CHAPTER 84: CH 84: DEALING WITH THE BOSS- PART 3

The boss bird towered above Fenrir like a living storm, its massive wings whipping up gusts of hot air that singed the edges of his cloak.

Lightning crackled along the jagged blades that suddenly extended from its wings, a furious warning of the power Fenrir was about to face.

The volcanic ground beneath his feet bubbled and hissed, unstable from the creature’s earlier strike.

Fenrir’s gaze narrowed.

’This isn’t just any fight. It’s a test of every ounce of power and skill I’ve gathered.’

His fingers twitched, activating the system’s interface. A faint blue glow traced the edges of his vision as his "Master of Earth" skill hummed to life.

"Shield protocol: activate."

Fenrir murmured, and the earth beneath him shifted like molten clay, rising into a jagged barrier between him and the bird’s next lightning strike.

The energy slammed into the earthen wall, sending shards of rock flying but sparing Fenrir from harm.

The system pinged softly.

[Skill Unlocked: Master of Earth - Advanced Shielding.]

Fenrir grinned beneath his mask.

"You’re strong, but I’m not out yet."

The boss bird screeched in fury, flapping its colossal wings to send a storm of burning embers swirling through the cavern.

Fenrir’s familiars, the hamsters, squeaked and scattered, darting expertly through the lava-streaked rocks to flank the monster’s legs.

"Now, Nedrax!"

Fenrir commanded, voice steady despite the heat.

From above, a shadow eclipsed the glowing cavern as his dragon familiar descended with a thunderous roar.

Nedrax landed with a crash that shook the ground, the dragon’s scales gleaming even in the dim light.

"Let me do the talking."

Fenrir said, stepping back.

Nedrax growled, exhaling a gout of searing flame that forced the boss bird to rear back, wings shielding its vulnerable chest.

Fenrir felt the system’s approval pulse inside him

[Familiar Skill Activated: Attack power increased by 15%.]

Seizing the moment, Fenrir dashed forward, earth swirling around his fists as he summoned a spear of obsidian rock, sharp and black as night.

The spear hummed with mana as he lunged toward the bird’s leg.

The creature snarled, slashing at Fenrir with its electrified claws, but the obsidian spear met the strike, absorbing the electric charge and sending a jolt back into the monster’s limb.

Fenrir twisted and flipped backward, narrowly avoiding a sweep of molten claws. He landed with a controlled roll, already preparing his next move.

"System, analyze weakness."

He commanded.

A map of the boss bird’s anatomy projected before his eyes, highlighting glowing cracks around the joints of its wings and the base of its tail — areas where its defenses were weakest.

"Got it."

Fenrir whispered.

With a surge of mana, Fenrir ignited the greatsword at his back, the blade flaring with a fiery aura.

"Flamebrand, awaken!"

The system confirmed:

[Weapon Buff: +20% attack, 20% chance to ignite enemy.]

Charging forward again, Fenrir swung the blazing greatsword in a wide arc, aiming for the bird’s wing joint.

The blade bit into the creature’s tough scales, flames licking at the wounds. The boss shrieked in pain, flapping its wings wildly to try and dislodge Fenrir.

But Fenrir was already several steps back, summoning earth beneath his feet to leap away.

"Enough games."

He said, voice cold.

He poured his mana into the "Master of Earth" skill again, and the ground around the bird erupted into spikes aimed at pinning its legs.

The boss struggled, but Nedrax was ready. The dragon’s claws raked across the bird’s chest, sending it staggering back.

Fenrir sprinted toward the trapped bird, eyes glowing as he channeled the "Concentration" skill that enhanced his precision and reaction speed.

With a fierce cry, he drove the greatsword into the crack beneath the bird’s wing, the flames intensifying as the sword’s special effect triggered.

Smoke and sparks burst from the wound, and the boss let out a deafening roar.

The system buzzed:

[Boss HP at 30%. Burn status applied.]

Fenrir barely paused. He knew the battle was far from over.

The boss bird retaliated fiercely, flapping its wings with terrifying force, sending a wave of molten lava crashing toward Fenrir.

Without hesitation, Fenrir invoked the "Earth Manipulation" skill, summoning a swirling wall of rock and stone that rose just in time to block the deadly flow.

He felt the heat prickling his skin but remained focused.

"Time to end this."

He muttered.

Channeling all his mana, Fenrir called upon a newly unlocked skill, [Meteor Crush]. A sphere of molten rock formed in his hands, growing rapidly hotter and larger.

"You fucker! Take this and die!"

He shouted, hurling the blazing meteor directly at the boss’s chest.

The impact was cataclysmic. The boss bird screeched in agony as the molten projectile exploded against it, sending shards of rock and sparks flying through the cavern.

The ground trembled violently, and the system’s voice echoed inside Fenrir’s mind

[Boss Defeated.]

Fenrir staggered back, breathing hard but victorious.

Fenrir watched Nedrax shift his massive wings, the dragon clearly itching to stay and help just a little longer.

"You can head back now, Nedrax."

Fenrir said, voice calm but firm.

Nedrax opened his mouth to protest, a low rumble of discontent building in his throat, but Fenrir cut him off with a raised hand.

"Don’t forget you still have those hamsters to keep track of. They need a leader too."

The dragon’s eyes flickered with reluctance, and he pulled a face that looked like a mix of annoyance and resignation.

"Fine. Since it’s my duty, I suppose I should get going."

Nedrax grumbled, folding his wings.

Fenrir gave a faint smile as Nedrax turned, the ground trembling slightly with each step of the dragon’s departure.

Watching his familiar retreat, Fenrir took a deep breath and turned his attention to the half-destroyed field around him.

The scorching heat still radiated from the cracked earth and molten patches, but Fenrir’s focus sharpened as he searched for what he came for.

His eyes scanned the desolation, moving steadily toward the center of the field.

He moved cautiously, muscles aching from the fight but driven by the knowledge that the Mystica Herba was here, somewhere in this volatile wasteland.

Finally, nestled in a small patch of surprisingly green earth, surrounded by the scorched remains of Fake Mystic plants, was the Mystica Herba.

Its leaves shimmered faintly, pulsing with a subtle, almost otherworldly light.

Fenrir approached it carefully and plucked the herb from the ground, feeling the immense energy vibrating within it. The air around him seemed to thicken with power.

Dragging his exhausted body away from the ruined battleground, Fenrir could feel his mana waning, his limbs heavy with fatigue.

Every step felt like a challenge, but he refused to linger in the dungeon any longer than necessary.

As he emerged into the open air, the familiar cool breeze brushing against his skin was a welcome relief.

Fenrir’s heart pounded not just from exertion but from the knowledge of what this herb meant—his chance to craft the ultimate potion.

Suddenly, the system’s voice echoed inside his mind, clear and commanding:

[World Quest Updated: "Echoes of the Tower" — 2 of 4 fragments found.]

Fenrir’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. The tower was drawing closer, and the world was shifting in ways no one could yet predict.

Holding the Mystica Herba tightly, Fenrir knew this was only the beginning of a far greater challenge.

He straightened his back, took a steadying breath, and started toward home, ready to prepare for what was to come.