In a dungeon, there is always a presence known as the boss.
The boss hides deep within the dungeon, and defeating it allows you to obtain rewards, and furthermore, it grants you the ability to return outside the dungeon.
Pushing a particularly large door, it opens with surprisingly little effort.
As the door opened, I took a few steps into the room, and with a clanging sound, I turned around to see that the door had closed.
I was trapped.
"Master, there's something here."
"Yeah, I know."
I responded to Puppeteer's words.
I sensed a presence in the depths of the room.
'Gyaaahhhhh!!'
A roar echoed.
The vibration from the incredibly loud sound reverberated throughout my body.
"What is that…?"
It was an enormously large monster, with a length easily exceeding five meters.
It had a multitude of legs and its body was elongated and twisted. It had a grotesque appearance.
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A giant centipede-like monster with an S-class difficulty rating.
It sprays poison from its body. Contact with this poison can even dissolve metal.
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I used
I see,
"Pulsating Great Sword."
For now, I transformed Puppeteer into the form of a great sword.
This sword should have its unique ability,
"Kishaaaaahhhhhh!"
The Great Centipede Rumoahz charges.
I evade its attack and seize an opportunity to strike.
"Puppet Sword Technique – Grand Wheel Slash!"
A vertical spinning slash performed after a high jump.
"It's tough!"
With a clink, the blade is repelled.
Its skin is harder than I imagined…!!
I continue to attempt to attack multiple times, but my attacks have no effect at all.
"Damn it, damn it,"
I muttered these words under my breath while repeatedly attempting to strike.
However, in what seemed like mockery, the Great Centipede Rumoahz let out a high-pitched cackling sound.
Challenging the boss might have been premature…
Unconsciously, I had come to that conclusion.
This time, it was a failure.
So, I thought it might be better to accept defeat here and make better use of it in the next attempt.
After all, even if I died, time would rewind. In that case, I should give it my all in the next attempt.
Knowing the boss's strength alone was a significant gain, I could think of no other way.
"Master, what are you giving up for?"
Suddenly, Puppeteer's rebuke reached my ears.
It seemed like he had noticed my resignation.
"Didn't we make a promise? You promised to turn me into a human."
That's right.
I was standing here now because I made a promise with Puppeteer.
Certainly, I could probably start over even if I died.
However, Puppeteer would be different from the current one. The promise I made with the current Puppeteer could only be fulfilled in this time axis.
"I'm sorry for causing you to worry."
There's no way I should give up.
I have to struggle until the end; otherwise, I'll never conquer this dungeon, no matter how much time passes.
"I'm going to get a little more serious."
"Master!!"
Certainly, the skin of the Great Centipede Rumoahz is tough, and I can't break through it with my current abilities.
But there must be a soft spot somewhere that I can penetrate.
For example, inside its body.
"Hey, you, small fry. My life is right here. Aim properly."
I use
"Gyaaahhhhh!"
The Great Centipede Rumoahz charges at me while screeching, an attack that's far too predictable.
It's just as I intended.
"Puppetry Sword Technique – Swift Dragon Thrust."
I charged forward.
I didn't mind being devoured. No, rather, come at me!
I'll cut you from the inside with my blade…
I plunged into the mouth of the Great Centipede Rumoahz and, with that momentum, thrust my blade and fiercely tore it apart.
With each slash, blue blood splattered over me.
And then, I found myself outside the body of the Great Centipede Rumoahz.
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"Confirmed the subjugation of the monster."
"Acquired skill points."
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Along with that message window, the split corpse of the Great Centipede Rumoahz fell to the ground.
"We did it! Master!"
Hearing Puppeteer's cheers, I finally became aware of something.
That I had defeated the boss of the dungeon.
"I did it, didn't I…"
I found it a little hard to believe.
Until now, I had never managed to defeat any monster on my first try. I had died multiple times, over and over, redoing it each time, and only then achieving victory.
So, the fact that I had defeated the dungeon boss on the first attempt was surprising, especially considering that I had expected to face many challenges before entering this room.
"Hey, Master, let's celebrate more. You've finally defeated the boss you've been longing for."
"…You're right."
Various memories flashed back.
When I was wrongfully banished to the depths of the dungeon.
Afterward, I had engaged in repeated life-and-death battles with the Armored Bear Bugbears.
Then, I met Agetha, the vampire Judte, and Puppeteer.
And now, I had achieved the long-awaited dungeon conquest.
"Yessssssssss!"
I couldn't help but shout in triumph.