Chapter 14: The Trial of Flames
The Scorched Expanse loomed ahead of King, a land of searing heat and roiling lava flows. This volatile territory was the domain of Pyraxus, the eighth-ranked monster among the Top 8. Known as the Flame Sovereign, Pyraxus was a beast of unimaginable strength, its body forged in fire and destruction. The very air shimmered with heat, making every step feel like a trial.
King stood at the edge of this infernal land, his gaze steady. The message from the system still echoed in his mind:
[Warning: You are entering the territory of Pyraxus. Prepare for extreme resistance. Level 70+ creatures detected.]
But King was undeterred. He had come too far to retreat. If he was going to survive the relentless pursuit of the Top 8, he needed to face them on his terms. And to defeat Pyraxus, he would need to train in this fiery hell and master his growing arsenal of abilities.
Facing the Flameborn Beasts
As King ventured deeper into the Scorched Expanse, he encountered his first challenge: a pack of Lava Hounds. Their molten bodies glowed with fiery veins, and their glowing eyes locked onto him with predatory hunger.
The largest hound, its form twice the size of the others, let out a guttural growl. Flames erupted from its mouth, and the pack charged.
King roared in defiance, activating Shadow Wings to leap into the air, avoiding the initial assault. From above, he unleashed Frost Breath, encasing several hounds in ice. Their molten cores struggled against the frost, steam billowing as they shattered.
One hound managed to leap high, biting into King's leg. He responded with Crimson Charge, slamming into the beast and sending it crashing into a nearby rock. As the pack regrouped, King used Toxic Spit, coating the ground in venom that erupted into flames upon contact with the lava, creating an explosive barrier that divided the hounds.
One by one, the hounds fell. As the last one crumbled, the system chimed:
[Lava Hounds Defeated. Experience Gained. Ability Acquired: Flame Resilience.]
The new ability bolstered King's resistance to fire, a necessity in this inferno.
The Molten Giants
Further into the expanse, King encountered a pair of towering Molten Giants. Each step they took shook the ground, and their massive bodies radiated unbearable heat. One of them raised its arm, and a flaming boulder materialized in its hand before being hurled at King.
King dodged with Shadow Leap, landing behind the giant. He struck with Spectral Scythe, cutting deep into its molten flesh. The giant roared in anger, turning to swing a massive fist. King blocked with Ice Cage, creating a barrier that absorbed the blow and sent shards of ice flying into the giant's fiery core.
The second giant charged, forcing King to retreat momentarily. Using Dimensional Rift, he disappeared and reappeared above the giant, delivering a devastating double-fist slam to its head. The impact sent the giant stumbling, and King used Lightning Strike to finish it off, sending a surge of energy through its molten body.
The remaining giant unleashed a fiery explosion, forcing King to use Shadow Wings to gain altitude. He retaliated with a combo of Toxic Spit and Frost Breath, neutralizing its core and causing it to collapse into a heap of molten rock.
[Molten Giants Defeated. Experience Gained. Ability Acquired: Magma Manipulation.]
The Fiery Labyrinth
King's path to Pyraxus's lair was blocked by a labyrinth of fire and molten rivers. The system chimed again:
[System Challenge: Survive the Fiery Labyrinth. Complete within 30 minutes to receive a bonus reward.]
The labyrinth was alive with traps and monsters. Lava Serpents slithered through the molten rivers, snapping at King's heels. Flaming pillars erupted from the ground, forcing him to dodge and weave. Using Shadow Wings, King flew over the more treacherous sections, but the serpents leapt after him, their fiery bodies writhing in midair.
King used Ice Manipulation to create frozen platforms, buying himself time to attack with precision. He combined Abyssal Flames with Toxic Spit, creating an explosion that incinerated the pursuing serpents.
With seconds to spare, King reached the end of the labyrinth. The system chimed:
[Challenge Completed. Bonus Reward: Flame Armor.]
The new ability allowed King to envelop himself in protective flames, reducing incoming damage and burning any attackers.
Pyraxus, the Flame Sovereign
At the heart of the Scorched Expanse lay a massive volcano. Perched atop its summit was Pyraxus, a dragon of unimaginable size. Its scales glowed like molten metal, and its eyes burned with an ancient fury.
"You dare challenge me, ape?" Pyraxus's voice boomed, shaking the ground. "You are nothing but ash waiting to happen."
King roared in response, pounding his chest. The battle began.
Pyraxus launched a torrent of flames, forcing King to activate Flame Armor to withstand the heat. Using Shadow Wings, he closed the distance, striking with Spectral Scythe. The blade scraped against Pyraxus's scales, leaving a shallow cut.
The dragon retaliated with a swipe of its massive tail, sending King tumbling into the lava below. King activated Magma Manipulation, rising from the molten pool with molten spikes that struck Pyraxus's underbelly.
The fight raged on, with King using every ability in his arsenal. He chained Lightning Strike, Abyssal Flames, and Dimensional Rift to keep Pyraxus on the defensive. But the dragon's sheer size and power were overwhelming.
When Pyraxus unleashed a devastating firestorm, King used Ice Manipulation to create a protective dome, but the ice began to melt under the intense heat. Desperate, King tapped into his primal instincts. He leapt onto Pyraxus's back, targeting the vulnerable joint where its wings connected to its body.
With a mighty roar, King drove his fists into the joint, tearing one of the wings free. Pyraxus screamed in agony, its balance faltering. Seizing the opportunity, King delivered a final combo: Crimson Charge to stagger the dragon, Ice Cage to immobilize it, and Spectral Scythe to sever its head.
The dragon collapsed, its flames extinguished. The system chimed:
[Pyraxus Defeated. New Abilities Acquired: Flame Sovereignty, Dragon's Flight, Inferno Burst.]
[Level Up: King is now Level 60.]
A Growing Threat
As King stood atop Pyraxus's corpse, the system issued a chilling warning:
[Alert: The remaining Top 7 Monsters are now aware of your actions. Prepare for retaliation.]
King clenched his fists. He had conquered the Scorched Expanse and defeated Pyraxus, but his journey was far from over. The Top 7 awaited, and they would be even more formidable.
For now, he would train, master his new abilities, and prepare for the battles to come.
The climb to the top had only just begun.