As they braced themselves for the wyrm's next onslaught, fear tightened its grip on every heart. Kyler, the archer, activated a skill to sense the wyrm lurking below, revealing a faint outline that flickered every few seconds. It wasn't much, but it was crucial. The desert sun blazed mercilessly, yet the hidden terror below was far more daunting.
Suddenly, the ground trembled as the wyrm emerged, targeting Ira once more with its vicious maw. Swift reactions from the group diverted its attention briefly. However, the wyrm swiftly disappeared back into the sands, its movements sending eerie echoes across the desolate landscape.
Each assault was a brutal test of their reflexes and teamwork. Tian too faced the beast, his blade landing hits but the wyrm retreated underground each time, healing its wounds in the earth's embrace before launching another attack. The cycle was grueling, draining them physically and mentally.
As the wyrm's attacks grew fiercer with each lunge, desperation glinted in its eyes. The situation was grim, and Tian knew they needed to change tactics. With a resolved breath, he decided to use his true capabilities. The prompt 'Skill activated. Earth golem successfully created. 1/2' appeared before his eyes as he summoned a rock golem.
As the wyrm lunged at Jax again, Ira's spell momentarily slowed it down. But as it attempted to burrow back into the ground, it was halted. A colossal rock golem emerged from the ground, gripping the writhing wyrm, preventing its escape back into the sand.
The group stared in astonishment as Tian approached the struggling wyrm. Another prompt appeared, 'Skill activated. The Ember Forge awakens.' Embers sparked around the golem, its stone form radiating intense heat as it held the wyrm tight. Tian's blade moved in harmony with the golem's fiery assault, each strike hitting the wyrm hard.
Snapping out of their awe, the rest of the group seized the moment. They unleashed a barrage of attacks on the trapped wyrm. Lyra's "Shield Bash" stunned it further, buying them more precious time. The wyrm’s struggles weakened under the relentless onslaught. Its scales shattered under the combined might of the group and the fiery grasp of the golem.
With a final agonized shriek, the wyrm fell. The sands around them seemed to settle, acknowledging the victors of this harsh trial. They were battered, the brutal combat leaving its mark, but they were alive. Rayne’s healing spells mended their wounds as they caught their breath.
Tian and Lyra exchanged glances. There was a silent acknowledgment, a newfound respect in her eyes. Although the golem had suddenly disappeared when the wyrm died, it was fairly obvious who it’s summoner was. Nobody had seen Tian use any skills, so for a monster in a dungeon to suddenly attack the boss? That was simply unheard of.
With the demise of the sand wyrm, a sense of accomplishment coursed through Tian and his allies. Among the loot dropped by the wyrm, a particular item caught everyone’s eye – a B rank item known as the Sand Wyrm Staff. Tian’s eyes narrowed at the item; it resonated with earth magic, a perfect fit for his earth-based skills despite his preference for melee combat. However, tradition dictated the loot distribution process, a draw of straws determining the owner of this prized item. Fortune favored Jax, the swordsman, who won the staff. Although it felt like a slight loss, Tian bore no resentment; this was the agreed-upon method after all.
The exit portal materialized nearby as the wyrm met its end, offering them a passage out of this grueling desert realm. Stepping out into the familiar yet distant reality, Tian felt a slight ease wash over him. He couldn't help but review the loot he had acquired from this venture. Among the spoils were the salamander scales and the rare Salamander Heart.
Item Status:
Name: Salamander Heart
Rank: C
Description: A rare and potent core harvested from a salamander. Known for its fiery essence, it’s a coveted item in alchemy and spell crafting, capable of amplifying fire-based concoctions and spells.
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He also acquired E and F rank scales along with some B rank Firestrike Salamander Scales from the boss, a decent haul considering the odds.
No sooner had they emerged from the portal, Lyra bombarded Tian with questions, mostly in a playful manner. Her inquiries hovered around his mysterious golem summoning, but Tian artfully dodged, revealing nothing. Kyler, noticing the dance of words, pulled Lyra away, perhaps saving Tian from an awkward interrogation.
Jax, who had been quietly observing, approached Tian, pointing at the borrowed dagger. "That dagger looks nice, I'll trade it for this staff." His tone carried a blend of gratitude and camaraderie. Tian chuckled. It seemed his assistance in the dungeon had left a good impression. He agreed to the trade, receiving the staff which would undoubtedly boost his earth magic prowess. Both knew well that the dagger was a loan, yet this informal barter symbolized much more.
Item Status:
Name: Sand Wyrm Staff
Rank: B
Description: A mystical staff imbued with the essence of a sand wyrm. Known to enhance earth-based magics by 30%.
‘It certainly is a B rank item.’ Tian nodded.
With a grin and a returned nod, Jax rejoined his group, leaving with the playful pout of Lyra echoing behind. It was now Ira, the meticulous mage, who approached Tian. Her robes bore the tales of the dungeon, a stark contrast to her neat appearance at the onset of this journey. She extended her thanks to Tian, her eyes attempting to convey more but halting at the brim of her expressions. With a shy fluster, she hurried back to her group, leaving Tian with a contemplative smile.
As Tian surveyed the area, the officers stationed around the portal seemed to relax a bit, their vigilance easing with the safe return of their group. The rumors of a lone ranker delving into portals had kept them on edge, but for now, the area seemed calm. They'd probably remain on guard for a few more hours, ensuring no unsuspecting individual wandered into the closing portal.
Tian's gaze was fixed on the Sand Wyrm Staff as he delicately turned it over, inspecting the fine engravings that adorned its surface. The way it resonated with the earth's essence was profound, something he hadn't experienced with any of his previous possessions. As his fingers traced the patterns on the staff, a blend of excitement and anticipation bubbled within him.
His eyes then shifted to the news piece on his computer screen. The story of the lone individual venturing into portals was making waves in the community. The narrative spun by the media was one of mystery and admiration, peppered with a touch of fear for the unknown. Tian chuckled as he read a comment by Quinn, the strike leader of Crimson Vanguard, expressing the danger of this individual. The irony of the situation brought a wider smile to his face, knowing well that he had cleared an E-rank portal right under their noses.
Just as he was about to close the tab, another headline caught his eye. It was about a man who had gone missing, only to return with a tale of awakening and stolen 'mana'. The description of the kidnapper given by the man bore an eerie resemblance to his own kidnapper when he first awakened. The mismatched colored eyes were not a common trait, and the modus operandi sounded way too familiar. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but Tian decided to bookmark the page for later, there were other things that needed his attention.
Feeling a tinge of nostalgia, Tian navigated to a website he used to frequent in the past. It was a platform where rankers would share their dungeon-crawling experiences, compete in friendly skirmishes, and engage with a community that idolized them. Initially, the essence of the platform was to amass wealth for better equipment to delve into perilous dungeons, but as he scrolled through the latest posts, it was evident the focus had shifted. The scene was now dominated by ranker versus ranker content, as viewers seemed to thirst for competitive thrill rather than dungeon explorations. Among the notable guilds promoting this trend was Vanguard, churning out idol-like rankers to keep the masses entertained. 'How the tides have changed,' he thought, as he browsed through a few videos of rankers showcasing their prowess against each other.
Before he could delve deeper, a knock at his door pulled him away from the screen. It was unusual for someone to visit him at this hour, especially without a prior call. His brows furrowed with curiosity as he approached the door. Opening it, he was met with a woman dressed in a professional attire, her light brown hair neatly tied back in a ponytail. The emblem on her shoulder of the Crimson Vanguard guild gave him a slight pause.
"Does anyone here go by the name of Tian?" she inquired, her eyes scanning Tian cautiously.
Tian's heart skipped a beat. The unexpected visit, especially from someone affiliated with Crimson Vanguard, churned a blend of curiosity and caution within him. Nonetheless, he maintained a composed façade.
“Never heard of him.” Tian responded simply before closing the door quickly.