As they continued on through the dungeon, Jack asked Lyla about her new barrier spell. She explained that the Skill for each type of magic gave a new spell every ten levels. She had gotten her Vine Wall spell after her Nature Magic Skill had reached level 10. Jack was eager to see what spell he would get when his own Water Magic finally reached level 10.

Presently, they came to a pair of scarlet double doors made from a metal that seemed to shimmer with an inner heat. The doors were engraved with intricate patterns of flames and dragons, their eyes set with rubies that glowed faintly in the dim light. Jack pushed the doors open with a creak, and the party stepped into an enormous chamber.

The room was a vast, cavernous hall, its walls lined with massive, blackened stone pillars that seemed to have been shaped by volcanic activity. The floor was a mosaic of polished obsidian, reflecting the flickering light of the countless torches mounted on the walls. The heat in the room was intense, almost suffocating, and the air shimmered with waves of thermal distortion. At the far end of the hall, an enormous throne made of molten rock and hardened lava loomed, its surface still glowing with residual heat.

Behind the throne, a river of lava flowed from a crack in the wall, cascading down in a fiery waterfall that filled the room with a dull roar. The ceiling was high and vaulted, lost in the shadows above, but the occasional glow of molten rock dripping from above hinted at the room's unstable nature. The oppressive heat and the ominous setting made the party tense, their eyes darting around for any sign of danger.

Seated on the throne was a figure wreathed in flames. He was massive, easily over ten feet tall, with a muscular build that seemed to be made of molten rock and fire. His skin was a dark, charred black, cracked and glowing with fiery veins that pulsed with an inner heat. His eyes were like burning coals, and his hair was a mane of flames that flowed down his back. He wore ornate armor that seemed to have been forged from the heart of a volcano, and a massive sword rested across his lap, its blade shimmering with an intense heat.

Jack held up a hand to signal for the others to stop. He cast Identify, hoping to glean some information about this formidable opponent.

[Name: Ignarix, Lord of Fire

Race: Afrit

Level: 17

Health Pool: 2,800/2,800

Mana Pool: 4,900/4,900

Stamina: 4,000/4,000

Skills: Inferno Blade, Fireball, Heat Aura, Flame Manipulation, Blazing Charge, Molten Armor, Sword Mastery

[Abilities: Fire Immunity, Flame Wave, Eruption, Lava Summon, Incinerate, Lava Shield, Flame Resurgence, Inferno Blast]

[Description: Afrits are elemental beings of fire, known for their immense power over heat and flame. Their bodies are often composed of molten rock and fire, radiating intense heat that can incinerate most foes. Afrits wield formidable fire-based abilities that make them extremely formidable in combat.]

Jack's eyes widened as he read the information. "This is Ignarix, the Lord of Fire," he said, his voice low. "He's incredibly powerful. We need to be very careful."

Ignarix's eyes focused on the party, and he stood, his fiery form radiating heat that made the air shimmer. "Intruders," he rumbled, his voice a deep, echoing growl. "You dare to enter my domain?"

While he found it odd that the dungeon boss would talk before attacking (and like a cheesy B-movie villain to boot) Jack decided to play along. He stepped forward, gripping his spear tightly. "We're here to defeat you, Ignarix"

Ignarix laughed, a sound like crackling flames. "Foolish mortals. You think you can challenge me? Very well. Let us see if you can withstand the fury of the inferno."

Without warning, Ignarix rose from his throne. Stepping forward he raised his sword, and with a swift motion, a wave of intense heat and fire surged towards the party. Jack reacted instantly, his instincts honed from previous battles.

"Scatter!" he shouted, diving to the side as the wave of fire roared past him. The rest of the party followed suit, avoiding the initial attack.

"Goldeyes, Monsoon, we need to bring him down fast," Jack commanded. "Lyla, keep your barriers ready. Cael hang back and look for an opening.This is going to be a tough fight."

Goldeyes growled low in his throat. His shadowy form flickered as he melted into his shadow.Monsoon, his blue fur shimmering like water, readied himself, his eyes locked on Ignarix.

Jack activated his Berserk Skill, feeling the familiar rush of power as his strength and speed increased. He charged at Ignarix with his spear held high in his right hand while his left launched an Ice Dagger, aiming to pierce through the flames surrounding the afrit lord.

The afrit reacted swiftly, deflecting the icy projectile with his molten blade. The ice hissed hissed into water before evaporating on contact, and Ignarix's eyes burned with anger. "Water cannot extinguish my flames, mortal!"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Jack gritted his teeth. It was weird. He shouldn’t actually be insulted. He was a mortal after all. Yet something about the afrits words got under his skin anyway. He pressed the attack, his movements a blur as he unleashed Piercing Flurry. His spear struck at Ignarix with rapid, precise thrusts, each one aimed at a weak point in the afrit lord's armor.

Ignarix summoned a shield of lava to block Jack's relentless assault. The molten rock hardened almost instantly, forming an impenetrable barrier.

Monsoon seized the opportunity, his form shifting as his body was covered with water that surged forward sending a massive wave crashing towards Ignarix.The water collided with the lava shield, creating a cloud of steam that filled the chamber. Ignarix roared again, the steam obscuring his vision momentarily. "You will not defeat me so easily!"

Goldeyes emerged from the shadows behind Ignarix, his claws bared and coated in shadowy energy. He struck with precise, silent movements, aiming for the joints in Ignarix's armor. The afrit bellowed in pain as the wolfs fangs found their mark, the shadows seeping into his wounds and weakening his fiery form. "You dare to strike me from the shadows, coward?"

Lyla, seeing an opening, cast her Thorny Vines spell. Thick, thorn covered vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around Ignarix's legs and restricting his movements. "Now, Jack! Hit him with everything you've got!"

Jack didn't hesitate. He channeled his Water Magic, feeling the mana surge through him as he cast Ice Dagger once again. The blade of ice shot towards Ignarix, aimed directly at his chest.

Ignarix snarled at the attack, though his shield protected him "Your magic is nothing compared to my flames!" He held out a hand and a fireball formed in it.

But Jack was already moving. His high Agility meant he could move very fast when he wanted to. He activated Piercing Flurry again, his spear a blur of motion as he struck at Ignarix with renewed fury. The lava shield crumbled under the relentless assault, and Jack's spear finally found its mark, piercing the afrit lord's side. Ignarix howled in pain, his flames flickering and dimming.

Monsoon followed up with another Riptide Charge, the force of the water knocking Ignarix off balance. Goldeyes circled around, his dark form barely visible in the steam-filled chamber. He struck again, his fangs sinking into Ignarix's back.

The Lord of Fire staggered, weakening under the combined assault. He raised his sword, summoning a massive burst of flame that radiated outwards.

"Lyla, barrier now!" Jack shouted, and Lyla responded instantly, casting spell. A wall of leafy vines surrounded the party, shielding them from the intense heat.

The flames burned themselves out even as they turned the wall of greenery to ash, and Ignarix stumbled, his strength waning. Jack saw his chance. He channeled all his remaining strength into a throw of his spear, sending it hurtling towards the afrit. "This ends now!"

The icy spear shot forward with incredible speed, piercing Ignarix's chest and emerging from his back. The afrit lord let out one final roar of defiance before collapsing to the ground, his flames extinguished.

The chamber fell silent, the only sound the faint crackling of cooling lava. Jack stood over Ignarix's fallen form, panting heavily.

Lyla lowered her barrier, her expression one of relief. " Are you all okay?"

Goldeyes emerged from the shadows, his fur singed but otherwise unharmed. "Am fine. Was a tough fight, but we made it."

Just as Jack was about to concur a surge of energy erupted from the afrits body, and the chamber was filled with a blinding light. Jack shielded his eyes, feeling the heat intensify around them. When the light faded, Ignarix was no longer lying defeated on the ground. Instead, he was standing, his form more menacing than before. His armor was in perfect condition and his body bore no wounds. "You fools," he spat. "Did you really think you had won?"

Jack's heart sank. Of course he has a second phase.

"It's not over," he shouted "Everyone, get ready!"

Ignarix raised his sword, the flames around him roaring back to life. "I will show you the true power of fire!"

He waved a hand and the ground around him shook and split open. Beasts made of lava began to emerge from the cracks in rise from the cracks, their molten forms glowing with an intense heat. The afrits laugh echoed through the chamber, the sound of crackling flames and impending doom.

"Goldeyes, Cael, Monsoon, keep those lava beasts busy!" Jack commanded, gripping his spear tighter. "Lyla, we need your healing more than ever!"

Goldeyes leapt into action, his form emerging from the shadows behind the beasts. He struck with ferocity, his claws leaving trails of shadow that sapped the creatures' strength. Monsoon, his body flowing with water, created torrents to cool and solidify the molten monsters, his attacks precise and relentless. Cael worked with the wolves, striking at the monsters whenever they were distracted and dancing away before they could retaliate.

Jack focused on Ignarix, who seemed to have grown even more powerful. He activated Piercing Flurry again, his spear a blur as he aimed for the afrit lord's weak points. Ignarix deflected most of the strikes with his molten blade, but a few found their mark, drawing roars of pain and anger from the fiery titan.

"Your persistence is commendable," Ignarix sneered, his eyes burning brighter. "But you will fall!"

Ignarix swung his sword, releasing a crescent wave of flame that barreled towards Jack. With no time to dodge, Jack braced himself, casting Aqua Barrier. He hadn’t really used the spell much since getting it but it proved its worth now. The watery shield absorbed most of the attack, but the heat was still overwhelming. Jack's health dropped significantly, and he stumbled back wards, the pain nearly unbearable.

Lyla rushed to his side, her hands glowing with healing magic. "Hang in there, Jack! We can't afford to lose you!"

As the healing light enveloped him, Jack felt his burns disappearing under the Scraelings spell. "Thanks, Lyla. Let's finish this."

Meanwhile, Goldeyes and Monsoon were beginning struggle against the lava beasts. Goldeyes used his shadow abilities to dodge and counterattack, but the creatures' fiery bodies made them difficult to damage. Monsoon's water attacks were more effective, but he was tiring, his movements slowing. Even Caels efforts were flagging, as the goblin simply wasn’t tough enough to stay near the creatures for long without their heat sapping his energy. To make matters worse, the afrit had turned his attention to Cael and the wolves and was raising his sword in preparation to attack them.

Jack knew they couldn't fight the lava monsters and the afrit at the same time. He had to distract the boss and give his companions time to defeat their opponents. Fortunately, the boss seemed to get offended rather easily. He could work with that.

"Ignarix! Face me! Or are you so much of a coward that you would run from me?" he shouted, drawing the afrit lord's attention back to him.

The Lord of Fire turned, his eyes narrowing. "So eager to die, are you?"

Jack activated his Berserk Skill again, feeling the surge of power and adrenaline. His Stamina was getting low but he refused to give up the fight. He charged at Ignarix, his spear at the ready shouting "Not today!"