The air crackled with a strange energy, and the stench of blood was overlaid with the metallic tang of ozone. The wooden barricades had been replaced with crude stone walls, and the orcs themselves were larger, more heavily armored, and bore crude tattoos that pulsed with a faint green light.
Elites.
I could feel the shift in the dungeon's atmosphere, a palpable increase in pressure. The [Orc Abode] was starting to fight back.
The first group that emerged was led by an Orc Warlord, a towering brute wielding a massive, spiked club. Two heavily armored orcs flanked him, their eyes burning with a savage intelligence.
"[Flame Control]. But this time, I didn't rush.
[Ember Spear]
The spear of fire shot forward, aimed not at the Warlord, but at one of the flanking orcs. It pierced the creature's thick hide, and the orc screamed as its flesh burned. I didn't flinch. I used the momentary distraction to unleash my next attack.
The Warlord was upon me, his spiked club whistling through the air. I met the blow with [Arctic Armor], feeling the impact, but the cold sheen absorbed most of the force.
I dodged the next swing, and retaliated with a burst of [Fireblast]. The flames washed over the Warlord, who roared in pain, but stood firm. I needed to be smarter.
I retreated, creating distance. I met it with another [Ember Spear], ending its suffering.
I began to dance around him, a whirlwind of fire. I used [Flame Control] to create small bursts of fire, distracting the Warlord, while I prepared my next move. He was getting tired. The constant barrage of fire was taking its toll. I aimed for the Warlord's exposed leg. The spear found its mark, piercing the thick muscle and severing a tendon. This time, it was enough. With a final, agonizing scream, the Warlord collapsed, his body turning to ash. My [Arctic Armor] still solid, I could feel the exhaustion from my drain HP. This was the hardest fight I had had so far.
But I had won.
I took a short break before pushing deeper, clearing the remaining floors, each battle a grueling test of endurance and skill. The dungeon threw everything it had at me, but I adapted, improved, and survived. By the time I reached the fifteenth floor, I was drenched in sweat, but I had become a master of my abilities.Then I saw him, His armor was black, his tusks gleamed, and his eyes burned with a malevolent intelligence.
He was the boss I realized that immediately.