Chapter 10: The First Real Fight
The ground trembled beneath his feet.
The burning church's heavy doors burst open, revealing a figure cloaked in shadow and flame. The Wraith General of Ash stepped into the ruined street, dragging a massive greatsword behind him, its blade cracked and pulsing with cursed fire.
He was over three meters tall, and where a face should've been, only black mist swirled beneath a knight's broken helm.
The sky grew darker.
The corrupted souls around the village vanished, as if fleeing their own commander's wrath.
Lee Hwan didn't move. His eyes stayed locked on the creature, calm and focused.
The system flashed:
[Boss Battle Begins: Wraith General of Ash – Level 30]
HP: 32,000 / 32,000
Status: Enraged
Passive: Soul Burn – Prolonged exposure causes HP decay.
Reward: Random Skill Shard + 1 Epic Equipment + Bonus if defeated under 5 minutes
The General raised his sword—and brought it crashing down in a wave of black fire.
Lee Hwan dashed to the side, narrowly dodging the impact.
The ground erupted.
The flames scorched his sleeve, but he was unharmed.
"I'll need to end this fast," he muttered.
Activating Dragon Aura, he surged forward, blade drawn low. With a swing, he aimed for the General's exposed side.
Clang!
His weapon met the boss's armor with a thunderous crash—but left only a deep scratch.
The General responded instantly, swinging his greatsword in a wide arc. Lee Hwan leapt backward, just in time.
He needed more than basic attacks.
His dragon skills.
Eye of the Dragon – Activated.
Time slowed.
His senses sharpened. He could see the boss's next movement before it even started.
Step left.
Dodge low.
Now strike—
Flame Burst – Activated.
From his outstretched hand, a cone of dragonfire roared forward, engulfing the Wraith General in blazing heat.
The street shook.
The General howled, staggering backward as his cursed armor glowed red-hot, pieces melting.
Lee Hwan didn't stop.
"Dragon Summon."
With a roar, a serpent-like flame dragon burst from his shadow, coiling in the air behind him.
The summoned beast shot forward, crashing into the General and pinning him into the burning church wall.
Combo.
Strike – Strike – Flame Burst – Strike.
He moved with terrifying speed—each blow empowered by the Dragon Monarch's might.
The boss tried to retaliate, lifting his sword for a downward slash.
But he was too slow.
Lee Hwan's blade found its mark, slicing across the Wraith General's chest in a final, glowing arc.
A heartbeat of silence.
Then—
The boss's body split in half, bursting into embers.
[Boss Defeated: Wraith General of Ash]
[Level Up! 23 → 26]
[Reward Acquired: Skill Shard – Dragon Flame Resistance (Passive)]
[You have obtained: Ashen Soulmail (Epic)]
[Bonus Reward: Skill Upgrade Token – Flame Burst Tier II unlocked!]
Lee Hwan exhaled slowly as the fire around him died down.
He opened the skill menu.
[Flame Burst – Tier II Unlocked]
Effect: Range increased. Damage increased. Now applies Burn (Tier 2) and reduces enemy defense for 5 seconds.]
"Perfect," he whispered.
Then he checked the passive skill.
[Dragon Flame Resistance]
Type: Passive | Effect: Reduces all flame-based damage by 30%. Immunity to burn effects.
Origin: Dragon Monarch's Bloodline Adaptation
Useful. Very useful.
As he equipped the Ashen Soulmail, his armor transformed, black and red scales replacing his worn gear—light, durable, and crackling with dark flame energy.
Then the system gave him one final message:
[Hidden Achievement Unlocked: First Vessel to Clear 3 Floors in Under 10 Days]
[All International Guilds have been notified of your progress.]
Lee Hwan blinked.
"…So they know now."
The world would come for him. The guilds. The other vessels. The monarchs.
He tightened his gauntlets and walked toward the glowing gate at the far end of the field.
Let them come.
He was the Vessel of the Dragon Monarch.
And he was just getting started.
End of Chapter 10