The cavern split apart with the violence of their clash. Elior's Steel Fang Blade screeched against the Direwolf's burning fangs, sparks and embers flying like a storm. His body screamed with pain—bones fractured, muscles tearing—but his eyes blazed brighter than the fire that threatened to consume him.
The Direwolf snapped its head, jaws closing with the force to crush stone. Elior twisted free, rolling under its chest. His blade carved upward, digging deep into its underbelly. Molten blood gushed, searing his arms but fueling his frenzy.
> [Bloodfire Essence absorbed – Minor Stat Boost Applied]
[Strength +2 | Vitality +1]
---
The Last Gambit
The Direwolf howled, shaking the cavern. Its crimson eyes flared, fire bursting from every pore. The ground itself turned molten, rivers of lava spilling across the floor.
> [Boss Skill: Bloodfire Cataclysm Initiated]
Survival Chance: 5%
The dragon system rumbled with delight:
> "This is power worth stealing."
The vampire crooned:
> "Drink its heart, and you will never fear flame again."
The Overflow Engine sang cheerfully:
> [Loot Potential Increased: High-Rank Core Detected]
Elior clenched his teeth. His Steel Fang Blade was nearly shattered, cracks glowing red across its length. He had one chance left.
---
Blood-Dragon Fusion
He drove the broken blade into his palm, mixing steel, blood, and fire together. The systems screamed—then fused.
> [Unique Skill Unlocked: Blood-Dragon Resonance]
Temporary Effect: Channel blood energy into weapon, magnifying damage x3.
The sword pulsed crimson, no longer just steel—it was alive, burning with dragon flame and vampire hunger.
---
Decisive Strike
The Direwolf lunged, maw glowing with cataclysmic fire. Elior roared back, charging straight into its jaws.
He swung.
The blade cleaved through teeth, fire, and bone. It carved deep into the Direwolf's skull, splitting the beast in half with an explosion of blood and flame.
The cavern shuddered. The Direwolf collapsed, fire sputtering out.
Silence.
> [Boss Defeated: Crimson Direwolf – Tier 3 Dungeon Beast]
Rewards:
• Crimson Core (Epic)
• Direfang Armor (Rare)
• Bloodfire Essence (x3)
• EXP: +600
Level Up!
Current Level: 4
---
Aftermath
Elior staggered, barely standing. His sword shattered completely, fragments dissolving into light as the systems absorbed it. The Crimson Core hovered before him, glowing like a living heart.
He grasped it. Heat surged into his veins, pain and ecstasy mingling until he screamed. Scales rippled across his shoulders, fangs lengthened, his eyes blazing like twin embers.
> [Dragon Protocol Advanced: Fire Vein Integration 10%]
[Vampire Protocol Advanced: Bloodfire Affinity +1]
The cavern was silent again, save for his ragged breathing. Elior looked at the corpse, then at his blood-soaked hands.
He smiled through the exhaustion.
"I'm not prey anymore."