Franklin gestured for Joe to stay back. The young man thought about opposing that idea, but ended up going along with it after a few seconds of consideration.

  Joe's body was a wreck, as much as he tried to bare with it, he knew he was in no condition to fight. The Dungeon Boss had done a number on him and the fact that he was still standing was a testament to his resilience more than anything.

  But the main reason Joe decided to take a step back had nothing to do with his own injuries. It had everything to do with Franklin's power.

  Through [Outsider’s Perspective] Joe got a hidden view of the old man's insides. He could see his mana course through multiple intricate tunnels all leading to Franklin's heart where his mana signature was found. Franklin kept pumping mana through these channels at an incredible rate, when Joe thought the old man was satisfied, he kept on pumping. His mana signature only grew and grew untill it exploded in a bright flash of orange.

  After a few seconds the light dimmed as the old man finally stopped gathering mana. He was now satisfied.

  Flickering like a raging flame Franklin's mana signature was huge. Joe had no doubt it was by far the largest signature he had ever seen. Even when combining Mikey's signature with the Frozen Wing Party the gap was night and day.

  This was the second time Joe had seen Franklin in this state. He saw him for a brief moment in the Forest of Nightmares when he annihilated a mana plant in less than a second. But back then Franklin was impossible for Joe to track. He only caught a glimpse of him and even then he was still impressed. Seeing Franklin up close though, was an entirely different experience.

  Franklin's entire figure was coated in fire. His cloak had turned orange due to the bright glow coming from his form.

  Three white runes from Franklin's bracelets glowed on either side of his wrists. Their presence not only doubled the size of Franklin's spear which was now close to the length of his body, but they also made his flames much more controlled and stable. They still flared occasionally but Franklin was clearly the one in control.

  The Dungeon Boss had also began building up mana of its own preparing for its inevitable clash with the old man.

  Joe felt like the odd one out, like he didn't belong in this battle despite his heart yearning to get involved.

  Joe retrieved a potion from his inventory. He had no way of assisting Franklin as he was right now so he was keen on at least recovering from his injures. If the opening to jump in presented itself he had to be ready.

  [Item: Health Potion]

  Description: A basic healing potion.

  Grade: Common

  Effect: The potion can heal minor injuries like scars, burnmarks and fractured bones.

  Joe peered into the glass vial and saw the glistening crimson liquid sloshing inside. He uncorked the bottle and downed the potion. The liquid slid down his throat as he tossed the container to the side.

  The Health Potion carried a hint of sweetness. It was far more enjoyable than a Mana Potion which was just bland and uninspired.

  A soothing sensation washed over Joe as the potion got to work. The soreness he experienced was washed away as a surge of energy bloomed from within him. Joe could feel his bones slowly piece themselves together and he watched as the burnmarks on his stomach and hands were slowly erased.

  The whole process reminded Joe of Shelly's [Regeneration] skill but the potion had a much fainter presence in comparison. It was working but not quite at the same level as Shelly's skill.

  Joe didn't expect an instant fix but the process was taking far too long. To speed things up, Joe consumed another bottle.

  Strangely everything felt the same even after doubling the dosage. The second potion didn't seem to help much it just fizzled out while the first one continued to do Its job.

  It was a complete waste.

  Joe didn't know what he did wrong, was he supposed to wait for the first one to run its course before taking another one? That seemed to be the case. “Fuck!”

  Joe exhaled, as he resigned himself to his fate. He allowed the potion to do its just job and just hoped it could pick up the pace. There was nothing more he could do but wait.

  With Joe nursing his injuries, the battle between Franklin and the Dungeon Boss got underway.

  A surge of orange gushed out from both fighters as they bolted towards each other.

  Franklin took aim with his spear before letting it loose. It sizzled through the air as it pierced the wind in search of the Dungeon Boss's chest.

  The Red Phoenix swerved to its right barely avoiding a catastrophic collision as the spear crackled past its figure. The mana beast looked to compose itself after that narrow escape but before if could blink....

  Franklin had already closed the distance.

  With a katana in hand Franklin performed a diagonal slash aiming to carve into the Phoenix's chest.

  Flapping its wings the mana beast distanced itself, but it didn't do so fast enough.

  Franklin's blade grazed its chest as it ripped through the beast's feathers.

  The Phoenix screeched in pain as it staggered back. Activating its skill, a surge of fire erupted from the Winged Beast. The flames covered the open wound, sealing it shut after just a few seconds of exposure. [Skill Activation: Flames Of Life]

  Flre flared as the mana beast squeaked in rage. The creature blasted towards Franklin, thrusting its beak in relentless assaults.

  Franklin had to call upon a second sword. With dual katanas, the old man held his own. He blocked and deflected each thrust that came his way. Sparks scattered as the Dungeon rumbled at their fierce clash.

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  The Mana Beast reared its head before thrusting again.

  Franklin shielded himself with both swords forming an X formation. He lunged with his dominant foot as he pushed the Dungeon Boss back by swinging his arms.

  The Phoenix lost ground as it shook its head to regain its composure. The bird got off the worse from the exchange, its head was rattled after the countless beak attacks and Franklin had managed to chip off a piece of its beak.

  Despite this, it only took a few seconds for the bird regain its wits.

  The Phoenix looked to keep its eyes on the target but to its surprise Franklin had vanished.

  Darting its eyes, the creature found Franklin closing in from its right.

  The old man was already in mid air, he brought down both his swords looking to deliver a decisive strike.

  The bird called its right wing into action as it defended against the slash. [Skill Activation: Flame Wing]

  A large shockwave pulsed as the two of them clashed.

  Franklin gritted his teeth as he drove both his weapons into the beast's wing. He made progress in that department as he sliced through a good section of the bird's appendage.

  The mana beast cried out in pain.

  Swinging its wing wildly, the creature was able to shake Franklin off and send him flying a few meters back.

  Franklin landed hard as his body rolled across the rocky terrain. The sound of breaking bones rippled through the air as one of Franklin's flaming swords flickered out.

  Frankin halted 10m from where he was launched, he coughed before blood spewed from his mouth. The old man groaned as he tried to reclaim his footing, despite his other sword also threatening to disappear.

  Franklin got on his knees and as he watched the bird trying to heal its wing, he powered through his discomfort and got back to his feet.

  His eyes blurred as he stumbled back a few steps. Fortunately, the old man managed to catch himself before he fell to the ground. But his legs were wavering, threatening to give in at any minute. “I can't stop, not now. I made a promise that I'd see the princess again. I won't let it end like this!"

  [8 Years Ago...]

  Franklin approached Bella who was sitting against a tree. He was heaving with sweat streaming down his face. “We… can't…. stay… her… for… long princess.” The old man said, with deep breaths in between.

  “I'm tired and I'm hungry! I can't keep going anymore!” The young Bella shouted, with tears streaking down her face.

  Franklin smiled faintly before saying, “you're in luck princess I got you something.”

  Bella’s eyes perked up after his words.

  Franklin dug deep into the confines of his cloak before escaping with something wrapped around a brown piece of paper. He took a step forward before giving it to Bella.

  The Princess reached out hesitantly before grabbing it. She unwrapped the paper and found a piece of bread. Bella looked up at Franklin with a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “This is just bread. Where's the meat? The drink? I can't eat something like this.”

  “I'm sorry princess this is all I could get right now. We have to escape the Family's Territory first, its too risky to use any of the places here right now. Eat up quickly, I promise I'll buy more once we leave the Family's Territory.”

  “And when will that be?”

  “Just a few more days princess. You'll have to hold on untill then.”

  Bella frowned before returning to the piece of bread. It was small. She doubted it could last her half a day, let alone a few days. Her stomach grumbled urging her to take a bite. Alas, the princess gave in. She devoured the bread without mercy. It was harder than stone but that didn't stop her. In just a handful of seconds she had wiped the paper clean, not even letting a few breadcrumbs get away.

  Franklin smiled, before turning around. The princess also got up before whispering something to Franklin who was already walking away.

  “Thanks…”

  The old man caught wind of those words and all he did was smile.

  “Let's keep going. my princess,…”

  [Present Moment]

  "Just wait for me, Princess."

  Franklin's flames exploded out of his from. Their intensity and brightness reaching new heights. The old man's skin started to sizzle as his own flames gradually ate away at his skin. Franklin tightned his grip as both his flaming swords ignited to life. He crouched low with both weapons by his sides before he blazed forward without a second thought.

  The Phoenix was still nursing its wing but had to change focus and turn to the incoming threat that was Franklin. As the distance dwindled, the bird expected another close quarters battle but that wasn't the case.

  Franklin threw one of his swords directing it to the bird's small skull. The Phoenix was prepared to jerk its head out of harm's way when the unexpected happened. The sword lost its shape before exploding in a bright flash of light.

  The Mana beast squealed and staggered back as the light blinded its eyes.

  Franklin invaded the bird's close quarters in its moment of weakness. He delivered two devastating cuts removing the Phoenix's right wing.

  The creature screeched as it opened its maw. Franklin charged its chest to deliver the finishing blow.

  But the Dungeon Boss wouldn't let him, from its mouth the Phoenix unleashed a stream of fire. [Skill Activation: Flame Thrower]

  The skill hit Franklin at point blank range triggering a wide explosion.

  Franklin's body was catapulted out of the pitch black smoke. His figure hit the surface before rolling back a few meters.

  The old man's flames flickered out, his skin was left charred beyond belief. His mana signature held on, but it did so by a thread. Frankin's eyes grew fuzzy as he saw the wounded mana beast escape the dark smoke cloud. The Phoenix opened its beak once again as it prepared the final attack.

  [6 Years ago.]

  Bella leaned against a fractured wall when Franklin came into view.

  “What were you doing? Shouldn't we keep moving?” Bella asked.

  “Well yes, but I got you something.” Franklin held out his arms revealing two golden bracelets. “These are high common mana tools. They're called the Golden Bracelets. They will help you better control your power. And since it's your birthday today you can think of these as your present.” Franklin said with a warm smile.

  The princess was currently strapped with silver bracelets. They were cracked and on the verge of shattering to pieces. Franklin had gotten her these the year before also as a present after her original bracelets showed signs of fatigue.

  Bella looked at the golden bracelets curiously. “Why do you bother giving me these?” Bella asked. “It's not like they'll do anything. They'll shatter like all the rest.”

  “No these are—’”

  “They're all the same!” Bella shouted, cutting him off. “These bracelets will break. They will also not be able to contain my fire. I'll lose control….. and everyone will end up dead!” Bella’s eyes were watery as she fought back her tears. “Just stop it! I don't want your gifts anymore! Why do you keep wasting everything on me? You're not my father Franklin!” Bella covered her face as her tears finally spilled over.

  Franklin took a step towards Bella, he reached out his hands and took hold of her wrist. “Do I need to be your father to want to make you feel better?”

  Bella’s watery eyes widened.

  Franklin removed the cracked silver bracelet and replaced it with the Golden Bracelet. “I know it's hard princess…” He took hold of the other wrist and did the same. “But let me help. Let me make things a little easier for you.”

  Bella didn't say a word.

  Franklin used his thumb to gently wipe the tears from her eyes before turning around.

  “Let's go, my princess…”

  [Present Moment.]

  The Mana Beast unleashed its skill and a stream of fire surged towards Franklin's defenseless figure. “So this is how it ends…” Franklin's eyes welled up as his tears threatened to spill out. “Its impossible, I know it is. You're a princess of one of the Great Families I have no place to desire something like this. But a part of me, a really big part of me, wishes I could've been a father to you. I wish I could've stripped away your pain, I wish I could've wiped away your tears. I wish I could've seen your smile... but I guess that's all they are... just wishes from a really tired old man... I'm sorry, looks like I won't be able to keep my promise. Forgive me.... Bella."

  “Don't you dare give up!”

  Franklin's eyes jolted to life.

  Joe's figure stood in front of him.

  With a swing a vertical swing of his dagger, Joe cut the incoming flames in half causing them to disperse to the sides. [Mana Tool Skill: Flame Severing]

  “You want to see her again don't you old man? If you want to see your princess again don't you dare allow yourself to die!” Joe reaffirmed his grip on the [Scorching Dagger] his eyes glued to the Dungeon Boss before him.

  “Just hold on old man. I'll get you to your princess.”