Chapter 5

"Roar!"

I let out a mighty cry.

I did it!

I, myself, defeated the Minotaur!

Is this a dream?

As proof that it's not a dream, power flows into me. I must have leveled up.

I don't know the logic, but when you defeat a monster, your level goes up and you get stronger. When you level up, your stats increase, and if you're lucky, you might even gain a new skill.

If I go to the Adventurer's Guild in town and get it appraised, I can find out my level, stats, and skills, but I don't have that option right now.

After catching my breath, I casually squat down and touch the hammer the Minotaur dropped.

"Ouch!"

Of course, it's hot. The Minotaur was engulfed in flames that burned it to ashes in an instant. I take out a small amount of elixir from my storage and splash it on my hand.

I hear footsteps. Someone must have heard the commotion. There are still other things around. Numerous shadows appear in the darkness.

They're Minotaurs...

First strike is key. I aim at the shadows and unleash a breath attack with both hands.

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"Ouch!"

It hurts! I feel like I'm about to lose consciousness.

I pick up my right hand, which has fallen to the ground, and apply the elixir to the wound. The injury heals quickly.

I was lucky. If the weapon of the first Minotaur I encountered had been an axe, I would have been cut in half and died.

Around me, the Minotaurs are still smoldering. There's nothing left that moves. I must have defeated over a dozen Minotaurs.

I strip the animal fur covering the lower bodies of the Minotaurs that are still intact and store it. After getting used to defeating them, I tried to burn only their upper bodies, so I have quite a few pieces.

However, that's why I got careless and had my arm cut off. It's a mixed blessing.

After resting for a while, I put the furs and the cooled weapons dropped by the Minotaurs into my storage and head back to the elixir spring. The weapons are heavy and I can't use them, but I can probably sell them for some money.

I take out the furs from my storage and wash them carefully in the spring. I don't want to use them without cleaning and risk getting some strange disease.

I wrap the furs of just the right size around my waist and neck. It's a bit wild, but at least I'm no longer completely naked.

So far, no monsters have entered this spring room. It's not certain, but this place might be a safe zone.

I'm very tired, so I decide to sleep here for a while, wrapped in the furs. I try not to think about the fact that these furs were once the waist wraps of Minotaurs. I might have nightmares and toss and turn.