CHAPTER 36: TRIAL OF THE MINOTAUR

The second orc roared and brought its spiked weapon down. Nolan raised one hand casually. Wood and steel clashed against his palm with a deafening crack—yet the blow didn’t move him an inch.

"Too slow."

He twisted his wrist, tossing the weapon aside as if it weighed nothing, then jumped and drove a kick into the orc’s forehead. The creature’s eyes rolled back, and it collapsed like a felled tree.

The remaining three charged at once. Nolan’s form blurred again. Before they could even swing, he dashed between them, fists flashing faster than the eye could follow.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Each strike landed square on their foreheads, snapping their heads back with bone-cracking force.

And just like that—silence.

One by one, the towering Red Orcs shimmered with a strange light, then dissolved into particles of energy, leaving behind nothing but glowing cores scattered across the stone floor.

Nolan blinked, staring at the empty space where they had been.

"...Whoa. They actually vanished. Just like in a manga."

Grinning, he crouched and picked up the warm, pulsing cores, tossing them into his pouch.

"Not bad. Guess this dungeon really is built like what I expected."

The core... it was tiny. Compared to the Golem he had faced before, this one was minuscule. Nolan picked it up, cradling it in the palm of his hand before slipping it into his pocket.

That’s when he felt it—an unnatural presence. Something cold and piercing, as if a pair of invisible eyes were boring into him. He froze, scanning the shadows around him.

Then, a voice whispered directly into his ear:

"You might be the one... the one who can finally satisfy me... after all these years."

Nolan’s body suddenly glowed red.

"What... my body?" he muttered, feeling an unfamiliar surge of energy coursing through him. It was subtle at first, but undeniable—he felt stronger, faster, sharper.

The power from defeating the Red Orcs in the dungeon—it was different. In the forest, when he defeated the Golem, nothing like this happened. But here... the energy felt alive, as if the dungeon itself rewarded him for overcoming its guardians.

"The Orcs... they were stronger than the Golem. And this voice... I need to find out who—or what—it belongs to," Nolan thought, eyes narrowing.

He bolted toward the dungeon’s last floor, moving with lightning speed. Monsters scattered from his path; he didn’t even bother fighting them.

A massive Minotaur blocked his path. He braced himself, intending to dodge.

"You’re too slow... what awaits on the last floor is far stronger than you," Nolan muttered, sidestepping the creature.

But before he could pass, two more beasts emerged—each wielding enormous, jagged axes, their shadows stretching across the dimly lit floor.

Nolan slowed, narrowing his eyes. "Alright... this is getting interesting."

They had massive horns jutting from their foreheads, their presence alone radiating raw power. The first one lunged forward, swinging its enormous axe in a deadly arc.

"I’m just going to have to block this," Nolan muttered, raising his shield just in time.

The axe collided with the shield. The force made a deep crack ran across the shield. Nolan’s eyes widened.

These are actually strong... I almost let my guard down. I could have made it even stronger, but I underestimated them.

He adjusted his stance, readying himself. These massive minotaur-like beasts weren’t just obstacles—they were a test. Each strike, each clash would push his might further.

With a thunderous leap, the Minotaur pulled back, landing on the dungeon floor with a violent stomp. The ground split beneath its feet, sending a shockwave through the stone, echoing across the cavern.

Nolan gritted his teeth. Perfect. This is exactly the kind of fight I need to grow.

This Minotaur wasn’t just strong—it was smart. The two at the back held their ground, watching, waiting. The one in front didn’t attack blindly; every swing, every movement seemed calculated, like it was trying to predict Nolan’s next move.

They’re actually thinking before they strike... this is no ordinary monster, Nolan thought, narrowing his eyes.

"You’re actually a worthy opponent," Nolan shouted, testing its reaction.

In an instant, the Minotaur blitzed toward him with the speed of a charging bull. Nolan braced himself. The axe came down in a devastating slam, and he leapt back just in time, letting the brute’s momentum carry it past him.

Now it’s my turn, Nolan thought, gathering his energy.

He thrust his right fist forward. "Fire Fist!" Flames erupted, coating his arm in blazing heat.

With incredible speed, he dashed forward and leapt, aiming straight for the Minotaur’s massive stomach. The impact rocked the beast, but it barely staggered, forcing Nolan to blink in surprise.

Wow... it’s that strong? I didn’t expect this, he thought, catching his breath.

He exhaled slowly, feeling the heat of the fight surge through him. I could freeze time and finish it in an instant, that would be fun... but I want to test my strength properly. If this next attack doesn’t finish it, then I’ll have to use Lancer.

This Minotaur wasn’t just strong—it was smart. The two at the back held their ground, watching, waiting. The one in front didn’t attack blindly; every swing, every movement seemed calculated, like it was trying to predict Nolan’s next move.

They’re actually thinking before they strike... this is no ordinary monster, Nolan thought, narrowing his eyes.

"You’re actually a worthy opponent," Nolan shouted, testing its reaction.

In an instant, the Minotaur blitzed toward him with the speed of a charging bull. Nolan braced himself. The axe came down in a devastating slam, and he leapt back just in time, letting the brute’s momentum carry it past him.

Now it’s my turn, Nolan thought, gathering his energy.

He thrust his right fist forward. "Fire Fist!" Flames erupted, coating his arm in blazing heat.

With incredible speed, he dashed forward and leapt, aiming straight for the Minotaur’s massive stomach. The impact rocked the beast, but it barely staggered, forcing Nolan to blink in surprise.

Wow... it’s that strong? I didn’t expect this, he thought, catching his breath.

He exhaled slowly, feeling the heat of the fight surge through him. I could freeze time and finish it in an instant, that would be fun... but I want to test my strength properly. If this next attack doesn’t finish it, then I’ll have to use Lancer.