Chapter 71 - Hidden Boss (2) (1/2)
Jeremy's moves earlier, together with his excellent footwork skills, were executed almost flawlessly, as the kobold didn't have time to retaliate at all.
Despite the fact that it had superior physical specs compared to Jeremy, the kobold still lost to his tactics and swiftness.
It was such an intolerable insult toward its great pride...
After a few seconds, the hidden boss of this normal-difficulty trial finally stood up from the ground while shaking its head to lessen the concussion's aftermath.
'It seems not to be that hurt. Well, it wore a head guard and leather armor...'
”GRAAAA!!!”
The kobold growled aloud harshly in anger at the tricky human after experiencing the same thing it had done to him a moment ago.
Its voice traveled far and wide into the quiet winter forest, causing some birds nearby to hurriedly flap their wings away for fear of the terrifying shout.
Without any delay, the second round began...
Jeremy dashed forward swiftly towards the standing-still kobold, initiating to be on the offensive side this time.
When the kobold saw the incoming human, it readied the stances, preparing to defend first before counterattacking after.
”Arf!!” It said, which should mean 'Come!' in its language.
Not long after, Jeremy finally reached the optimum range to attack.
'You will regret letting a spear user initiate the attack...'
With that thought in mind, Jeremy swung the spear horizontally towards the kobold's left side while the kobold also swung its steel sword to clash with the approaching spear blade.
*Whoosh*
*Clang!!*
Simultaneously with the sparks of metals, the clanging sound resonated out loudly within the desolate forest again...
Not waiting for the kobold to regain a chance to counterattack, Jeremy jumped back slightly and spun his body one round in mid-air while using the deflected momentum of the spear blade to increase the swing's force towards the kobold's right side.
With a terrifying full-round swing of the spear, the kobold's expressions got ugly, whereas its right hand holding the sword slashed obliquely upwards, trying to deflect the deadly attack from the human.
*Clang!!*
*Splitch*
Followed the clanging sound of metals hitting one another was the sound of flesh being sliced...
Obviously, the kobold was slashed from the terrifying force behind the full-round swing as its body's right side had a long gash with red blood oozing out incessantly.
”Kaaa...”
With a painful expression clearly plastered on its face, the kobold used its left hand to cover the wound.
*Fwoosh*
Suddenly, another thrust from Jeremy's spear came towards the kobold swiftly, not giving room for it to tend the wound...
Thus, the kobold had no time to think at all as instinct took over its body while it promptly slashed the sword horizontally at the spear's trajectory that was coming straight towards its neck.
*Clang!!*
The clanging sound rang out once again while the spear was diverted to the kobold's side, missing its body entirely.
After Jeremy's spear was deflected to the side, there was a tiny opening on his left flank...
”Krruaa!!”
With a loud shout, the kobold finally had a chance to counterattack the hateful human as it hacked down diagonally at Jeremy's head.
When Jeremy saw the counterattack finally came, he hurriedly jumped one step back slightly, making his feet lift off the ground while using the spear shaft as a shield to block to powerful hack from the muscular kobold.
*Clang!*
”Kuhuk...”
Jeremy's light groan followed the clashing sound of the two weapons as his body flew back some meters away in a straight line from the impact.
After rolling two or three rounds on the snowy ground while being protected by his mana field projection from the impacting damage, Jeremy stood up slowly.
”Karff?”
As if finally noticed that the human ahead had a transparent layer protecting his body from any damages, the injured kobold got confused...
'Why the human doesn't seem to be hurt at all?', was the only thought within its empty head.
The hidden boss, kobold, was also no different than the short lifespan wolf that Jeremy had killed earlier as it was born only ten-odd hours ago like the pitiful wolf.
Nonetheless...
It was 'programmed' to kill the contestant inside this normal-difficulty trial, nothing more, nothing less...
So, it could only grit its teeth before dashing forward to battle the human again, albeit a bit slower than before as it had a deep gash on its side.
'Round three began...'
Jeremy thought entertainingly to himself after seeing the wounded kobold still had a will to fight with him.
After all, this fight was the first time ever after going back in time that could be considered a 'proper' fight for Jeremy.
*Clang!!*
*Bam*
*Clang!!*