Entering into a new zone, the atmosphere became thicker, the deeper he walked, heavy with a heat that pressed against Dream's skin.
The map shimmered faintly in his mind, pointing him forward-- the second void fragment lay ahead.
And then ... Silence.
No beasts roamed here. No lurking shadows skittered in the dark. Only stillness. That alone made his blood run cold.
"System, why I'm I not getting attacked" he asked
[ All beast in this area has been cleared out]
"Huh?...what do you mean" .
[ Apparently this zone was invaded by another superior beast and it had killed all the beast in this zone. Including it's zone boss, becoming the new boss]
"Something this strong cleared this zone.... I'm guessing I'll have to fight it now" Dream muttered under his breath.
The earth trembled. Once. Twice.
A sound like stone grinding against stone echoed from the mist ahead.
It emerged.
A towering figure, nearly twelve feet tall, dragging its knuckles across the scorched soil. It's body was carved from obsidian, but fractured by glowing crimson veins that pulsed like molten lava, each crack bleeding light. Two eyes -- red as coals, wide as lantern -- burned with hunger and cruelty.
It roared. The sound shattered branches, rattled Dream's chest, and sent a gust of hot air reeked of ash and iron.
"Reveal"
The system chummed.
[ Zone- Boss Detected]
[ Name: Dreadfang ]
[ Rank: Elite]
[ HP: 1,500/1,500]
[ Attack: 80]
[ Speed: 40]
[ Defense: 70]
[ Stamina: infinite]
[ Skill Detected: Lava surge, crushing grip, unrelenting roar]
Dream's eyes widened as he stared at it's stats. This thing could kill him.
" Almost all it's stats are higher than mine. And Skills?" His voice was low as he tried to maintain the distance between himself and the beast "A beast with skills?, this is a first for me. Come to think of it, it even has a rank. I don't remember seeing any rank titles when inspecting the other beast".
The beast charged.
The ground split beneath its steps as it lunged, fist raised like a hammer falling from the sky. Dream barely rolled aside before the below cratered the earth where he had stood. Fragments of rock and flaming soil shot outward.
Dream's grip tightened on his sword. "So fast.... and that strength... I can't block it head on".
He steadied his breath trying to think of a strategy. Activating reveal again, watching it's stats pulse across his vision. It's endurance dwarfed his, it's strength was monstrous but it's agility.... It was slower than him.
That was the only advantage he had.
The ape- like beast swung again, it's molten veins brightening as power surged through it. Dream darted aside, the heat licking at his skin. His blade flashed, grazing across the beast's arm. Sparks flew, but the obsidian flesh was like steel-- his sword only left a shallow crack.
The beast roared in fury. It's long, sharp fang in full display.
It's arm whipped out, backhanding Dream mid-step. The blow hurled him across the clearing like a ragdoll. He slammed against a tree, the bark exploding around him. Pain seared across his ribs, copper flooding his mouth.
[-130 HP]
" .... Tch...." He staggered, blood dripping down his chin.
The beast pounded its chest, molten light flaring like veins of magma about to erupt. It rained both fists and slammed them into the ground. A lava surge burst outward, the soil glowing red- hot as fiery cracks raced towards Dream.
He raised a hand desperately.
"Glass wall!"
The air shimmered, and a translucent barrier of jagged glass rose before him. The surge hit. The glass sizzled, cracked, nearly shattered under the molten wave- but it held just long enough for Dream to dive aside, rolling to safely as the wall finally shattered into glistering shards.
The beast was already up on him, leaping forward. It's massive shadow engulfed Dream..
He thrust his sword upward, bracing it with both hands.
The ape's fist came down like a meteor. Steel met obsidian --- Dream's knees buckled, his arms screamed in agony, and the earth split beneath his feet.
The impact launched him downward into the dirt, a Crater forming beneath them both. His sword glowed faintly, absorbing the shock but threatening to snap under the strain.
"Damn.... It's stronger than me ..." He hissed, his teeth grinding.
The ape roared again, saliva sizzling as it dripped to the fiery ground. It's crimson eyes glared with row dominance.
But Dream's lips curved into a faint, bloody smile.
"Why I'm I enjoying this..." He asked with a worried tone but his expression was that of excitement.
He twisted his boy, sliding beneath the ape's arm, blade slashing across the molten veins under its ribcage. This time, the strike dug deeper. The beast roared in pain, stumbling back as a gush of searing light bled from the wound. It's HP bar ticked down slightly.
".... It can be cut" Dream exhaled, steadying himself, sweat and blood mixing across his face. His body was battered his stamina draining fist, but his eyes were sharper than ever.
The battle was far from over.
The beast's crimson veins flared brighter, it's aura thickening, more oppressive. It lowered its stance, claws digging into the soil, preparing for a second, far deadlier assault.
Dream quickly drank a stamina recovery potion, as he raised his sword once more, the shards of his broken glass wall glowed faintly around him. His gaze never wavered.
Inspite the thrill his experiencing from this battle, which he still doesn't understand why this is.
He still still understands that this fight could kill him with any wrong move he makes.
The beast bellowed, charging again.
And so did Dream.