The goblin slammed into the wall, its skull cracking open and blood pouring from it as it fell limp to the ground. I quickly parried another attack, jumping and wrapping my legs around its neck before swinging. I pulled myself to the ground, sending the goblin flying into several that tried to approach.

  One of the goblins slammed an axe down at my face, but I quickly rolled out of the way as I crossed my hands on the ground and lifted myself in a handstand. I uncrossed my arms, unleashing a tornado kick that connected with three goblins. I heard their jaws shatter as they fell limp. I pushed my arms off the ground and flipped back to my feet, bouncing on my toes and jumping backward to evade another attack.

  “Come on!” I smiled as I unleashed a spinning back fist. The goblin slammed into the wall, leaving a crater. “Is that all you’ve got?!” One of the Draconians breathed fire at me, but I zipped around the flame closer to it until I was behind it and wrapped around its back. Its mouth shut, but I reached around and pried it open. “Burn, baby, burn!” I laughed as fire erupted from its mouth, burning all the other goblins as I forced it to turn. “Hehehe…” I kicked off the Draconian and stood in the center of the room. “Hahaha…” My eyes glowed brightly as my heart raced, my pupils dilated, and my smile widened as I extended my arms to either side of me. “Ahahahahaha!” I stared at the ceiling as I erupted into manic laughter.

  “W-What’s wrong with you?” The voice asked shakily. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing’s funny.” I looked down at the enemies. Their numbers had dwindled significantly, and only a few dozen were left. “This just feels,” I took a step forward, and the monsters took a step back. “Exhilarating!” I kicked off the ground and pinned one of the Draconians to the wall. Its dagger fell from its claws, and I quickly caught it in my hand. I spun as another attempted to pierce me with its spear. I grabbed the shaft and pulled it toward me, plunging the blade into its forearm, upper arm, and then its neck before Roundhouse kicking it away.

  A goblin swung its sword at me. I slid the dagger down the length of the blade, causing sparks to fly past my face. I saw my reflection in the monster’s fear-filled eyes. My face was covered in blood, and my smile had only grown more. I didn’t care as I grabbed the goblin's face with a hand, reached a leg behind its knee, swept its leg, and plunged the dagger into its chest. The dull blade shattered in its chest, and I jumped back as a Draconian breathed fire at me again.

  With the broken hilt and blade, I began running around the room, dodging the fire the Draconians attempted to burn me with while slashing the throats of the goblins. The fire helped me, burning other monsters along the way.

  “Wh-What are you?” The dungeon creator whispered fearfully.

  I threw the broken dagger in the air as I parried a club from a goblin with my fist and grabbed hold of it. I pulled it closer, spartan kicking its chest. Its ribs made a satisfying crack as it fell to the ground, gasping for air, but its ribs had punctured its lungs, making that impossible.

  A Draconian hissed at me as it opened its mouth. Fire began to shoot from its mouth, but as the broken dagger came down, I jumped and spun as I kicked it, sending it into the lizard’s mouth. It was pinned to the wall, and the Draconian gagged as it flailed helplessly and died.

  Another Draconian attempted to attack me as I kicked the blade, but I created a ripple at my feet that suspended me upside down as I parried its sword, forcing it out of its hand. The lizard took a fighting stance and threw an open-handed punch. I dodged two attacks with a Dempsey Roll before unleashing a hook punch to its snout. Before it hit the wall, I kicked off my ripple and appeared behind it, grabbed its shoulders, pressed my feet to its back, leaned back, and kicked it into the ceiling.

  “M-Monster…”

  “More! More! MORE! HAHAHAHA!” I pinned a Draconian down and pressed my face closer. “ENTERTAIN ME MORE!”

  I was finally strong. I was no longer weak. I knew it was only because of the cloak that I could do any of this, but it didn’t make it any less exciting. Even though it may not have been much, the power I now had was enough to let me fend for myself. I mean, I had just taken down over sixty enemies alone, and they didn’t even land a single hit on me. I felt unstoppable.

  It felt like I was playing my MMORPGs all over again, where I had a fully maxed-out character. I was even ranked number one in those games and had unique spells and items from limited-time events. As the first to clear them, I received the item.

  I guess my habit of laughing and shit-talking transferred with me to this world because, in those games, I acted the same way. I got too deep into the role-play and acted like I was the character in the game. People in VC hated me.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  The Draconian opened its mouth to breathe fire, but I moved my head at the last second. The fire spread across the ceiling, and I reached behind my back and grabbed Rei. She unsheathed, and I spun her in my fingers before plunging her into the lizard’s neck. It died not long after, and I stood up, all monsters dead.

  "What...Who are you?" The voice asked as I sheathed Rei. I wasn't able to answer as voices traveled down the corridors.

  “I’m telling you! I heard someone!”

  “There’s no way! We shouldn’t be able to run into other parties.”

  “Those voices…” I quickly grabbed the mask and put it on, the blood on my hand smearing over it as I turned to them the moment they entered the room.

  “KYA!” Sora screamed as she jumped back.

  “What? What is-SHIT!” Han readied his axe from his back when he saw me.

  “I-It’s that mons-“ She paused as her eyes gazed at the dozens of dead monsters surrounding me. “No way…” Sora's eyes locked with the eyes of my mask as her face turned white.

  “Did…Did it…do this?” She asked, her voice in awe as she took in all the bodies.

  “I…I don’t know. It’s a monster, right?” Han looked at me. I only watched them as they entered the room. “I thought monsters didn’t kill monsters.”

  “Didn’t you say you heard someone, Rubellia?” Sora asked. “Do you guys think…” She looked at me.

  Damn, I guess I got too loud. I scratched the back of my head.

  “So, it was you.” Sora took a step forward. “That means…you’re not a monster?”

  I shook my head.

  “What!” Han shouted. “That’s bullshit! It’s a trap, Sora! Get ba-SORA!”

  Sora ignored him as she approached and slowly reached a hand out to me. “You aren’t lying, are you?” I shook my head. “You aren’t a monster trying to trick me, right?” I shrugged. She frowned at that.

  What? You can’t just trust anyone. I rested a hand on my hip. You’re lucky this isn’t a PvP game. If it was, I could have tricked you into getting your gear.

  “W-Why is it moving its hands like that?” Han asked awkwardly.

  “I think it’s trying to talk but can’t?” Rubellia answered his question with one of her own.

  “I think…That’s exactly what it is.” Sora’s hand pressed to my chest, and I gently pressed my hand to hers. Her eyes sparkled. “You really are Human.”

  At least they won’t try to kill me anymore. That was my whole reason for not running, despite the fact it increased my time.

  “How is that possible?” Han asked. “The power emanating from it…” He gulped. “It’s like it’s crushing me.”

  “Is it?” Sora asked, her voice distant from the conversation as she held my hand and ran her fingers over my glove. “I don’t feel that. I feel…” her eyes locked with the eyes of my mask, and her face flushed a deep red as she quickly averted her gaze. “M-My name’s Sora.” She pushed her bangs behind her ear. “I know you probably can’t speak, but…can I ask some questions? They’ll be yes or no, so you can shake or nod your head.”

  Hmm…I don’t see why not. I shrugged.

  “I’m guessing that means you don’t mind,” she laughed sheepishly. I nodded. “Great! Then my first question is this.” She looked at all the bodies and then the blood that soaked my cloak, gloves, and mask. “Did you…do this?”

  I nodded.

  “By yourself?”

  I nodded.

  “Are you alone?”

  I nodded.

  “Then why can we see you? The dungeon should have separated our parties with magic.”

  Is that how it works? I rested a hand on my chin before shrugging. I didn’t know the answer to that, but I figured it had something to do with what Han had said earlier. The dungeon had told both of us we were chosen. I couldn’t speak and explain that, though.

  “Are you single?”

  I nodded.

  Wait, why does that matter?

  “Really?” She pressed her hands to my chest and leaned forward. “Do you think I’m cute?”

  Well-I-I mean-

  “Sora!” Han shouted. “What does that have to do with anything? Move!” He pushed her out of the way. “I have some real questions.”

  “Hey! I wasn’t done!” Sora complained.

  “Why are you here? Who are you? How are you this strong?”

  “Han, you idiot!” Sora shoved him away. “He can only answer yes or no questions! So, am I cute?”

  Just tell her what she wants to hear. It’ll make this faster. I’ve lost four minutes in my run already.

  I nodded.

  “Really!” She grabbed my hands and pulled me closer. “Then…” her fingers walked up my back. “Be my boyfriend.”

  Nope! I zipped around and behind her. She yelped as I smacked her ass before running off down the now-open corridor. The party called after me as I made my way quickly through the rest of the dungeon until I finally reached the last floor.