The boss stepped forward, its armored boots echoing in the vast chamber. The ground trembled beneath its weight as it raised its massive sword, pointing it at JC. The glow in its eyes intensified, and the oppressive mana in the air grew thicker.
JC stood still, his calm and stoic expression betraying no fear. He shifted his stance slightly, gripping his dagger with one hand while his other hovered near his pendant.
"Come, warrior of the Logia family," the boss said, its voice reverberating like thunder. "Prove your worth, or fall like the rest."
The creature lunged, its sword slicing through the air with blinding speed. JC dodged at the last second, the blade missing him by inches and carving a deep gouge into the ground.
---
JC countered with a quick burst of light magic, sending a spear of energy toward the boss. The creature swatted it aside with ease, the attack barely leaving a mark on its armor.
"You'll need more than that," it said, its tone mocking.
JC remained unfazed, his calm demeanor unchanged. He stepped lightly across the battlefield, evading the boss's relentless strikes. Though his movements seemed effortless, each dodge and parry was calculated, buying him time to analyze his opponent.
The boss swung its sword in a wide arc, unleashing a shockwave of energy. JC raised a shield of light, blocking the attack, though the force pushed him back several feet.
"You're holding back," the boss growled, narrowing its glowing eyes. "Show me the strength of the Logia bloodline!"
---
JC didn't respond. Instead, he shifted his stance again, his movements slower and more deliberate. He sent another wave of light magic at the boss, but the attacks were weaker, almost as if he was testing the creature.
The boss roared in frustration, slamming its sword into the ground and creating a massive explosion of energy that shook the entire chamber. JC was thrown back, skidding across the floor before coming to a stop.
He pushed himself up slowly, his expression still calm. He dusted off his cloak, his red eyes glinting faintly in the dim light.
"You're powerful," JC admitted, his voice steady. "But you talk too much."
The boss froze for a moment, startled by JC's composure.
---
JC took a deep breath, his pendant beginning to glow brighter. The light magic swirling around him intensified, crackling with raw energy. For the first time, the boss hesitated, sensing the shift in power.
"You've been testing me this whole time," the boss said, its voice low.
JC didn't answer. Instead, he stepped forward, his calm facade unchanging. The mana around him surged, the air crackling with electricity as storm magic joined the swirling light.
The boss charged again, its sword raised high. But this time, JC didn't dodge. He raised his hand, catching the blade with a barrier of light and storm energy. The collision sent sparks flying, the ground beneath them cracking under the sheer force.
---
"You want the strength of the Logia bloodline?" JC said, his tone cold. "Fine. I'll show you."
The calm expression on his face remained, but the air around him grew heavy with an overwhelming aura. The glow of his pendant erupted into a blinding light, illuminating the entire chamber.
The boss staggered back, shielding its eyes as JC unleashed his full power. The dagger in his hand transformed into a blade of pure energy, its edge humming with lethal precision.
JC advanced, his movements swift and precise. He struck the boss with a flurry of attacks, each blow carving through its armor like paper. The creature roared in pain and fury, swinging its sword wildly, but JC evaded every strike with ease.
---
In a final, desperate attempt, the boss gathered all its energy, preparing to unleash a devastating attack. JC watched calmly, his blade of light glowing brighter as he prepared his own finishing move.
As the boss brought its sword down, JC raised his blade, meeting the attack head-on. The collision created a massive explosion of light and energy, shaking the entire dungeon.
When the dust settled, JC stood tall, his blade dissipating into particles of light. The boss collapsed to its knees, its armor cracked and broken.
"You are worthy," the boss said, its voice weak but filled with respect. "The strength of the Logia bloodline… it is unmatched."
JC nodded, his expression unchanging. "I told you. You talk too much."
With that, the boss dissolved into mana, leaving behind a glowing chest at the center of the room. JC approached it, his pendant dimming as his power receded.
The chest opened with a soft click, revealing a radiant orb of light—the core of the dungeon. JC held it up, its glow illuminating his stoic face.
"This is just the beginning," he said softly, turning to leave the chamber. "We've only scratched the surface."
The doors opened once more, and JC stepped out to rejoin his friends, his calm expression betraying none of the power he had just unleashed.