Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 3: Flames on the Fourth Floor
The Tower loomed once again before Lee Hwan, its spiraling height disappearing into the clouds. He stepped through the gate with no hesitation. The air inside was colder than before, almost as if the Tower itself had grown wary of his presence.
[Welcome to the Tower – Floor 4]
Objective: Defeat the Flame-Fanged Cerberus
Time Limit: 2 hours
Reward: ???
Bonus Reward: Clear under 30 minutes
Lee Hwan's eyes scanned the system message. "Flame-Fanged Cerberus, huh? Sounds like something worth burning."
The floor shifted around him, forming a volcanic arena—molten rivers flowed beside obsidian platforms, and the air was thick with ash. At the far end of the battlefield, a monstrous three-headed beast rose from the lava, each head snarling, eyes glowing crimson.
[Boss Monster – Flame-Fanged Cerberus (Lv. 31)]
Its level was higher than Lee's, but he didn't flinch. Instead, he raised his hand slowly.
"Come forth."
[Skill Activated – Dragon Summon]
A golden vortex of light burst into the sky, and with a roar that shook the arena, a colossal dragon appeared—its body covered in radiant crimson scales, wings stretching wide like a blazing sky.
[Dragon: Raivern – Lv. 44]
The Cerberus growled and charged, its middle head breathing fire. But Lee Hwan was already in motion, vanishing with Phantom Step, reappearing beside the beast and slamming his fist into its ribcage.
BOOM!
The impact cracked the beast's armor, staggering it for a moment.
"Raivern! Aerial bind!"
The dragon responded instantly, wrapping its claws around the Cerberus's back legs and lifting it slightly into the air.
Lee raised his palm.
[Skill: Flame Burst – Level 1 Activated]
A searing ball of condensed flame formed in his hand, burning hotter with every passing second. Then, with a shout, he slammed it directly into the monster's heart.
BOOOOM!
The explosion engulfed the Cerberus, its roars drowned out by the sound of collapsing magma pillars and shattered obsidian.
When the fire cleared, only ashes remained.
[Boss Monster Defeated]
[Floor 4 Cleared – Time Taken: 11 minutes 42 seconds]
[Bonus Reward Unlocked]
[You have gained 3 Levels]
[You have gained 20 Attribute Points]
[Skill Core: Flame Burst (Upgradable) – Has evolved to Level 2]
Lee Hwan wiped the soot from his cheek, smiling faintly.
"Too slow. I should've cleared it under 10 minutes."
Raivern hovered above him, letting out a proud growl. The bond between monarch and vessel deepened with every battle.
He looked ahead—toward the swirling gate that led to the fifth floor.
"I'll keep climbing… until no one dares put a bounty on me again."