[5 Minutes Before The Dungeon Consumes The Next Dungeon Key]
[Remaining Dungeon Keys: 3]
Joe could only spare a glance at Syr's notification. It wasn't anything new or surprising which is why he didn't bother concentrating on it. Although he did find it weird that the countdown continued uninterrupted. Joe thought that the time limit would increase or freeze momentarily since a Dungeon Key had just been activated. He had no reason to believe this, it was just a gut feeling. It proved to be incorrect and another Dungeon Key was soon going to bite the dust.
Joe was at ease despite this fact, his full attention was on the Dungeon Boss. The majestic bird flapped its wings as flames lit up around its form. Joe could see its mana pathways connecting as they traveled and concentrated around the Beast's Core. The Phoenix's mana began to build up at a rapid pace, the temperature of the room followed suit as it climbed to even greater heights.
Joe's throat dried as more sweat dripped down from his forehead.
[-5 Attribute Points To Your Strength, Speed And Defense Attributes]
Most would cower after seeing a Dungeon Boss power up but for Joe it couldn't be more different. His lips curled as a smirk manifested on his face. Joe's heart raced as the anticipation sent a wave of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He reaffirmed his grip on the [Scorching Dagger] before setting the mana tool ablaze. [Mana Tool Skill: Burn]
[-105 Mana Points]
[Current Mana Pool: 5,355]
[Total Skill: 92 → 172]
“Princess you should go.” Franklin said, his voice breaking Joe's immersion. Franklin stood in front of Bella with a stern look on his face. “There are 3 Dungeon Keys left. You have to take one of them and get out of here.”
Bella scowled, “No!” She shouted. “I can do it! I can defeat that—”
Before she could finish, a sharp slap whipped her head to the side. The force behind the assault sending ripples throughout the Dungeon. Bella held on to her wounded cheek as she turned to see Frankin's stoic expression. Before she could say a word. Franklin slammed his hands on her shoulders, Bella flinched not used to Franklin's rough handling.
“Don't you get it?” Franklin yelled at her face. “If you die it will be all for nothing! We can't risk you fighting the Dungeon Boss, not in your current state. You have to take the Key and escape!”
Franklin's roaring voice was a first for the princess. In all the time they spent together he was calm, composed and even timid at times. But this time his gaze was fierce, and his voice carried weight. Bella didn't know how to respond to that. She stared in silence, her lips failing to form a response.
Franklin's grip loosened, "Remember your promise princess, we can't let Diana be the one who wins. That's the whole reason we've come this far.”
Franklin retracted his hands before turning around. “I'll hold back the Dungeon Boss. Make sure you make it to the other side princess.” The old man took a solitary stride before something tugged his cloak from behind.
“Don't you dare die.” Bella said, her voice low. “As your princess I order you to live. If anyone's going to kill you, its me.” Her grip tightned. “You got that?”
Franklin relaxed for a moment, his shoulders dropping. "I got it!” The old man responded with a widening smile.
A harrowing screech reminded everyone of the Dungeon Boss's presence. Its form radiated a bright orange as flames engulfed its figure. The beast flapped its wings once before it blazed towards them. It left a streak of fire in its path. Its speed nearly untraceable with the naked eye. [Skill Activation: Flame Charge]
“Shelly you go with the princess.” Joe said, with urgency in his voice.
“Are you insane what abou—”
“I'll be fine.” Joe interrupted. “Just trust me.” He said, with a reassuring smile.
Shelly nodded albeit hesitantly.
Joe swiftly turned to face the Dungeon Boss. His black mana flared as he blasted forward to intercept the beast.
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[Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement]
[-245 Mana Points]
[Current Mana Pool: 5, 110]
[Total Skill: 172 → 268]
[Total Speed: 100 → 192]
Light met darkness as their paths collided. The wind buzzed as an enormous shockwave pulsed throughout the Dungeon. Cracks manifested underneath the two combatants and they only widened as the two exchanged blows. Joe unleashed successive slashes with the [Scorching Dagger] the skill [Burn] adding fuel to each and every swing.
The Phoenix maneuvered its massive talons with ease, each swing Joe performed was met by a swift and and efficient counter. Sparks flew and scattered in every direction. Growing in numbers each time the two fighters clashed.
Joe's smile only grew as the two went at it. Battling a Phoenix was unlike anything he imagined. It was pure ecstasy.
The battle grew intense as the bird started exerting more pressure on Joe. Each time they collided Joe's body shuddered from the shear strength and weight the creature imposed on him. As fun as it was, Joe knew he couldn't keep this up for long. And he was proven correct.
The bird's talons latched on to Joe's dagger. The Phoenix propelled itself back with its wings, looking to yank Joe's mana tool away from his grasp.
Joe gritted his teeth as he resisted the pull. The Phoenix increased its efforts looking to drag Joe to the sky along with his blade. Not looking to lose his footing, Joe was forced to relinquish the dagger. He leaped back and skidded backwards as the Dungeon Boss took hold of his weapon.
The Phoenix had no intention of keeping the blade, it tossed the mana tool skyward as it raised its head to watch the dagger soar, the creature took delight in disarming its foe. Three seconds passed before it brought down its eyes but by then the distance between the Dungeon Boss and its enemy was no more.
[Outsider's Enhancement X2]
[-490 Mana Points]
[Current Mana Pool: 4,620]
[Total Skill: 268 → 364]
[Total Strength: 192 → 284]
With gritted teeth, Joe unleashed a fierce punch. Striking the mana beast exactly at the center of its chest. The impact ruffled its feathers, its flames flared in retaliation as a wave of fire assaulted Joe's hand. Sending a searing heat coursing though his body. But he didn't stop, he completed his follow through blasting the creature backwards as it squealed in pain.
Joe glanced at his gloves, they were comprised. His knuckles were left exposed and he could see the grisly burnmarks already tainting his skin. Joe tightned his injured fist, wincing at the intense discomfort. But he endured it, he had to. This battle wasn't over yet.
The Mana Beast tried to catch itself midair as it flapped its wings vigorously. The creature's head hung low, clearly dazed and disoriented.
Taking advantage of the opening, Bella and Shelly rushed to the wall.
Joe caught his mana tool swiftly as it fell from above. He adjusted his grip, his eyes glaring at the Dungeon Boss before him.“You'll have to do way more than strip me of my weapon big guy.”
The Dungeon Boss shook its head and recovered its wits in just a handful of seconds. It surged towards Joe much quicker than its previous attempt, Joe could only manage a block before the Dungeon Boss's left wing rammed into his body.
His figure was launched backwards with force, he tumbled and rolled on the hard stone surface. Joe lost his grip on the [Scorching Dagger] as he failed to halt his momentum. Joe could feel the scorching heat from the mana beast's attack ravaging his body. After a distance of 12m Joe's body finally stopped. Everything was black, his head was ringing louder than a church bell as he tried to endure the excruciating pain he was subjected to.
Instead of going after him, the Dungeon Boss changed its target to the two girls who were dangerously close to reaching the wall. The bird catapulted towards them at blinding speed.
Shelly checked over her shoulder, she thought about stopping but committed to her dash with Bella doing the same.
The Winged Beast closed in on them quickly. Its beak opened as it looked to scoop both of them in one fell swoop. But just as it was centimeters away from claiming its targets. A spear made of flames lanced its body. The force behind the throw sent the bird plummeting to the floor, stealing its flight.
“Keep going!” Franklin yelled with another spear in his grasp. [Skill Activation: Flame Spear]
The two girls didn't waste their opportunity. They made contact with the wall and each took hold of a Golden Key. 3 seconds elapsed and their forms vanished with the light.
The escape was a success.
Joe reclaimed his footing after a minute. He had regained his senses but his discomfort lingered. Looking down at his stomach Joe found his cloak was burnt to a crisp. His vest underneath was unsalvageable. He found a few threads trying to reconnect as the [Black Sheep] repaired itself. The process seemed to be working but at this rate it would take 30 minutes before it was complete. 30 minutes Joe did not have.
His gloves and his forearms seemed to repair themselves quicker. Joe hoped at least his gloves would be back to shape soon, but seeing how strong the Phoenix's flames were. Joe had no hope they would stay intact for long. He sighed, before dragging himself back to his dagger. Joe picked it up before making his way back to the old man.
[The Time Limit Has Elapsed.]
[+1 Dungeon Key Has Been Consumed By The Dungeon.]
[Remaining Dungeon Keys: 0]
“Are you sure about this?” Franklin asked, loking at Joe who was clutching his ribs. “You just lost your chance to exit this layer.”
Joe stood next to the old man a smile brewing on his face. “I'll be alright. Besides… we both know you can't kill that thing on your own”
The Dungeon Boss regained its composure as it squeaked in rage.
Franklin smiled and stepped forward. “I wouldn't be so sure about that kid. There's a reason we're a considered one of the Four Great Families.”
Joe's eyes dilated as he saw an insane build up of mana coming from the old man's form. “It's the same as back then…”
“Let me show you the true power of the Amber Family.”
