The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

(Raye's POV)

"Fuck."

I cursed in shock as I stared at the two mini bosses behind me.

The first one is the Chromaworm—

It's a giant centipede with glowing rainbow plates.

It has the ability to change the colors of his scales—and based on the colors, it changes its resistances!

This monster also vomits prism acid that melts most of the things, and it can burrow and travel underground really fast!

The other one is called the Verdant Maul—

It's an enraged Treant with a green-blue trunk-like body, blooming with cursed flowers.

It slams the ground with massive root fists, summons spiked branches, and emits toxic pollen clouds. That are its abilities!

These two were massive as well, not losing to the Glittermaw Ape!

Anyway—

Bam!

FWOOSH—!!

I immediately jumped back, flipping through the air to gain distance!

And while still mid-air—

"PYRO! ZEPHYRUS! TWO MORE MINI BOSSES APPEARED!!"

I shouted, warning the two without wasting a breath.

But just then—

BOOOM—!!!

Out of the blazing fire vortex created by Pyro and Zephyrus—

-GRAAAAHHHH—!!

The Glittermaw Ape burst out with a roar, leaping after me—his body covered in scorched wounds and raging fury!

"Shit—!!"

My eyes widened when I saw him.

He was just behind me—both of his massive fists raised high!

And then—

WHOOSH—!!!

He brought them down with murderous force, aiming straight at me!

'He really wants to kill me, huh.'

I thought.

And right before the blow landed—

FWOOOSH—!!!

I blasted strong winds from my feet and flung myself to the side, while also yanking myself with telekinesis!

WHOOOOOM—!!!

B O O O M—!!!!!

The Glittermaw's fists smashed nothing but the earth—

SWOOOOOOSH~!!!

His attack created a mini earthquake and it sent cracked chunks of the ground flying everywhere!

"Haaah—"

I grunted, barely stabilizing myself midair—

But before I could even try catch my breath—

BOOOOOM—!!

The Chromaworm burst out from beneath the ground—

The exact spot I jumped toward!

"Shit again—!!"

Its shining, rainbow-colored body uncoiled violently and lunged at me!

SWOOSH—!

I twisted my body midair, barely avoiding its prism-coated mouth—

Drip-

SWAAAAHHHH—!!!

The acid dripped and hissed against the dirt below me.

Bam!

I ignored it and just jumped back, away from the two.

But just when I thought I'd already escaped—

SWHIP—!!!

I heard vines getting whipped out behind me—

"The fuck—?!"

I snapped my head back—

And just as I expected...

I saw that the Verdant Maul was already there—right behind me!

WHOOSH~!!

Its massive root arm swung straight at me!

I couldn't dodge this one!

"Tch—!!"

I clenched my teeth and clicked my tongue in frustration.

I poured mana throughout my body!

Swish~

My whole right arm flared with violent flames!

And in just a matter of milliseconds—

SWAAAAAHHHH—!!!

My spell—[Blaze] engulfed my simple but cool looking black sword, [Nyx]!

And with that—

FWOOOOSH—!!!

I swung the flaming blade upward, intercepting the root fist with everything I had!!

BOOOOOOM—!!!

Fire and wood collided in a blazing, cracking explosion!

I can't believe I can't cut through a wood.

The sheer force of the hit sent tremors through my bones!

"AGHH—!!"

Shiiiiik—

I skidded back, feet tearing through soil, heat flaring from my body as I stabilized.

But I didn't fall.

I blocked it.

Just barely.

"...Fucking hell."

Three mini bosses.

All at once.

And they weren't holding back at me.

*****

B A M—!

"FUCK!"

SWISH—!

Raye continuously dodged as the three mini bosses began hunting him down like a pack of predators.

-GRAAAAAWL—!!!

-KIEEEEEEK—!!!

-GAAAAAAAARL—!!!

They were massive—towering creatures with devastating strength and weight behind every swing, slam, and strike.

But Raye—he was faster.

Much faster than them.

FWOOSH—!

He zipped past the Verdant Maul's incoming roots.

WHOOSH—!

Then ducked under a tail swipe from the Chromaworm, its rainbow-colored scales glinting under the dungeon light.

BOOM—!

And sidestepped the Glittermaw Ape's fist, dirt exploding beside him.

"Gurgh...!"

He gritted his teeth, breath sharp, muscles taut as he kept moving.

Step after step. Dodge after dodge.

"Keep... coming..."

He muttered to himself through clenched teeth.

Meanwhile—

A few meters away, Pyro and Zephyrus stood still.

-...

-...

Silent.

Watching.

Not moving a muscle.

They were waiting.

Waiting for Raye's word and signal.

Waiting for the right moment.

And they trusted him completely.

But...

The three mini bosses were learning.

Adapting.

And slowly but surely—

SWISH—

FWOOSH—!

WHOOOOOOSH—!!

Their movements began syncing!

Their attacks began coming in tighter rhythms!

They were more precise now.

More coordinated...

-KIEEEEEE!!!

-GRAAAAAAAAH!!!

The Chromaworm slithered low while the Glittermaw took the front.

-GAAAAAARL—!

FWIP!

The Verdant Maul blocked possible escape routes with summoned vines and spiked branches.

"Haa... haa... haa.. haaa...aa..."

Raye's breathing grew a bit heavier.

Even with his speed and reflexes—it was getting harder to avoid everything.

BAM—!!!

A root fist slammed down just inches from him.

Then—

SWWIIP—

"Ghk—!"

He groaned in pain as a razor-sharp vine grazed his side, tearing through his shirt and skin just slightly!

Blood trailed in the air.

His body rolled midair, recovering fast—but the sting was real.

"Shit..."

Bam!

Raye landed again with a grunt, boots digging into the dirt.

Still alive.

Still moving.

But he was starting to feel it now.

'Their pace was picking up.'

They were trying to corner him.

Raye kept dodging—

Side to side.

Rolling. Jumping. Dashing with wind-enhanced speed.

But it was clear now—

He was struggling.

His movements were slowing.

His breathing, heavier.

And more and more—he was forced to meet the attacks head-on.

CLANG—!!

Sparks flew as he deflected a crushing root strike with his flaming blade.

CRASH—!

He used [Nyx] to parry the Chromaworm's tail, his arm shaking from the impact.

"Ghk...!"

He groaned, gritting his teeth again.

One blow after another.

Even with his agility—he was making almost no progress.

No real damage to any of them.

They were relentless.

And he was getting tired.

He needed to end this.

Soon.

Then—

"Fuuuu..."

He exhaled.

Eyes sharp.

Body tense.

Mana surging.

"ZEPHYRUS! GET READY!"

He shouted, voice echoing across the battlefield.

-GOT IT!!

A response came, loud and sure, from somewhere distant.

But Raye didn't turn.

Didn't look.

He didn't need to.

He trusted them.

Fwooooom—

Raye poured a massive wave of mana into [Celestria].

And then—

Fwish—

The gun shimmered and morphed in his hand.

Swoosh—

It shifted and wrapped around his arm like liquid light.

Then spread further—climbing over his shoulder, chest, back, waist—

Fwoosh~

More and more.

Until—

SWIIIIIISH—!!!

[Celestria] had transformed.

No longer a weapon.

But a full-body armor.

From his toes to the base of his neck—

Raye now wore a sleek, elegant white armor, glowing faintly with mana!

Like a divine knight reborn!

BAM!

"GURGH…!!!"

Raye grunted loudly as the Glittermaw Ape came down hard with a hammer-fist.

But he was ready.

He crossed his arms and took the hit.

CRACK—!

The ground beneath him cracked.

But he didn't fall.

He held firm.

The white armor glowed fiercely under the pressure.

And then—

"[FUSE!!!]"

He roared that word with fire in his lungs.