66 LAST RISE *
After killing both of the Goblins Leon stepped over their corpses, his skill < Glitch Point> was still active, showing him if there is any hidden traps, triggers or any type of spell near him. 1
He moved forward towards the metal gate cautiously until he noticed an opening in the wall- a room partially hidden in the stone.
Leon opened the gates of the hidden room and a very foul stench hit his nostrils.
“Ugh… smells like rotten meat,” Leon muttered, squinting as he stepped inside.
The room was hell.
Five half-eaten corpses hung from iron hooks on the walls. Four of them were already infested- maggots writhing under their tattered skin. But one… it was still fresh.
A young man. Jet-black hairs covering his face.
One of his leg and his right arm gone-hacked off brutally. Charred flesh sealed the stumps.
Two holes pierced into either side of his skull.
Leon scanned the room quickly. A pile of arrows rested on the right side of the room, and next to them were a series of complex trap mechanisms.
“They weren’t tall enough to load more than two traps… that’s why the other traps weren’t working.” Leon spoke, examining the setup.
He turned and spotted some discarded weapons-rusted swords and cheap bows most likely taken from the dead adventurers.
He picked up a bow, but the wood cracked immediately in his grip.
“Too weak.” Leon spoke with neutral expression as he threw away the broken bow and raised his hand to pick up another bow but…..
“H-Help….”
Leon froze.
His eyes slowly turned back toward the hanging figure.
The boy’s chest rose weakly. He was still alive.
Leon immediately stepped closer and asked with a serious expression “Oi… you are still alive ?”
“Y-Yes…” came the faint reply, no louder than a whisper.
“Hold on-I’ll get you down-“
‘How is he still alive after getting his hand and leg chopped off… There are holes in his fucking head. What is this guy made out of ?’ Leon thought with a serious expression as he immediately grabbed the hook.
“D-Don’t, I will die instantly… the hook is too deep in my spine and it’s on the verge of stabbing through my heart.
Move me or the hook and I will die.” The boy’s bloodied hand raised slowly, pointing toward a small wooden box near the arrows. “P-Pick that…. up… Sir.”
Leon looked at the box with a confused expression, then approached the box and lifted it carefully.
“Human Kingdom… 4th Street… near the milk shop… red roof house… *COUGH-COUGH*” The boy coughed violently, blood trailing from the corners of his mouth. “Deliver it… there. And… I’ll give you something.
Something that’ll help you *cough* get out of this damn place.”
Leon’s looked at the box then looked back at him. “What about you ?”
The boy smiled. A tired, broken smile. “K-Kill me.”
“Huh?” Leon spoke with a shocked expression.
“Don’t worry, You would… be doing me a favor. My head… feels like it’s splitting open. I don’t want to die like this-hung like meat in a butcher shop. I want… an honorable death. From a blade… Grant me that…”
‘Hah… I can understand his condition, If I left him like that he will die, if I moved him he will die and even if I take him down without killing him… I don’t know how long this dungeon is.
His wounds are to severe and can’t be healed by minor heal skill. Fuck I should’ve carried some healing potions.
Well, can’t do anything now… the best I can do is grant him a good painless death. Leon thought with a neutral expression as he tightened his grip around his sword.
“…Venzues Demarkus…” As soon as he spoke these words, a small black book shimmered into existence in his hand.
He tossed it to Leon.
*Catch*
The cover was pitch black. No title. No markings. There was nothing written over the book.
“A forgotten technique… passed down in my family. No one’s ever gotten beyond the first form. But it’s not bound to class and anyone can learn it-
*COUGH-COUGH*
He coughed again. Harder this time and more blood flowed out of his mouth.
Listen kid, i-if you can just learn even the first stance… you’ll survive this dungeon. Just-*cough*-keep your eyes open. There’s more here than what you see…”
Leon didn’t reply.
“I’m done, kid. Make it fast… the hook is going through my heart…”
Leon stepped forward, raising the sword in his hand.
“What do I say? Who sent the box?” He asked placing the sword’s tip over his chest.
“…Tell her Nemo sent it.”
Leon nodded.
“Goodbye…. Nemo.”
41
*Stab*
The sword pierced clean through his chest. Nemo gasped, then smiled… and went still.
Leon exhaled. Quiet. Heavy. Then yanked the blade free.
*Swing*
Blood flung off the edge in one clean motion.
He turned and exited the room without looking back.
A few steps later, he stood before a metal gate embedded into the wall, a small lever just beside it.
Before pulling it, Leon took out the black book.
As soon as he opened it, a screen popped up in front of him.
[Would you like to learn the Technique < Last Rise>?]
Leon blinked. “Wait, I can just… learn it like that?”
“Damn, If that guy found out that I am learning it like this, he will just wake up from the dead and bonk me on the head.
Leon spoke as he immediately clicked on yes.
*Click*
[Congratulations! You have successfully learned the first stance of <Last Rise> Technique.]
[Name: Last Rise]
[Rank: ??]
[Stance 1: 0 / 10,000]
[Description: A mysterious sword technique with no confirmed origins.]
(Mana: None]
[Cooldown: None]
Leon frowned.
“What does that even mean? Ten thousand uses just to unlock the next stance? No doubt no one in his family made it to second stance.”
Without wasting another second, Leon yanked the lever.
*Phissshhh*
The iron gate slowly groaned open. Beyond it was light.
Torches lined the corridor ahead, casting flickering shadows on the stones. Below each torch, small cave-like alcoves were carved into the wall.
“Why are there-” Before Leon could’ve completed his sentence, He noticed a green hand coming out of the alcove.
“Kekekekeke…”
“Keekekekekeke..”
“Kekekekekekeke….”
“Kekekekekekeke”