After the strange conversation with Aru'Mathis, Drayk noticed something curious. He looked at the imposing draconic figure with a raised eyebrow, feeling the need to clarify a doubt that had been bothering him since he arrived in that dimension.
"Aru'Mathis, why don't you behave like the others in this place?" — Drayk asked, curious.
The massive dragon let out a light sigh, almost as if amused by the question. Then, he turned his gaze to the young man.
"Because I am not like them. I am merely a fraction of what I once was. When Nexum created the runes, he used powerful magic to recreate a third of my life force, eternizing me in this dimension. Since then, I have existed to guide future primordial dragons in honing their powers. My consciousness does not follow the same rules as the other beings you've encountered here," — Aru'Mathis explained in a serious yet welcoming tone.
Drayk absorbed the explanation with surprise and admiration. That dimension was far more complex than he had initially imagined.
"So, you've been living here for thousands of years just to teach future dragons like me?" — Drayk asked, a hint of fascination in his voice.
"Yes. My role is to ensure that our race never loses the opportunity to reach the peak of its potential," — Aru'Mathis responded, his deep voice carrying an ancient pride.
Drayk felt a surge of excitement at that prospect. Being trained directly by the first primordial dragon was more than he could have ever dreamed of.
"Alright, but I need to understand how all of this works. I met some inhabitants who act like NPCs in a game and received a few quests. This place is really just one big labyrinth, isn't it?"
Aru'Mathis let out a brief chuckle.
"Exactly. This place is a vast labyrinth with multiple lower floors. The deeper you go, the more dangerous the creatures become."
The explanation only heightened Drayk's curiosity.
"And does it have an end?"
"I have never seen anyone reach the final floor. But Nexum once told me that it exists—a destiny reserved only for the most powerful and determined," — the dragon revealed with seriousness.
The thought of an almost impossible challenge ignited Drayk's excitement.
"And all the training happens here?" — he asked eagerly.
"Yes. The labyrinth remains constant, but the way you reach it and the external conditions are always different. Each primordial dragon faces a unique challenge."
Drayk smiled, feeling motivated.
"Perfect. I'll give it my all and be the first to reach the end of this place."
Aru'Mathis slowly nodded before opening a glowing portal on the chamber's wall with a simple gesture.
"Good luck, young Drayk. Show me what you are capable of."
Drayk took a deep breath, staring at the portal with renewed determination.
"I promise I won't disappoint you."
Upon stepping through the portal, Drayk found himself in a long stone corridor lit by torches on the walls. Almost immediately, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[Notice: Defeat all enemies or find the exit.][Reward: Access to the second floor.]
Drayk grinned, excited, and began advancing through the winding corridors. It didn't take long for enemies to appear—small goblins that posed no real threat. With ease, he eliminated them using quick, precise strikes.
Wanting to gain more experience, he activated his Greed ability to absorb the creatures' stats, but nothing happened.
"Maybe I should ask Aru'Mathis about this," — he thought, slaying another goblin.
[Notice: You leveled up! - Level 8]
{Str. 555 | Int. 455 | Dex. 655}
As time passed, Drayk quickly noticed his progress in combat.
Shortly after, in a large round room, the floor's goblin king awaited him. With just a few well-placed attacks, Drayk defeated it with little difficulty. Instantly, a new portal appeared.
Excited, he stepped through, reaching the second floor, where the creatures started showing greater resistance. Despite this, Drayk remained confident, easily overcoming the challenges.
The third floor introduced new obstacles: faster and more intelligent monsters that required greater strategy and focus in each battle. Drayk swiftly adapted his tactics to match the increasing difficulty.
Finally, on the fourth floor, he faced monsters that demanded his full attention and careful strategies. Each fight was a true test of his physical and mental abilities, forcing him to use all the skills he had acquired so far.
After defeating the level's boss—a colossal stone knight—the portal to the next floor emerged. Drayk took a deep breath, his heart pounding from the adrenaline of the previous battles.
[Notice: You leveled up! - Level 9]
{Str. 560 | Int. 460 | Dex. 660}
"The next floor must be even more challenging," — he thought, stepping forward into the unknown.
Meanwhile, in the mountain village, the group gathered once again with the Elder, carefully planning their next steps for the following thirty days.
Kaelon initially advocated for a cautious approach, suggesting they remain discreet while awaiting Drayk's return. However, the discussion soon became an impasse when Orzoth proposed a bolder idea.
"We should use these thirty days to begin weakening the influence of the lord of the city of Varnak," — the wise man suggested firmly. — "When Drayk returns even stronger, we'll be ready to take the city and begin rebuilding Drakhal."
The Elder, after careful consideration, slowly nodded in agreement with Orzoth, leaving the group divided between two opposing strategies. However, after a brief moment of reflection, Kaelon relented and supported Orzoth's plan.
"That makes sense. The sooner we show our strength, the harder it will be for the lord to maintain his grip on power," — Kaelon declared with a determined smile.
With a consensus reached, the group prepared to act, knowing the challenge ahead would be great. Still, they were determined to face any obstacle for the future of the Drakhors.
On the fifth floor, things became more complicated.
The creatures were now as strong as Drayk himself in his normal form, requiring significant effort to defeat even a single enemy. Each encounter was an exhausting battle, pushing his skills and endurance to their limits.
Despite this, Drayk pressed forward with determination, pleased with his progress as enemies fell before his strength.
[Notice: You leveled up!][Level 10]
Soon, he reached the boss chamber of that floor: the necromancer. Though the ever-present sense of danger loomed, Drayk felt an overwhelming desire to face him head-on.
"I have to defeat him," — he thought resolutely, advancing cautiously.
As soon as he entered the chamber, he realized that this necromancer was unlike the others. It possessed incredible strength and agility, with a body that resisted regular physical attacks. Expecting an advantage in close combat, Drayk found himself in an unexpectedly difficult battle.
[Draconic Form activated.]
Only by assuming his Draconic Form was Drayk able to inflict significant damage. He repeatedly slashed at the necromancer's limbs, but they regenerated instantly. Amid the frenzied battle, Drayk noticed the true weak point—an energy core embedded in a necklace.
Focusing all his energy and determination, he lunged to destroy the core. However, the necromancer summoned hundreds of undead to hinder him. Drayk fought relentlessly, cutting them down with ease, but just as he was about to strike the core with his sword, his Draconic Form suddenly deactivated.
Reverting to his human form and losing his enhanced abilities, Drayk hesitated—surprised and vulnerable.
It was then that the necromancer seized the opening, driving a shadowy blade straight through Drayk's chest.
...
Meanwhile, in Varnak, the group split up to discreetly explore the city's situation and gather information about the local lord.
Orzoth used his vast experience to subtly probe the inhabitants. He mainly spoke with the most influential merchants, trying to gauge public opinion on a possible return of the primordial dragons. However, the reactions were almost always negative. Most of the residents expressed fear at the mere idea, influenced by ancient tales of the Great War, which highlighted the devastating power of dragons.
Kaelon, on the other hand, took a different approach. Moving naturally through the city, he interacted with adventurers and mercenaries in the busy streets, seeking specific information about the recent activities of Varnak's lord. Additionally, he tried to determine how the people would react if power suddenly shifted in the city. His primary goal was to identify potential allies and enemies.
Meanwhile, Varian had chosen the tavern as her territory. Using her natural charm and assassin skills, she easily drew the attention of the patrons, especially the castle guards, officials, or former employees of the lord. Through seductive conversations and false promises, Varian extracted valuable information about the inner workings of the local administration, the secrets whispered through the castle corridors, and even details of the city guard's daily routine.
At the moment the dark blade pierced his chest, Drayk felt his entire body tremble.
The strike had been precise, knocking the air from his lungs and rapidly draining his strength. He collapsed to his knees, his vision blurring, while the necromancer stood before him with a cruel smile etched onto his face.
"I don't believe it… I can't die now…" — he murmured weakly, feeling a bitter sense of déjà vu wash over him.
His consciousness began to fade. The last thing Drayk saw before his eyes slowly closed was the triumphant silhouette of the necromancer. Darkness engulfed him once more as he futilely fought against his inevitable fate—death.
However, Drayk was not meant to die there.
After once again experiencing the familiar and agonizing sensation of death, his eyes suddenly opened to a different scene. In front of him stood Aru'Mathis, watching him calmly.
"It seems you have just learned an important lesson," — said the great dragon, his voice filled with wisdom.
Drayk, confused and breathless, slowly stood up, touching his chest where the blade had pierced. There was no wound.
"How am I still alive…?" — he asked, still dazed.
"Because you were never truly in danger here, young king," — Aru'Mathis explained calmly. "This dimension is designed specifically for your training. The pain you felt was real, just like the experience of death, but it is impossible to truly die in this place. Nexum ensured that every experience here would be a lesson, not a punishment."
Drayk took a deep breath, processing the initial shock and feeling his determination return.
"I see… So I can try again?"
Aru'Mathis nodded with a slight smile.
"Yes. Stand up as many times as necessary. Every defeat here is just another step toward your final victory. Now, prepare yourself to face your challenge once again."
Drayk stared at his own hands for a moment, feeling the newfound power pulsing intensely beneath his skin. Aru'Mathis watched with an expectant gaze, as if eager to see the young dragon push the boundaries of his potential.
"This ability… the Primordial Blood," — Drayk murmured, testing the strength that now felt as natural as breathing.
"Exactly," — Aru'Mathis nodded solemnly. "You have inherited the original essence of the primordial dragons. Do not underestimate this gift."
Drayk inhaled deeply, lifting his gaze to meet the immense ancient dragon's eyes with renewed determination.
"You can bet I won't."
Without hesitation, he strode forward with firm steps into the corridor opening before him, determined to return to that necromancer and claim victory once and for all. As soon as he stepped back into the boss chamber, he saw the enemy's eyes widen in shock at his unexpected return.
"How dare you return after being crushed by my power?" — the necromancer mocked, summoning a sinister aura around himself.
Drayk simply smirked, effortlessly activating his Draconic Form once more.
"You haven't seen anything yet!"
Now, enhancing his transformation with the newly awakened power of Primordial Blood, Drayk felt his strength multiply several times over. Golden flames erupted spontaneously from his hands and wings, radiating intense heat and brilliant light that illuminated every corner of the room.
"What is this?!" — the necromancer instinctively stepped back, clearly shaken by the sudden change.
Without responding, Drayk surged forward like a golden lightning bolt, his movements so swift they seemed impossible to track. The summoned undead had no chance against the primordial flames, which incinerated each creature in an instant.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the necromancer attempted to flee, desperately casting defensive spells. But it was too late. With a decisive leap, Drayk grabbed the necklace containing the energy core and crushed it effortlessly between his draconic fingers. The necromancer let out a scream of agony as his body rapidly disintegrated into ashes.
[Notice: Boss defeated!]
[Notice: You leveled up! - Level 11]
{Str. 570 | Int. 470 | Dex. 670}
Drayk felt a surge of satisfaction as he observed his progress. He took a deep breath, slowly returning to his human form as a new door opened on the wall ahead. The path to the next floor was finally clear.
As he walked through the new corridor, he reflected on Aru'Mathis's words and realized something important: this training was not just about physical strength. It was a lesson in resilience—about falling and rising as many times as needed to reach his goal.
Determined to go even further, Drayk quickened his pace, ready to face whatever challenges the labyrinth had in store.
Meanwhile, in Varnak, the situation was becoming more delicate.
Kaelon and Orzoth had discovered that the city's lord already suspected the presence of hidden enemies. This revelation forced the group to accelerate their plans to weaken his influence before Drayk's return.
"We need to act now," — Kaelon stated firmly. "If we wait, he might reinforce his defenses."
Varian nodded with a determined smile. "I've uncovered information about a possible weakness. The lord has a secret chamber where he holds private meetings with representatives of the Order of the Eclipse. If we expose him, we could turn the population against him."
Orzoth slowly nodded, satisfied with the strategy. "Then it's decided. Tonight, we will infiltrate the mansion and expose the lord."
Each of them mentally prepared for what was to come. They knew it would be dangerous, but they were willing to take the risk for the future they sought to build.
Back in the dimensional labyrinth, Drayk finally reached the sixth floor.
Before him, an entirely different environment unfolded—a vast forest shrouded in mist, filled with mysterious sounds.
The challenge, it seemed, had intensified once again.