The Role of the Reaper

The Goblin swarm was relentless, their chittering cries echoing off the damp, suffocating walls of the sewer dungeon. The Hobgoblin stood amidst the chaos, glaring with malicious intent, its crimson skin pulsating with unholy energy. Yet, despite the overwhelming odds, Shin's resolve didn't falter.

With a smirk tugging at his lips, he gripped the Zweihänder tightly, the blade seeming to hum with latent power. He whispered under his breath, a quiet declaration to himself, "Let's make this quick. I have better things to do than waste my time on insects."

The air grew heavy as he advanced, his aura dark and foreboding. Shadows seemed to ripple around him, dancing in the faint, flickering light of the dungeon's lanterns. Every movement was deliberate, a calculated display of dominance.

The Goblins, sensing the change in atmosphere, hesitated for a fraction of a second. It was all Shin needed.

"Too slow."

In an instant, he lunged forward, the Zweihänder slicing through the air with a haunting whistle. The blade cleaved through three Goblins in a single arc, their bodies crumpling before they even realized they were dead.

A Goblin to his left leapt forward, claws extended, but Shin caught it mid-air with his free hand. He slammed it into the ground with enough force to crack the stone beneath. Without a moment's pause, he stomped on its head, silencing it forever.

Blood sprayed across his coat, but he remained unfazed, his gray and red eyes gleaming with an almost predatory light.

"You're next." His gaze locked onto the Hobgoblin, who instinctively took a step back, clutching its broken staff.

Kicking off the ground, Shin closed the distance in a blur of motion. The remaining Goblins scrambled to protect their leader, throwing themselves at him in a desperate attempt to stall his advance.

"Pathetic."

He spun on his heel, the Zweihänder carving through the horde like a scythe through wheat. The sheer power behind each swing sent shockwaves rippling through the air, and the Goblins were torn apart, their remains scattered like leaves in a storm.

The Hobgoblin roared, raising its hand to summon a burst of dark magic. The spell formed quickly, crackling with malevolent energy, but Shin wasn't about to give it the chance to strike.

In a single bound, he was upon the creature, his sword plunging into its chest with ruthless precision. The Hobgoblin's roar turned into a gurgle as it clawed at the blade impaling it, its crimson eyes wide with terror.

Shin leaned in closer, his voice a cold whisper. "You should've stayed in the shadows where you belong."

With a powerful yank, he wrenched the blade free, and the Hobgoblin collapsed to its knees before falling lifeless to the ground.

The room fell silent, save for the soft dripping of water and the faint hum of magic dissipating. Shin exhaled slowly, his grip on the Zweihänder loosening as he surveyed the carnage around him.

「 Clean the Dirty Sewers

∎ Demons Eliminated: 73 / ??

∎ Subquest - Keepsakes found: 7 / 13

∎ Subquest - Traces of deceased adventurers retrieved: 7 / ??」

Glancing at the quest log, he noted his progress with mild satisfaction. "Not bad," he murmured, sheathing the Zweihänder on his back.

His eyes shifted to the bound child at the far end of the room. The child's muffled cries for help tugged at a part of him he rarely acknowledged. Without hesitation, Shin strode forward, slicing through the ropes with a single swipe of his dagger.

"You're safe now," he said, his tone softer yet still carrying an edge of authority. The child looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, clutching their chest in relief.

As the child muttered their gratitude, Shin's mind was already elsewhere. This dungeon was only the beginning, a stepping stone in a much larger game. And while others might see these battles as mere quests, to Shin, they were opportunities—opportunities to hone his skills, to grow stronger, and to establish himself as a force to be reckoned with in this world.

A faint smile played on his lips as he turned back toward the exit. "Let's see what else this place has to offer."

Shadows swirled around him as he disappeared into the depths, leaving behind only the echoes of his footsteps and the lingering dread of his presence.