(POV: Third-Person)
"Get moving, brat!" The full-plated man shoved the boy forward, making him stumble across the jagged ground.
"Use those disgusting eyes of yours to watch the path ahead!" His voice was sharp and cruel as the boy winced from his bruises and cuts.
The boy's eyes flickered faintly, glowing as he scanned the darkness ahead.
"I… I sense three more goblins, Master… and two larger ones," he reported, his voice trembling.
"Alright."
CLANK! THUD!
"Then get out of my way!" Svendr yanked the chains harshly, slamming the boy to the ground like discarded meat.
"My skill will cut them down before they can even see me…" His voice rose with arrogance as he grinned, winding up his massive blade.
"Blood Cutter!!"
SLASH!!
A surge of blood-red mana erupted from his weapon, arcing violently through the corridor. The slash twisted mid-air, hunting its prey like a crimson serpent. Each goblin fell one by one, unable to escape.
"None shall escape! For I am Svendr the Dread Butcher!!" His boast rang out, arrogant and oppressive, echoing across the dungeon walls.
After a few more goblins and hobgoblins were slaughtered, Svendr—apparently bored of killing—shoved the heavy weapon into the boy's chest.
"Sheath it. This place is boring. We'll clear it tomorrow," he said dismissively, dragging the boy by the chains as they turned to leave.
The boy struggled to lift the absurdly large weapon, gritting his teeth as the sharp stones bit into his bare feet.
Deeper inside the dungeon…
CLANK!
"Yes! It works!" A robotic voice echoed through the chamber, filled with uncontainable glee.
"I finally have a bipedal body! And I can talk!" Zeren said, pure excitement in his tone.
"Well… there's still a few things to tweak. First off, I sound like a dying JBL speaker…" he sighed, flopping dramatically to the floor.
"Also, I look like an animatronic from Five Nights at Freddie's—just missing the creepy animal suit!" he groaned, staring at his reflection in a puddle.
"Calm down… this is just the inner frame. I shouldn't even be using it yet, but I got too excited." He paused, thinking.
"Oh well… Time to make a temporary plating. Something less horror show, more 'functional murder bot.'"
Back in town…
The villagers stood anxiously near the forest edge, tense and silent.
Then came the heavy steps—metal boots on earth.
"Sir! You're back!" the mayor rushed forward with a forced smile, sweat dotting his forehead.
"Half up front," Svendr demanded coldly.
"H-here, sir… Please accept it…" The mayor shakily held out a bag brimming with gold coins.
Svendr snatched it, his eyes glinting as they scanned the houses.
"Hoo… Seems like this dump has some worth after all," he muttered, his greed on full display.
"Prepare the rest for tomorrow. I'll finish clearing that dungeon by noon," he barked, waving a dismissive hand as he turned his back on the people.
…
"Damn that guy…" one of the watching adventurers growled. "Why did the Lifewells bless a bastard like him to become Silver?"
"Don't let it get to you, Kibal," said a red-haired man, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Jensen… doesn't it piss you off? He's walking all over us!"
"I know… but there's nothing we can do. Just swallow your pride—just this once."
Kibal clenched his fists, knuckles white. Then he sighed, looking toward the horizon.
"You're right… It's not up to us to teach him a lesson." He paused.
"But someone will."
(POV: Zeren)
Okay, hear me out…
What if I made an ice cream machine inside my stomach?
…
No wait—let's save that for after I figure out how to taste things again.
Man, I miss fried chicken…
Oh, Mr. Choi! I miss your chicken so much. I had to kidnap you once, but it was worth it…
Anyway,
Progress update!
I've officially switched vessels. I'm now residing in this creepy, half-finished robot body.
But hey! This is just the inner frame. I'll polish it up. Trust the process.
Right now, I'm crafting a temporary outer plating out of the leftover Roombas. Something that screams "badass dungeon crawler" rather than "possessed Roomba man."
This form is way more comfortable. I feel like I can flow better—like a true liquid!
Now, I don't plan on leaving the dungeon just yet, so I'm not bothering with a human-like shell. I'd need silicone for that anyway.
Instead… combat form it is!
Full robot style. Think Man of Iron. Or maybe more like… Oltron.
…
Hours passed, parts clicked into place, and the plating was complete.
"I look like a full-on villain," Zeren muttered, admiring himself. "Yup. Definitely gonna scare someone if they walk in…"
It would truly be bad if someone were to appear right now…
Yep… It would be terrible wouldn't it
"You… y-you!! What are you?!"
I didn't even have to turn around.
It was a man.
And he was pointing a massive butcher's knife straight at me.
Conclusion… I really need to stop tempting fate.