The Confrontation of Flames and Shadows [CHAPTER 18]

Once again, he descended into the depths of the earth. "Why does this foolish reptile persist in such antics?"

I pondered, frustration bubbling within me. Where would it emerge next? My thoughts swirled like a tempest when, without warning, the ground beneath me shifted. The serpent, with its gaping maw, erupted from the soil and engulfed me whole.

"What the hell?" 

As I was swallowed by the snake, it felt as though I were being drawn through an endless, dark tunnel. Suddenly, I found myself in the belly of the beast. 

What now? I was trapped within its gut, and I could already sense the impending threat of gastric acid rising around me. The foul stench assaulted my senses, and an overwhelming urge to vomit surged within me. What was this slimy larva clinging to my body?

Desperation took hold, and I began to pound against the walls of the serpent's stomach. Each blow elicited a response from the creature, causing it to writhe and convulse. "You'll regret devouring me, serpent! I am the kind of meal that brings nothing but remorse!" 

I continued my relentless assault, targeting a specific spot until the creature became disoriented from the pain. It thrashed against the ground, smashing itself against the stones, but my punches showed no sign of relenting. Eventually, my persistence paid off; I had worn down the flesh, creating a soft spot. 

With a dagger I had hidden in my possession, I drove it into the weakened area. The serpent convulsed violently, blood gushing forth as I tore through its skin, finally freeing myself from its grasp. The creature lay lifeless on the ground, defeated.

"Hush! That was quite the battle. Had I remained in its stomach much longer, I would have become its next meal." I took a moment to catch my breath before assessing my surroundings. Summoning my ability, I activated "One Eye."

**MONARCH SERPENT** 

**STATUS:** Lord of Snakes 

**LEVEL:** 45 

**SKILLS:** Night Vision, Toxic Smudge, Mesmerizing 

**Additional Skill:** -- 

I furrowed my brow, contemplating the creature's level. Was it truly so weak for a level 45? But I dismissed the thought, for the stench of the serpent lingered on me, and I needed to cleanse myself. I spotted a nearby pond and leaped into its cool waters, the refreshing sensation washing away the grime and blood from my skin.

"This water is invigorating," I mused, letting the coolness envelop me. "But I wonder how many floors this dungeon contains?"

After drying myself and tending to my wounds, I ventured deeper into the dungeon. As I descended to the next level, I was greeted by an astonishing sight: trees sprouted defiantly from the hard, rocky ground, their vibrant leaves a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the dungeon. I reached out to touch the bark, marveling at its life-giving essence.

However, as I moved forward, an unsettling warmth began to envelop me. 

"Am I being cooked?" The temperature soared, far exceeding anything I had experienced before. My curiosity piqued, I pressed on, only to stumble upon a figure shrouded in flames. His body and face were engulfed in fire, yet he appeared unharmed, as if the flames were an intrinsic part of him.

"What in the world is this? Is he some kind of monster?" I had faced goblins and serpents, but now I stood before a man cloaked in fire.

I stepped closer, confronting him directly.

"Who are you, intruder?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the inferno surrounding him.

I took a breath, standing my ground. "I am Red, and I have come to conquer this dungeon. But who are you, and what powers do you wield?"

"I am Ignite, the Spirit of Fire," he replied, his voice resonating with an otherworldly echo. "I have been cursed by a goddess, and this dungeon has become my prison."

"A curse? What did you do to deserve such a fate?" 

He sighed, the flames flickering as he recalled his past. "Long ago, in the Divine Realm, I was manifested alongside the goddesses of fire. Being an independent spirit, I sought freedom. One day, while exploring the gardens of divinity, I, in my youthful mischief, accidentally set ablaze a sacred garden. It was only when the goddesses appeared, furious at my folly, that I realized the gravity of my actions. They cursed me, sealing me within this dungeon for eternity."

"That is a tragic tale," I said, my heart softening at his plight. "But did you not see the garden aflame?"

"As I stood amid the remnants of a once-vibrant garden, now charred and smoldering, I couldn't shake the sense that my actions had stirred more than just the delicate wings of butterflies. With a flick of my wrist, fireballs erupted toward the fluttering creatures, igniting the air with a crackling energy that was both exhilarating and reckless. The garden, unbeknownst to me, belonged to an ancient goddess, her essence intertwined with every living root and petal. My audacity had awakened her wrath, and the consequences were not merely whispered warnings on the wind; they were tangible and fierce.

"Your tale, while undeniably entertaining, evokes a profound sorrow within me," came a voice, laced with both sympathy and a thread of admonition. "But let's be honest, you brought this upon yourself."

"Yeah, yeah, spare me your pity,Do me a favor and vanish from my sight. I have no interest in your unsolicited commentary; disturb me again, and you'll wish you hadn't."

"And if I choose not to heed your warning?" 

"I'll reduce you to mere ashes. You'd be wise to take the threat seriously."

 "You see, I'm here to conquer the dungeon. If I fail in my quest, a promise I made will wither like the scorched petals at your feet. This is why I'm compelled to challenge you to a duel."

Intrigued, the spirit considered my proposal, a glimmer of excitement replacing the more casual demeanor it had displayed. "Ah, a duel! How refreshing! Opportunities for combat are scarce in these parts. But be forewarned, the ground floor is ruled by the Lord of the Snakes. He has a penchant for devouring anyone who dares to cross his path."

"Oh, that fiend," I replied, recalling our last encounter. "Yes, he met his end at my hands as well—after I delivered a well-placed punch to his gut."

The spirit's eyes widened in apparent admiration. "You killed him? So all that ruckus echoing through the dungeon was your doing."

I shrugged, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Yeah, that was me."

"Interesting. If you possess enough strength to slay the snake king, then perhaps the duel will prove to be worth my while." A hint of exhilaration danced in the spirit's voice, echoing through the charred fragments of the garden.

"Oh, don't worry. I intend to deliver quite the beating once the duel begins. You may be surprised at what I can do."

A glimmer of amusement sparkled in its molten eyes, yet the spirit remained resolute. "I admire your confidence, but be reminded, I am no fool. I am a divine spirit, despite the majority of my powers sealed by a lingering curse. Even so, this duel will be anything but easy for you."

As I regarded the spirit, it dawned on me that it wore intricately designed armor, glinting against the remnants of the sun. A curious shimmer caught my eye, something deep within its armor—a radiant ruby, perhaps, or some other precious gem that pulsed with a life of its own.

"What are you staring at?" the spirit inquired, its voice tinged with both annoyance and curiosity.

"Nothing significant, just your armor—it's shining a bit too brightly," I replied, unable to conceal my intrigue.

"Oh, that? That's my ruby. Every spirit is born with one, a manifestation of our essence." The spirit's pride was palpable, illuminating the notion that there were, in fact, many spirits scattered throughout the world. 

An idea began to form in my mind. "So you're saying there are countless spirits out there, each with their own unique strengths and abilities? Fascinating." Reflecting on my recent battle with the Snake King, I felt a surge of adrenaline course through me. I had leveled up two times, and it invigorated my confidence. 

Standing on the brink of this duel, I couldn't help but wonder: just how formidable was this fiery entity facing me? The garden, now devoid of its former beauty, had transformed into a battleground, and I stood ready to engage in combat. Anticipation crackled in the air as our gazes locked, the aura of challenge swirling fiercely between us. 

And so began the delicate dance of fate—two forces about to collide in an epic confrontation defined by not just strength, but by cleverness and resolve. In this realm of shadows and sparks, the next chapter of my journey loomed ever closer, and I was ready to face it head-on.