Chapter 10: The Heart of the Dragon Ruins
The eerie silence that followed the battle left an unsettling void in the ruins. Aric wiped the sweat from his brow, his blade still glowing faintly from the heat of combat. Around him, the bodies of the defeated Dragonspawn shimmered before disintegrating into motes of light, their essence absorbed back into the Tower's mysterious system.
"That was tougher than I expected," Aric muttered, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension. His clones stood at attention, each one ready for his next command. The Warlord clone stepped forward, its voice calm and calculated.
"The rewards were worth it, but we've only scratched the surface of this place. The presence deeper in the ruins… it's stronger. Something ancient lies ahead."
Aric nodded, his gaze drifting toward the towering remnants of what might have once been a grand dragon's lair. The intricate carvings on the stone walls told a story of power, conquest, and eventual ruin.
"First, let's assess where we stand." With a mental command, he summoned his Nexus System interface, his status window materializing before him in shimmering gold and silver hues.
Aric Valen's Status – Level 9
(Experience: 2500/4000)
HP: 1,200 / 1,200
MP: 800 / 800
SP: 900 / 900
Attributes:
Strength: 250
Defense: 170
Agility: 140
Intelligence: 130
Luck: 60
Titles:
Guardian Slayer: Increases damage against large enemies by 10%.
Strategist's Edge: Enhances tactical skills and critical thinking during battles.
Dragon Slayer: Increases damage against Dragonspawn and draconic creatures by 20%.
Skills:
Infinite Creation: Allows the creation of abilities, items, and clones.
Adaptive Tactics (Lv. 2): Increases efficiency against unknown enemies.
Crimson Slash (Lv. 4): Unleashes a powerful slash with a chance to cause bleeding.
Phantom Dash (Lv. 3): Dashes instantly to a target location, evading attacks.
Blade Storm (Lv. 3): Unleashes a flurry of rapid strikes to surrounding enemies.
Iron Aegis (Lv. 3): Forms a temporary shield that absorbs damage.
Frost Ward (Lv. 2): Creates a barrier of ice that reduces enemy attack speed.
System:
Nexus System (Mythical): Allows fusion and absorption of other systems (Unlockable at Level 10).
Clone Details:
Active Clones: 9
Special Abilities: Clones possess randomized classes and talents. One clone gains exceptional power every 10 levels.
Aric stroked his chin thoughtfully. "At level 10, everything will change. My stats will skyrocket, and I'll gain my first class. The system hinted at the possibility of multiple classes… I wonder how that'll play out."
The Artisan clone stepped forward, holding a glowing Dragon Rune in its hands. "These materials will be essential for crafting equipment, Master. The Dragon's Scales and Fangs can be turned into armor and weapons with significant bonuses."
Aric glanced at the rune. Its surface shimmered with an ancient energy that felt almost alive. "The rune might be the key to unlocking whatever power is hidden deeper in the ruins," he mused aloud. "We'll hold onto it for now."
He closed his status window with a flick of his wrist and turned to the Warlord clone. "Form up. We're heading deeper in."
The Deeper Ruins
As they ventured further into the labyrinth of the Dragon Ruins, the air grew colder, the oppressive energy pressing harder against their bodies. The walls of the ruins became more ornate, covered in glowing runes that pulsed faintly with a rhythm that mirrored a heartbeat.
"It feels… alive," the Mage clone whispered, its glowing hands tracing one of the carvings.
Aric nodded. "The dragon that lived here must have poured its very essence into this place. These runes could be fragments of its power. Stay alert. Anything could happen."
The deeper they went, the stronger the pull of energy became. Soon, they entered a massive chamber, its ceiling so high it disappeared into darkness. At the center of the chamber lay a broken throne, made of what looked like bones fused with gold. Around it, clusters of Dragonspawn emerged, their glowing eyes fixated on the intruders.
"More of them," Aric muttered, unsheathing his sword. "Prepare for battle. Same formation as before!"
The Dragonspawn this time were larger and more aggressive, their scales glimmering with faint hints of red—likely remnants of their progenitor's power. One let out an ear-splitting screech, and the rest charged.
Aric and his clones met them head-on.
The Defender clone intercepted the initial wave, its Iron Aegis skill absorbing the brunt of the Dragonspawn's attacks. The Mage clone unleashed a volley of frost and fire, slowing the enemies and forcing them into disarray. Aric himself darted through the battlefield, his Phantom Dash allowing him to weave between enemies with deadly precision.
"Focus on the larger ones first!" Aric barked, his blade glowing as he activated Crimson Slash. The powerful strike tore through the nearest Dragonspawn, leaving a deep, bleeding wound that weakened its movements.
The Warlord clone, wielding a massive battle axe glowing with crimson energy, roared as it leapt into the fray. Its skill, Rupture Cleave, sent shockwaves through the enemy ranks, toppling smaller Dragonspawn and staggering the larger ones.
"Keep up the pressure!" Aric shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos.
The Mage clone conjured a sphere of icy energy and hurled it toward the largest Dragonspawn. Frost Nova exploded on impact, encasing several enemies in thick ice and slowing their advance.
Aric took the opening, activating Blade Storm. His strikes blurred into a whirlwind of motion, cutting through the immobilized foes. Each swing chipped away at the glowing scales, leaving behind deep cracks and weakened defenses.
The battle raged on, the room echoing with the screeches of Dragonspawn and the clash of steel.
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A Sudden Turn
Just as the final wave of Dragonspawn began to falter, the runes on the chamber walls flared to life. The ground trembled, and from the broken throne rose a colossal figure—a Dragon Warden, its form an amalgamation of bone, gold, and flickering crimson energy.
Its hollow eyes locked onto Aric, and a deep, guttural growl reverberated through the chamber. The clones instinctively regrouped around their master.
"New enemy. Stronger. Focus up!" Aric commanded.
The Dragon Warden raised a skeletal claw, and a fiery orb formed in its palm. It launched the attack toward the group, forcing them to scatter. The explosion left a smoking crater where they had stood moments before.
"We'll need to coordinate perfectly for this one," Aric muttered, activating his Adaptive Tactics skill. Instantly, the battlefield layout and the Warden's potential weaknesses appeared in his mind like a mental blueprint.
"Warlord, flank left and draw its attention. Mage, focus on disabling its legs. Defender, guard our rear!"
The clones sprang into action.
The Warlord clone lunged at the Warden with ferocity, swinging its axe in wide arcs to keep the creature occupied. Meanwhile, the Mage clone summoned a storm of ice shards, targeting the creature's massive hind legs to slow its movements.
Aric dashed forward, aiming for the glowing core embedded in the Warden's chest. Phantom Dash brought him within striking distance, and he activated Crimson Slash again, striking directly at the core.
The Warden roared in pain, swiping at him with a massive claw. Aric barely evaded, using Iron Aegis to absorb the shockwave from the near miss.
"It's working! Keep at it!" Aric shouted.
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The Final Strike
The battle wore on, each side exchanging devastating blows. The Warden's movements became slower, its glowing core flickering as cracks spread across its surface.
Aric knew they had to end it quickly. "Mage, prepare Frost Ward! Warlord, charge in with me!"
The Mage clone summoned an icy barrier that encased the Warden's legs, rooting it in place. The Warlord clone followed Aric, their combined charge aimed directly at the core.
Aric leapt high, his blade shimmering with the energy of Blade Storm, while the Warlord clone swung its axe in a devastating upward arc. Their attacks struck simultaneously, shattering the core in a burst of light and energy.
The Warden let out a final, ear-splitting roar before collapsing into a heap of lifeless bone and metal.
---
Aftermath
The room fell silent once more, the air heavy with the remnants of battle. Aric sheathed his blade, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.
The Nexus System chimed, and a notification appeared before him.
---
Congratulations! You have defeated the Dragon Warden.
Rewards:
Dragon Warden's Core (Epic Rank): A powerful artifact that can enhance equipment or be fused with the Nexus System.
Dragon Fang Blade (Rare Rank): A sword forged from draconic essence, dealing bonus damage to Dragonspawn.
Experience: +5,000
---
The Warlord clone picked up the shattered remains of the Warden's core, inspecting it with interest. "This will greatly enhance our capabilities."
Aric nodded. "We've gained a lot here. But this is just the beginning. The deeper we go, the stronger the enemies will become."
The Mage clone approached, holding a glowing shard of the throne. "This seems to resonate with the Dragon Rune we found earlier. It might lead us to the next part of the ruins."
Aric studied the shard, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Good. We'll rest for now and prepare. Once we're ready, we'll see where this takes us."
The group began organizing their spoils, readying t
hemselves for whatever challenges awaited deeper in the Dragon Ruins.
End of Chapter 10