Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: Chapter 68- Grinding(1)

Austin was kind of nervous. However, this was necessary. His current growth rate was not enough. He would be getting involved with the nation which was on the verge of a war with Eryndor.

A single mistake means Austin would be trapped there with Valerie and Sebastian. And he cannot depend on those two to protect him. Not then, not now.

He hasn’t taken offense to what the Demon or Abel said about him depending on Valerie. He could never be ashamed of that. However, he still hasn’t forgotten that incident when Valerie was facing that Monkey, and more than defeating the creature, she was focused on keeping him safe.

He wants to walk beside her…wants to be her strength, not weakness.

That’s why this was necessary.

[System Notification]

[Dungeon Name: Moonlit Mirage]

[Level: C-]

[Time Limit: 6 hours]

[Reward: ???]

[Important Notes:]

[1. Attribute Point Scaling:]

[Durability: +1 requires 20 dungeon points.]

[Combat: +1 requires 40 dungeon points.]

[Other attributes follow similar scaling.]

[2. Magical Item Enhancement:]

[Dungeon points can be used to upgrade magical items obtained as system rewards.]

[3. Shop Unlock:]

[Cost: 500 dungeon points to activate the ‘Shop’ feature.]

[4. Retreat Requirement:]

[Minimum Points Required: 10 dungeon points.]

[Tip: Perform efficiently to maximize point acquisition and unlock system benefits.]

Austin read the notifications carefully, before he asked, “Unless I don’t score ten, I can’t come back?”

[Indeed, host. You at least need ten points for the retreat option to appear.]

Austin took a deep breath; he couldn’t tell what was waiting for him; as such, gaining ten points can become concerning.

‘Well, it’s C-…surely, I can handle that much.’

After thinking for a bit, Austin asked, ‘Can I take equipment to the dungeon?’

[No, host. Only the rewards you gained from the system, can be used there.]

“…not even my Shard?” Austin was shocked and now anxious. However,

[Your Shard is a part of your Soul, so naturally, it’s impossible to restrict it.]

Austin heaved a sigh of relief.

Opening his drawer, he took out a single photo resting there.

Valerie’s smiling face was drawn on the small parchment.

“Wish me luck.” Putting the picture back, he stated, “I am ready.”

[Ding!]

[Best of luck, host!]

Austin’s vision was surrounded by blinding light, as he closed his eyes and waited to feel the changes.

His body did move, but his feet remained rooted. He felt like crossing through a long distance in seconds. However, he hadn’t made any move at all.

*Rustle*

Austin felt his face being touched by the serene wind.

He slowly opened his eyes and found himself in unfamiliar surroundings.

Austin blinked, his breath catching as he took in the sight before him.

The shrine was ancient, yet eerily pristine, as if untouched by time. The curved roof of the main building gleamed faintly under the pale moonlight, its edges adorned with intricate carvings of twisting dragons and coiling smoke.

Lanterns hung from wooden beams, their soft glow casting long, flickering shadows across the ground.

But what froze Austin in place were the figures standing in silent rows.

Hundreds of beings stood shrouded in black cloaks, their hoods pulled low to hide their faces. Not a single one moved, yet their presence was suffocating. Each figure held a curved blade in one hand, the edge glinting menacingly under the moonlight.

They faced the shrine, unmoving, like statues waiting for a command.

Austin could see grey numbers over their heads, indicating: 1

‘So they are worth 1 point, eh?’ Austin needed to defeat at least ten of them to get back. However, his focus was currently on how much he could defeat in one go.

There was a red line, before which he stood. Austin instinctively knew that if he crossed the line, those beings would attack him.

Austin rolled his sleeve and summoned his dagger in his left hand.

“Let’s go!” In an instant, he jumped forward, and the other side moved as well.

Three beings marched forward, wielding their weapon and faintly releasing their aura.

However, surprisingly, Austin was the first to reach them, as he ducked under the first one’s attack and simultaneously plunged his dagger into the ninja’s throat.

*SHWAAA*

The dungeon resident disintegrated at the attack before Austin jumped back—before the other two could have attacked him.

Austin’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “This might be easier than I thought.”

The remaining two ninjas lunged, their curved blades slicing through the air. Austin sidestepped, the sharp wind of their missed strikes brushing his face. He spun low, his dagger flashing as it carved into the leg of one enemy.

CRACKLE!

The figure crumbled into ash, disintegration just like the first.

The last ninja spun around, blade raised for a downward strike. Austin leaped back, avoiding the deadly arc, then surged forward, slamming his dagger into its chest before it could recover.

SHWAAA!

Another one is gone.

“Three down. Seven to go.” Austin’s eyes darted to the approaching figures—this time, five were coming at once.

They moved faster, more coordinated, blades whistling as they cut through the space between them. Austin ducked under one strike, kicked off the ground, and twisted mid-air to avoid another.

CLANG!

His dagger clashed against an enemy’s blade, sparks flying. He slid to the side, slashing his weapon across the ninja’s neck.

The figure dissolved, but the next ninja was already on him.

Austin barely raised his dagger in time to block the strike, but because of his lack of footing, the force of the blow sent him stumbling back. His footing faltered, and another enemy took advantage, its blade slashing across his arm.

‘I can’t reach it…!’ Austin augmented his Shard, making it longer, and barely parrying the attack.

*CLANG*

A sudden burst of speed erupted as he used the elongated Shard to slash his enemies one after another.

Just as the last one dropped to the ground, the hair on the back of his neck stood erect, as Austin ducked just in time to dodge the incoming shuriken.

*KIRRRK*

The sharp blade dug into the tree at the height where his head should have been.

Austin’s eyes widened as he realized that with each wave, the ninjas were getting more dangerous.

Austin’s heart pounded as his eyes darted around, trying to locate the source of the shuriken. The faint rustling of leaves above him was his only warning.

SWISH!

A flurry of shuriken rained down. Austin leaped back, narrowly avoiding most of them, but one grazed his thigh, drawing a thin line of blood.

“Tch!” He hissed, the pain sharp but manageable.

Three ninjas emerged from the shadows, moving in sync. Their steps were eerily silent, and their blades gleamed under the moonlight.

They rushed him.

Austin lunged forward to meet the first, his elongated Shard arcing in a swift, powerful slash. The blade found its mark, cleaving through the ninja’s chest and disintegrating it in a burst of ash.

But the second and third were already on him.

Austin parried one blade, then twisted to block the other. Sparks flew as his Shard clashed against their weapons. He spun, aiming to strike one of them, but the ninja ducked and retaliated with a quick jab.

SLASH!

The blade nicked Austin’s side, ripping through his shirt and leaving a shallow wound.

“Dammit!” Austin gritted his teeth, jumping back to create distance, but the third ninja closed the gap instantly.

The enemy’s blade came down in a deadly arc, and Austin barely managed to sidestep it. His Shard lashed out, slicing the ninja’s leg, but not before another shuriken zipped through the air.

THUNK!

It grazed his shoulder, tearing through flesh. Blood trickled down his arm, and the pain made his grip falter for a split second.

Austin glared at the one throwing Shuriken before he muttered,

“You wanna play with throwables, eh?’

The Ninja didn’t have time to dodge as a heavy boomerang was thrown in its direction, completely destroying its head and ceasing its existence.

*SHLINK*

Austin didn’t lose focus from the battle, just because he manipulated Wisp. He easily dodged the incoming blade, ducking under it and grabbing the ninja by its throat.

*CRACK*

A sickening sound resonated before Austin killed the last of the wave with his bare hand.

[Ding!]

[Upon reaching the first threshold, the host gains permission to return to the real world any time he wishes.]

[Return?]

[Y/N]

Blood was trickling down from several corners, and there were more than two hundred ninjas still waiting for their turn.

And…Austin had a feeling that there was a presence, far greater than these small fries, waiting for him inside the shrine. Like a Boss.

Under such a situation, the best thing would have been to return and first patch himself up and make a strategy for how to defeat them efficiently.

However,

“Who cares~” Austin grinned, as he recalled Wisp and his Shard in each hand.

He was so going to enjoy this battle.