each time my fist burned. Despite losing MP rapidly, I could maintain these fists for a while.

[You haven't even used the true Flaming Wolf Fist...]

[Right now, all you are doing is burning your hands and hitting them with it...]

Fairy!? For real?! How can I execute the skill, then!?

[For starters, it's not a skill but a spell.]

[It's MAGIC!]

[Imagine what kind of image comes to your mind when you hear the name! What kind of attack do you feel it would be!]

[I will take care of the rest.]

[Hmph...!]

The massive group of Ratmen stood watching me, their faces becoming more confident and ferocious once the flames vanished.

I could have kept them burning, but my mind would have been distracted!

"Focus..."

"Haa..."

My eyes closed like an idiot trying to imagine the true Flaming Wolf Fist and how to perform it.

Since I learned all possible information, I let my fists burn before crushing the Ratmen.

I thought it was already complete.

But I was wrong...

Woosh!

The sound of a blade cutting the air entered my ears—it was strange; I was never that brave.

There is no need to lie if a fight broke out—I would fight and then escape if it became too hard to win and fight to wound the enemy if I couldn't.

Despite not being brave when forced...

I would fight until the end.

Even when bloody

No matter how badly I wanted to give in.

Till I became the last one standing.

No matter how petty, dirty, vile, cheap.

As long as I win, it doesn't matter!

"A wolf?"

My hands began to throb, trying desperately to focus as their blades and claws lunged, tore and swiped at my body.

[Rai! Dodge! What are you doing!?]

[Rai!]

Don't worry, little fairy, if I am too scared to endure pain.

Will I ever grow?

Their blades rained like catching a fish in a barrel, my arms crossed against my chest, trying to block as much damage as possible.

Each slash that ripped open my flesh, every drop of blood.

All cleared my blurry mind that was escaping even now.

"Haa..."

"A flame..."

Slash!

Another wound, the Ratman to the right, sliced the flesh of my thigh, causing my stance to almost crumble the others now pressing the advantage.

The more I fought them without sight, the more I could feel them. Their scent, sound, and taste became clear as they closed in.

Was it because I was too slow? Should I have kept studying even though we were poor?

Somehow, as my body desperately avoided their fatal blows, the pain was now slightly numb.

Even the little bar was warning me of my imminent death.

Yet I could almost SEE it...

My ideal...

Crack!

Despite it being a waste, I cracked open a potion and downed the bottle, the itchy feeling as the delicious nectar flooded my throat and tastebuds, causing a slight excitement in my body, now dodging their blows faster.

A lunge! I bend my back to the side, avoiding their sweeping follow-up.

A stab! I step forward, turn my body and smash them in the face with my fists! Bang Bang! Make sure to hit twice; don't relent until that sound of their cracked bones echoes!

Shit...

I lost my footing in the crags of dirt!

Thud!

-> Defeated Ratman D

[Skills Improved!]

Low-Rank Boxing Arts Lv 6 -> Lv7

[Gained Skill]

Mana Vision (Lv1)

Low-Rank Melee Defence Skill -> (Lv1)

Low-Rank Damage Reduction (Max) -> Mid-Rank Damage Reduction (Lv1)

Bang!

The Blow of Ratman with a club smashed into my stomach, the bare outline of their bodies now visible even when my eyes closed.

Somehow, I knew this wasn't just my talent...

A cute little fairy was helping me even if it wasn't allowed.

Her little body was guiding me.

"Skills through action..."

"Spells through action..."

Flutter!

I opened my eyes, and that now felt strange.

As I looked at the remaining Ratmen, there was that constant taste of iron in my mouth, but inside my chest was excitement.

If I can't do it on the first attempt

Try and try again!

"Thanks, Eternia," I whispered as my body dashed into battle, the knowledge and muscle memory gained from those skills beyond anything I ever learned with nearly 10 years of training at a martial arts gym or boxing club.

"Come to think of it—wolves don't hunt alone! That's a myth... they hunt in packs!"

My eyes opened wide, the movement of the Ratmen, their muscles, mana, and everything now visible.

So much information entering my eyes that it stung me like a bee rammed its ass into my iris!

Eight Ratmen are left.

Then my Flaming Wolf Fist will strike Eight times!

[!!!]

The air froze momentarily—a jolt shocked my entire body. The pain started from my toes and rushed to my brain.

It hurt; the pain made me want to scream as I felt the MP remaining vanish in seconds, reaching 0.

A burst of flames formed around my body, swirling like a tornado as I dashed towards the grouped-up Ratmen, my fists drawing all the flames to them like a magnet as flames began to amass around them, forming a vortex like a giant wolf mouth created with the flames emitted from my hands.

This was the true Flaming Wolf Fist!!

With a savage cry, I flung myself at the Ratmen, who tried to sidestep away from the flaming cyclone.

Instead of two punches, I roared as eight Flaming Wolf Fists struck the Ratmen with each fist. It felt like my hand grew and became like a wolf paw with sharp claws.

Their bodies were turned into ashes, and after each punch, my body seemed to vanish before appearing beside the next Rat—I killed all of them with a single blow before my feet landed on the ground.

The flames died instantly before me as I stumbled forward, using my weight to avoid falling over.

Holy crap, I did it...

"Guha..."

Oh...

[Rai! Stop... Wait!]

I tried to stabilise myself... yet blood kept pouring from my nose and mouth; the last thing I remember was the sound of my level increasing and the soft cries of the fairy and her crying face...

[Rai!]

If only I could tell her not to cry... it's just a...

Thud!