Everything was calm and effortless. Joe drifted with the crimson light similar to a weightless bird. Unlike the previous occasion were he had to fight for his balance to prevent a catastrophic fall, this time it was easy and much more controlled. He was flowing with the current instead of moving against it. His muscles were relaxed and his heart rate was stable. He knew that the light could do nothing to harm him, he was going to be fine.
Everything felt like it was going along at a leisurely pace but that couldn't be further from the truth. In just a split second Joe's feet touched down on the stone surface and the light that cloaked him dimmed before retreating, never to be seen again.
[Transportation Complete]
[You Have Entered The Dungeon Boss's Domain]
Joe crouched slightly as his form materialized, he straightned a second later having been transported successfully. Beams of light fell beside him, announcing the arrival of Shelly, Franklin and the other girl. Shelly was right next to Joe so he didn't need to go far.
“Are you ok?” The young man asked, just checking on his friend.
Shelly nodded reassuringly. With her staff in hand, she looked ready for another battle.
Joe only glanced at the old man and the princess, not bothering to say much else.
Before he could do anything else, Joe was immediately assaulted by the blistering heat. His breathing was already strained, like he had ran a great distance. Sweat streaked down his forehead even reaching the embrace of his lips before trickling down to the floor. When compared it to the other room, the difference was staggering. If the last room was a boiling hot oven, this place was close to a sea of lava and it showed.
[The Domain Skill (Heat Zone) Is Taking Effect]
[-15 Attribute Points To Your Strength, Speed And Defense Attributes]
[The Effects Of Heat Zone May Worsen With Every Passing Minute.]
Joe did not forsee his attributes being affected by the heat, but that's what happened. The young man was certain his defense would've taken an even greater hit if it wasn't for the [Black Sheep].
Shelly cloaked her figure in mana, with the princess and the old man doing the same, Joe could guess that this was an attempt to mitigate the heat. All three of them were drenched in sweat, Joe was actually doing better in comparison.
His eyes looked to wonder around the space but something interrupted him. A looming shadow whisked above Joe's form at tremendous speed. He threw his eyes to the sky but only saw a flash of orange before something collided with the earth.
The impact was enormous, Joe had to consolidate his footing to avoid being blown away. The burning wind buzzed as a white steamy cloud manifested in the distance. Joe's eyes had no trouble seeing beyond the obstruction. It was 15m away but [Outsider’s Perspective] had developed enough for him to clear that distance easily.
A gut wrenching scream startled Joe as he peered beyond the smoke cloud. Bones cracked and shattered, their sharp echo bouncing off all four walls of the room. The screech only lasted a good three seconds before it met its end.
“Look out!”
Joe yelled as he threw himself to the side, his other companions (besides Bella) heeding his warning. A human body whistled past Joe's form, Its charred scent invading his nostrils. The young man avoided a nasty collision, and even though he had foresight. He only evaded just barely.
He tracked the corpse and watched it smash into a stone wall a fair distance behind him. It lost its shape instantly as it crumbled to ashes.
Joe's heart thumped, his eyes dilated at the scene before him. He then threw his eyes forward as the white smoke faded with the wind. And there he saw it. With its bright bloody core, Joe did not need a notification to tell him what he was looking at.
Orange in colour, its wings spanned the distance. It flapped with grace, preventing its gleaming talons from making contact with the ground. The creature shed a few of its glorious feathers which created a beautiful glow of orange under its form. With a massive pointy beak that matched its appearance it had the eyes of a fierce predator. It squeaked at all those present, the sound alone carrying the message of death.
[The Lvl (60) Dungeon Boss ‘Red Phoenix’ Has Appeared]
[Mana Beasts Window]
?? Name: Red Phoenix
?? Clan: Tori
?? Evolution Stage: 3
?? Level: 60
[Main Dungeon Quest]
?? Objective: Slay The Dungeon Boss ‘Red Phoenix’
?? Reward: 85,000 Gold Pieces.
Joe gulped at the creature before him, not in all his years of existence did he think he'd ever meet one. But there it was. A Phoenix.
The folklore and legends Joe had read didn't do the creature justice. When he saw it face to face it made all those tales describing the Phoenix look mediocre in comparison. This was a being you could never put to words unless you saw it with own eyes.
Joe's eyes strayed away from the Dungeon Boss for just a moment. They landed on another interesting thing in the room. They were not as majestic or cool as the Phoenix but they still attracted Joe's attention.
Clad in black cloaks that smothered their frames. They stood as a group of three individuals. With their four skull logo and the name ‘Ghost Chain’ written in bold. Anyone could've figured out what Joe was looking at, those three were undoubtedly a party of adventures.
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“I knew it, a Dungeon like this no matter how dangerous was bound to have other adventures running around.”
Joe didn't know whether to be happy or worried about that fact. But what he knew was that ‘Ghost Chain’ was a really sick name for a party. The four skulls were the cherry on top. Even without saying a word, the three adventures had earned Joe's respect.
The Ghost Chain party was currently in the middle of confronting the Dungeon Boss. Joe guessed the flying corpse that nearly slammed into him belonged to their party.
Joe's eyes were distracted once again as something shiny came from the corner of his eye.
It was only foe a brief few seconds but everytime the Phoenix flapped its wings, Joe could see something sparkle behind it. When he squinted his eyes, he was able to see what he was looking at.
Etched to a tall wall behind the Dungeon Boss lay 4 Golden Keys. The keys were the same kind you'd use to open a door to your house but Joe knew these keys weren't ordinary.
[Main Dungeon Item: Dungeon Key]
?? Description: A Golden Key That Can Open A Pathway Between Layers. Grants The Ability To Avoid The Dungeon Boss And Go Directly To The Next Layer.
?? Condition: You Need To Be In Contact With The Key For 3 Seconds Before The Item Can Activate.
?? Note: Should You Use The Dungeon Key, All The Rewards You Would've Received For Killing The Dungeon Boss Are Forfeited.
?? Time: 10 Minutes Before The Dungeon Consumes The Next Dungeon Key.
?? Dungeon Keys Remaining: 4
After reading the description of the Dungeon Keys Joe wasn't sure if he liked their usage. It seemed cowardly in a way. Based on how they were described, Dungeon Keys were essentially a get out of jail free card for anyone who activated them. The timer indicated that a key would disappear in the next 10 minutes.
“I don't believe it” Shelly said, forcing Joe to turn to her. “There are still Dungeon Keys in this Layer. We have to get them before they disappear.”
“Only cowards like you Shelly would even entertain the idea of using those toys.” Bella scoffed. “Unlike you I'm not some weakling who would depend on a Dungeon Key. My flames can cook that mana beast in seconds. I'll get out of here with my own strength.”
Joe and the princess didn't always see eye to eye. No, they never saw eye to eye. But this time around Joe sided with the princess. If they were going to exit this layer of the Dungeon, Joe would much rather achieve that using his own strength than some cheap gimmick. It was unreasonable, he knew it was. When facing a beast at lvl 60 there was every chance that he would end up dead. But Joe didn't care, he'd rather die fighting than choose the easy way out. Besides, the idea of fighting a Phoenix was weirdly exhilarating.
“I agree with the Hira girl my princess.” Franklin said, disturbing Joe from his fantasies. “We need to exit this Dungeon as quickly as possible. The sooner we reach the Capital the better. Remember my princess we're up against the clock, it's only a matter if time before the Flame Tr—”
“Quiet!” Bella shouted, cutting Franklin off. She clenched her fists tightly. “I don't need you reminding me about that. I thought I told you never to say their name in my presence.”
“Forgive me my princess,” Franklin made a slight bow with his head.
A thunderous boom broke through the developing tension. The Dungeon Boss was on the move.
Flames engulfed the Phoenix as it repeatedly rammed its beak into the green barrier before it. [Skill Activation: Beak Smash]
The three adventures were trying their best to hold the creature off. They had erected a green dome around their forms to protect themselves from the Mana Beast's assault. But it became clear even to them, that their defense was not going to hold.
“Dammit!” The adventure holding the barrier together cursed. He had his staff pointed forward as he tried to maintain the shape of the barrier. He winced and his body physically vibrated everytime the Phoenix attacked. The man had black smooth hair and purple pupils and wore the same cloak as the rest of them. “I can't…. hold… it for much longer?” He said, his voice breaking.
“Let me do it Noah” An adventurer standing a few meters behind the healer spoke. He held a long katana in his grasp and had a stoic face. Even underneath the cloak the man's impressive physique was apparent. Without a doubt, the bald adventurer was the warrior of the group.
“No Bron! You can't take that creature by yourself!” The only female in the group spoke up. She had vibrant pink hair and carried a staff of her own. Although it was different from Noah's, her staff had a curved tip resembling a hook, while Noah just had a straight staff.
“No Sheyla. We've already lost a party member, I won't let the entire party go down like this. I'm the Warrior. I'll keep everyone safe.” Bron responded, unflinching in his stance. “Let me do this, Noah!”
Noah glanced over his shoulder. “You got it big man. I'll leave it to you.” The healer had a bitter smile on his face.
“Noah, I thought you were going to talk some sense into him. You're the leader, you can't let him go through with this.” Sheyla said, tears already bordering her eyes.
The barrier cracked as the Phoenix's beak peeked through, finally breaching the stubborn barrier. But the mana beast found its beak stuck in the trenches of the barrier, it wiggled its head, looking to retrieve its beak before launching another attack.
Noah brought down his staff as the Phoenix lifted its head. The barrier crumbled and the healer was forced to seek refugee behind the cover of his comrade Bron.
“You guys should give me some space, this could get messy.” Bron warned as he squared his shoulders, his party members obliged with Sheyla having a reluctant look on her face.
“Its just me and you big guy!” Bron smirked.
The Phoenix must've taken that as an insult because it charged immediately at the Warrior. Trusting its beak the mana beast looked to pierce the warrior's skull.
Using his sword Bron deflected all the relentless beak assaults that came his way. His friends used the opening to their advantage as they dashed for the wall targeting the Dungeon Keys.
“What about Bron!” Sheyla looked at Noah with tears in her eyes.
“He'll be alright. Bron is a warrior! He'll follow us after he distracts that thing.” Noah said, eyes laser focused on the four shiny items ahead.
Sheyla didn't say anything but her facial expression showcased her uncertainty.
Bron was holding his own for a good 20 seconds. He even retaliated with a slash that sent the mana beast staggering backwards. He carved a vertical line into the Phoenix's chest and the creature screeched in pain.
This was his chance to finish the job.
Bron lunged forward with mana shrouding his figure, he thrusted the blade with everything he had.
The blade shattered.
With the snap if its beak the mana beast dismantled the mana tool effortlessly.
And as he watched his trusted weapon crumble to a million shards. Bron's stomach churned and in that moment he came to a painful realization.
He wasn't the protagonist of this story.
With the swipe of a wing Bron's body was sent spiraling high in the air. The Phoenix took flight and with an open beak gobbled up the poor adventurer without any resistance.
The creature let out a loud war cry after its victory. It turned its eyes to the two little creatures targeting the keys. It flapped once and its figure blazed through the air.
Noah looked over his shoulder and then the wall. Just 10 seconds. In just 10 seconds he would make it. “Hey, Sheyla?”
The shaky adventurer turned to face her leader. But immediately after doing so, a hard metal staff struck her unguarded stomach. Blood spewed from her mouth as she fell to her knees. She looked up at his leader with blood trickling down her lips, but a blow to the skull ended her life right then and there.
“Sorry Sheyla. I won't die in a place like this.” The healer flung the body of his comrade towards the incoming beast before committing to a mad dash.
Unable to resist a free meal the Phoenix took the bait. It devoured its second victim before zeroing in on Noah.
But as the mana beast closed in, Noah touched the Dungeon Key. In just 3 quick seconds the adventurer disappeared without a trace.
The bird arriving only a second later threw a tantrum with another one of its squeaks. After calming itself down seconds later, the mana beast found fresh targets. It turned to face Joe and his group.
And as the creature faced them Joe stepped forward with the [Scorching Dagger] in hand. “You guys can use the Dungeon Keys if you want. I'll kill that big guy by myself.” He declared, with a growing grin on his face.
