The Regression of Great Sage Riddle Episode 3: Episode 3

Riddle, Noln, and their mentor, Dalzen, found themselves trapped by a goblin horde. The air grew heavy with menace as the creatures began to shift, to evolve. Dalzen trembled, fear etched onto his face, but Riddle remained unnervingly calm. He recognized this phenomenon from a past life, the grim prelude to a King Goblin's emergence. He grinned, ready to test his new body's limits.

The mentor, Dalzen, screamed, his resolve crumbling under the pressure of the impending fight. He abandoned his apprentices, fleeing into the shadows and leaving Noln stunned by the sudden, ugly betrayal. Riddle, however, was largely unmoved, having anticipated such weakness. His focus remained on the encroaching threat.

With a surge of courage, Noln pushed past her fear, drawing her sword to face the first wave of goblins. She struck a creature with a magical blow, only to see it rebound, barely leaving a mark. Her mana was critically low, and she realized the futility of her efforts. Still, she stood protectively before Riddle, prepared for the ultimate sacrifice.

Riddle stepped forward, his voice calm as he told Noln to leave everything to him. He contemplated the vast gap between his ancient soul and his youthful physique. Drawing his blade, he unleashed the 'Fyre Blade,' incinerating a line of goblins in a burst of brilliant flame. Noln watched, utterly shocked by the power displayed by the boy she thought was merely an apprentice.

As the smoke cleared, a magical interface revealed Riddle's mana bar plummeting into the red. He was physically drained, sweating, and breathing heavily. His young body could not sustain the sheer power of his 1,000-year-old soul. Despite the intense fatigue, he maintained a composed facade for Noln, unwilling to reveal his vulnerability.

The ground vibrated ominously as a colossal, purple-skinned King Goblin emerged from the darkness, wielding a rusted, oversized blade. Noln recognized it as a B-Rank monster, a creature that could obliterate entire villages, and her last shreds of hope vanished. She pleaded with Riddle to flee, convinced they faced certain death. Riddle, though noting the unfamiliar heaviness in his limbs, stood firm.

The King Goblin lunged, its massive blade striking down, but Riddle managed to parry the blow, his knees nearly buckling from the force. He used a swift teleportation spell to evade a follow-up attack. Channeling his remaining mana, drawing on centuries of arcane knowledge, he began to compress energy onto his blade. Purple and blue lightning crackled around his sword, preparing for a decisive strike.

Riddle unleashed his ultimate attack, the 'Gravite Smash,' bringing his blade down with immense force. A column of purple energy erupted, pulverizing the King Goblin and leaving a massive crater in the forest floor. The monster was utterly vanquished. Riddle stood triumphant, the immediate threat neutralized, his true power still a mystery to Noln and the world.

Riddle unleashed his ultimate attack, the 'Gravite Smash,' bringing his blade down with immense force. A column of purple energy erupted, pulverizing the King Goblin and leaving a massive crater in the forest floor. The monster was utterly vanquished. Riddle stood triumphant, the immediate threat neutralized, his true power still a mystery to Noln and the world.