Free Web NovelChapter 48: The bottleneck of the [F] rank
A few hours later, we came across another horde of monsters. This time, we faced a horde of frogs by the swamp. They possessed great speed and long, sharp tongues that they used as weapons.
We ran into quite a few difficulties dealing with them. It took us three hours to finish them all.
I opened my status and checked it.
—
Title: The Chosen Villain
Name: Vyral Carlson
Age: 19
Rank: [F] (3884/5000) → (4102/5000)
Potential: [SSS+]
—
Title: King of Knights
Name: Arthea Albert (Wife)
Age: 18
Rank: [F] (3323/1000) → (3567/5000)
Potential: [SSS+]
The gap to our target was no longer.
I nodded in satisfaction, and went deeper into the forest. My wife and Li followed me behind.
A few hours later, they finally found it – an open area deep within the forest. I could see a horde of Orcs gradually emerging from the bushes.
They possessed muscular bodies, dressed in tattered clothes made from beast leather. In their hands were battle axes that could crush a gigantic rock into pieces.
"Shit." I forced a smile despite the situation.
My wife felt the same way.
"I told you we should’ve chosen the lower-quality monster gate. So, should we turn back? The academy’s monster gate area is very special. We can head to the exit without killing the Boss."
I said.
"I will turn back after killing all of them."
Then I added,
"Support me. If the situation gets worse, we’ll withdraw."
My wife nodded helplessly. Beside her, Li was already in a fighting stance.
My eyes stayed focused, and my hand tightened around the sword.
The first Orc roared and charged at me. It lowered its massive shoulder and rammed straight toward me. Behind it, many more Orcs rushed toward us.
I dodged to the side, frowning. I immediately realized how bad the situation was. The number of Orcs had already exceeded their expectations. Now, we had no choice but to adapt.
I weaved through the Orcs thanks to [Abyssal Shadow Step] before performing a series of skillful strikes.
My sharp sword easily pierced through the enemy’s head, ending its life with a single strike.
Suddenly, an Orc sneakily brought its battle axe down on me. I ignored it, as I saw my wife had already manipulated her sewing needles to stab through its head.
Just half a second later, another strike from an Orc came at me. I struggled to block the blow with my sword, but the impact was simply too strong. I skidded across the ground before crashing into a nearby tree.
I struggled to his feet and glanced at my trembling hands.
’’Shit.’’
—
[You have mastered 2% of a Tier 1 technique]
Tier 1: Basic Sword Break (Mastery: 8/100%)
—
"It’s worth it." I smiled reluctantly.
I looked up at my wife and Li fighting the Orcs for a second before rushing back into the chaotic battle, but this time, things were different. My swordsmanship had improved a bit, so I could now easily deflect the Orcs’ blows without suffering the aftershock from their attacks.
And once their attacks became useless against me, they were nothing more than fish on a chopping block.
The tide of battle began to shift in our favor.
However...I could not deny that the number of monsters was actually too much. I could not handle it if the next horde of monsters came here.
I summoned my status, and a lifeless smile spread across my face.
I had completed my goal.
I had reached the bottleneck of the [F] rank. My wife was still a little short, but it wasn’t a problem. She only needed a few more days with me in bed before ranking up.
"Withdraw!"
I pushed myself up in midair before dismissing my sword. I used [Abyssal Shadow Step], rushed to my wife, scooped her into my arms, and ran.
Li followed close behind.
My wife gasped for breath as she glanced at the monsters behind us.
"Finally... I thought I was almost dead."
I said in a neutral voice.
"No need to worry. I never let my tool get harmed."
My wife forced a smile before resting her cheek against my chest. She seemed to enjoy the warmth of my body.
Around thirty minutes later, we finally arrived at the exit of the monster gate and left.
I sighed.
"We won’t be returning to our dorm room anymore. I’ve rented another apartment in DawnReach City."
I turned my attention to Li.
"Li, can you check us out of the dormitory with the dorm manager for me?"
Li nodded politely.
"Yes, sir. I’ll do it right away."
Then, she vanished on the spot, and I glanced at my wife, who was sleeping in my arms like a cat.
I blinked a few times before heading to the luxury residential district where I had rented an apartment the day before.
I finally arrived at my room, located separately a few buildings away from the academy’s gate. The place looked more like a small apartment building connected to many other comfortable rooms, even having a balcony overlooking the city outside.
I headed to the bathroom and took a shower, quietly letting the streams of water rinse away the filth covering my body.
’’Finally, I can wash this stuff off my body.’’
Around thirty minutes later, it was my wife’s turn. Actually, we could’ve taken a shower together, but my wife wasn’t an easy girl. Even though she wasn’t embarrassed by seeing me naked or letting me see her like before, she still wanted to save that for special occasions.
After finishing everything, we went to bed together and began cultivating.
"Hug me," my wife said. For some reason, her voice sounded unusually sweet and soft.
I gazed at her with my usual hollow eyes and said,
"I thought you hated me."
She fell silent for a few seconds before answering.
"Yes, I hate you. That hasn’t changed, but it’s something married couples normally do, right?"
I forced a smile before pulling her into my embrace.
"I suppose so."
