The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

Just like Raye had thought...

The academy couldn’t afford to send a team to search for him.

After all, chaos was currently unfolding in Zion Academy!

And it all started just a few days ago!

Students from the lower classes started destroying school property and ambushing students from A-Class!

And it wasn’t just the freshmen...

The chaos extended to the sophomores and tertiary levels as well!

Furniture was smashed, walls were defaced, and classrooms were left in ruins.

Luckily for Raye, he wasn’t missing any classes since they were all canceled due to the rooms being unfit for use.

The vandals had left the classrooms in complete disarray.

Also, amid this mess...

"This needs to stop."

Leon decided to step up and get involved.

His story was beginning to move toward the next act.

*****

On the other hand...

"Phaaa..."

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Raye was enjoying a cup of warm spring water outside the dungeon mansion.

It had been ten days since he fell into that hole from the Misty Forest and stumbled upon this place.

He had survived so far by eating only monster wolves’ meat and drinking water from the spring nearby.

Raye also ensured that the monsters in the left and middle rooms didn’t grow in number.

Whenever their count reached three, he would kill them immediately.

By doing this, he managed to sustain fewer and fewer injuries with each fight.

And slowly but surely, his major wounds began to heal.

And today...

"I’m in tip-top shape."

Raye felt better than he had since arriving in this dungeon.

-Meep meep!

Pyro, seemed to share the same feeling.

So, to test their condition...

Creak—

The two of them ventured back into the mansion and entered the middle room again.

...

...

Entering the middle room...

Tap—

Raye wielded a sword in his right hand and a short sword in his left.

He has several throwing daggers hung securely from his belt too.

All these weapons were from killing Kobolds again and again!

Anyway...

-Chuurck...?

-Eeeek?

There are two Kobolds in the room.

And upon spotting Raye...

-Eeeeeek!

-Hissss!

They immediately took fighting stances, raising their weapons.

"..."

Raye paused for a moment, observing the two creatures from a distance.

"I really feared these guys before, huh."

And then he muttered in disbelief, shaking his head slightly.

Raye raised his left hand, pointing directly at the Kobolds.

And without any hesitation...

"[Bang] [Bang] [Bang]—!"

He started shooting at them!

-SHIEEEEKK?!!

-EEEEEEEKKK!!!

The Kobolds panicked, caught off guard by the sudden ranged assault!

And as they scrambled for a response...

-CHRRCK!!!

-HISSSS!!!

...their instinct drove them to rush at Raye, attempting to close the distance!

’And they say Kobolds are smart.’

Raye thought with a smirk on his face.

And when the first Kobold got within reach...

Fwish—

Raye thrust his sword forward with precision!

-Eeeiik?!

The Kobold dodged to its left, narrowly avoiding the blade.

But as its focus was on Raye’s weapon...

"[Wind Blast]!"

FWOOSH—

Raye cast a magic and sent the Kobold flying backward!

-SHIIIEK?!

Bam!

The creature slammed into the wall with a sickening thud.

Ignoring it for now...

"..."

Raye turned his attention to the other Kobold.

And with all of his might...

SWISH—

He unleashed a swift, powerful horizontal slash with his sword!

-Eeeekk!

CLANG!!!

The Kobold managed to block the attack, raising its weapon in time.

-Chrrck...?

But the sheer force of the strike sent its weapon—and its arms—flying backward!

Leaving its chest wide open!

Not wasting that opportunity...

Phuck—!

Raye thrust the short sword in his left hand directly into the Kobold’s heart!

And without missing a beat...

Fwip—

He pulled a throwing dagger from his belt.

Fwish—

And threw it at the Kobold earlier!

-Hisssss?

Phuck—

The dagger struck the Kobold’s head, piercing between its eyes and puncturing its brain!

The Kobold didn’t even notice the dagger flying toward it because it was still recovering from being slammed on the wall!

Anyway, just like that...

Thud—

Raye had defeated two E- rank monsters in a matter of moments!

"Oh, that was easy."

Raye mumbled, genuinely surprised by how effortless it felt.

-Meep meep...

Even Pyro seemed taken aback.

Not long ago, Raye had struggled to deal with these monsters.

But after days of hard-fought battles, he had adapted.

And with every encounter, it became easier.

’Then, this just means one thing.’

Raye thought, a small, satisfied grin tugging at his lips.

"I got stronger, huh."

He murmured, unable to hide his pride.

*****

(Raye’s POV)

After confirming my growth by eliminating ten more monster wolves in less than a minute, I felt a surge of confidence.

And with that...

"Time to change."

I swapped out my old armor and weapons for newer, sturdier ones.

I had plenty of spares, after all.

After gearing up, I ate some monster wolves’ meat and drank spring water outside the mansion.

Then, I rested.

Pyro and I took turns keeping watch, alternating between meditation and light sleep.

...

And after a few hours later...

"It’s time."

I said that aloud, my voice steady with determination.

-Meep...

Pyro replied nervously, hopping onto my shoulder for comfort.

"Hmm hmm..."

I stretched lightly, loosening up my body.

And after a final check of my equipment, I ensured everything was in order.

I wasn’t hungry, thirsty, or tired.

And with nothing holding me back...

"..."

I turned my gaze toward the door leading to the right room.

The door to the mini-boss...

That’s right.

’It’s time to face the Giant Boar.’

After days of relentless training and preparation, I felt ready.

"..."

Standing before the door, I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.

"Haaaa..."

Creak—

I opened the door.

And inside...

"..."

I saw the Giant Boar peacefully sleeping.

Its sheer size was enough to make me feel fear.

But after calming my racing heart...

"Let’s go."

I declared firmly.

-Meep.

Pyro responded, his resolve matching mine.

Tap—

And with that, we stepped into the room.

Though, as soon as we entered...

Thud!

The door behind us, the entrance and our only escape...

"..."

Immediately closed itself, locking me and Pyro inside the room!