The Elite Inferno Behemoth roared, its voice reverberating through the fiery cavern. The oppressive heat made it difficult to breathe, and Jack wiped the sweat from his brow as he assessed the situation. This would be their toughest battle yet.
“Goldeyes, Monsoon, keep the Barghest distracted!” Jack commanded, his voice firm. “The rest of us will focus on the Behemoth.”
The wolves darted toward the Infernal Barghest, their agile forms weaving through the columns of fire and molten rock. The fiery wolf-like creature snarled, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent. Goldeyes and Monsoon circled it, their movements quick and precise, keeping the creature’s attention away from the main fight.
Jack turned to face the Behemoth, his grip tightening on his icy spear. “Cael, use your skills to strike at its weak points. Lyla, support us with your nature magic. Let’s bring this thing down!”
Cael nodded, his expression focused. He activated Silent Steps, his form becoming a blur as he moved with incredible stealth. With Dagger Mastery enhancing his strikes, he darted around the Behemoth, looking for an opening.
Lyla began chanting, her hands glowing with green energy. She summoned Thorny Vines, directing them to entangle the Behemoth’s legs. The creature roared in frustration as the thorn-covered vines wrapped around its limbs, their piercing damage causing it to stagger.
Jack activated Berserk, feeling a surge of power and fury course through his veins. He charged at the Behemoth, his spear aimed at its molten hide. “Piercing Flurry!” he shouted, unleashing a rapid series of thrusts. He didn’t actually need to shout the name of the Skill but in the heat of the moment it just seemed like the thing to do. The icy enchantment of his spear left frost trails on the creature’s fiery exterior, causing it to sizzle and crack.
The Behemoth swung a massive fist at Jack, but he dodged, feeling the ground shake as the blow missed him by inches. Cael took advantage of the distraction, activating Camouflage to blend into the surroundings. He moved in close, striking with his daggers at the creature’s joints and weak points. The monster roared in pain, its movements growing more erratic.
Lyla continued her assault, casting Thorn Spray. Half a dozen spiked thorns shot out from her hands, impaling the Behemoth’s rocky hide. Jack noted that they seemed a bit larger than the ones Lyla had conjured previously. The creature howled, its body writhing as the thorns dug deep. She followed up with Health Shield, casting it on Jack to bolster his vitality. A green aura enveloped him, granting him temporary extra health.
“Keep it up!” Jack shouted, feeling the invigorating effect of Lyla’s magic. He quickly cast Fluid Grace, his movements becoming even more fluid and precise. He danced around the Behemoth, dodging its attacks and striking with his spear. The icy enchantment and his Berserk-fueled strength dealt devastating blows to the creature.
The Behemoth, sensing it was outmatched, activated one of its abilities. What looked like molten rock seeped out its skin and quickly hardened, becoming an almost impenetrable armor. Jack’s next strike bounced off harmlessly. “It’s toughened its skin!” he warned.
“Cael, aim for the joints and cracks!” Jack ordered, seeing Cael nod in acknowledgment.
The Behemoth raised its arm, summoning a fireball that it hurled at Lyla. She barely dodged in time, the fireball exploding against the cavern wall. Jack grit his teeth, knowing they needed to end this fast.
Cael used Bypass Armor, his daggers cutting through the Behemoth’s tough exterior with ease. He landed a particularly deep cut on the creature’s knee, causing it to stumble. “Jack, now!” he yelled, his voice filled with determination.
Jack saw his opening and lunged forward, driving his spear into the Behemoth’s chest. The icy blade sank deep, and the creature roared in agony. Flames burst from its wounds, but Jack held firm.
The Behemoth’s roars echoed through the cavern, but it wasn’t finished yet. It slammed its fists into the ground, causing columns of fire to erupt around the chamber. Jack shielded his face from the intense heat, feeling the ground tremble beneath his feet. The extra vitality for Health Shield was quickly burned away along with a chunk of his own health.
“Stay focused!” Jack called out, keeping his voice steady. He couldn’t let himself be distracted by fear or pain. If he did he and most likely the others in his party were dead. He conjured an Ice Dagger in his off-hand and hurled it at the Behemoth, the freezing magic countering the creature’s fiery essence. The dagger struck true, penetrating the creatures hardened exterior and embedding itself in the Behemoth’s shoulder.
Goldeyes and Monsoon continued their relentless assault on the Barghest. The fiery wolf snapped and lunged at them, but the wolves’ agility kept them just out of reach. Monsoon leaped onto the Barghest’s back, his fangs glowing with icy blue light as he bit down. Goldeyes circled around, his own fangs tearing into the creature’s hind legs. The Barghest howled, its movements becoming sluggish as the cold magic sapped its strength.
Back at the main battle, Lyla cast Health Surge, sending a wave of healing energy over the party. Jack felt the refreshing vitality course through him, rejuvenating his strength. Cael, too, looked invigorated, his movements becoming even more precise.
The Behemoth, sensing its impending defeat, made a desperate attempt to break free. It slammed its fists into the ground again, causing the cavern to shake violently. More columns of fire erupted around the chamber, forcing the party to scatter. The heat was becoming unbearable. Jack used Conjure Water, creating a shower of swirling liquid to protect them from the flames. The water sizzled and evaporated almost instantly, but it gave them a brief respite.
“Lyla, hit it with everything you have!” Jack shouted, his eyes locked on the Behemoth.
The woman nodded, her face determined. She began chanting, summoning all her remaining energy. Vines and roots burst from the ground, coiling around the Behemoth’s body and squeezing with incredible force. The creature roared in pain, its molten exterior cracking under the pressure.
“Everyone, focus your attacks!” Jack commanded, charging forward with renewed determination. He leaped into the air, his spear aimed at the Behemoth’s heart. “Piercing Flurry!” he shouted, unleashing a barrage of powerful thrusts.
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Cael and the wolves joined in, their combined efforts overwhelming the Behemoth. Goldeyes and Monsoon’s Frostbite Fangs glowed with icy blue light as they sank into the creature’s flesh, while Cael’s daggers flashed in a blur of motion. The Behemoth’s roars grew weaker, its movements sluggish.
Just as they thought victory was within grasp, the Behemoth let out an ear-splitting roar and began to glow with an intense, fiery light, the air around it growing even hotter. It was activating a new ability. Its strength surged as the ground around it began to melt, turning into molten lava. The heat burned into Jacks skin causing his health to start dropping rapidly.
[You have been afflicted by Molten Aura]
[You have suffered 19 Fire damage]
[You have suffered 21 Fire damage]
[You have suffered 22 Fire damage]
The Behemoth swung its fists with renewed vigor, catching Cael off guard and sending him flying into a wall. He crumpled to the ground, gasping in pain.
“Cael!” Jack shouted, his heart pounding. He looked towards Goldeyes and Monsoon for help but they were having problems of their own. The Barghest was now enshrouded by a fiery shield that burned anything that came too close. It was now spitting gouts of flame at the retreating wolves, who now sported burns all over their furry bodies.
[Goldeyes has suffered 18 Fire damage]
[Goldeyes has suffered 20 Fire damage]
Jack gritted his teeth, feeling the searing pain from the Behemoth’s molten aura.
[You have suffered 20 Fire damage]
[You have suffered 22 Fire damage]
[You have suffered 20 Fire damage]
He had to act fast. If this kept up he soon wouldn’t have any health left. With a deep breath, he channeled his mana and cast Conjure Water again. It wasn’t exactly a combat spell which was why the Behemoth wasn’t expecting it. A deluge of water materialized above the Behemoth, crashing down on the creature’s molten form. Steam erupted violently as the water met the intense heat, causing the Behemoth to roar in pain and surprise. It hadn’t suffered any real damage but that wasn’t the point.
The sudden cooling effect created a temporary opening. “Cael, now!” Jack yelled, his voice hoarse from the heat, desperately hoping that his goblin companion could still fight.
Cael, despite his injuries, managed to get back on his feet. He lunged at the mosters back while activating Bypass Armor, his daggers cutting through the Behemoth’s defenses like butter. He aimed for the creature’s joints and weak points, each strike precise and deadly.
Goldeyes and Monsoon, now more cautious, coordinated their attacks on the Barghest. Goldeyes sunk into his own shadow reemerging from the Barghests shadow. He slashed at the creatures hindquarters with darkly glowing claws that slashed right through the flaming shield. The monster yelped and scrambled away from Goldeyes its flames winking out.Monsoon leaped onto the Barghest’s back again, biting down hard with his Frostbite Fangs.
Lyla, seeing the Behemoth’s weakened state, summoned the last of her mana to cast Thorny Vines once more. The vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Behemoth’s legs and torso, squeezing with incredible force. The creature roared in agony, its molten exterior cracking under the pressure.
“Everyone, give it everything you’ve got!” Jack commanded, feeling the end was near. He activated Piercing Flurry, unleashing a rapid series of powerful thrusts with his spear. Each strike hit true, driving deeper into the Behemoth’s core.
Cael, his movements a blur, struck at the Behemoth’s vulnerable spots with lethal precision. His daggers flashed in the dim light, each cut weakening the creature further. The Behemoth’s roars grew weaker, its movements sluggish and uncoordinated.
Just as victory seemed within reach, the Behemoth let out one final, desperate roar. Its body glowed with an intense, fiery light, and it summoned all its remaining strength. It raised its arms, preparing to unleash a devastating final attack.
Jack, sensing the danger, summoned every ounce of his strength and leaped at the Behemoth. With a mighty thrust, he drove his spear deep into the creature’s chest, piercing its heart. The icy blade sank into the molten core, and the Behemoth let out a final, pained cry before collapsing to the ground.
[Congratulations! You have slain Elite Inferno Behemoth]
[8000 Experience earned]
[Congratulations! You have slain Infernal Barghest]
[5000 Experience earned]
[Congratulations! You have levelled up]
[You have gained + 1 Constitution]
[You have gained + 1 Endurance]
[You have gained + 2 Strength]
[You have gained + 2 Agility]
[You have 2 free points to distribute]
[Congratulations! Spear Mastery has gained a level]
[Congratulations! Light Armor has gained a level]
The chamber fell silent, the intense heat dissipating as the Behemoth’s body crumbled to ash. Jack pulled his spear from the creature’s remains, breathing heavily. “We did it,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “We actually did it.”
Cael struggled to his feet, clutching his side. “That was too close,” he muttered, wincing.
Lyla lowered her hands, the green glow fading as she looked at the fallen Behemoth. “Is it over?” she asked, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
“For now,” Jack replied, glancing at the still form of the Barghest. “But we need to stay vigilant. There could be more challenges ahead.”
He was tempted to try extracting the teeth and claws of the Barghest but something about its canine form reminded him uncomfortably of Goldeyes.
He turned to Lyla “How did you manage to conjure so many thorns at once”.
Her response was a sly smile. “I qualified for the Mage Class after our last fight. I used my CP to buy a Skill that increases the number of magical projectiles I can summon and another that increases my overall spell power by 10%.”
Jack raised an eyebrow, impressed. "A Mage Class, huh? No wonder your spells have been hitting harder. That's going to come in handy. What Profession did you take?"
“Arcane Researcher” Lyla seemed particularly excited by that, her grin stretching even wider” I get Skills to help me learn about magic faster and more efficiently, and I even have a chance to discover new spells or create unique ones by studying magical phenomena. It’s perfect for me."
Jack nodded, considering the implications. "That definitely sounds useful. We’re going to need every advantage we can get if we’re going to keep facing monsters like this." He glanced around the chamber, the tension in his muscles slowly easing now that the battle was over. "We should take a moment to rest and recover. This fight took a lot out of us."
Jack wondered if Lyla felt any resentment over the way he had seemed to take command of the group in battle. It wasn’t something he had planned to do, it had just sort of happened. He didn’t detect any hostility from the woman but then again he hadn’t known her for very long.
Monsoon and Goldeyes, still panting from their encounter with the Infernal Barghest, padded over to Jack, their fur singed but eyes gleaming with determination. Jack gave them a nod of appreciation. "You both did great. I know that shield wasn’t easy to deal with."
Goldeyes gave a low growl, his eyes scanning the cavern as if expecting another enemy to appear at any moment. Jack knew the feeling. This place had a way of keeping them on edge, and the constant heat didn’t help. He activated Conjure Water again, this time forming a pool for the wolves to drink from. They eagerly lapped at the cool water, their burns starting to heal slowly as Lyla cast her healing spell again and again, until everyone was back to full strength. It took a while, as she had to wait for her mana to regenerate once she ran out but it was worth it. They all agreed that it was best to save what healing potions they had left until they truly needed them. They all used the time to rest and recover.
As the group began to move further into the next cavern, the oppressive heat slowly faded, replaced by a sense of accomplishment. They had faced their toughest challenge yet and emerged victorious. But they knew this was only the beginning. The dungeon held many more dangers, and they had to be prepared for whatever came next.