Chapter 35: The Penthouse Boss [Pt 2]
[6:45 PM, Saturday 6th of May, 2023]
'I… I can't defeat it. At least, not in this state!'
I stood before the formidable boss, well aware of my current limitations. Determination surged within me, and I knew I had to make a quick decision.
'Looks like there's no other way...'
I had to use my Stat Points to boost my combat skills. I had originally planned to save them for something else, but all my plans would crumble if I failed here.
This was my only option, at this point.
"Status Window."
[STATUS WINDOW]
- Name: Mikey Rael
- Race: Human
- Level: 12
- Life Force: 2/2
- Energy Level: 8/8 (+2)
- Combat Ability: 2/2 (+3), (+12)
- Stat Points: 26
- Currency: 1,250
- Role: <The Dreamer>
- Authority: <Dream/Nightmare>
- Titles: <Visionary>, <The One Who Saw The End>, <Chosen One>, <Survivor
- Skills (Exclusive): <Dream>, <Nightmare>, <Visualize>
- Skills (Non-Exclusive): <Sprint>, <Focus>
- Items Equipped: <Energy Rock>, <Enchanted Shirt, Trouser, and Sneakers>, <Energy Recovery Necklace>, <Defense Ring>, <Tower Pass (F1)>
- Alignment: Neutral
[Additional Information]
You can see the future and past by living it. It is a coveted power worthy of desire, but a scary one to possess.
"Let's put six in, just to be safe."
I could manage my Energy levels for now. As long as I avoided getting hit by the boss, I'd stay alive. But what truly mattered at this point was my Combat ability.
"Spend Six Stat Points on Combat Ability."
With a surge of power, I allocated the points to my combat skills, feeling the newfound energy course through my veins. It invigorated me, igniting a fire within.
"Ah, that's much better!" A wide grin spread across my face as I stared at the boss with fierce determination.
"Let's do this!"
With renewed resolve, I lunged at the boss, my movements swift and precise. My body felt lighter than ever, and everything seemed to slow down thanks to the boost to <Focus> and <Sprint> caused by my upgrade.
"Heh!"
The boss recoiled, momentarily taken aback by my sudden surge in abilities. I closed the distance in a flash. However...
'H-huh? What's going on?!'
My moment of triumph was short-lived.
'N-no! <Sprint> has timed out!'
My eyes widened as I saw the Boss's satisfied expression.
'This is bad! This is—!'
~WHOOOOSSSSHHHH!~
The boss retaliated with a devastating blow, too fast for my current senses to fully comprehend, thanks to <Focus> wearing off at that exact moment. Its force threatened to snuff out my life in an instant.
'S-shit!'
But just as despair and death began to grip me, luck intervened.
~SHING!~
The 'Defense Ring' I equipped at the last minute before approaching the Boss activated in a brilliant burst of energy.
A protective barrier instantly materialized around me, shielding me from the full impact of the attack.
~WHAM!~
The attack exerted enough force to send me flying back, despite not causing any damage. However, distance was what I wanted in the first place, so I was grateful.
With the gap between me and the boss widening even further, the Defense Ring finally shattered into fragments as the barrier dissipated, its purpose fulfilled.
'I can't believe I had to use the item here. Damn…' Stunned yet grateful, I smiled a little.
I had come dangerously close to death. Just one mistake and everything I had worked for all day would have ended.
It was scary, a stark reminder of the dangerous path I had chosen to walk.
Death was one thing, but losing everything I had worked so hard for... I couldn't allow that.
"Let's not get too shaken. This is a good thing." I shrugged off my fears and gave a fearless smile instead.
Why?
'This just made me realize something interesting.'
Since my Defense Ring had worked, it meant the boss's Combat Ability wasn't more than twice mine. Considering how I felt faster than it with <Sprint>, which doubled my speed, I didn't think its Combat Ability was exactly twice mine.
'As long as I use <Sprint>, along with <Visualize>, it won't be able to stop me!'
A smile of realization tugged at my lips. The boss, though formidable, had its limits.
"Hahaha!"
It was not invincible.
"Why don't we begin round two?!"
"ROAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!!" The terrifying howl of the Boss filled the room, causing everything to vibrate, but I was no longer intimidated.
As I faced the formidable boss, my heart pounded with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
With a deep breath, I activated my <Sprint>, feeling a surge of energy coursing through my veins.
In an instant, my speed doubled, propelling me into a blur of motion. The world around me transformed into a chaotic swirl of colors as I darted with unparalleled agility.
I evaded the Boss's colossal fists and razor-sharp claws with uncanny grace, relying on my augmented speed to dance between its relentless attacks.
But the fleeting power of <Sprint> demanded caution, and as the seconds ticked away, I knew it was time to activate my second skill, <Focus>.
Instantly, my perception sharpened, and my senses heightened to an extraordinary degree. The details of the room became crystal clear, every sound, every movement magnified.
With my heightened awareness, I utilized my Energy Rock as a strategic weapon. I hurled it with precision, the rock sailing through the air with uncanny accuracy.
It served as a tantalizing distraction, diverting the boss's attention and creating crucial openings for my own strikes.
As the cooldown of <Sprint> and <Focus> initiated, I relied on my Exclusive Skill, <Visualize>.
The world seemed to slow down as I glimpsed into the near future, foreseeing the boss's next moves. I analyzed its every twitch and shift in weight, planning my counterattacks with skill and logic.
With calculated determination, I unleashed an unrelenting assault. Each strike aimed to exploit the Boss's weaknesses. I weaved in and out of its reach, narrowly avoiding its monstrous claws, and countered with powerful blows that resonated through the room.
Meanwhile, the Energy Rock soared through the air, dancing with pinpoint accuracy. It found the Boss's weak points amid the chaos.
The Boss's focus wavered, its defenses momentarily lowered, providing me the perfect chance to deliver a barrage of fierce attacks.
~WHOOOOMMM!!!~
~VWUUUUSSHHH!!!~
~BOOOOMMMM!!!~
The battle escalated, the clash echoing through the penthouse. My energy dwindled with each passing second, but I remained resolute. The relentless assault of the boss had pushed me to the limits of my strength, yet I refused to yield.
As my skills went on cooldown, I relied on my natural abilities, fueled by an unwavering determination to win. My heart pounded in rhythm with the chaos of the battle, and the fire of resolve burned brighter than ever in my eyes.
The Boss, relentless in its assault, showed no signs of stopping. Its immense strength and resilience tested my endurance.
But I banished doubt from my mind. I honed my senses and struck with unwavering precision.
'It's not unbeatable! Sooner or later, it will fall. Sooner or later…'
Then, in a moment of vulnerability, the boss faltered. A flicker of weakness emerged in the midst of its relentless attack.
With a surge of adrenaline, I unleashed a final, decisive blow, channeling every ounce of my remaining strength.
Clutching the Energy Rock with all my might, while intensifying my muscles, I propelled myself toward the boss with <Sprint>.
"Haaaaaaa!!!"
And then...
~BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!~
An explosion of pure energy rocked the room.
The impact reverberated through the room, a shockwave of energy shaking the very foundations of the penthouse.
"G-GUuuuuurrrghhhh..." The boss staggered and crumpled to the ground, defeated.
For a brief moment, I did nothing but stare at its motionless form.
After that…
"Haa... yeah. Fuck you. Haha... haaaaa...."
A symphony of silence, broken only by my heavy breaths, filled the aftermath as I stood there, victorious and breathless. Sweat mixed with the dust of battle trickled down my brow.
The room, once a battleground, now exuded an eerie calmness. The weight of my achievement sank in as I looked around.
With a mix of exhaustion and elation, I surveyed the scene. Destruction and chaos had been wrought all around me, but—
<You Have Leveled Up>
<You Have Leveled Up>
<You Have Leveled Up>
"I won! Haaaaaaa! I fucking won!"
... And with that, I crumpled on the ground, completely exhausted.
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[A/N]
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