Chapter 57: Battling Against the Firedrake and Challenging the Dungeon Boss

Facing the fire drake Jayven felt excited as the enemy in front of him was something he wanted to fight to try out his newfound strength

"Well if it is before the dungeon raid then I would have a hard time but not now it is different. Let's see how much I improved since then, and you will be the test to show my results."

Jayven said at Firedrake as though he was provoking it.

And as though he understands Jayven's provocation the Firedrake Roared as it dashed towards his direction and exceeded the speed in which Jayven couldn't see his full outline.

'It really Is fast no wonder it was called the windbreaker. It really destroys the wind as it moves breaking the sonic wave'

Using his Senses to the fullest Jayven dodged all the incoming attacks as he bid his time to be more familiarized with the firedrake's pattern.

Its attacks range from claws, bites, tackles, and flame-throwing. All these attacks contain fire attributes that could cause burns, but due to Jayven's body tempering technique, it has hardly any effect.

Still, if he isn't careful Jayven will still be inflicted by the flame status slowing down his stats and eating away his life force.

"I was holding back since earlier and after the encounter with the assassin, I became even stronger by challenging this dungeon by using my skill."

Because of the battle since falling down the pit, Jayven's stat gained a huge boost but he knew that underestimating this monster was the same as seeking death. 

So, he had to wait until the time limit of his skill effect was over for him to fight at full strength. Until then Jayven used the opportunity to study his opponent.

And exactly as the effect of his skill ended, Jayven made a move. Combining his Shadow Steps and Mountain Tiger Claw, he challenged the monster head-on, and the exchange was brutal.

"Ahhh!"

"Roar!"

The two created yelled their battle cry as they exchanged moves with each other. And it was was brutal one.

The Firedrake would head butt Jayven it would also bite or slash him with claws and fangs. And when a distance is made it would spit out fire. But Jayven didn't back down as he gave his own blows during the exchange.

Jayven would use his shadow step to avoid lethal hits and with the use of mana intent, he slashed through the enemy's skin which only dealt shallow wounds. And using his senses he would locate certain gaps to either stop its movement or inflict wounds on it.

The exchange was brief every time they got close and when things got dangerous each would take distance from the other. But if they do either one of them will take the edge while the other will suffer.

Gradually the wounds on Jayvens 'body kept on increasing and so did the drake. But as though possessed by a great warrior's spirit the two continued to fight.

The clash became even stronger and gradually they were both losing strength signaling the final clash.

"I bet his stats are already down to the brink, time to do the usual."

Having finally reached the climax of the fight Javen started activating his skill, canceling the effect of fatigue, and returning his stats to the peak. With that his preparations were complete and he is now ready for the final exchange.

And as though having the same thought the firedrake looked at Jayven and staring now the two looked at each other as though this was the last bout and with that, the two concentrated all their mana.

The drake gathered mana into his legs and fangs. And if one looks closely, it is so concentrated that it reaches the mana intent stage mastery which is rare even for an A-rank monster.

As for Jayven, it is his arms to his feet that performed the Tiger Mountain Claw and Shadow Steps. It slowly clad the whole area it was focused on and with it was clear

Then came the final clash between the two. The place resounded with both their mana's exploding upon contact with their respected enemies.

At that moment the two were at a standstill as the Firedrake opened its jaws ready to devour Jayven.

But Jayven didn't let himself be eaten as he caught the two jaws leading them to have a standstill. As one wants to crush his enemy's head while the other stops it from happening.

Even so, the Fire drake didn't give up as it focused on gathering mana in its mouth as it was getting ready to spew flames.

Realizing this Jayven made an instant decision as he used every one of his mana to twist the firedrake's jaws.

Then with a crack, silence filled the place after the clash, and with a thud, the Firedrake fell down lifeless. As for Jayven, he kneeled down afterward he relaxed his tired body.

"Gohoh gohoh. Ugh, that was painful."

Jayven said as he looked at his scorched arms. The last attack of the drake was so strong that the flames seeped through Jayven's arm as he grabbed the Firedrake's jaw resulting in burning his hands.

But with sheer willpower, he twisted the Firedrake's head which led to his current victory. Making the burn hands a small price to pay to win against a strong adversary.

'I have to wait for a moment for it to heal naturally so that I can get a potion in my storage bag. I mean, it is too much of a pain to get items with these hands.'

Thanks to his healing trait, little by little his hands healed and he was able to get his stuff so after pouring a healing potion into his hands he rested till he was 80% ready to fight.

So, after getting himself fully healed, Jayven started to dismantle the Firedrake. After he was done Jayven started to get ready to challenge the boss of this dungeon.

After getting himself ready Jayven started to brace himself. Then he faced the gate and with a push, the gate was opened following that he entered it.

What welcomed him upon entering was a wide area filled with beautiful lights and glowing red and orange stones illuminating the place. And as if reminding him what the place was hot air blows to his face making him sweat a little.

Raising his guard up Jayven entered the gate as he got ready for a fight. After all, this was the boss's room, so he didn't have the time to lower his guard to admire the place. 

But to his confusion upon going inside, he saw a child and this caught him off guard. So stared hard at looking at the long red-haired child sitting on the throne above.

'What is a child doing here?' Confused he asked himself but moments later he remembered. 'Wait this is a dungeon so that isn't a child but a monster shaped like one.'

And as if to prove Jayven's thought the child said in a strange tone as noticed his arrival.

{Hmm to think someone could get in here so fast I was pretty sure that I made the guard quite sturdy and strong.}

Disappointed by the Firedrake's defeat it slowly stepped down from his chair, walking in Jayven's direction.

{I was planning to make it a dungeon boss. Oh well, I just have to make a new one. Now let's just see what you are made of."

He said to Jayven as it's face showed a devoid expression. And the child's body slowly burned or more like turned into flame.

Let's see what you are made of human. Then with a strong burst of flames, the child floated and started to turn into the shape of a burning bird. 

"This is a phoenix." Seeing it's figure Jayven was filled with fear as what the dungeon boss was making him unconsciously say those words out loud.

{Me a phoenix unfortunately I am not. I am just a failure a product made from it. But that doesn't mean I am any weaker than that of a phoenix.}

Declaring so it announced to Jayven what it was.

{I am Phenex one of the 72 cursed artifacts of the Demon King also known as his Blazing Flag of Life. Get ready human for my Flames are never-ending.}

Then with a great gust of heat surrounding the Phenex, and mana slowly builds up increasing the flames around it.

After gathering that mana and flames it flew up high and as though it was gaining momentum it flew straight back down aiming towards Jayven. 

Then to avoid the incoming attack, Jayven used his Shadow Step to its fullest to narrowly avoid it.

"Oh sh!t that attack was faster than the fire drake before."

Then it screeches again as it flies back down. Noticing that it was about to attack again Jayven utilized his senses to the extreme as he avoided the attacks.

Realizing his current predicament Jayven started to think about how to counter this current problem that he has.