[Nivran – The Sunless Dragon – Level 650]
[Canyon of Death Floor Boss]
[HP: 140,000,000]
[Skills: Abyssal Roar, Solar Flame, Cataclysmic Swipe, Scorching Gale, Darkwing Barrier, Void Inferno, Eclipsed Scales, Emberstorm Fury, Hellfire Breath, Sunless Wrath, Sunless Rage…]
The dragon stirred. Its serpentine neck uncoiled, and its massive head turned toward them, its gaze locking onto Alex and Alice.
“Mortals,” Nivran rumbled, his voice a deep, reverberating growl that seemed to shake the cavern itself. “It has been centuries since anyone dared set foot in my domain. What foolishness drives you to disturb my rest?”
Alex tightened his grip on his dagger and staff, meeting the dragon’s gaze with forced composure.
“I need the [Dragonheart Essence],” he said plainly, his voice steady despite the weight of the dragon’s presence.
Nivran chuckled, a deep, mocking sound that reverberated through the cavern.
“The [Dragonheart Essence]? You truly are bold… or incredibly ignorant. Such an essence can only be drawn from the corpse of a slain dragon.”
The dragon’s head tilted slightly, its tone now laced with dark amusement.
“Tell me, little mortal, how do you intend to claim this essence from me? Surely not with that pitiful weapon in your hand.”
Alice shifted uneasily beside Alex, her bow at the ready.
The tension in the room was palpable, each second stretching into an eternity.
Alex held his ground. “I didn’t come here to waste time,” he said firmly. “I need it. And if you don’t have a way or information, I’m ready to fight.”
Nivran’s eyes narrowed, his body shifting slightly, though he remained coiled.
“Why would you need that to begin with, you are no dragon, and none of my species would probably send a human for such a task.”
“…” Alex grinned, “I’m here on behalf of Alpho-“
Alex didn’t even have the time to finish the name that Nivran’s demeanor changed instantly.
His calm, calculating gaze flared with raw, unbridled rage, his molten eyes blazing brighter.
His massive wings unfurled, scattering crystalline shards as they stretched to their full span.
“That name!” the dragon shouted, the force of his voice shaking the cavern to its core. “You speak the name of that traitor in my presence?”
With a powerful beat of his wings, the dragon lifted into the air, his shadow engulfing the entire chamber.
“You will pay for your insolence, mortal!” Nivran snarled, the ground trembling beneath his words. “Your blood will stain these halls, and your screams will be my music!”
Alex swore under his breath as he instinctively moved into position, adrenaline surging through him.
“A-Alex, that thing’s level 650!!!” Alice’s jaw dropped, “I-Isn’t the fifth floor supposed to only have monsters between level 500-600?!”
“I know!” Alex snapped, his mind racing.
His body tensed as he forced himself into a combat stance.
The glow from his staff flared as he summoned his energy.
“But it doesn’t look like we’re getting out of this without a fight!”
Nivran’s roar cut through their exchange as he dove toward them, his massive form moving with terrifying speed.
“Move!” Alex shouted, grabbing Alice by the arm and pulling her aside just in time to avoid the dragon’s crushing claws.
The ground where they had stood erupted in a shower of debris, the force of the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the cavern.
Alex didn’t hesitate.
As they rolled to safety, he called forth his [Crimson Cataclysm].
With a swift motion, he sent them hurtling toward the dragon.
Dozens of spikes appeared from the ground before the dragon could react, slashing against Nivran’s scales.
But instead of piercing through, they merely glanced off, sparks flying as the enchanted steel failed to leave even a scratch.
“Damn it!” Alex cursed, his mind scrambling for another approach.
Alice, recovering from the shock, nocked a [Blood Arrow] and loosed it with precision.
The arrow streaked through the air, glowing with crimson energy, before striking Nivran’s chest.
The resulting explosion filled the cavern with light and smoke.
But as the dust cleared, the dragon remained unscathed.
He chuckled, a deep, mocking sound that resonated through the chamber. “Is that the extent of your power?” he sneered. “Pathetic.”
With another beat of his wings, Nivran launched into the air once more.
His claws ignited with a searing golden flame as he prepared to unleash his own attack.
“Brace yourself!” Alex shouted, raising his staff to conjure a defensive barrier.
[Impenetrable Fortress] shimmered into existence around them, the translucent shield barely holding as Nivran’s flames cascaded against it like a fiery tidal wave.
The heat was unbearable, even behind the barrier. Alex gritted his teeth, feeling his mana reserves draining rapidly as the dragon’s onslaught continued.
The problem with powerful spells was that even with his 10,000 mana per second recovery, it would still take time to re-use them.
“We can’t keep this up,” Alice said through clenched teeth, her voice strained.
“I know!” Alex replied, his mind racing for a solution. “We need to find a weak spot!”
Alice’s sharp eyes scanned the dragon, searching for any sign of a weakness.
But Nivran’s body was an impenetrable fortress of molten scales and raw power.
“Do you really think I would leave myself vulnerable?” Nivran mocked, his voice echoing through the chamber. “You are outmatched, outclassed, and out of time.”
Alex’s mind raced as he cycled through his arsenal of skills. His mana recovery was strong, but the sheer power of the dragon’s attacks meant he had to act fast.
“I’m not giving up!” Alex shouted, summoning [Fury of Thunder]. Three lightning strikes descended from the cavern’s ceiling, each aimed at Nivran.
The first struck his wing, momentarily stunning the dragon. The second grazed his tail, leaving a faint scorch mark. The third, however, hit his head, causing the dragon to roar in pain.
“Got him!” Alex yelled, his confidence surging.
But Nivran was far from defeated. With a furious roar, he unleashed [Abyssal Roar], a shockwave of dark energy that sent Alex and Alice tumbling backward.
As Alex struggled to his feet, his determination burned brighter than ever. He met Nivran’s blazing eyes with a defiant glare.
“You’re strong,” Alex admitted, his voice steady. “But I’ve fought stronger. And I’m not leaving here without that essence.”
The dragon laughed, a sound that reverberated through the cavern like rolling thunder. “Then come, mortal,” he said, his molten gaze narrowing. “Prove yourself worthy of challenging me.”
The battle was far from over, but Alex’s resolve was unwavering.
The fight for the [Dragonheart Essence] had truly begun.