Surviving in my Own Unpublished Failed Novel

Russell, not wearing the Mask of Night which could boost his Strength and Swift stats, rushed towards the nearest Chaos Goblin.

Seeing from afar and up close the appearance of such a monster caused Russell repulsion, trying his best not to get affected at the moment.

The Chaos Goblin has dark blue skin; three crimson eyes with a big one on its forehead; shark-like rows of teeth, and two horns protruding from either side of its head.

One might think that it's a demonic creature if its information wasn't revealed in any way because of its hideous appearance.

Apart from the above-mentioned physical characteristics, the Chaos Goblin's height was only around a mater, and it's holding a fine-looking sword that could withstand performing the downgraded First Movement of the Swordsmanship of the Night that Russell also possessed.

"Hup-!"

Bam-!

Clang-!

Just as Russell had expected, the Chaos Goblin managed to block his strike, though it was shaken up by his sudden appearance.

The other Chaos Goblins from the cave were alerted by the ruckus and quickly joined their buddy, though, for some reason, these monsters didn't attack Russell all at once, rather they seemed to want to see the spectacle between him and the Chaos Goblin he lunged toward to.

'I don't know if it's instinct or they are quite intellectual.'

Russell thought, somewhat feeling grateful for the Chaos Goblins' behavioral pattern.

Slash-! Slash-

Without wasting any time, but staying alert of the other Chaos Goblins who appeared, Russell quickly hacked down the one he initially struck.

With his over a thousand percent sword proficiency due to the passive effects of Swordsmanship of the Night and Cull and Cut, he easily overpowered the first Goblin.

After thirty to forty seconds, the first Chaos Goblin's head rolled to the ground, which clearly agitated the other Chaos Goblins.

It didn't manage to utilize the pseudo-swordsmanship that the Goddess of Night had taught them because She was simply bored, at least.

"Oppa!!"

A few seconds after the first Chaos Goblin died, Russell felt his scalp tingle as he heard his younger sister's shout.

Two Chaos Goblins lunged at him, but their form was different from the previous one. Striking with a downward slash, the Chaos Goblin wanted to cut the man in half in front of them, but with the difference in overall strength, Russell defended it easily.

Clang-!

The air vibrated at the clash of the swords, but Russell's weapon with an unknown name was superior whether it was from what materials they were made or its origin.

'Why aren't they using the pseudo swordsmanship?'

Russell thought, wondered. Since he possessed it, he knew very well about it and that's why he easily recognized that these Goblins weren't utilizing it.

'Maybe...'

He thought of something, and at that moment, upon successfully defending a few strikes with ease, Russell distanced himself from the two Goblins.

They felt like they were in an arena as they were circled by spectators from either side.

'Finally...'

Russell inwardly said as he thought that it was time to use it against someone, against a monster.

Holding tightly the grip of the mysterious weapon designed with an arc moon shape just a few centimeters below its tip with both his hands, a dark blue aura started to emanate from Russell's body.

"Step back a little bit."

Russell didn't look back as he said to his Chaos Companions, which they complied with without any question as a look of anticipation was painted on their expressions.

[Swordsmanship of the Night, First Movement: Shattering Star.]

A splendor scenery appeared in front of them. As though his hands were serenely painting stars, a streak of slashes was beautifully drawn on the bodies, not just of the two Chaos Goblins, but of every one of them.

Every line of slash was followed by a dark blue mist, along with shimmering cosmic lights. It was as though the tail of the comet or remnants of a supernova was traversing or scattered throughout the universe.

It was simply magnificent.

But just as Russell had expected, their crimson eyes glimmered as they recognized the genuine swordsmanship that he performed.

Their eyes seemed to regain a bit of sanity even though they were monsters.

Although not everyone managed to survive the unexpected performance of swordsmanship, some of the Chaos Goblins, who were almost late by a hairsbreadth of successfully parrying his attack, though still breathing, were heavily injured.

At that moment, a dark blue aura emanated from the bodies of the surviving two Chaos Goblins, and similar to Russell, holding their respective swords with their own hands, the First Movement of the Night's swordsmanship was performed.

In that amount of time, Russell noticed the slight difference between a downgraded one compared to the genuine one.

It was slow and didn't contain passion. In other words, it wasn't the complete Shattering Star.

'It seems the Goddess of Night still takes pride in Her swordsmanship that She didn't teach the genuine one to these beings.'

Russell thought as he parried the incoming strikes.

Slash-! Slash-

Lunging toward the three remaining Chaos Goblins, Russell then drew horizontal and diagonal slashes as the two of them had their horned heads rolled to the ground, while the last one managed to block his few slashes, causing Russell to have a faint smile.

"I see... You're the one I'm looking for."

Russell whispered as he was standing face to face with the remaining Chaos Goblin.

***

"What a beautiful sight."

Amelie muttered, seeing with her ruby eyes the swordsmanship that Russell performed. For some reason, her expression was serious and in awe, unlike her usual cheerful demeanor.

Amery, on the other hand, had her black eyes shimmered at the sight. She was silent throughout the fight, but also alert at the same time in case something unexpected happened.

Her respect and admiration for Russell were growing within.

Freya, though, only had a smile on her face, watching him fight.

After some time, Russell's whispering voice echoed in the cave.

"I see... You're the one I'm looking for."

The three of them were confused, but a moment later, they saw with their eyes what had transpired.

"Right... He's a Summoner, after all."

Freya muttered, seeing the Chaos Goblin kneeling in front of her older brother.

***

[The Chaos Goblin is eligible to become your summon!]

[Activating the Skill: Alien Call (EX).]

[The Chaos Goblin has acknowledged you as its new master!]

[Name the Chaos Goblin.]

"Again with the naming...'

Russell whispered, seemingly finding it hard to do such a thing. Apart from that, he also noticed the way the System worded some of its messages.

'I'm a new master, huh...'

He thought as he recognized that the Goddess of Night was originally this monster's master.

Russell pondered for some time on what name he should give the kneeling Chaos Goblin that he beat up into submission.

Looking at the appearance of the Chaos Goblin, seeing the two horns and three crimson eyes, as well as its dark blue skin, Russell muttered the name he thought about.

"Met."

'At least with this, the possibility of having a target on my back will be nulled.'

He thought as the System rang in his ears.

[Name the Chaos Goblin as "Met"?]

"Yes."

Russell succinctly answered. It's a name that he thought about in consideration of something in the future.

[You have named the Chaos Goblin, "Met."]

[Met likes the name its new master had bestowed it!]

Russell then checked its information.

***

Name: Met

Race: Chaos Goblin

Title: [Rabid], [Adorer of Night]

Rank: E- —> C-

— STATS —

Strength: 399 (+500)

Swift: 399 (+500)

Fortitude: 399 (+500)

Intelligence: 399 (+500)

Chaos Power: 399 (+500)

— Skills —

[Pseudo-Swordsmanship of the Night]

Description:

The Goddess of Night was so bored that She taught a downgraded version of Her swordsmanship to the monsters She had created with the power of "???".

Rank: Zenith (Pseudo)

Effects:

- Granting the monster an Expert level of swordsmanship.

- Allows the monster to perform the downgraded First Movement of the Swordsmanship of the Night.

***

'What a monstrosity! Hahaha!'

Russell inwardly laughed. Although he couldn't see or read anymore, due to mysterious reasons, the details of his skills because of his Attribute: Nihility, he knew that those additional stats were because of the bonus stats given to the summoned creature.

And because of one of the Inherent Powers, Chaos Moon, he possessed, which he had yet to uncover the truth behind, his Chaos-related skills were maxed out. It included the effects of one of his titles, "Resident of Chaos", which either amplified or enhanced his Chaos-related skills, so technically, a maxed-out Skill: Alien Call would only contain an additional 250 bonus stats.

"Oppa, is it done?"

A few meters away, Freya cut off Russell's thoughts. Turning his head, Russell nodded with a delightful expression.

At that moment, a few System messages only meant for him rang in his head, which caused his deep blue eyes to widen as a smile carved on his face.

'That's what I'm talking about!'

***

[Due to Met's recognition of the genuine Swordsmanship of the Night, it will regain its sanity and intelligence.]

[Even without utilizing Skillbooks, you can teach it to refine the downgraded Swordsmanship of the Night.]

[Due to your partially sealed Stigma, every summoned creature you have will now possess intelligence.]

[Every summoned creature can now learn Skillbooks!]

[Every summoned creature can now be maintained without losing Chaos Power per minute!]

'Sweet!'

Russell inwardly exclaimed. Apart from teaching Met, it could also learn new skills through Skillbooks.

'Or not... F*ck!'

As he thought of the great change and advantage, Russell quickly realized the existing flaw. The Chaos Goblin didn't have a Magic Power stat so it was useless for it to learn any skills that were utilized with Mana's help.

"What? Oppa! That's stronger than us right now!"

Freya inspected the information of Met.

"Master, what shall I call you?"

A deep voice resounded in the dark cave. It's like a demonic voice that scratched one's soul.

The four of them fell silent, and after some time, Russell spoke.

"Just call me Master.

"Alright, Met. Your first job is to protect the three of them at all costs. But only do it in cases of great danger because they can fight, too."

Although it now possessed intelligence, it was only submissive to its Master and incapable of questioning its Master's decision.

"By the way, Freya, and you two... I'll tell you something interesting later. So, please, don't mind Met's ridiculous stats."

Trying to wash away their stupefied and incredulous expression upon seeing Met's new overall strength, Russell spoke with assurance.

The three nodded, somewhat still in reverie.

"Okay, Met. Lead us inside."

Since they were only in the mouth of the cave, there was more to be explored.

Standing from kneeling, Met bowed to its Master and its Master's companions before leading them deep into the cave.

***

In the Human Domain, the night quickly fell as the sun hide from the horizon. The bluish moon then showed itself and illuminated parts of the world.

It's been at least fourteen hours since Russell and the others went to the Chaos Dungeon.

After some time, the cold man with grey eyes just entered the Rigel Building as numerous eyes from the students and the various Obelisk Staff landed on him.

"D-dad?"

Just as Samantha, with Elizabeth, was about to buy lunch in the cafeteria, she saw her father, Artorious, in the lobby. He was walking towards the convenient High-speed elevator.

It was unusual for her father to show his appearance in a public setting that didn't concern a big event, that's why Samantha was perplexed.

Glancing from the origin's voice, Artorious saw his daughter and the princess of Etheria.

A few seconds later, he communicated with her through telepathy.

<Go take your dinner, my daughter. I'll just check on something.>

Since Russell's words about his wife being alive, his cold emotion was becoming soft toward his daughter.

Samantha nodded as she grabbed Elizabeth.

After some time, Artorious arrived in front of a student's dormitory room — Tanya Drusilla's.

Knock-! Knock-

Artorious slowly knocked. Being the strongest player in humanity, he already sensed two presences inside.

"Who's there?"

As if agitated by the sudden knocking, a woman's voice resounded inside.

He didn't answer, but instead just waited.

Ten to fifteen seconds later, a woman with red hair and crimson eyes opened the door.

Tanya then saw the towering man, looking at her without any emotion for at least two to three seconds.

"Sir Ar-

At that moment, Tanya, who was wondering, didn't manage to finish her words as her entire body turned into glass and suddenly exploded.