Thud!!
The dull, heavy sound echoed right next to Novak's ears.
The Biochemical Demon's terrifying fist smashed a deep crater into the cement and marble tile wall. Even though the flesh on its fist had been torn by the sheer force of the blow, the wound began to heal at an incredible speed, as if nothing had happened.
Novak didn't waste a second. The pain in his chest did nothing to slow him down.
At that moment, the regenerative abilities of the Blacklight Virus kicked in fully. His powerful Constitution and the virus's recovery effects restored Novak's strength almost instantly.
However, Novak's mind was racing. His breath came out in white puffs as his gaze locked onto the Biochemical Demon.
'Its regeneration is unbelievable!'
Even in his previous life, he had faced bosses at levels ten and twenty, but none had this kind of outrageous resilience!
The worst part? Novak couldn't see any signs of the demon wearing down.
'Whoosh!'
Before he could think further, the Biochemical Demon rushed at him again.
It didn't rely on fancy techniques or special abilities—just pure, raw power. Its speed, strength, Constitution, and absurd regeneration made it a relentless force.
Yet, as terrifying as its raw power was, Novak felt a surge of excitement.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he steadied himself.
'If this thing is all brute strength and resilience, then what's there to be afraid of?'
His own power—his speed, his strength—were unmatched by anything under level ten. If that was all this Biochemical Demon had to offer, then Novak had nothing to fear.
And he still had a trump card: the Time Hourglass. The ability to rewind time. No form of endurance or recovery could beat that.
Exhaling sharply, Novak's body tensed, the sound of his muscles and bones crackling as he prepared to fight back.
"You had your fun earlier, didn't you? Now it's my turn!"
Sensing the shift, the Biochemical Demon paused for a moment before launching another attack.
In an instant, Novak's speed exploded. The black-and-red tendrils of the Blacklight Virus crept over his body as he whipped his leg toward the demon in a powerful kick.
Boom!
A heavy thud echoed as the Biochemical Demon raised its arm to block. Although it managed to stop the kick, the soft, mangled flesh hanging from its arm showed that even this boss wasn't invulnerable.
But in the next moment, the demon's fist came crashing down toward Novak's face.
The sickening sound of bones cracking rang out, and a bead of sweat trickled down Novak's forehead.
'Who else, at this early stage of the apocalypse, could possibly clear a dungeon like this?'
Novak couldn't imagine anyone else surviving this fight. Yet, despite the pain and the damage he'd taken, he felt exhilarated.
Fighting!
Every punch. Every kick.
Every dodge. Every strike.
For a full hour, the two figures blurred, their speed so fast they seemed like phantoms. Each clash felt like the exchange of martial arts masters—each movement as swift and powerful as something out of a comic book.
It was an endless barrage of attacks, blow after blow, and Novak relished every second of it.
By the end of the hour, Novak understood just how terrifying the Biochemical Demon's regenerative powers were.
He stood there, one eye swollen shut, his sternum shattered, his ankle twisted, and one arm hanging uselessly by his side.
But the Biochemical Demon still stood as well.
During their battle, Novak had kicked the demon's head four times, smashed its chest with his claws seven times, and severed its arms and legs six or seven times. Yet each time, the demon's wounds healed rapidly, leaving almost no trace of damage.
Novak grinned, covered in blood. He looked like a demon himself, a Shura who had crawled out from the depths of hell.
The Biochemical Demon tilted its head, and though it had no facial features, there was a sense of acknowledgment—perhaps even respect—as if it were silently bidding farewell to a worthy opponent.
Suddenly, the Biochemical Demon's speed surged once more! With a fierce strike, its fist came slicing down toward Novak's head!
"I've been waiting for this!" Novak's remaining eye flashed red with intensity.
In the split second before the demon's fist made contact, Novak's entire body—every injury, every wound—healed instantly, as if nothing had ever happened. He stood before the demon, fully restored to his peak condition!
Even the Biochemical Demon seemed to freeze in place for a moment, as though caught off guard. Its attacking fist faltered, delayed by the unexpected sight.
Novak, now at full strength, seized the opportunity. He swiftly caught the demon's arm from below, spinning his body so his back was toward the creature. Before the Biochemical Demon could react, Novak drove his elbow directly into its chest with explosive force.
Boom!
The impact shattered the demon's chest, sending fragments flying.
Boom!
Another elbow strike came crashing into the demon's head, caving it in like a smashed melon.
But just as quickly, Novak was kicked back by the demon, sent flying across the room. Even with its chest destroyed and its head reduced to a mess of flesh, the Biochemical Demon's body began to squirm and regenerate at a terrifying speed. By the time Novak regained his footing, the demon was already reforming.
But Novak noticed something different this time.
Behind his mask, a smile crept across his face. Without hesitation, he charged forward again, fists ready, and smashed the demon's arms with another powerful blow.
The cost? Another brutal kick that sent him sprawling once more.
Yet Novak didn't care. His strategy was clear: injury for injury, life for life.
"So, you're not really immortal after all, huh?" Novak laughed wildly, his voice echoing through the room. "A low-level secret realm boss like you—why would you be immortal? Hahaha! The real king of immortality is right in front of you!"
His laughter was reckless, arrogant, fearless.
For the first time, Novak noticed the demon's regeneration slowing. The once-instant recovery was now sluggish—its head and chest were taking longer to heal.
As Novak continued to attack relentlessly, the Biochemical Demon no longer rushed him with the same confidence. Instead, it began to retreat.
Boom!
"Come!" Novak shouted.
Another hour passed. His arms were shattered, his liver destroyed, but he recovered again. The Biochemical Demon's recovery, however, had slowed even further—it took six extra seconds to regenerate its head.
Boom!
"Let's go again!" Novak roared.
Another hour passed. His intestines spilled out, one arm dangled uselessly, but still, Novak recovered. This time, the demon's head took five extra seconds to regenerate.
Swish!
"Don't even think about running!" Novak bellowed.
Another hour passed. Novak's skull was concussed, his vision blurred, but in one final desperate move, he ripped out one of his own ribs and drove it into the Biochemical Demon's throat like a spear.
Though the demon's head regenerated, the rib stayed lodged in its throat.
"Hahaha! Come on, keep going!" Novak taunted, laughing maniacally.
Boom!
The demon's head exploded once more. The fragments of its flesh scattered across the ground, twitching and writhing, attempting to reform. But under Novak's fierce gaze, the pieces slowly stilled, their movement halting for good.
At that moment, a series of system notifications rang in Novak's ears:
[You have slain the dungeon boss 'Biochemical Demon (Level 8)', gaining 10,000 experience points!]
[Your level has increased! Current level: 5. You have gained two free attribute points!]
[The secret realm dungeon has been cleared. You may exit at any time.]
[You have cleared the secret realm 'Cooling Incinerator' for the first time. The dungeon can now be permanently accessed, with a cooldown time of 3 days for all evolutionists.]
[A notification for Evolutionary No. 001: You have cleared the secret realm for the first time. Do you wish to release a paid guide video of the dungeon?]