I Became a Nobody in My Favourite Novel-Chapter 15: “The Mini-Boss”:5

The thing he wanted to show was an image of a beast, a giant bull that has the head of a bull with big horns, but, the body of a human.

Emil saw what Riven wanted to tell them, Emil said with disbelief "Is that... a minotaur?".

Riven said while touching the carving "Yes, it sure is a minotaur."

Emil felt something in his chest tighten.

He knew that 'This is no normal dungeon.'

Emil said, "We should not waste our time here, let's move."

The team nodded and followed behind.

Then they reached the chamber.

It opened like a mouth, wide, and circular, with cracked tiles and collapsed pillars. The walls rose high, forming a dome lit by burning sconces. In the center stood a creature.

At first glance, it looked almost human. Seven feet tall. Broad shoulders. Towering legs. But its head was that of a bull, with curved horns, glowing red eyes, steam curling from its nostrils. In its hand was a massive double-headed axe, its edge glowing faintly with heat.

Emil's mouth went dry.

"Well, didn't we just see his carving on the wall before? We must have prepared for what was coming ahead." Riven said quietly.

Luin froze beside him.

Kael gave a nervous laugh. "Why does it have fire in its eyes? And those axes, that's not normal, right?"

"It's not," Emil said, eyes locked on the beast.

"That's not a normal beast, That's a mini-boss. That thing... it's stronger than any normal minotaur. And way smarter"

Emil knew about this because he had read in God's Final Requiem, that the main character had to go through the same scenario while he was taking his trials.

The Minotaur stepped forward. Its hooves cracked the stone beneath.

Trial Boss: Flamehorn Minotaur – Level ???

The system didn't even give a number. Just question marks.

Emil swallowed hard.

He said to himself 'This fight... we might not win this.'

The Minotaur raised its axe and slammed it into the ground.

Flames exploded outward, racing in wild circles as if testing the arena. The heat rolled through the chamber like a wave, forcing them to step back.

"Positions!" Emil shouted, their minds were spinning, but still followed Emil's words.

Kael stepped to the front, spear in hand. "I'll keep it busy! For the god's sake, find the solution for this shit.

"No hero moves!" Emil snapped. "We do this together! Because this time, I can't come up with a plan."

Riven drew his sword, eyes narrowed. "Well, So our mastermind is now finding it hard to come up with a plan?

He said while moving slowly towards the minotaur. "I'll flank it. Watch for a pattern."

Luin stepped forward, hands trembling. Mana flickered around him. Emil saw it again, the golden spark hidden deep in Luin's core.

Emil said to himself. 'The Mage of Golden Flame. You are very valuable to me, Luin'.

It echoed in Emil's head like a bell tolling in the distance.

But for now, there was only one thing that mattered.

They had to survive this trial.

The Minotaur took another step forward, eyes blazing, the hunger was immense, and he wanted human flesh.

And the battle began.

"Don't lose your focus," Emil shouted. "Be in your right mind, guys"

The chamber was filled with heat, the heat that was being produced was almost comparable to the molten lava, and the stone tiles were getting cracked with the help of heat. The minotaur stood in the middle of the chamber, stood tall, towering, looked way too powerful, eyes were glowing like two small suns.

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Emil raised his hand and gave the signal to Kael.

Kael just nodded slowly, gripped his spear tight and dashed forward, to face the minotaur.

The minotaur moved fast for its size. Its hooves slammed into the ground, and its axe swung in a wide arc, sharp and dangerous. Kael ducked low, spun to the side, and stabbed with his spear. The metal tip scraped across the beast's thick hide but didn't pierce it.

Kael got angry. "Tsk... this motherfucker, his skin is just too hard."

Riven joined the fight from the other side of the minotaur, his sword swung with the intent to kill, too many perfect strikes Riven moved like a shadow, was fast, quiet and precise. His sword pierced the Minotaur on its shoulder. The wound on its shoulder started bleeding.

Minotaur roared in anger. He swung his axes and hit Kael and Riven with them, making them both backoff. Luckily they both blocked it with their quick body movement.

Kael rolled aside just in time. "This motherfucker, he is a damn wall."

Riven didn't even look at him. "So, just don't let him crush you, it's as simple as that."

Kael gave a disgusted look. "It's easier said than done."

Kael gritted teeth, he dashed toward the minotaur. Riven mirrored him, both the warriors were fighting with their all might, trying their best to defeat this mini-boss.

Emil circled behind the minotaur, his eyes were sharp, searching for the weak points of the minotaur. He didn't rush in, he waited patiently. Studied the movements of the minotaur. Its legs were thick and strong, its chest was like armor. But the neck, under the arms... they had gaps.

He looked at Luin, who was standing near the broken pillar.

Luin's hands trembled slightly as he fired the fireballs. They were not too powerful, but they helped a lot in keeping the minotaur distracted. One flame burst near its foot, and it growled, he turned its head for a slight second, just enough for Kael to stab at its thigh.

"I can't keep this up for long," Kael shouted as his sweat ran down his face. "He is too fucking strong for us, we can't defeat him at our level."

"We know, it's too obvious, Sherlock," Riven replied coldly. "Just hold your ground till Emil gives the word."

Kael cursed under his breath and kept fighting. His spear clanged off the axe again, sparks flying. He blocked one heavy blow, but the minotaur's strength was overwhelming.

Then it happened.

The axe of the minotaur hits Kael, he blocks it with his spear, but the force sends him flying backward.

"Kael!" Emil yelled.

Kael flew towards the stone wall, the pace was fast.

Emil opened his system window, hoping that he might find something useful, that he could use in this situation. His fingers were moving as quickly as they were, but there was nothing, no items, no skills, nothing. It was just pure trash.

"Damn it!" He shouted. "Luin, use water magic. The wall— make a huge bubble on the wall to reduce the impact."

Luin's eyes widened as Emil gave him an order, Luin immediately cast a spell, and his hands started glowing faintly blue. He pushed them forward, forming a shield, a thin bubble of water in Kael's path.

Kael slammed into the bubble. The bubble burst with a splash, but it slowed him just enough.

He hits the wall and a voice filled with pain comes out of his mouth. "Fuck it!" Said while sliding down to the floor.

He said in pain. "Don't worry about me, and continue fighting that fucking piece of shit." He said in a soft voice. "I am still alive, not feeling too hurt, but I am not out of this shitty trial yet."

Emil lets out a sigh of relief.

Riven slashed at the minotaur again, dodging a wild swing. "We're running out of time, Emil! Have you found the weak spots yet or not?!"

Emil's eyes narrowed, he raised his sword and put it on his shoulder. He moved closer to the beast, watching every twitch of its muscle, every swing of its axe.

"Yes," Emil said softly.

The minotaur turned towards him.

Emil stepped forward, he was calm, despite the heat and fear of death, arms were shaking.

"Yes." He said louder now. "I found them."

His eyes gleamed in the firelight. The heat swirled around them. Behind him, Kael stood back up, leaning on his spear. Luin steadied himself, mana glowing faintly in his hands. Riven moved to Emil's side, his sword was ready to cut anything on Emil's command.

Emil tightened the grip on his sword.

"And now." He said, his voice was cold and sharp, and a hint of leadership was filled within it. "We will end this mini-boss."