Starting out as a Dragon Slave
Chapter 36: I want to go back to a dungeon!

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: I want to go back to a dungeon!

Isaac slowly entered the apartment, precariously holding in his hands the hot, fragrant breakfast he’d just bought from Julia. Léna was sitting at the table, a book open in front of her, but she immediately looked up when she heard the door open, a bright smile immediately appearing on her face.

- You’re up early this morning!" she exclaimed happily, intrigued by the bags he held in his hands. Another surprise?

Isaac smiled gently at her, placing the freshly baked pastries delicately on the table in front of her.

- I’ve got to take care of you, don’t I?" he replied simply, sitting down opposite her.

She smiled warmly as she discovered the warm croissants, the crisp golden pains au chocolat and the warm rolls. They ate together quietly, simply enjoying this precious and rare moment of morning peace.

After the meal, Isaac kissed his sister’s forehead tenderly, promising to come home early, then left quickly, determined to continue his intensive training. His heart was already pounding with anticipation as he crossed the familiar streets to quickly reach the guild building.

As he entered the reception hall, the same old man, still immersed in his book, slowly raised his head as he heard him arrive.

- You again, Isaac?" he sighed with a slightly amused smile. Looks like you’ve really decided to spend your life here...

Isaac moved quickly towards him, his eyes shining with a determination impossible to hide:

- I need another dungeon, immediately," he declared bluntly.

The old man raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised but also exasperated:

- Seriously, kid? You just finished a dungeon yesterday, and already you want to go back?

- I need more practice. Over and over again. Then yes, I need to go right back," Isaac replied calmly, his eyes burning with an almost infectious determination.

The man sighed deeply, shaking his head slightly in resignation:

- Well, listen, you’re in luck... there’s a little E-rank dungeon available. It’s full of goblins, like yesterday. Nothing too complicated, but perfect for your current relentlessness.

He held out a sheet of paper with precise information about the dungeon. Isaac immediately grabbed the paper, a satisfied smile stretching his lips slightly.

- Thank you," he breathed sincerely, already ready to leave.

The old man stared at him for a long moment, intrigued by the new determination now burning in the young hunter’s eyes.

- Be careful, though, kid," he said with a hint of unexpected sincerity. Your life’s worth more than your rapid progress.

Isaac nodded silently, appreciating this rare moment of compassion.

- I’ll be careful, I promise.

Leaving the guild in a hurry, Isaac’s mind immediately focused entirely on the impending practice. He had a few hours before leaving for the dungeon, so he decided to take full advantage of this time to continue his Lightning Kata training at home.

Back at the apartment, Isaac immediately grabbed his katana and the precious manual he’d borrowed from the guild, leafing through it carefully to review every intricate detail of the second Kata. He read the instructions carefully, recalling precisely every move he had tried unsuccessfully the day before.

Positioned in the center of his apartment, he took a deep breath, concentrating intensely on his body, seeking the absolute control Akane had taught him in the other world.

"Slowly this time," he murmured to himself.

He delicately attempted the first movement, carefully adjusting his balance, gently transferring his weight from one leg to the other. He immediately sensed that the technique seemed slightly less impossible, thanks to the rigorous training he’d undergone in the other world with Akane.

He repeated the series of movements several times, very slowly, focusing all his attention on his balance and muscular control. Each repetition became slightly more fluid, but he clearly sensed that much training would still be needed before total mastery.

Finally exhausted, but satisfied with his encouraging progress, Isaac momentarily interrupted his practice to rest for a few moments. He gazed silently at the black blade of the katana, aware of how far he still had to go.

He murmured softly to himself, determined:

- No matter how many times I have to fall, I’ll eventually master this kata completely.

A discreet, resolute smile lit up his lips as he mentally prepared himself for the impending dungeon, eager to put his determination to the test once again.

Isaac quickly entered the dungeon, a dark, damp cavity whose entrance appeared to be little more than a crack in the rock. This time, he was accompanied by Jonah, Ella and Mathis, all experienced but nonetheless nervous at the prospect of fighting again, even against goblins. Isaac led the way, his black katana firmly in hand, ready to test his new technique.

No sooner had they entered the first tunnels than guttural cries rang out. Several goblins appeared, armed with small rusty daggers. Isaac didn’t hesitate for a second, leaping forward.

"Raijin no Kata: Shidensen", he whispered with intensity.

The katana split the air at lightning speed, slicing through the goblins without any resistance, their bodies immediately collapsing on the cold ground.

[Ding!] [Absorption available: Goblin killed. Choose your reward: Physical stats / Physical skill]

"Physical stats," Isaac murmured without hesitation, immediately feeling a new strength vibrate through his tired muscles.

He repeated the operation several times as they progressed through the dungeon, becoming progressively more agile and precise. With each absorption, his body grew more powerful, his movements faster and more fluid, his muscular control noticeably improved.

Occasionally, however, Isaac would also attempt the second, more complex and subtle kata technique. With each attempt, his body wavered, struggling to maintain the balance required for this precise movement.

"Isaac, are you okay?" gasped Jonah as he saw him stumble again.

"Yeah, I’m practicing something new, it’s still... complicated," Isaac admitted, grimacing in frustration.

Jonah simply nodded, trusting his friend despite his obvious doubts.

Finally, they reached a large circular room where the boss awaited them, a huge dark-skinned goblin armed with a huge club and heavy metal protectors on his massive body. He growled violently as he caught sight of them, hammering furiously at the floor with his weapon, ready to charge.

"Careful, he looks stronger than expected", warned Ella, already ready to shoot an arrow.

Isaac breathed in deeply, concentrating for another attack. But just as he was about to lash out, the goblin boss’s eyes suddenly turned a terrifying bright red, a dark, violent energy suddenly invading his massive body.

"Shit, what the hell?!" cried Jonah, taking a step back in panic.

The boss suddenly screamed in a demented rage, his body tensing violently. His muscles swelled grotesquely, black veins appeared under his dark skin, and a chaotic aura covered him completely. His power seemed to have multiplied all at once, and madness shone clearly in his eyes.

"Damn! He’s switching to berserker mode!" shouted Mathis as he raised his shield, ready to take the impending blow.

Isaac felt a wave of intense anxiety wash over his comrades. He himself felt his pulse racing, aware that they were facing an enemy of totally unexpected strength.

The boss then charged violently, shaking the whole room beneath his feet. His club split the air with a deafening noise, forcing Mathis to step back under the extreme violence of the impact.

"Ella, shoot his eyes out!" shouted Jonah, his voice trembling with terror.

Ella fired several precise arrows, but the goblin, furious and enraged, didn’t even seem to feel the pain. He brutally swept Mathis with the back of his club, violently throwing the warrior against a wall, where he collapsed spitting blood.

Isaac felt a cold rage rising up inside him. He had to act immediately or the whole group would be massacred.

"I’m going to have to get this one right, whatever the cost," he murmured to himself, concentrating intensely.

He leapt forward, narrowly dodging a killing blow from the goblin. His breathing became regular, deep and focused. He prepared once again to attempt the second Kata, the technique Akane had taught him, and this time he was determined not to fail, for their survival depended on it.

Isaac, panting, his body burning with pain, tried again the second Lightning Kata, linking the precise movements Akane had taught him. But once again, he suddenly lost his balance at the crucial moment, stumbling awkwardly on the dusty ground.

Taking advantage of this opening, the goblin berserker boss swung his club backwards, hitting Isaac full force in the flank. The impact was so brutal that he rolled heavily to the ground, half-stunned, his breath completely taken away.

"ISAAC!" shouted Jonah in panic, preparing to intervene with Ella and Mathis.

But Isaac abruptly raised his hand to stop them, savage determination clearly shining in his eyes despite his alarming state.

- Don’t move!" he shouted firmly, his voice trembling with pain but firm with resolution. This fight... it’s mine.

Jonah hesitated, visibly tormented between his instinct to protect his friend and his trust in him. But seeing Isaac’s burning gaze, he finally resigned himself, slowly backing away with the others, worried but respectful of his will.

Isaac struggled to his feet and slowly closed his eyes. He could feel the blood flowing warmly from his wounds, the intense pain pulsing through every bruised muscle, but at this very moment, nothing else mattered.

He slowly repeated his inner mantra, engraved deep in his mind:

"Lightning strikes without hesitation, or remorse... my body is my blade... My body is perfect."

As he repeated these words silently, a strange serenity gradually overcame him, gently smothering the pain, the fear, the confusion. Slowly, his mind detached itself from everything else, and he entered a state of consciousness where he could clearly perceive every fiber, every muscle, every joint of his body with absolute precision.

Everything suddenly became crystal-clear.

In front of him, the boss berserker howled with rage, charging again, his club brandished high, ready to crush him once and for all. But this time, Isaac was perfectly calm, motionless, his eyes still closed, his breathing slow and deep.

At the last moment, just before the massive weapon was about to fall on him, he finally moved.

He instantly pivoted on the ball of his right foot, immediately shifting all his weight to his left leg, and launched a perfectly synchronized counter. His body literally became a bolt of lightning, projecting itself with a speed and fluidity impossible to follow with the naked eye.

The movement was perfect: a dazzling dodge, accompanied immediately by a powerful and incredibly precise counter-attack.

His black katana described an extremely rapid arc in an inverted spiral, taking full advantage of the body’s movement to amplify the power of the strike. The attack penetrated deep into the boss berserker’s torso, breaking through the natural armour of his rage-hardened skin without any resistance, striking directly at the creature’s heart.

It all happened in a fraction of a second.

The goblin berserker suddenly froze, the rage in his red eyes brutally extinguished. His weapon fell heavily to the floor, shaking the entire room. A moment later, the monster’s immense body slowly collapsed, lifeless, before a motionless Isaac, standing perfectly steady, his katana still extended in the perfect final position.

[Ding!]

[Boss defeated! Possible absorption: Physical stats or physical skill].

Isaac exhaled slowly, exhausted but intensely satisfied, finally opening his eyes again. He contemplated the body of the monster lying at his feet, still feeling the incredible perfection of the movement he had just achieved for the first time.

He murmured slowly, an implacable determination in his voice:

- Physical skill.

A strange, familiar warmth immediately coursed through his body as a new notification appeared before him:

[Ding!]

[You have acquired the physical skill: Berserker (active) level 1]

[Description: You can temporarily enter a state of rage, significantly increasing your physical abilities (+50% Strength, +30% Endurance). Warning: in this state, self-control is reduced and damage received is slightly increased. Duration: 60 seconds. Cost: None, but causes significant fatigue after use].

Isaac stared intently at the floating notification in front of him, a slight, satisfied smile gently lighting up his bloodied face. A powerful but risky skill. Exactly the kind of weapon he’d need against even more formidable foes.

Jonah, Ella and Mathis then rushed towards him, still stunned by what they’d just seen.

- Man, that was... crazy..." murmured Jonah, impressed.

- Isaac, are you okay?" asked Ella, concerned about his numerous injuries.

Isaac simply nodded, breathing hard but smiling confidently.

- I’ll be fine. I’ve achieved what I set out to do," he replied calmly, aware of the enormity of the progress he’d just made. And I think I’m ready for whatever comes next.

He smiled slightly, despite the exhaustion and pain he felt.

For now, he had taken a crucial step.

The Lightning Kata was no longer just a technique he’d learned from a textbook, but a real and formidable weapon he could use to the full in the battles to come.