The atmosphere in the Dark Dungeon's final room was oppressive.
Shadows loomed and twisted as if alive, while the scent of ancient rot filled the air.
Alex tightened his grip on the [Elysian Staff of the Silver Mage] and advanced deeper, feeling the thick presence of the [Demon Warden] up ahead.
A sudden blast of frigid air washed over him, nearly freezing him in place as the towering form of the Demon Warden got up from his throne.
The creature was a monstrous, horned fiend with skin as dark as coal, and eyes glowing a fierce crimson.
"..." But Alex stared back with the same determination, ready to do anything in his power to win.
He didn't want to die again, like he did against the [Spider Queen].
"Let's see what you're made of," he muttered, gathering mana into his staff.
The Demon Warden let out a deep growl, raising one clawed hand.
[Demon Warden - Mythical - Tier 5]
[Level: 250]
[HP: 2,000,000]
[Skills: Summon Minions, Dark Magic Affinity, Aura of Despair, Warden Smash, Dark Dungeon Master, Scythe Flash...]
With a guttural roar, it lunged, aiming to crush him in a single swipe.
"Not today," Alex said, invoking [Meteoric Blaze].
The fiery orb hurtled toward the Warden, lighting up the dungeon in a blinding flash as it struck the demon square in the chest.
Flames exploded outward, searing through flesh and charring the air.
-38,780!
The demon staggered but didn't fall.
Instead, it retaliated with a powerful blast of dark energy, slamming into Alex and sending him stumbling backward.
-6,734!
But the boy managed.
"Alright, you're tougher than I thought," he said, wiping blood from his lip.
He steadied himself, focusing his mana. "Let's try something else!"
Around Alex were the hundreds upon hundreds of other demons, all looking at him.
The warden had gestured for them to stand back, and Alex actually did the same with his undead.
It was a true 1 on 1, and until one of them felt threatened enough to use their troops, it would stay that way.
He launched [Crimson Spike], sending a jagged spear of red energy into the Warden's shoulder, piercing it and leaving a smoldering wound.
The demon bellowed, the wound bleeding a dark, oozing substance.
Its eyes flared with anger, and it charged him with terrifying speed.
"WEAK!" the demon snarled.
As the Demon Warden closed in, Alex threw up a [Stone Fortress], just in time for the demon's fist to crash into it.
The barrier, having now 18,000, absorbed the impact, but cracks formed along its surface before shattering entirely.
Alex forced himself to focus.
Every move counted.
Ducking under another scythe swipe, he leaped forward, his dagger flashing in his hand.
He drove it into the Warden's side, feeling the resistance as the blade met the demon's flesh.
Shadow Strike! Rending Slash! Rending Slash! Meteoric Blaze!
Dark blood spurted out, staining his hand, and he twisted the blade deeper, earning a guttural roar from the creature.
The Warden retaliated, bringing his fist down.
Alex felt his ribs crack as the blow landed, pain shooting through him.
-12,749!
He gritted his teeth, summoning all the energy he had left to hold his ground.
His vision blurred, but he wasn't done.
He unleashed a relentless sequence of attacks, throwing every spell he had, one after another, not giving the Warden a moment's respite.
The dungeon floor trembled beneath the barrage, cracks spiderwebbing through the stone as the two clashed.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Scythe against dagger, with hundreds of monsters around them fighting.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of blows and counterblows, the Warden staggered, his towering form wavering.
"Now..." Alex muttered, barely audible over the clamor of the battlefield.
He tightened his grip on his dagger, rushing forward.
"YOU FOOL, I WILL KILL YOU!"
The warden slammed down, but Alex faster, rolling forward and casting [Spirit Chains] to hold the warden down for even a second.
And so with a final, determined thrust, he drove the blade deep into the Warden's chest, piercing through its demonic heart.
[Eyes of the Cursed King]
His eyes had actually guided him there, and he didn't waste any time in doing what needed to be done.
SHADOW STRIKE!
[Weakness hit, dealing 1000% of damage.]
"GARGH-"
-545,625!
An absolutely terrifying damage number.
The Warden's roar turned into a gurgle, his form collapsing in on itself in a cascade of dark energy.
Alex stood there, panting, the remaining demons getting destroyed by his army, even those trying to escape getting caught by the [Spectral Wraiths].
In the quiet that followed, a notification appeared in his vision.
Ding!
[You have completed the Dark Dungeon!]
"First try... nice."