The Goblin Chief's roar echoed throughout the cavern.
BOOM!
Its massive iron club crashed into the ground where Adrian had been standing only a heartbeat earlier.
The impact shattered the stone floor, sending sharp rocks flying through the air.
Adrian rolled across the ground, barely escaping the devastating blow.
"So... this is the difference between Level 3 and Level 8..."
The Goblin Chief wasn't just stronger.
It was overwhelming.
---
[System Warning]
Host HP: 92%
Enemy Strength: Extremely High
Suggestion: Analyze before attacking.
Adrian steadied his breathing.
"Analyze?"
The blue screen flashed.
---
Skill Unlocked: Appraisal (Level 1)
Target: Goblin Chief
Weakness: Right Eye
Secondary Weakness: Slow recovery after heavy attacks
Recommended Strategy: Dodge. Counterattack. Don't fight head-on.
---
"So that's it..."
A direct clash would be suicide.
He had to fight smarter.
The Goblin Chief charged again.
Adrian waited.
Closer...
Closer...
At the last possible moment, he leaped to the side.
BOOM!
The club buried itself deep into the rocky ground.
The monster struggled to pull it free.
"This is my chance!"
Adrian sprinted forward and slashed at the Goblin Chief's arm.
A deep cut appeared.
The monster howled in pain.
---
Critical Hit!
+150 EXP
---
The Goblin Chief yanked its weapon free and swung wildly.
The force of the attack created a powerful gust of wind.
Adrian crossed his sword to block—
CRACK!
His rusty blade shattered into pieces.
"No..."
He stumbled backward, now unarmed.
The Goblin Chief grinned.
It believed the fight was over.
---
[Emergency Reward Activated]
Condition Met: Fighting Unarmed Against a Stronger Enemy
Reward Granted: Ironfang Sword
A flash of light erupted beside Adrian.
A sleek silver sword appeared, its blade etched with glowing blue runes.
He grasped the hilt.
The weapon felt perfectly balanced.
Power flowed through his arm.
"So this... is a system reward."
The Goblin Chief roared and attacked once more.
This time Adrian didn't retreat.
He ran straight toward it.
At the final moment, he slid beneath the monster's swing.
Its club smashed into the cave wall.
Adrian sprang to his feet.
With every ounce of strength he had...
He drove the Ironfang Sword into the Goblin Chief's only remaining eye.
"AAAAAAARGH!"
The beast screamed in agony.
It staggered backward wildly.
Adrian didn't hesitate.
He leaped high into the air.
"For my father..."
One slash.
"For my mother..."
A second slash.
"For Eldoria!"
With a final cry, Adrian brought the sword down with all his strength.
The Goblin Chief's massive body froze.
A thin line appeared across its neck.
Then...
Its head fell to the ground.
Silence filled the cavern.
---
Boss Defeated!
+5,000 EXP
LEVEL UP!
Level 4 → Level 5 → Level 6
New Skills Unlocked:
Dash
Basic Mana Control
Inventory
Title Earned: Goblin Slayer
Reward: Beginner Treasure Chest
---
Adrian collapsed onto one knee, breathing heavily.
"I... did it."
For the first time since the night he lost everything...
He had won.
Not because he was born a prince.
Not because someone protected him.
But because he fought with his own strength.
A warm smile appeared on his face.
"I'll survive."
"I'll become stronger."
"And one day..."
"I'll take back my kingdom."
---
A golden chest materialized in front of him.
It was decorated with ancient royal symbols that looked strangely familiar.
[Beginner Treasure Chest]
Would you like to open it?
YES / NO
Adrian took a deep breath.
"Yes."
The chest slowly opened.
Golden light burst from within, illuminating the entire cave.
One by one, rewards floated into the air.
Royal Knight Armor (Rare)
100 Gold Coins
10 Healing Potions
Skill Book: Sword Aura (Beginner)
Mysterious Black Key (Locked Item)
Adrian picked up the black key.
It was cold to the touch, with the same royal crest engraved on it as the throne in Eldoria.
"The royal crest...?"
Before he could inspect it further—
DING!
[Hidden Quest Updated]
The Mysterious Black Key is one of the Seven Royal Keys.
Collect all Seven Royal Keys to unlock the path to the King's Legacy.
Current Progress: 1/7
Adrian's eyes widened.
"My father... knew about this?"
The truth behind the royal family was far deeper than he had imagined.
Somewhere in the world...
Six more keys were waiting.
And perhaps...
So were the answers to who had destroyed his family.
Adrian sheathed the Ironfang Sword and walked toward the dungeon exit.
The journey of the Fallen Prince had only just begun.
---
Next Chapter:
A New Name, A New Life
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments