Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 8: The Final Task – Floor Boss Showdown
The 30th day arrived like the sharp edge of a blade. The last sunrise on the 5th floor cast golden rays over the dense forest, painting the trees in a glow that felt almost holy. But for Lee Hwan, this day wasn't peaceful. It was the final trial.
He stood at the heart of a massive clearing, the ground scorched and cracked beneath his feet from past battles. The system's notification rang out with a heavy chime:
[Final Task – Fifth Floor Survival Trial]
Defeat the Floor Boss: Dire Flamebeast – Time Limit: 30 Minutes
Warning: Failure will reset survival progress.
Current Level: 55
Lee Hwan rolled his shoulders, a quiet determination burning in his eyes.
"I've come too far to fail now."
Suddenly, the ground trembled.
A monstrous roar split the silence.
The trees around the edge of the clearing burst apart as the Dire Flamebeast appeared—an enormous creature, 10 meters tall, with molten lava flowing through cracks in its obsidian-like skin. Its eyes glowed with living flame.
Its level?
Level 89.
Lee Hwan didn't flinch.
He raised his hand. "Dragon Summon."
The air twisted. A portal of flames and shadows ripped open behind him.
From it, Pyron and Nerok emerged, both dragons snarling, wings stretching wide. One wreathed in pure flame, the other cloaked in shadow mist. Both were over level 44.
"Don't hold back," Lee said. "Let's end this quickly."
[Dragon Aura – Level 4 Activated]
The clearing lit up with blazing pressure. Even the trees behind Lee cracked from the sheer weight of his aura.
[Shadow Step – Level 3 – Active: 18 Reflections]
His body blurred into dozens of silhouettes that zipped across the battlefield.
The Flamebeast roared and charged, launching molten fireballs that exploded on contact. But they hit nothing—only shadows.
From the left, Lee appeared midair.
"Flame Burst!"
A ball of condensed Monarch-level fire exploded from his palm, striking the Flamebeast's left shoulder and bursting into a pillar of golden-red flames.
The beast staggered—but didn't fall.
Nerok dove from above, jaws sinking into the Flamebeast's neck, while Pyron unleashed a wide flame wave that engulfed its entire body.
The timer in Lee's vision ticked down:
Time Left: 19:47
"I'm not here to drag this out."
He pushed his aura to the limit.
[Dragon Eye – Level 6 Activated]
Suddenly, everything slowed. He could see the beast's muscle movements, the pulse of its molten core, even the flow of mana around its heart.
That was the weak point.
Lee dashed forward, gathering power into one palm.
"Monarch's Flame: Final Burst—Pierce!"
A spiral of golden fire formed on his hand, shaped like a spear.
With a roar to match the beast's, he drove the flame-spear forward, piercing directly through the Flamebeast's molten heart.
BOOM!
A colossal explosion rocked the clearing, fire swallowing everything in a blinding flash.
When the smoke cleared, only Lee Hwan stood—his clothes scorched, breathing heavy, dragons circling above him.
The Flamebeast lay dead, its body dissolving into ash.
[Task Complete – Final Challenge Passed]
Level Up: 55 → 61
Attribute Points Gained: +35
Skill Unlocked: Monarch's Bond (Passive)
You have cleared Floor 5.]
Lee looked up at the notification with a slight smile.
"One month… and I cleared it."
He closed his eyes briefly. "Six levels in one day. Not bad."
As the portal to the next floor shimmered into existence behind him, Lee turned to his dragons.
"We're not the weakest anymore."