Chapter 16

Half the height of the training ground, a colossal body nearly as big as a house.

Its exterior was completely covered in scales like a lizard, with a long serpentine structure, and its head—resembling a fierce dragon with sharp teeth jutting out menacingly.

Most notably, two wings spread wide on either side.

The blood-red eyes filled with malice and murderous intent, glaring down at its prey, were enough to freeze anyone in their tracks.

B-Rank monster, Basilisk.

Even if it was merely a magical construct—a pseudo-lifeform—it still radiated an imposing presence that quickly filled the entire training ground.

An inexperienced rookie would have lost all fighting spirit just from meeting its intense gaze.

…Which is why I couldn’t help but feel increasingly puzzled.

This was undoubtedly my first encounter with such overwhelming malevolence and killing intent, yet for some reason, my heart felt unnaturally calm and composed.

In fact, I was more nervous when I first stepped into the training ground.

Just as I began feeling perplexed by this inexplicable sense of familiarity, the Basilisk launched its attack.

Sssshhhhhh—!

Shaaaak!!!

With incredible speed, the merciless predator closed in, gliding across the floor like a shadow.

Despite its massive size, the creature moved with surprising agility. In the blink of an eye, it lunged at me with its enormous maw open wide, ready to devour me whole—but it never got the chance.

By the time its razor-sharp fangs reached where I stood, I was already far away, having retreated to safety.

Realizing too late that its attack had missed, the Basilisk turned its rage directly toward me, unleashing another barrage of relentless attacks.

Using every part of its body—from its mouth and tail to even its wings and torso—it attacked with a creativity no ordinary lifeform could dream of.

But despite its varied and desperate assault, not a single one of its strikes so much as grazed the edge of my robe.

Of course, its attacks weren’t slow.

The absurd disparity in our performance came down to something simple:

My perception was so advanced that the Basilisk’s swift movements appeared sluggish. Combined with my superior physical abilities and an unshakable composure as serene as a still lake, the result was inevitable.

If any seasoned expert were watching, they’d immediately recognize that I wasn’t putting forth full effort—I was simply toying with it.

Even though the evaluation had just begun, the gap between us was already overwhelmingly clear.

While the Basilisk continued to fight with blind determination, reflecting the irrational nature of monsters, any rational being would’ve surrendered long ago upon recognizing the insurmountable difference in skill.

I prolonged the battle because I wanted to understand the strange emotion welling up inside me since facing this creature.

Throughout my life, the only malevolence I’ve encountered was from street thugs.

So how am I able to remain so unfazed amidst this overwhelming pressure?

It’s as if I’ve faced similar situations countless times before…

Like I’ve grown numb to such threats.

My immense combat prowess can be explained by the fact that I’m a military-grade Automaton.

But the sensations I’m experiencing now are entirely different.

If anything, the fact that I’m capable of feeling fear or terror makes this mystery even deeper.

To uncover the answer, I decided to let the battle drag on while calmly searching within myself.

Enraged by what it perceived as my blatant disregard, the Basilisk gathered flames in its mouth and unleashed a fiery breath attack that transformed the training ground floor into a sea of fire.

Restricting my movement, I unconsciously frowned—and when a portion of my robe caught fire, I suddenly heard a voice from somewhere beyond, deep within my consciousness.

What a pathetic excuse for a lizard…

Ruining my precious robe like this…

Kill it.

Tear it apart.

Show no mercy to such insignificant vermin.

Though I didn’t know whose voice it was, one thing was certain: hearing it ignited an uncontrollable fury deep within me.

This fury soon transformed into madness and killing intent, enveloping my entire being.

And the target of all this hatred? The foolish Basilisk, oblivious to its dire situation.

Screeeeech! Screeeeech!

Kiieeeaaaahhhh!!!!

The first strike severed both of the Basilisk’s wings, causing it to thrash about in agony.

But this was only the beginning.

Compared to what was coming next, losing its wings was nothing more than a taste of things to come.

Bang! Slash! Thrust! Slice! Shriiiiiiik!

Darting through the Basilisk’s frantic movements, I delivered a relentless series of precise cuts without taking a single scratch.

Each slash was executed with surgical precision, peeling away flesh like carving an apple.

As streams of blood erupted, my movements became faster and smoother, flowing effortlessly like water.

From the Basilisk’s perspective, there was nothing it could do but stand frozen in terror.

On my end, I struggled to maintain control amidst an exhilarating sensation unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

The thrill of scratching an itch I hadn’t known existed drove my body to unprecedented heights of power.

After thoroughly dismembering the creature, it was time for the final act.

Mounting its tail, I plunged my Longsword deep into its body and, using my legs for momentum, tore upward in a frenzied dash.

A trail of gore followed in my wake as internal organs split open, spewing crimson liquid everywhere.

Reaching the top, I leaped high into the air, spinning once before descending like an arrow to deliver the finishing blow.

Slice!!!!!

Pwoooshhhhhhhhh!!!

Kuuuuummm……

As I landed gracefully on the ground, the decapitated Basilisk collapsed beside me, spurting blood before lying still.

For a moment, I stared blankly ahead before realizing something unusual.

Was I… smiling?

Without realizing it, my lips curved upward, and the lingering excitement coursed through my veins.

What started as pure anger evolved into undeniable willpower driving each action.

The proof was right before my eyes.

The Basilisk’s neatly severed head rolling across the floor.

Its mutilated remains reduced to unrecognizable chunks of meat.

And my own appearance, now drenched in sticky red fluid, left no doubt about the reality of what had just transpired.

Moments later, as the evaluation ended and the magic dissolved, the Basilisk’s remains vanished in shimmering blue fragments, restoring everything—including my appearance—to its original state.

Yet even after all this, I still hadn’t found the answer I sought.