The Chieftain

Enzo descended from the sky, landing with a thunderous impact that shook the tower floor. The Goblin Chieftain, unfazed by the display, charged forward with surprising speed for its size. Its massive club swung in a wide arc, forcing Enzo to duck and weave.

The dragon's scales provided some protection, but the sheer force behind each blow sent shockwaves through his body. Enzo retaliated, snapping at the Chieftain with his razor-sharp teeth. He managed to catch the goblin's arm, drawing first blood.

[Chieftain Health: 2612/2750]

The Chieftain roared in pain and anger, redoubling its efforts. It feinted left, then struck right, catching Enzo off guard. The club connected with his side, sending him skidding across the floor.

[Health: 890/1070]

Enzo struggled to his feet, wincing at the pain in his side. He had never faced an opponent this strong in physical combat with his draconic body before, and it showed in his clumsy movements.

Meanwhile, Port lounged in mid-air, invisible to Enzo, sipping from the bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag that seemed to refill itself. He watched the battle with keen interest, his eyes never leaving the combatants.

"Hmm," Port mused to himself, knocking back the bottle. "The boy's got potential, but he's green as grass. Wonder if he'll figure out how to use that new body of his effectively."

"Let's see if he'll survive the level 70 Chieftain without his precious mana."

A grin spread across Port's small, midget face.

Enzo circled the Goblin Chieftain, his claws scraping against the tower floor. The dragon's eyes narrowed, assessing his opponent. 'This Chieftain's tougher than I thought,' Enzo mused. 'He must be in the high 60's or early 70's.'

The Chieftain lunged forward, its club whistling through the air. Enzo ducked, feeling the rush of wind above his head. He countered with a swipe of his tail, catching the goblin's legs.

[Chieftain Health: 2580/2750]

The goblin stumbled but quickly regained its footing. It grinned, revealing rows of yellowed teeth. With surprising agility, it feinted left and struck right, its club connecting with Enzo's shoulder.

[Health: 820/1070]

Pain shot through Enzo's body. 'Damn, that hurts!' he thought, gritting his teeth. 'I can't lower the pain threshold because this is my real body. It feels wrong to get hit in my dragon form.'

Enzo felt the indignation from his Dragon side flare at the thought that this lowly creature would dare to hurt it.

He quickly brushed that aside. The multiverse was an eat-or-be-eaten place, and since he had no clan to support him, he was fodder.

No matter his race.

From his perch, Port took another swig from his bottle. "Heh, the kid's got spirit," he muttered. "But spirit ain't enough against raw power. Let's see if he's got the brains to match."

Enzo reared back, unleashing a stomp that seemed to connect with the earth around him. Although he was in the tower, he could feel the earth energy around him and used it to his advantage.

'This is a lot easier than the space element."

[You've increased your Earth Elemental Mastery by 4!]

[Earth Element: 4/10 (Early Seed)]

Enzo's newfound connection to the earth element surged through him, lending strength to his next attack. He lunged forward, his claws raking across the Goblin Chieftain's chest. The goblin howled in pain and rolled to the side.

[Chieftain Health: 1840/2750]

'That's it,' Enzo thought, a spark of hope igniting within him. 'My biggest advantage is my Void Emperor's Body! After this, I have to train up my elemental masteries. I wonder how easy it will be with that gift.'

The Chieftain, however, was far from defeated. It recovered quickly, its eyes blazing with fury. With a guttural roar, it charged, swinging its club in a wide arc. Enzo tried to dodge, but his larger dragon form made him slower than expected. The club caught him on the side of his head, sending him reeling.

[Health: 720/1070]

Stars exploded in Enzo's vision. He shook his head, trying to clear it. 'Damn this lowly creature! How dare he!'

Enzo had started to lose himself, no longer caring, and let his Dragon side take over as he fought.

The feeling was exhilarating, and something he hadn't had in his previous life.

Sure, he liked fighting, but this was different. His very being shook with the need for battle. The thirst for improvement and advancement.

He could feel himself getting stronger, and the energy from each level up he had previously was something akin to a drug.

From his aerial vantage point, Port took another swig from his seemingly bottomless bottle. His eyes narrowed as he watched the battle unfold. "Hmm, the kid's learning," he mused to himself. "I wonder how he's already gotten so much Earth and Space mastery? I'll have to ask him about that later."

The battle raged on, with Enzo and the Goblin Chieftain trading blows. As Enzo embraced his draconic instincts, he found himself more in tune with the elements around him.

During a brief respite, Enzo felt a surge of power coursing through his veins.

[You've increased your Earth Elemental Mastery by 2!]

[Earth Element: 6/10 (Mid Seed)]

[Earth Element Stat Bonus (Mid Seed): +15 Vitality +5 Strength]

[You've increased your Space Elemental Mastery by 1!]

[Space Element: 2/10 (Early Seed)]

Feeling his increased stats, Enzo charged at the Chieftain, his claws infused with earth energy. He raked across the goblin's chest, leaving deep gashes.

[Chieftain Health: 1540/2750]

The Chieftain retaliated, its club smashing into Enzo's side with bone-crushing force.

[Health: 620/1070]

As the fight wore on, both Enzo and the Chieftain began to show signs of fatigue. Enzo's movements became slower, his breaths more labored. The Goblin Chieftain's swings lost some of their initial power, but its determination remained unchanged.

Time seemed to blur as they continued their brutal exchange. Enzo's scales were chipped and cracked in places, while the Chieftain's armor was dented and torn.

[Chieftain Health: 840/2750]

[Health: 320/1070]

Enzo panted heavily, his vision blurring from exhaustion. The Chieftain wasn't faring much better, its movements becoming sluggish and predictable.

From his invisible perch, Port watched with growing interest. "Now this is getting good," he muttered, taking another swig from his bottle. "Let's see who breaks first."

As the fight reached its climax, Enzo felt another surge of power. It wasn't the big leap that came with increased stats like when he'd broken through to the Mid Seed stage of his Earth Element, but it was enough that it might turn this fight.

[You've increased your Earth Elemental Mastery by 1!]

[Earth Element: 7/10 (Mid Seed)]

[You've increased your Space Elemental Mastery by 1!]

[Space Element: 3/10 (Early Seed)]

With renewed vigor, Enzo prepared for what he hoped would be the final clash.