Joe felt as light as a feather as his body dissolved into fragments of light. The strange sensation lasted only a moment before he gently touched down on a rocky surface. The radiance around him dimmed, and his form fully materialized.
He stood upright, taking a moment to examine himself after the bizarre method of transportation. Everything seemed intact.
[Transportation Complete!]
[You Entered Have Entered The First Zone Boss’s 'Domain.']
[The 'Domain' Has Taken Effect.]
[You Are Under The Effect Of The 'Domain Skill' Heat Zone.]
Joe could feel the rise in temperatures. The oppressive heat assaulted him. Within seconds, sweat poured down his face, soaking his clothes. He collapsed to one knee, gasping for air as his chest and lungs felt as if they were boiling from within. His vision blurred, eyes stinging and watery.
[-15 Rank Points To Your Physical Attributes Due To The 'Domain's' Effect.]
[Your Body Is Slowly Adjusting To The Increased Temperature.]
Joe remained on the ground for what felt like an eternity but was only a minute. With visible effort, he pushed himself upright, his legs trembling under the strain. He exhaled deeply, summoning his mana to cloak his body. The protective aura wrapped around him, creating a barrier that significantly lessened the effects of the unbearable heat.
His head throbbed, and his movements were sluggish as he scanned the area, searching desperately for his companions. Relief flooded him when he spotted Shelly grouped with Bella and Franklin. Slowly, he began to trudge toward them, each step on the red, sun-scorched stones sending waves of heat through his boots.
Even from a distance, Joe could see the others drenched in sweat, clearly struggling against the harsh environment. Like him, they had surrounded themselves with mana in a desperate attempt to shield against the Domain's effects.
"What's going on, Shelly?" Joe asked, his voice hoarse.
Shelly turned to him, one hand gripping her staff tightly. Her expression was grim. "We've got a prob—"
A sudden, high-pitched squeal cut through the air, sharp and unbearable. Instinctively, Joe and Shelly clamped their hands over their ears, their faces contorted in pain. Franklin mirrored their reaction, but Bella stood unmoved seemingly unaffected by the noise.
Joe's gaze darted around, searching for the source of the sound. That’s when he noticed it—a faint, glowing trail of light descending from the sky. His eyes followed its path, and his heart sank as he watched it crash into the earth with a deafening impact.
The ground trembled violently, displacing the scattered stones. A thick cloud of dust rose where the light had struck, shrouding the scene in an opaque haze. Joe and the others slowly uncovered their ears, the ringing subsiding, their eyes now fixed on the source of the commotion ahead.
As the dust began to settle, Joe spotted three figures emerging within the radius of the disturbance. Their rugged gear and confident stances marked them unmistakably as adventurers. "Looks like we're not the only ones here to clear this dungeon," Joe muttered.
A sudden, powerful gust of wind surged across the field, tearing through the lingering dust with ferocity. Everyone staggered, planting their feet firmly to avoid being swept away. The unnatural force wasn't random—it came from it.
The creature stood ablaze, its entire form wreathed in roaring flames. From its talons to its elongated beak, every inch radiated scorching heat. As it unfolded its massive wings, crimson feathers shimmered like molten steel. With a piercing, avian screech, it announced its dominance. Its glowing, crimson eyes swept over the field, locking on every soul.
[The First Zone’s Boss Has Appeared. The (Rank 25) Mana Beast, ‘Red Wing.’]
[Evolution Stage: 3]
[Tori Tribe Mana Beast]
[Main Quest]
• Objective: Slay The First Zone Boss, ‘Red Wing.’
• Reward: 35,000 Rank Points
• Failure: Death
Joe’s heart raced. The creature before him was like something out of a legend. Syr called it Red Wing, but to Joe, it resembled a phoenix.
Red Wing wasn’t idle. It had already claimed a victim, its massive talons wrapped tightly around a man’s midsection. The adventurer’s screams were guttural, filled with agony, as flames engulfed him. Red Wing’s grip tightened mercilessly, delighting in its prey’s torment. The man writhed, his body burning as his cries weakened.
After ten agonizing seconds, his voice fell silent, and his Mana Signature vanished.
With a flick of its foot, Red Wing flung the charred corpse into the air. Its beak snapped open, wide and predatory, devouring the remains in a single, gruesome gulp.
[+20 Rank Points To All Of Red Wing's Attributes For Devouring A Human Native]
A surge of red mana erupted from Red Wing, the creature visibly invigorated by its grisly meal. The fiery aura around it flared even brighter, increasing in its intensity.
Joe’s eyes scanned their surroundings, taking in the strange Domain. It was an open space, bordered on all sides by towering crimson walls that looked thick, impenetrable. Though the area was spacious enough to give an illusion of freedom, the truth was clear—they were trapped.
What struck Joe as even stranger was the sky above them. A radiant sun hung in a vividly blue expanse, its light almost blinding.
"How is there a sun inside a dungeon?" he muttered to himself, shaking his head. The surrealness of it all was unsettling. Was this even a cave anymore?
His thoughts snapped back to reality as Red Wing flapped its massive wings, sending another rush of heat and ash across the field. Joe turned his focus to the beast, only to catch sight of the three adventurers once again, their gazes locked on the fiery predator.
Behind Red Wing, a massive wall loomed, matching the crimson ones enclosing the Domain. Yet something on this particular wall caught Joe’s attention—four golden keys etched into its surface.
“What are those keys for?” Joe whispered to Shelly, never taking his eyes off Red Wing.
“They’re Dungeon Keys,” Shelly replied in a hushed voice. “To be honest, it’s a miracle they’re still there. If you touch one of those keys, you can skip the boss fight and instantly move to the next zone.”
Joe’s eyes widened. “Are you serious? Then it’s obvious—we go for the keys. There are four left, so there’s enough for everyone.”
Shelly shook her head, her tone grave. “It’s not that simple. Getting past that Mana Beast is going to be incredibly dangerous. We could be killed before we even reach them.”
“She’s right,” Franklin added, his voice calm but resolute as he turned to face them. “We should wait. Let’s see how those adventurers handle the beast first. We can study its patterns, learn its abilities, and increase our chances of getting to the keys. If they win, we might not have to fight at all—we can move to the next zone without lifting a finger.”
Bella scoffed, her expression cold as blue flames flickered to life in her hands. “That’s just the coward’s way, Franklin. My flames can roast that overgrown bird in seconds.”
“You can’t keep relying on those flames, princess,” Franklin retorted, his tone shifting to a warning. “You know what—”
A deafening crash cut him off mid-sentence.
Red Wing was already on the attack. With blinding speed, it drove its flaming beak into a shimmering barrier surrounding the three adventurers. Each thrust of its beak collided with a fiery burst, sending shockwaves rippling across the Domain. [Burning Beak]
"First we lost Noah, and now this. I hate to say it, but I don’t think we’ll survive this one." The adventurer holding the barrier grimaced, his staff aimed forward, his brow furrowed in fierce concentration. "I won’t be able to keep this up for long." He wore a black jacket adorned with the emblem of a skull, matched with black leather pants. The jacket bore their party's name boldly written across the back: Ghosthounds.
"We don’t have to beat this thing, Tip," another man interjected, "We just have to get past it and grab those keys. We can’t let Noah’s sacrifice be for nothing. I’ll draw its attention. You two go for the keys!"
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The man, James, was a striking figure. His long hair, half black and half white, cascaded elegantly down his back. He gripped a sword firmly in his hands. His eyes burned with unshakable resolve.
"Don’t be crazy, James! You’ll get yourself killed!" shouted a girl beside him. Her pink hair stood in stark contrast to her dark outfit.
James turned to her with a reassuring smile. "I’m the Warrior. It’s my job to protect the party, Luna."
Luna glanced at Tip, desperation in her voice. "Talk some sense into him, Tip. You’re the leader—tell him not to do this!"
Tip, who was straining to keep the barrier intact, slowly stepped back. His voice wavered but carried determination. "James has a point..." The barrier cracked under another brutal strike from Red Wing's beak. "This thing’s going to break any second now. We need an opening. James will create that opening, and we’ll grab the keys." Tip moved behind James, his expression resolute. "I’m counting on you, James!"
Orange mana flared around James, his grip on his sword tightening. "You got it!"
The barrier finally shattered, fragments of mana scattering like shards of glass. James wasted no time. With a fierce roar, he charged at Red Wing, his sword raised high. Swinging it horizontally, he aimed to carve a deep wound into the beast. [Great Swing]
The attack never connected as intended. Red Wing’s talons intercepted the blade with ease, gripping it tightly as though it were a mere twig. A brief shockwave rippled out from the collision, but the massive Mana Beast remained unmoved, its fiery form radiating raw power.
James gritted his teeth, feeling the oppressive heat radiating from the creature’s foot. His knuckles whitened as he tightened his grip, determined to force the blade through and complete the slash.
But Red Wing had other plans.
With a sudden, vicious motion, it flung its talon upward, using James’s own grip against him. The force wrenched the sword from his hands and sent James hurtling through the air, his body twisting uncontrollably. His weapon clattered uselessly to the ground, the metallic clang echoing in the crimson-walled Domain.
For a moment, Red Wing turned its glowing crimson gaze toward Luna and Tip, its expression almost mocking, as if to say, You’re next. Then, with a powerful beat of its flaming wings, it ascended after James, hunger gleaming in its eyes.
“Let’s go!” Tip shouted, bolting toward the wall.
“What about James?” Luna hesitated, her voice trembling.
“Forget James! Do you want to die?!” Tip snapped, his tone sharp and desperate.
Luna froze for a heartbeat, her mind a whirlwind of guilt and fear. But survival instinct won out, and she reluctantly followed Tip, her pace slower, her heart heavy.
A blood-curdling scream tore through the air. Luna glanced back just in time to see James, his body charred beyond recognition, vanish into Red Wing’s fiery maw. Her eyes widened in horror, her breath catching in her throat.
The wall was only a few steps away now, but Red Wing was coming for them.
The beast descended swiftly, its flaming wings casting an ominous shadow over them. Its predatory eyes gleamed with savage delight as it closed in, ready to claim its next prey.
"Luna..."
At Tip’s voice, Luna turned her head back toward him, her heart pounding in panic. But before she could react, she felt the cold, unforgiving strike of an iron staff against her midsection. The air rushed from her lungs as she crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from her lips. "Why...?" was all she could manage before her vision faded and she fell unconscious.
"Sorry, Luna. Sorry, James, Noah. I’m not going to die here."
Tip lifted Luna’s limp body with all his strength and hurled her toward the descending Red Wing "Take that, you monster!"
Red Wing saw the approaching figure, it simply opened its beak. From its maw erupted a searing stream of flames, aimed to incinerate Luna’s body.
But Tip wasn’t finished. A green barrier materialized around Luna just in time, deflecting the fire and sending her shielded body crashing into the Red Wing's face. The impact stunned Red Wing momentarily, halting it mid-air.
Using those precious seconds, Tip bolted forward with everything he had. The keys were so close—just a few more steps.
Red Wing recovered quickly, however. With a guttural screech, it launched a blazing orb of fire from its mouth. The barrier around Luna shattered as the flames consumed her descending form. Red Wing didn’t even pause to devour her; its full attention was now on Tip.
It dove with terrifying speed, raining fireballs in a relentless barrage. Tip dodged with every ounce of agility he could muster, the heat nearly searing his skin. Finally, he reached out—his fingertips brushed against the key.
But a bright orange light flared above him. Red Wing had caught up.
A point-blank explosion erupted as another orb of fire shot from its beak, engulfing everything in flames.
For a moment, silence reigned. When the dust and smoke cleared, Tip was gone.
[A Dungeon Key Has Been Activated]
[Transportation To The Next Zone Was Successful.]
Red Wing, furious at being outmaneuvered, let out an ear-piercing screech. It thrashed about in a tantrum, slamming its head against the wall, to no avail. Then its gaze shifted, locking onto the group of Joe, Bella, Franklin, and Shelly.
It had found fresh targets to unleash its fury upon.
"How could he just let his party members die like that? What a coward!" Joe's voice trembled with anger, his face flushed with rage.
"Most adventurers will do almost anything to survive," Shelly replied evenly, her expression calm but tinged with weariness.
[4 Minutes Before The Disappearance Of The Dungeon Keys]
"I figured," Shelly continued. "The Dungeon Keys won’t be here for long. Honestly, it’s a miracle they’re still here at all."
Bella stepped forward, her eyes blazing with confidence. "Who cares about the Dungeon Keys? I’ll just burn that bird to a crisp."
As if provoked by her words, Red Wing launched itself forward, its fiery form tearing through the air with predatory speed.
Bella smirked, unfazed. Flames burst from her hands, and two glowing blue fireballs materialized, spinning ominously around her palms. With a swift motion, she hurled them toward the approaching beast, one after the other.
Red Wing’s sharp eyes tracked the fiery projectiles with precision. It flapped its wings forcefully, tilting left, then right, allowing the fireballs to zip harmlessly past its body. In a heartbeat, the beast closed the distance, thrusting its flaming beak straight toward Bella’s skull.
Reacting swiftly, Bella raised her hand, unleashing a wave of searing blue fire. The flames struck Red Wing’s face, forcing it to recoil momentarily in a rare moment of hesitation. She prepared to strike again, but the Mana Beast retaliated, swinging its massive left wing with brutal force.
The blow hit Bella squarely, sending her tumbling across the ground like a rag doll.
"Princess!" Franklin’s voice rang out, filled with panic.
Joe seized the opening, his grip tightening around his blade. Mana surged through his body. [Outsider’s Enhancement]
Leaping high into the air, Joe launched himself downward in a powerful vertical slash, aiming to cleave Red Wing in two.
The beast’s crimson eyes snapped upward, locking onto Joe mid-air. With blinding speed, Red Wing thrust its flaming beak upward to intercept the attack.
The clash was deafening, a shockwave ripping through the air as mana and flame collided. The sheer force of Red Wing’s strength, combined with the heat erupting from its fiery beak, overpowered Joe’s strike. He was sent hurtling backward, tumbling and rolling across the ground, his blade skittering out of reach.
Red Wing turned its attention toward Shelly and Franklin. With a single powerful flap of its massive wings, it unleashed a gust of wind so strong it sent both of them tumbling uncontrollably across the ground.
The Mana Beast released a triumphant squeak, its piercing cry reverberating across the crimson-walled Domain. It crouched, ready to pounce and finish off its disoriented prey.
But before it could strike, a streak of blue light flashed across the field. In an instant, something slammed into Red Wing’s chest, forcing it to stagger back with a painful cry.
It was Bella.
She followed up her attack with another leap, her right leg engulfed in roaring blue flames. With incredible force, she drove her flaming knee into Red Wing, sending the beast tumbling back across the field. ,[Blazing Knee]
Bella landed heavily, her chest heaving as she gasped for air, sweat streaming down her face. Joe, still recovering, could only watch in awe as she stood her ground.
But something was wrong.
Bella collapsed to her knees, her body trembling. Her arms and legs were charred black, the burns spreading rapidly from the intensity of her own flames.
"Princess!" Franklin shouted, regaining his footing and sprinting toward her.
"I'm fine!" Bella snapped back, gritting her teeth as she forced herself to stand.
[2 Minutes Before The Disappearance Of The Dungeon Keys]
Red Wing recovered quickly, its crimson eyes blazing with fury. It rushed toward Bella again, its flaming form tearing across the battlefield like a streak of fire.
Before Bella could react, Franklin stepped in front of her, his expression resolute. Something was different about him—his entire body was cloaked in flames, his presence radiating raw power. [Overheat]
"Stop, Princess," Franklin said firmly, his voice calm but commanding. "You don’t have to keep using those flames anymore... let me handle this."
With a forceful motion, Franklin slammed his hand to the ground. A massive eruption of fire burst forth beneath Red Wing, engulfing it in a towering pillar of flames. The beast screeched in rage, trapped within the blazing inferno. [Flame Pillar]
"You guys need to move! Take the princess and go. I’ll hold this Dungeon Boss off as long as I can," Franklin shouted, his flames extinguishing momentarily as he turned to Bella.
"You have to go, Princess..."
"No, I won’t ru—"
Slap!
The sharp sound echoed through the dungeon. Franklin’s hand struck Bella’s cheek, tilting her head slightly. Before she could react, he gripped her shoulders firmly, his intense gaze locking onto hers.
"Have you forgotten the mission? There’s no point if you die here! If you fall, Diana wins. All of them would’ve died for nothing!"
Bella’s eyes widened, her voice caught in her throat. For a moment, she could only stare, stunned. Franklin pulled her into a tight, warm embrace.
"You can’t die here, Princess," he whispered. "Remember the promise you made. You have to keep going... Bella."
Bella shoved him away after a few seconds, her head lowered as she stepped past him. She paused briefly, her voice breaking as she spoke.
"Don’t... die," she said, barely above a whisper. "I’ll be the one to burn you to a crisp for hurting a princess. So... don’t die."
Without looking back, Bella dashed forward, her eyes locked on the keys ahead.
Joe, having regained his footing, glanced at Shelly as she staggered to hers.
"Go. I'll stay with the old man," he said firmly. "When you reach the next zone, don’t do anything—just wait for us."
Shelly frowned, confused. "I don’t understand—"
"Can you do this for me? Please, Shelly."
"You better not get yourself killed," she replied, her voice tinged with worry. With those words, Shelly bolted after Bella.
The two reached the wall, their hands touching the glowing keys. In an instant, their forms vanished into the light.
[Two Dungeon Keys Have Been Activated]
[Transportation To The Next Zone Was Successful.]
[The Remaining Dungeon Key Has Disappeared]
Franklin exhaled, turning back toward the monster. "Why are you staying behind, kid?"
"If I went, you’d die," Joe said simply. "I wouldn’t feel right knowing an old man died for me."
For a moment, Franklin stared at him before a small smile spread across his face.
With a sickening squeal, Red Wing flapped its massive wings, scattering embers as it broke through Franklin’s fading flames. Its crimson eyes locked on the two of them, malice radiating from its hulking form.
Joe grinned, adrenaline coursing through him. "Let’s see if you can beat us when we’re really going all out, Red Wing!"