Chapter 62: Versus Troll

■Status Window

Name: Noah Adler

Rank: Regular

Level 20

Class: Angel of Death

Title: Goblin Slayer

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☆Stats☆

Mana: 30

Strength: 40

Intelligence: 34

Dexterity: 50

Luck: 30

Stat Points:0

Coins: 7660G

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☆Skills☆

Common Skill: {Basic Swordsmanship},{Basic Close Combat} {Presence Detection} {Master of Weapons} {Mana's Armor Lvl 1}

Exclusive Skill: {Seal of Death} {Night of Death}

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☆Runes ☆

{Basic Strength},{Basic Speed} {Angel of Death}

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"Wow, 7660 gold coins! Pretty decent haul,"

Noah muttered to himself.

He summoned the store window and quickly jumped to the skills section. He had already instructed the system to only show him the skills that he could afford with his current amount of gold coins, so he didn't waste any time. And true to its programming, the system delivered exactly what he asked for.

As Noah browsed through the skills available for his stash of gold coins, he came across two that caught his eye. The first one was priced at 5000 gold, while the second one was a bit more affordable at 2000 gold.

''Let's go!"

The lush green embrace of the forest faded, yielding to the harsh whispers of sand carried by the wind. Beads of sweat formed on Noah's forehead as he pushed through the last barrier of foliage, stepping into the heart of the island - a merciless desert. And there, blocking his path, stood a colossal figure.

A monstrous troll, towering at least three meters, cast its ominous shadow upon him. Its skin, the color of brooding storm clouds, bore the scars of countless brutal battles. One bloodshot eye gleamed with malevolence beneath a brow resembling a gnarled tree trunk. In its hand, it wielded a club crafted from the shattered trunk of a fallen giant. A formidable C-rank monster. A worthy adversary.

A primal shiver ran down Noah's spine, but fear swiftly morphed into a familiar surge of excitement. Retreat was not in his nature. He had journeyed this far in search of a challenge, and this monstrous troll presented an opportunity he would not back down from, beside he wouldn't let 5000 gold coins slip through his fingers.

"GRAAAAA!"

With a fierce roar that reverberated through the barren landscape, the troll charged forward. Its club swung through the air, emanating a malevolent energy that promised devastation. Reacting with the instincts of a seasoned warrior, Noah swiftly activated his signature skill, Shadow Steps. Three ethereal silhouettes materialized around him, mirroring his movements with an uncanny fluidity.

The troll, momentarily bewildered by the sudden multiplication of adversaries, faltered for a crucial split second.

And in that fleeting moment, Noah seized the opportunity. Empowered by the Seal of Death, he unleashed a surge of augmented speed and strength. With a battle cry that pierced the desert winds, he propelled himself into action. One of the shadows dissipated, and Noah reemerged behind the towering troll.

His twin swords, gleaming under the harsh desert sun, moved with deadly precision. One blade found its mark, slicing deep into the troll's back, leaving a gaping wound. Thick, black blood oozed from the gash, staining the coarse fur that covered the creature's massive frame. Enraged, the troll let out a thunderous roar, swinging its massive club in a desperate attempt to locate its unseen assailant.

"GRAAAA!"

The troll let out a deafening roar, causing the sand beneath Noah's feet to tremble. However, the shadows continued their graceful dance, as Noah swiftly dodged and weaved between the illusory figures. His strikes were precise and relentless, causing the troll to bleed profusely. Despite its regenerative abilities, the monster struggled to keep up with the onslaught.

The battle transformed into a savage ballet, with the troll's anger making its attacks predictable and sluggish, easily anticipated by Noah. Like a phantom lurking in the shadows, he utilized his agility to toy with the creature, reminiscent of a matador taunting a bull.

Noah's objective was clear: inflict numerous shallow wounds. He understood that the troll's regeneration would struggle to handle a complete bloodbath, but a network of smaller injuries would create prime targets for his ultimate attack.

With one final, precise slash that left a shallow gash across the troll's chest, Noah swiftly retreated.

"Behold, the Blood Flowers!" he bellowed.

BOOM!

The troll staggered, overwhelmed by dizziness. The explosions tore through its flesh, creating a symphony of agony that overwhelmed its already taxed healing factor.

The monstrous brute collapsed to its knees, momentarily stunned. This was Noah's moment. He understood that the Blood Flowers alone wouldn't be enough to finish the job, but they had successfully weakened the beast to a vulnerable state.

With a swift motion, he activated Night of Death. The world around him plunged into a deep, impenetrable darkness, engulfing the clearing and the wounded troll entirely. The creature let out a bewildered bellow, its single eye rendered useless in the sudden void. In this cloak of darkness, Noah reigned as the master. He moved effortlessly, his senses heightened by his honed skills.

By listening to the enraged bellows, Noah pinpointed the thrashing troll's location. With a burst of speed, he materialized behind the creature, his twin katanas gleaming faintly in the magical darkness. In one seamless motion, he raised a blade and drove it deep into the troll's sole, exposed eye.

"Graaaaaaa!"

The troll's roar morphed into a spine-chilling shriek of agony. It thrashed about wildly, its colossal form a chaotic silhouette in the darkness. Yet, Noah stood firm, the sword firmly lodged in the creature's eye, until its struggles began to wane.

Aware that the opportunity wouldn't last indefinitely, Noah took action. With a final breath, he bellowed,

"Behold, the Blood Flower!"

Kaboom!

In an instant, a blinding burst of crimson light erupted from the creature's head, surpassing the brilliance of the midday desert sun. The ground quaked under the sheer force of the explosion. When the light subsided, all that remained was a whisper of smoke and the lifeless body of the troll sprawled upon the blood-soaked sand.

Noah staggered backwards, his vision swirling. The Night of Death and the Blood Flower had sapped every ounce of his energy. Collapsing against a nearby boulder, he struggled to catch his breath. The aftermath of the battle was an overwhelming mixture of silence and exhilaration. He had accomplished it. He had faced off against a formidable C-rank monster and emerged victorious, though not unscathed.

As the clearing regained its luminosity, Noah surveyed the scene. The monstrous figure of the troll, once a formidable foe, now lay motionless. Fatigue washed over him like a tidal wave, but beneath it pulsed a profound sense of achievement. This was more than just a triumph; it was a declaration. Whatever challenge he would face he will always prevail.