Jack's spear collided with Ignarix’s molten blade, sending shockwaves reverberating through the chamber. The force of the clash was titanic, and the afrit pressed forward, his sheer strength threatening to overwhelm. Jack gritted his teeth, muscles trembling as he fought to hold his ground. Without his formidable Strength stat, he knew he would have been crushed under the afrit's relentless power. But the intense heat radiating from the molten sword was becoming unbearable; it singed his skin, the acrid scent of burning flesh rising as sweat poured down his face.

"Your resolve is admirable, mortal," Ignarix growled, his voice a deep, thunderous echo. "But it will not save you from your inevitable demise."

Jack’s muscles screamed in protest as they strained under the pressure of the blade, his stamina rapidly draining. His Strength held, but he knew his Endurance wouldn’t last much longer. Desperation clawed at him as he cast a glance around the chamber. Cael,Goldeyes and Monsoon were still locked in vicious combat with the lava beasts, their movements slowing as fatigue weighed heavily on them. Lyla, her face pale and drawn, continued casting spells, though her magic was faltering, each cast taking more out of her.

Jack’s mind raced. He needed a way to turn the tide. His Stamina was nearly gone, and activating another Class Skill might leave him too drained to stand, let alone fight. But if he didn't, there might not be a chance to regret it.

With a deep breath, Jack activated his Berserk Skill, feeling a savage surge of power rip through his body. Every muscle in his body seemed to hum with newfound strength. Frost crackled along the point of his spear as he lashed out at Ignarix, each strike faster and more ferocious than the last. The afrit snarled, molten sword moving with inhuman speed to block the barrage of attacks.

"You're stubborn," Ignarix sneered, flames dancing in his eyes. "But you’re delusional if you think you can win."

Jack ignored the taunt, focusing every ounce of his strength into the assault. His spear crackled as its icy enchantment clashed with the fiery heat, but he could feel the shaft growing hotter by the second. The wood, exposed to Ignarix’s intense flames, was softening, beginning to warp.

Then, in a heartbeat, Ignarix swung his sword in a wide, devastating arc. Jack barely had time to react before the blow connected. The sheer force hurled him backward, and he hit the obsidian floor with bone-rattling impact, the wind knocked from his lungs. Dazed, he tried to rise, vision swimming as he struggled to refocus.

Before he could steady himself, Ignarix was upon him, sword raised high. Jack lifted his spear to block, but it was too late—the fiery blade came down with brutal precision.

The spear splintered in his hands, shattering into jagged fragments that scattered across the chamber floor. The force of the strike sent Jack crashing into one of the scorched pillars, pain searing through his body as he crumpled to the ground. Every breath felt like fire in his lungs.

Ignarix loomed over him, the air shimmering with the oppressive heat of his presence. Jack’s limbs felt leaden, his body too battered to move. He could feel his strength slipping away, his reserves nearly depleted.

"Your struggle is pointless," Ignarix said, a cruel smile curling his lips. "You will burn, just like the rest. The flames await."

The heat grew unbearable as Ignarix raised his sword for the final blow.

As Ignarix raised his sword for the final strike, Jack's mind raced. He couldn't let it end like this. He thought of his friends, fighting valiantly against the lava beasts, and of Lyla, her magic keeping them alive despite the odds. He had to do something.

With a burst of adrenaline, Jack reached deep within himself, summoning every ounce of his remaining mana. He focused on his Water Magic, feeling the cool, soothing energy flow through him. He raised his hand, casting a desperate spell.

A torrent of water erupted over the afrits head, slamming into him with incredible force. Ignarix staggered back, his flames sputtering as the water doused them. Instinctively Jack didn't stop, pouring more and more mana into the spell, the water surging forward in a relentless wave. He wasn’t sure how he was doing it but as long as he poured mana into the spell it didn’t stop.

[Congratulations! You have gained the skill Mana Channeling]

Ignarix roared in anger, his molten sword glowing brighter as he tried to reignite his flames. But Jack's water magic was too strong, the continuous torrent extinguishing the fire and cooling the boss’s fiery form.

"You will not defeat me!" Ignarix bellowed, his voice filled with rage and what sounded like a hint of desperation.

Jack could feel his mana reserves dwindling, the strain of maintaining the spell taking its toll. His vision began to blur, and he knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. With one final, desperate push, he switched spells, channeled his mana into a cast of Ice Dagger. He knew channeling mana continuously into a spell like that wouldn’t do anything as it only created a single projectile. Instead he simple forced every point of mana he had left into the spell, hoping that it would do something similar.

[Congratulations! You have gained the skill Mana Overcharge]

What emerged from Jacks hand wasn’t a dagger. It was a gleaming four-foot-long lance of pure ice that shimmered with an ethereal blue light. The lance flew through the air with blinding speed, leaving a trail of frost in its wake.

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Ignarix raised his molten sword to deflect the lance, but the force of the impact was too much. The ice lance shattered the sword, sending shards of molten metal flying in all directions. The lance continued its trajectory, piercing Ignarix's chest with a resounding crack. The afrit lord let out a scream of agony as the icy weapon embedded itself deep within him.

For a moment, everything seemed to stand still. Ignarix's flames flickered and sputtered, the intense heat giving way to an eerie chill. The afrit lord's body began to crack and splinter, frost spreading rapidly across his molten form. Jack watched, his vision swimming, as Ignarix's body slowly turned to ice.

"You... cannot... defeat... me..." Ignarix's voice was a mere whisper now, his fiery aura fading. "I will return... and when I do... I will burn you to ashes..."

With a final, despairing cry, Ignarix's body shattered into a million icy fragments, scattering across the chamber. The intense heat that had permeated the air vanished, replaced by a cold, deathly silence.

Jack collapsed to the ground; his strength completely spent. His vision darkened, and he could barely make out the figures of his friends rushing towards him. Lyla's healing magic enveloped him, but he was too far gone to feel its warmth.

"Jack! Hang in there!" Lyla's voice was distant, echoing in his mind. "You're going to be okay. Just stay with us..."

Jack's eyes fluttered closed, the world fading to black.

Jack drifted in and out of consciousness, his mind a haze of pain and exhaustion. He could hear distant voices, indistinct and muffled, but he couldn't make out the words. He felt a cool, soothing sensation enveloping his body, and he instinctively knew it was Lyla's healing magic. At the same time he could feel liquid being forced down his throat as Cael frantically tried to get a healing potion in him.

"Hang in there, Jack," Lyla's voice came through the fog, filled with worry and determination. "We need you."

Jack tried to respond, but his body wouldn't obey. He felt so weak, so drained. Memories of the battle with Ignarix flashed through his mind, the searing heat, the clash of weapons, the desperate struggle to survive.

Slowly, Jack's senses began to return. He became aware of the hard, cold floor beneath him, the distant roar of the lava river, and the acrid smell of burnt air. He forced his eyes open, blinking against the harsh light of the chamber.

Lyla was kneeling beside him, her face etched with worry, her brow furrowed in concentration. "Jack, can you hear me?"

Jack managed a weak nod, his throat too dry to speak. He could see Goldeyes and Monsoon nearby, their bodies battered and bruised but still fighting. The lava beasts were fewer now, their numbers dwindling as the battle wore on. Apparently the afrits death hadn’t made them conveniently vanish. Still, the wolves seemed to have things well in hand.

"You're going to be okay," Lyla said, her voice soothing. "Just rest. We've almost got this."

With a supreme effort, Jack pushed himself up onto his elbows. His body protested, every muscle aching, but he forced himself to move. "Lyla... help me up," he croaked.

"Jack, you need to rest," Lyla protested, her eyes wide with concern. "You're in no condition to fight."

Jack shook his head weakly, determination flashing in his eyes. "I have to... make sure... it's over," he whispered, his voice hoarse. He struggled to his feet with Lyla's help, leaning heavily on her for support.

Together, they made their way across the chamber, Jack's eyes scanning the battlefield. Goldeyes and Monsoon were still engaged in fierce combat with the remaining lava beasts, their movements sluggish but determined. The creatures were fewer now, their numbers dwindling with each passing moment. Cael returned to the wolves side to help them mop up the remaining beasts.

As they approached the spot where Ignarix had fallen, Jack's heart pounded in his chest. The afrit lord's body lay in shattered pieces, fragments of ice and molten rock scattered across the floor. The oppressive heat that had filled the chamber was gone, replaced by a cold, eerie silence.

"It's really over," Jack thought, relief washing over him. He swayed on his feet, exhaustion threatening to overtake him, but he forced himself to stay upright.

He looked back one again, taking in the sight of his friends fighting valiantly against the remaining lava beasts. Goldeyes' claws flashed in the dim light, while Monsoon's water magic surged with deadly effectiveness.

As the final beast went down Jack inspected the remains of Ignarix, his eyes catching a familiar glimmer. Within the pile of frozen fragments was a fiery crystal, pulsating with residual heat. For a moment he thought it was another Elemental core but further inspection showed it to be a crimson faceted gemstone.

[You have obtained an Afrits Fireheart]

[Afrits Fireheart

Rarity: Special

Quality: Pristine

Properties: Can be used to power certain devices. Can be added to armor, weapons or items to get varying effects..

Description: This gem is infused with the power of an afrit. Its uses are many.

]

The description wasn’t exactly helpful but seeing as it was rarer than the elemental core he had gained that probably made sense. He probably would have to level up his Identify skill to get a more detailed description. Still Jack was excited to see what kind of gear he could make with the gem. Placing it in his pouch he walked back towards Lyla who was tapping her foot impatiently near the floors exit.

As they reached the edge of the chamber, Jack felt a sudden surge of warmth at his back. He looked down, seeing a faint, golden glow emanating from the spot where Ignarix's remains had been. Confusion turned to horror as the glow grew brighter, the fragments of the afrit lord's body starting to tremble.

"Lyla, get back!" Jack shouted, pushing her away as a blinding light filled the chamber. The ground shook violently, and a deafening roar echoed through the air.

Jack shielded his eyes, his heart pounding in his chest. When the light finally faded, he lowered his arm and stared in disbelief. The fragments of Ignarix's body were gone, replaced by a smoldering crater. The chamber was eerily silent, the lava beasts frozen in place. After a moment, they simply faded away like dust on the wind.

Within the crater a pedestal made from black obsidian stood. Jack only had a moment to wonder what it was before notifications flooded his vision.

[Congratulations! You have slain Ignarix, Lord of Fire]

[80000 Experience earned]

[Congratulations! You have levelled up x3]

[You have gained 20 CP]

[You have gained + 2 Constitution]

[You have gained + 2 Endurance]

[You have gained + 6 Strength]

[You have gained + 6 Agility]

[You have 6 free points to distribute]

[Congratulations! Spear Mastery has gained a level]

[Congratulations! Light Armor has gained a level]

[Congratulations! Water Magic has gained a level]