He found the boss of the Dungeon, and it was one mean-looking monster. The cavern rumbled faintly as the creature shifted, its massive body illuminated by the flickering glow of molten rock pools scattered across the chamber. The monster Travis was about to face was a Drake—a wingless dragon, but no less fearsome.

Its crimson scales shimmered like freshly forged steel, veins of molten gold pulsing across its hide with a rhythm akin to a heartbeat. Two jagged horns jutted from its head, curling slightly inward as if designed to skewer anyone foolish enough to approach. Its amber eyes glowed with an intense, predatory light, scanning the intruder with a mix of curiosity and malice.

Travis gulped at the sight of the Flameborn Drake. Its nostrils flared, releasing faint wisps of smoke that spiraled upward, dissipating into the heat-heavy air. The heat of the chamber seemed to intensify with every step the creature took, each clawed foot leaving scorch marks on the rocky floor.

'This is going to suck,' he thought, gripping his weapon tightly, his palms slick with sweat.

The Drake's tail, spiked and as long as a battering ram, lashed behind it, carving deep grooves into the stone walls. It let out a low growl, a sound so deep it seemed to reverberate through Travis's chest, promising that this fight would be nothing short of brutal.

It then began to gallop at him at high speed.

The Drake’s tail whipped toward him with terrifying force.

WHOOM

Travis raised his sword to block, but the sheer force of the impact sent him skidding across the rocky floor.

CRASH

His back slammed into a jagged boulder, knocking the wind out of him.

He groaned, scrambling to his feet just as the Drake charged, its claws carving into the stone with every step.

THUD THUD

It swiped at him, and Travis barely managed to roll out of the way.

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SWISH

The claws gouged deep furrows into the ground where he’d been.

His chest heaved as he dodged another blow, sweat dripping into his eyes. The heat of the chamber was suffocating, his movements slower than he needed them to be. He swung his blade desperately, but the Drake’s thick scales deflected the attack with ease.

CLANG

The vibration traveled up his arms, leaving them numb for a split second—just long enough for the Drake to lunge again.

Its massive head rammed into him.

THUD

Travis flew backward, his sword clattering to the ground. Pain flared through his ribs as he rolled to a stop, gasping for air.

'This thing is a monster,' he thought, gritting his teeth as he crawled toward his weapon. The Drake loomed over him, molten eyes gleaming with predatory intent. It opened its mouth, flames beginning to build in its throat.

Travis’s fingers wrapped around the hilt of his blade, but he knew he couldn’t keep this up much longer.

'I need to end this... I have to use my Mana.' Taking a shaky breath, he closed his eyes and reached inward, summoning the Mana he had been holding back.

The Drake roared, its guttural cry shaking the cavern walls.

"ROOOAR!!"

The sheer force of its voice sent loose rocks tumbling from the ceiling, but Travis didn’t flinch. He couldn’t. His heart pounded like a war drum, adrenaline coursing through his veins.

'Focus. Speed. Precision,' he told himself, gathering Mana in his core.

The energy surged through his body, an electrifying force that made his muscles feel weightless and his movements sharp.

The Drake lunged, its maw opening wide, revealing rows of serrated teeth glowing with heat.

WHOOSH

The creature's breath ignited into a blazing inferno, a torrent of fire spewing toward Travis.

“Not today!” he shouted, diving to the side. His enhanced speed turned his movement into a blur.

SWISH

The fire roared past him, scorching the ground where he’d just stood, leaving molten rock in its wake.

Travis landed and charged forward, his Mana-enhanced legs propelling him like a streak of lightning. His boots hit the ground with rapid thud, each step closing the distance between him and the Drake. The beast swung its tail in a deadly arc.

WHOOM

Travis ducked low, the tail slicing the air just inches above his head.

SWOOSH

The force of the swing created a gust that tousled his hair, but he kept moving, channeling more Mana into his sword arm. The blade in his hand began to hum, glowing faintly with the energy pouring into it.

The Drake snapped its jaws at him.

CRUNCH

Travis spun to the side, avoiding the deadly bite, and leapt onto the creature's back in one fluid motion.

TAP TAP

His boots hit the scaly surface, the heat searing through his soles, but he didn’t waver.

The Drake roared again, thrashing violently, trying to dislodge him.

" ROAAARRR!"

“Time to end this!” Travis roared back, channeling every ounce of Mana he had left into his sword. The blade blazed with energy, its glow now blinding. Raising it high above his head, he focused, feeling the Mana surging through him like a storm.

The Drake reared up, giving him the perfect opening. With a fierce battle cry, Travis swung the sword down with all his might.

WHOOSH

SHIIINGGGG

The blade sliced clean through the Drake’s tough scales as if they were paper, carving a massive gash from its shoulder to its chest. A brilliant burst of energy exploded from the strike, sending shockwaves through the cavern.

BOOOM

The Drake let out a final, agonized roar.

RAAARGHH

Its massive body collapsed, shaking the ground like an earthquake.

THUD

The glowing veins across its scales dimmed and went dark as the beast lay still.

Panting, Travis stumbled back, his sword’s glow fading as the Mana left him. He stared at the defeated monster, the cavern now eerily silent except for the faint crackle of molten rock. He sheathed his blade, exhaustion catching up to him, but a small grin tugged at his lips.

'Best fight ever,' he thought, before sinking to his knees, letting the adrenaline ebb away.

TO BE CONTINUED