Ch 80
Matt kept his head pointed downward as he miraculously found one handhold after another, climbing against the freezing cascade while completely nude. The icy water pounded against him, sending shivers down his spine, yet he managed to create a small air pocket, constantly refreshed by the air carried along with the water on its descent. Matt was acutely aware that what he was attempting defied the bounds of possibility. Even with his enhanced strength, now over five times greater than it had been when he first integrated, it didn't translate directly in a one-to-one ratio. Previously, if he could lift 200 pounds, it didn't mean he could now lift 1,000 pounds. However, lifting 500 pounds was within the realm of possibility.
Matt was surprised to find that contemplating the true meaning of the stats allowed him to ignore his body's struggle to climb. Reflecting on how Tempormr had described the four physical stats as complementary and straightforward, Matt felt there was more complexity to it. While it was true that all the stats reinforced one another and produced clear results, he realized that durability and stamina likely bridged the gap between the physical and the intangible. After all, what one's spirit could endure and how much strain a mind could handle required both elements. These thoughts made Matt wonder if understanding the mechanics of the stats might unlock new abilities or insights.
Even though the knowledge itself might not have seemed valuable, the five stat points he had gained in his mind stat were enough to indicate that simply pondering it held immense value. Furthermore, with the single point of dexterity he had acquired from the climb, Matt understood that if what Tempormr said was true, he had maxed out all his stats for the time being. Yet, rather than feeling frustrated, Matt experienced a sense of peace upon realizing that spirit would be the stat he focused on moving forward. Even though it lagged behind his stamina, which was currently his highest stat, he knew that with the way his bonuses were accumulating, it would only be a few more levels before they reversed positions.
Engrossed in his thoughts, Matt didn't even notice when he climbed beyond the point where he had initially entered the waterfall until he unexpectedly arrived at its very summit. It was only then that his awareness returned to his surroundings, and he found himself gazing down at a new chamber. The chamber resembled a dragon's hoard from his childhood fantasies, overflowing with treasures. The most captivating aspect, however, was the array of glowing gems, radiating a light so brilliant that it illuminated the entire space below, casting vibrant reflections against the chamber's walls.
Using his recently enhanced mind to determine his location, Matt deduced that he was in a treasury of some sort. Considering the proximity to the goblin king’s hideout, he could only assume it belonged to the king. However, something about this assumption felt off, as such wealth would likely serve no purpose beyond ostentation in a world like the one the goblins lived in. As he observed his surroundings more closely, it began to feel like a place of worship. In the center of everything stood the largest of the glowing gems, captivating his attention. This gem towered as tall as Matt and was shaped like an egg, though its crystalline structure assured him it was not an egg. The gem's ethereal glow was also different from the rest, it’s otherworldly light, seeming to be the main source of the shimmering reflections on the stone walls around him.
Despite the opulence surrounding him, Matt felt a growing sense of unease as he scanned the room for an exit, finding none. He pondered whether he would have to retreat the same way he had entered, a prospect he was reluctant to accept. Driven by desperation, Matt leaped into the shimmering pile of gold and gems, feeling it shift beneath his weight as he slid through it. Realizing he could seize this opportunity to enrich himself, Matt began to transfer a significant amount of the treasure into his spatial storage. Just moments after securing his newfound wealth, the largest of the glowing gems emitted a powerful pulse, making Matt feel as insignificant as an ant under its overwhelming energy.
"Who dares to steal from me!"
The voice seemed to echo from all around Matt, making part of him feel an urge to flee. Yet, a stronger part of him rebelled against such thoughts. He couldn't quite pinpoint where the courage to stand and confront such a daunting presence came from, as his instincts screamed that the wise move when faced with something as formidable as the voice was to run. However, he knew that showing fear now would be akin to signing his own death warrant. So, he stood tall, eyes fixed on the glowing gem, and responded firmly.
"If this is yours, then show yourself, and I will return it to you. Otherwise, all I see is wealth left to gather dust that can be put to better use."
"Fool, even if my body can't physically touch it, what has been offered to me is—"
"Offered, but not guarded? Tell me, what is it that allows one to truly possess anything?" Matt challenged, his voice steady. "Unless you can prove you can do more than just speak, nothing in this room will remain untouched."
"Very well," responded the voice, its tone icy and unyielding. "I see that there is indeed an anomaly in this integration. Take what you will; I will be sure to remember this insult."
"I feel honored that you believe I am worth remembering, and I eagerly anticipate seeing how others react to knowing that I am deserving of your wrath," Matt replied, a hint of defiance in his voice.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Matt had no idea what had compelled him to speak in such a manner, but when the voice responded, he couldn't help but smile with a mix of nervousness and satisfaction.
"My wrath? No, you are nothing more than an insect I have found in my food—an annoyance to be eradicated simply because of its presence where it shouldn't be. So, pray that your world is not one I lay claim to, for if I do, you will be among the first pests to be dealt with."
Deciding that he was no longer interested in engaging with the voice, Matt strode confidently to the largest gem and carefully placed it into his spatial storage. He then proceeded to methodically clear the rest of the room, ensuring not a single valuable item was overlooked. By the time he was finished, his spatial storage was over three-quarters full, leaving only one of the glowing gems and the stone furniture behind in the now-barren room. During his exploration, he also discovered an exit and was on the verge of using it when Tempormr’s voice unexpectedly echoed in his mind once more.
"You truly are a bold one, stealing all the wealth that had been offered to someone like myself and removing his ability to access a world. I fear you know nothing about what you’ve done."
"Pissed off a child who was playing with things they shouldn’t," retorted Matt, feeling increasingly annoyed after everything that had transpired.
"Am I a child to you?"
"At times, yes. I am well aware that you and whoever I just angered have more than enough power to squash me like a bug. However, the way you act as if that makes you better than me is how a spoiled child behaves. Yes, it is also how many of those running around above us act as well. There is a reason I am happy to have a way to escape most of them."
"You are lucky that I have a use for you," grumbled Tempormr, his voice heavy with irritation. "Either way, you need to be careful about how you handle the anchor you’ve taken. It isn’t something you can simply sell or dispose of in any normal way. The moment it is out of the pocket dimension you’ve shoved it in, Radoznaormr will sense its location."
"Good. That means when I am ready to fight him, or rather whoever he has following him, I have a way to attract them to me."
"You truly wish to make him seek your destruction," Tempormr remarked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Only through the hottest fire can the strongest materials be refined. Besides, you want me to do something, so I feel having you restrain one of your peers just enough that you think I have a path towards victory is perfect."
"And you call us children. Such recklessness speaks of one who knows not how the universe truly works."
"I could say the same to you, as all I ever hear from you is an endless quest for more power without fully understanding how that power works."
"How else can any rule? Perhaps if the system didn’t exist, other options could exist, but with it, only through strength can any law stand."
"You may be right, and I may find that my path leads to the same place, but I feel there is another way."
"Then when you find it, I’ll happily accept your wisdom, but for now, I hear only naivety and foolishness in your words," Tempormr concluded, his presence fading.
Matt simply smiled as he made his way towards the exit he had discovered. He carefully placed the last glowing gem beside the exit before gradually pushing the heavy stone door open and peering into the chamber beyond. Inside, he found a shrine illuminated by more of the glowing gems, with several intricately carved stone dragon figures lining the walls. However, aside from the radiant gems, there was only one treasure in the room, and it was the first thing Matt noticed as he stepped out. It was a colossal serpent, coiled upon itself several times. Its head, though not quite fitting with the rest of its body, seemed oddly familiar to him. What truly made it valuable, though, were the array of gems and metals adorning its form, creating a mesmerizing rainbow of precious materials that glistened in the dim light.
Part of Matt felt that it was a crude depiction of something beyond what goblins had been able to capture, yet he sensed they had accomplished their intended purpose perfectly. There was a natural puzzlement that likely struck most who gazed upon it, as they pondered exactly what or who it was meant to represent. However, Matt felt almost certain that he was looking at Radoznaormr, or at the very least, a symbol that represented him. Regardless, Matt decided it was too large and intimidating for him to tamper with, especially since he already had more than enough gold and gems from the other room. So, he swiftly moved through the chamber, pushing open the heavy door, only to find himself entering a space that had been transformed into a bedroom. The chamber was dimly lit, with a grand bed draped in rich, velvet fabrics and ornate carvings decorating the walls, giving it an air of forgotten luxury.
The first thing that stood out to Matt was that the room was arranged exactly like the one where they'd found a man from Kal’s group forcing another goblin into breeding. The next thing he noticed were the ten sets of chained goblin women, all forced and restrained into various poses that couldn't have been comfortable, yet were clearly intended to please someone. Fortunately, the gags in their mouths prevented any of them from shouting, but anyone who entered was bound to notice their struggle as they stared directly at him, at least those who weren't blindfolded. The dim light in the room cast eerie shadows on the walls, adding to the unsettling atmosphere, and the faint sound of chains clinking echoed softly, underscoring the scene's grim nature.
Shaking his head, Matt ignored the goblin women and moved to the next chamber, where he finally found the goblin king. However, rather than appearing ready for a fight, the goblin king looked disheveled as he struggled to hold a door closed, someone on the other side pulling and shouting loudly. Smiling at his good fortune, Matt took a moment to retrieve a knife from his spatial storage before silently rushing forward and plunging it into the goblin king's throat.
The look of surprise on the goblin king's face at the sudden attack was only surpassed by the shock on Matt's face when he found himself flying backward. He hadn't even seen the counterattack coming, and if it weren't for his quick reflexes in activating his skill to pass the injury he received back to the goblin king, the battle would have ended right there. Instead, as the goblin king pulled the knife out of his throat, he collapsed abruptly from the broken back that Matt was currently healing, the injury having been mirrored onto him. A moment later, the door swung open wide, and three more goblins rushed in, looking bewildered at the scene before them.
