The mountain shuddered as though the world itself held its breath. The summoned beasts had fallen in heaps of glowing ash, dissolving into the ether. The adventurers remained at the rear, battered and wide-eyed, unable to rejoin the battle. Their gazes all pointed to a single place—
The towering beast fused with the dungeon, still alive, its magma-veined body glowing like a molten furnace. It had grown larger, standing like a titan, with wings of broken stone sprouting jaggedly from its back. A corrupted crown of horns flared with mana, releasing shockwaves that cracked the very air.
The monster's roar shook the skies. Entire cliffsides crumbled, boulders rolling down the slopes like rain.
Alex stood alone before it, blood dripping from fresh wounds. His chest rose and fell in harsh rhythm, sweat streaking down his temples. His sword hung loosely at his side, and his magical gun smoldered in his other hand. His shadow flickered faintly—Nyx remained dormant, conserving strength.
