After resting, I decide to continue my exploration. I intend to test my new skill on the next monsters to familiarize myself with it, as I haven't seen any Radonix use it so far.
There is only one tunnel connected to the rest area (the one with an existing fire). It leads to a corridor with red lights. In my opinion, this must be the beginning of the next section or maybe the boss room. According to what I've read in the past, some dungeons end with a fight against a more powerful monster of about one rank than those fought before. At the end of the corridor is a large double door. On the other side must be the famous dungeon boss. I check my equipment once again and push the door. It opens easily but still feels heavy to push.
On the other side is a large room where the center houses what appears to be a swamp. At first glance, I don't find anything suspicious, but I know there must be something lurking in this dark water. I should walk along the sides of the room, I think, even though it might take me longer to cross. Beyond the swamp, completely opposite to me, is another large door covered with a blue chandelier, it must be the exit, in my opinion. Still armed with my musket and dagger, I try to cross by walking along the wall of the room, when after only two meters, I hear a scream that makes my blood run cold.
My body freezes and a huge dark green reptilian beast with blue and pink veins emerges from the depths of the swamp. It must be almost five meters long, two meters tall and doesn't look friendly at all. From memory, I think it's a Dramodo, a giant lizard that attacks with its claws and tail, has a hypnotic gaze, and paralyzing toxins. My father has told me that one should not get bitten, nor look it straight in the eyes if one wishes to have a chance of defeating it.
Upon hearing the sound of its footsteps splashing on the muddy water surface, I realize that I am facing a known creature, which snaps me out of my torpor. As a result of this realization, my body relaxes and I regain my composure. Without further ado, I aim and shoot, but the mana bullet bounces off its scales.
This is the first time I have failed to kill a monster on the first try, I think in a bit of panic. I reload while the monster charges at me and decide to aim for a vulnerable spot this time. BAM! The lizard's right eye explodes, but it doesn't die. Enraged, the creature drools everywhere, with a green color that bodes ill, and rushes at me once again. I need to reload before I can shoot again, and judging by the speed at which the monster is running, I will run out of time.
The lizard is getting closer: twenty meters, fifteen meters, I run while reloading to try to gain distance, but the Dramodo runs much faster than me. Ten meters, five meters, the monster will bite me any moment now. For a split second, I remember that I acquired a new skill earlier. I activate it and concentrate to the fullest to continue reloading my musket at the same time. The Dramodo slows down after the activation of my Psionic Attack skill and stops for a few seconds. It shakes its head, as if it were full of sand. This little respite gives me the opportunity to finish reloading and shooting. BAM! The lizard collapses to the ground with a last grunt of pain. It couldn't resist a second bullet in its right orbit. I reload just in case and continue on my way to the back door.
The door has lost its blue sheen, indicating that I have successfully defeated the boss. I open it, and behind it is an altar with several items on it. A huge sapphire, a short spruce bow, a very large dark brown cape, and a very large pale purple wand. I have no idea what these objects might do, but I know that I can only take one since there is a small sign that indicates exactly that. The sapphire must be valuable, but it probably won't be of any use in combat, nor will the bow since I already use a musket. The cape looks good even though the color isn't too pretty, and I'm simply not interested in the wand. So I take the cape and the next moment, my amulet lights up. A light envelops me, and suddenly I find myself in the classroom at the entrance of the dungeon.
A little disoriented, I hear a voice say to me:
"Congratulations, Heolstor! You are the first to have completed the dungeon! I hope you had fun, and that the reward suits you."
Surprised, I look to see who's speaking to me and realize it's Aurellius Silverstar, my professor! I answer him yes and take the opportunity to ask if everyone has already finished the course. He explained to me that the majority of the students were eliminated at the first trap and the rest failed against the monsters in the yellow section of the dungeon. Apart from me, only two other students made it to the boss but were expelled. Proud of myself, I thank him and head back to my dormitory. I am tired, and another big day awaits me tomorrow.