NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 16: Reasoning.
Kopii, gradually becoming aware of his emotions, couldn't understand why he felt a strange sense of relaxation in the mysterious dungeon. Going higher and higher, he relentlessly killed every monster he encountered. Along the way, the pain in his hands reminded him of the incident on the fifth floor, where he had experienced a real battle. Kopii, though unwilling to admit it, still felt some joy from that fight. After a few minutes of pensive thought, he finally understood why he felt such joy: he was simply tired of the endless goblins and kobolds. These small creatures had become too weak for him, and he no longer derived true pleasure from his easy victories, as if it had become a routine, a job that brought no joy, but he was forced to come because of meager pennies.
Kopii didn't understand how his consciousness could be so distorted in these tangled labyrinths. Recalling the monotonous corridors and endless waves of weak opponents, he felt only a crushing melancholy. But now, facing an opponent who stirred up vivid and turbulent emotions in him, he realized that this was exactly what he had been looking for. A challenge, a risk, a chance to prove to himself and others that he was capable of more. Thoughts of that battle buzzed in his head, stirring his consciousness. Kopii felt adrenaline surging again, coursing through his veins, making his heart beat faster. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling a tingling in his palms.
Kopii no longer wanted to simply survive, he wanted to experience the exciting and sweet taste of victory, won in a hard and intense battle. However, suddenly, he stopped abruptly, not understanding how he had changed so much. Descending into the dungeon, he sought only strength and money, and although he derived some pleasure from defeating monsters, he never enjoyed the battle so much. That's why he was looking for the most effective tactics to destroy monsters in a short period of time, without expending much effort.
He resumed his step when he heard a sound resembling the birth of new monsters. Looking in that direction, he saw a group of goblins and didn't linger long with them. Killing all the goblins with the cold-bloodedness of a master, Kopii pondered another question: how was he able to raise his stats so quickly on such ridiculously weak monsters? Are these all the results of his constant training? Kopii thought, picking up magic stones from the bodies of fallen enemies. Then he headed upwards again, but unfortunately, the answers to his questions left him puzzled.
Exiting the Valion Tower, he looked at the sky; the evening twilight had already begun to slowly descend. Kopii headed to the guild to exchange magic stones and buy himself a new bow. Entering the guild, he felt the usual hustle and bustle of a multi-voiced life. Adventurers of all kinds scurried back and forth, discussing their latest exploits and planning their future daring descents into the dungeons. He headed to the exchange counter, where a friendly employee, already familiar with him, quickly assessed the magic stones he had brought. Receiving his well-deserved reward, Kopii, without wasting time, immediately headed to the counter to buy himself a new bow — it was already his third bow.
"Thought Kopii," they were quite cheap, but as always, the quality remained high, if, of course, counting from the end. After a successful purchase, Kopii looked out the window. I still have time, he thought. He headed to the guild library to refresh his memory, as he knew that knowledge was important for successful dungeon runs. The library was dimly lit, disturbed only by the soft, yet cozy light of lamps hanging from the ceiling above the wooden tables. Kopii walked between the shelves, filled with tattered volumes, inhaling the familiar smell of old paper and dust that permeated the space around him. He headed to the section with books about monsters, hoping to find something useful. Time later
Kopii looked out the window and began to realize that it was already late. Without wasting time, he quickly got up and headed for the exit. On the way home, his thoughts returned to his reflections. Maybe I really have a great talent, flashed through his mind. And Kopii was involuntarily pleased by these thoughts; if it's true, then he might be more talented than he himself assumed. With these thoughts, Kopii reached home, and to his surprise, when he returned, he saw that Naaza and Miyah were already asleep. He put his things in their usual place and went up to the second floor. Entering his room, he threw off all his clothes, but without taking off his half-mask, he lay down to sleep like that, wanting to calm his thoughts, filled with emotions.
Kopii lay on his bed, staring intently at the ceiling. The half-mask, clinging to his face like a second skin, didn't allow him to fully relax. His body was exhaustingly tired, but his mind continued to thrash, like a trapped beast. No matter how hard Kopii tried, his thoughts kept returning to the memory of that bright battle on the fifth floor, which wouldn't let him go. He felt his heart beating faster again, like an echo of the sword strikes that rang out in that dungeon. Kopii wondered why he thought he had changed, that the crazy dungeon had changed him so much, but it seemed inevitable. With such thoughts, full of contradictions, Kopii eventually fell asleep, plunging into endless darkness, into the world of dreams.
The next morning, Kopii woke up new, full of energy, when bright rays of sunlight broke through the loosely drawn curtains. He could hardly unclench his eyes, tired from sleep, feeling broken, as if he had been beaten all night. Fragments of yesterday's thoughts and vivid sensations still swirled in his head. The half-mask still clung tightly to his face, reminding him of his dual nature and awkward position.
Kopii got out of bed, feeling a nagging pain in his muscles, as if they reminded him of the battles. He hastily washed up, trying to arrange himself, and went downstairs, where breakfast prepared by the kind and caring Miyah was already waiting for him. Naaza, as always, was busy with her own affairs and only nodded to him in greeting. Kopii silently ate his portion of food, trying not to attract unnecessary attention, immersing himself in his own thoughts.
After breakfast, Kopii's decision was clear: he decided to return to the Valion Tower. He needed to dispel his doubts and understand if he had really changed. He wanted to test himself in battle, find a worthy opponent, and again feel that turbulent surge of adrenaline that he had experienced on the fifth floor. Kopii took his new bow, put on his half-mask, and left the house. A bright fire of thirst for adventure and aspiration for new heights burned in his heart. He was ready for any challenges that unpredictable fate had in store for him.
Kopii once again plunged into the dense labyrinth of the Babylonian Tower. Step by step, layer by layer, he moved forward, as if possessed. The monsters he encountered posed no serious threat to him, and he dealt with them quickly and efficiently, but without that pleasure and enthusiasm that he had been looking for. His movements felt honed and coldly calculated, rather than a passion for battle, as it had been before.
Descending lower and lower, he tried to focus on his sensations in battle, so as not to lose control of his actions. Thus, in his reflexes and habits, he once again found himself on the fifth floor, completely ready for anything. But then he suddenly heard a familiar sound that made his heart beat faster. He saw a new monster — a dark humanoid creature, with long arms with three claws, as sharp as knives. It was a Shadow Warrior, and Kopii was incredibly lucky that this elusive opponent became available to him.
Kopii didn't wait for the enemy to be fully born and shot at him with his bow, hoping to hit the target. However, Kopii missed. The Shadow Warrior, noticing his miss, rushed to attack, its long claws flashing in the dim light, and Kopii quickly jumped aside, dodging the deadly blow. He began to understand that this opponent was many times more dangerous than anyone he had encountered before. His movements felt extra speed and impressive strength, surpassing all those precious goblins that Kopii had fought before.
A fierce and intense battle began. Kopii, using his agility, speed and archery skills, tried to keep his distance, showering the monster with a hail of arrows. But the Shadow Warrior proved elusive. She easily dodged the arrows, leaving Kopii completely bewildered. Realizing that ranged attack was ineffective, he threw his bow aside and quickly drew a short sword from his trusty scabbard. Now he would have to fight face to face with this dangerous opponent. The Shadow Warrior emitted a deafening and threatening roar, anticipating a close battle. She lightning-fast reduced the distance, delivering a series of quick and powerful claw strikes. Kopii deftly dodged and jumped aside, trying to survive.
Kopii realized that there was a moment when he could attack: he sharply turned in her direction with his sword, but the Shadow, anticipating his move, dodged the blow. But Kopii foresaw this and took advantage of the distraction. He rushed forward, using the arrow as a weapon, and with determined intention pierced her chest through and through, breaking the magic stone in her body, which killed her.
Exhausted but satisfied, Kopii recoiled from the body of the fallen monster. His breathing was ragged, his heart was pounding in his chest with such force, as if mad. He glanced at his body, covered in scratches and abrasions. Despite all the manifestations of pain, Kopii felt a surge of strength and satisfaction. He won!
Kopii slumped to the ground, leaning his back against the cold stone wall. He closed his eyes, trying to organize his thoughts and calm his wildly beating heart. Fragments of the battle flashed through his head, exciting moments of tension and risk. Kopii realized that this was exactly what he was looking for, not just empty victories over weak opponents.
But Kopii understood that if there were more of these monsters, he could die. As much as Kopii didn't want to, he would definitely have to find a team.