Denim Lab stood at the entrance of the Fourth Circle, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the fiery landscape before him. The air was thick with heat and the scent of sulfur, and in the distance, he could see the towering figure of Ifrit, the trial boss of this circle. Ifrit, a massive elemental being of fire, stood over ten feet tall, its body composed entirely of molten rock and raging flames. Its eyes burned with an intense, malevolent heat, and it wielded a giant flaming sword.
Fourth Circle Boss
**Ifrit**
- **Type:** Elemental Boss
- **Level:** 60
- **HP:** 100,000/100,000
- **Abilities:**
- **Flame Burst:** Releases a burst of fire in all directions, dealing massive AoE damage.
- **Molten Slash:** A powerful melee attack with its flaming sword that can cause severe burns.
- **Inferno Shield:** Generates a shield of flames that absorbs damage and reflects a portion back to the attacker.
- **Lava Eruption:** Summons pillars of lava from the ground, dealing continuous damage in an area.
"These will be surely difficult."
After the HP of monsters faced numbered up to hundred thousand and above, players will experience more difficulty in defeating such monster.
"Here we go," Denim muttered, gripping his Shadow Sword tightly in his right hand and the Corrupted Sword in his left. He activated **Shadow Splitting**, creating a doppelganger that shared 80% of his attributes. The doppelganger mirrored his movements, ready to assist in the upcoming battle.
Ifrit roared, flames erupting from its massive form as it charged toward Denim. The ground shook with each step, and Denim could feel the intense heat even from a distance. He activated **Shadow Dance**, merging with the shadows and enhancing his speed and evasion. He swiftly moved through the shadows, positioning himself and his doppelganger strategically.
As Ifrit swung its massive flaming sword at him, Denim used **Shadow Step** to evade, reappearing behind the beast. He and his doppelganger struck in unison, their swords cutting into Ifrit's fiery hide. The **Cursed Blade Aura** on his Shadow Sword dealt additional dark damage with each hit, further weakening the beast.
Ifrit roared in anger, flames intensifying around its body. Denim activated **Phantom Rush**, increasing his movement speed and attack power for a brief period. He unleashed a flurry of strikes with both swords, each blow enhanced by his **Swordsmanship Mastery**. His doppelganger followed suit, the two of them working in perfect harmony.
Ifrit retaliated with a **Flame Burst**, incinerating several doppelgangers instantly. Denim, protected by his **Shadow Barrier**, absorbed the brunt of the attack. He felt the strain on his body but knew he had to keep pushing. He activated **Curse of the Abyss**, increasing his attack power by 20% at the cost of his HP. The gradual HP drain was a risk, but one he was willing to take.
Denim switched his Corrupted Sword to a greatsword, using its **Transform** ability. The weight and power of the greatsword added extra force to his strikes. He activated **Void Slash**, infusing the greatsword with void energy and striking Ifrit with a powerful blow that ignored a portion of its defense.
Ifrit, enraged, activated its **Inferno Shield**, reflecting some of Denim's attacks back at him. Denim gritted his teeth, feeling the burn of the reflected damage. He commanded his remaining doppelgangers to attack from different angles, overwhelming the shield.
The battle raged on, Denim's doppelgangers falling one by one. Ifrit's movements slowed as it sustained more damage, but it was still a formidable opponent. Denim felt his HP dropping from the **Curse of the Abyss**, but his **Warrior's Resolve** kicked in as his health fell below 40%, temporarily increasing his defense.
With a final, determined effort, Denim and his remaining doppelgangers launched a coordinated assault. Ifrit attempted a **Lava Eruption**, summoning pillars of lava around Denim, but he used **Shadow Dance** once more to reposition and confuse Ifrit, while his doppelgangers struck from all sides. The combined force of their attacks overwhelmed Ifrit, and with a mighty roar, the beast fell to the ground, defeated.
Denim stood over the fallen Ifrit, panting heavily. The trial was over, and he had emerged victorious. He dismissed his remaining doppelgangers and deactivated his skills, feeling the toll the battle had taken on his body.
As the flames around him began to subside, a chest appeared at the center of the Fourth Circle. Denim approached it, opening it to reveal the rewards of his trial: a rare Void Stone, a new piece of armor, and a weapon upgrade scroll. Up to his surprise, there were drops unlike from the battle earlier that didn't have any drops.
"One step closer," Denim murmured, taking the items and preparing to move on to the next challenge. The Fourth Circle was behind him, but the trials ahead would only grow more difficult. He steeled himself for the journey, knowing that each victory brought him closer to his ultimate goal.