The party stood at the edge of the stairwell leading to the second floor, catching their breath after the relentless battle with the goblin horde. A sudden flash of light illuminated the area, and a message appeared in front of them, projected by the dungeon's system interface.
WARNING: Each floor contains a Boss Monster. Floor 6 houses the Dungeon Overlord. Proceed with caution.
Haruki squinted at the words, clenching his fists. "You're telling me there are more monsters like that giant goblin? What the hell! This mission just keeps getting worse."
Dante leaned against the wall, wiping blood off his sword. "Relax, Haruki. That was just the warm-up. Besides, if every floor has a boss, that just means more loot for us."
"More loot? That's your focus right now?" Haruki shot back.
"Focus on staying alive first," Aiko interjected, crossing her arms. "These dungeons are no joke, and the creatures only get stronger the deeper we go."
"Then let's stop wasting time." Haruki turned toward the next stairwell, his dagger gleaming in the dim dungeon light. "Whatever's waiting for us, I'll cut it down."
The three descended to the second level, the air around them growing noticeably hotter. As they stepped into the cavernous space, the walls shimmered with molten rock, and rivers of lava snaked across the ground. Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the chamber.
From the high ground, a fire dragon loomed, its crimson scales glinting like molten metal. It reared its head back, a stream of fire erupting from its maw.
"Move!" Dante shouted, grabbing Haruki and Aiko, dragging them out of the flame's path.
Haruki immediately raised a magical barrier, his hands glowing faintly. The flames collided with the barrier, sending sparks flying. But the dragon's attack was relentless, and the shield shattered like glass, knocking Haruki backward.
Before he could react, the dragon lunged, its massive claws grabbing him. The creature flung him across the cavern like a rag doll. Haruki crashed into a jagged wall, coughing up blood as he struggled to stand.
"Haruki!" Aiko called out, attempting to rush to him.
"Stay back," Dante ordered, pulling her arm. "He'll be fine. Let him handle this."
"Are you insane? He's hurt!"
Dante smirked, spinning his sword in his hand. "You haven't seen what he's really capable of."
As if on cue, Haruki activated his assassin skill, disappearing from sight. The dragon roared, confused, sniffing the air for its target. Haruki reappeared above its head, driving his dagger into its skull. The beast screeched in pain, thrashing wildly.
"I'm not done yet!" Haruki yelled, using his dagger to carve into the dragon's neck. Blood gushed from the wounds, drenching his face.
But before he could finish it off, two more dragons soared into the chamber, their fiery roars filling the air. Fireballs rained down from the sky, forcing Haruki to leap away. He landed awkwardly, clutching his ribs.
Dante and Aiko sprang into action.
"Earth Pillar!" Aiko chanted, slamming her palms onto the ground. Massive stone columns erupted from beneath the dragons, knocking one out of the sky. She followed up with an ice spell, freezing its wings.
"Nice work," Dante said, dashing forward. He launched himself into the air, his sword glowing as he unleashed Angel's Assault. His strikes were quick and precise, slicing through the frozen dragon's throat.
The third dragon roared, charging at Dante with its claws. He sidestepped, countering with a series of flips and slashes, but the dragon managed to catch him mid-air, its teeth sinking into his leg. It slammed him into the ground, shaking the cavern.
"Damn… that hurt," Dante muttered, coughing up blood. He struggled to his feet, leaning on his sword.
"Need a hand?" Haruki asked, appearing beside him.
"About time," Dante smirked, wincing.
Haruki dashed forward, using his assassin speed to dodge the dragon's swipes. He climbed onto its back, his dagger carving into its scales. The dragon thrashed, trying to shake him off, but he held on tight.
"Now!" he shouted to Aiko.
"Flame Tornado!" she cried, conjuring a whirlwind of fire and ice. The dragon was engulfed, its roars of pain echoing through the cavern.
As the flames subsided, Haruki leapt from the dragon's back, delivering a decisive slash to its throat. It collapsed, blood pooling beneath its massive body.
"That should be the last—" Haruki began, but his words were cut off by a deafening roar.
The cavern trembled as a colossal dragon emerged, its scales shimmering gold. Its eyes burned with malice, and its claws were as sharp as blades.
"This must be the boss," Haruki muttered, gripping his dagger tighter.
"I'll handle this," Aiko declared, stepping forward.
"Don't be stupid," Dante said. "We take it down together."
The dragon roared, launching itself at them. Aiko dodged, countering with a flurry of ice spells. Dante threw his sword, the blade piercing the dragon's eye.
"Gotcha!" Dante smirked.
The dragon screamed in pain, flailing wildly. Haruki used the opportunity to climb onto its back, his dagger finding weak spots in its scales. Blood sprayed as he worked his way toward its head.
"Hold it steady!" he shouted.
Aiko unleashed a barrage of elemental attacks, blinding the dragon with fire, ice, and wind. Dante retrieved his sword, scaling the dragon's body with Haruki.
"This ends now!" Haruki activated his new skill, Critical Hit, his blade glowing with dark energy. He plunged the dagger into the dragon's skull, creating a weak point that Dante capitalized on, driving his sword deep into its brain.
The dragon let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing, its body shaking the entire dungeon.
Haruki staggered to his feet, bloodied but triumphant. A notification flashed before them.
Congratulations!
• Dragon Boss defeated.
• Haruki has earned the title: Dragon Slayer.
• Rewards: Dragon Scales, Dragon Fang, Skill Boost.
Haruki opened his inventory, smirking at the new items. "Looks like this mission wasn't a total waste."
After patching up their wounds, the group sat down to rest.
"Two floors down, four to go," Dante said, leaning back.
"Let's hope the next one doesn't involve dragons," Aiko sighed.
Haruki chuckled, staring at his dagger. "Whatever's waiting for us, I'll be ready."
The chapter ends.