With the imminent threat looming over them, the group could not afford to waste time. As soon as Darius left his chamber, Orzoth swiftly opened a portal for them to return to the mountain. The village of the Drakhors, which had remained hidden in the mountains for so long, needed to be transformed into a fortified stronghold. In a meeting with the local leaders, Orzoth explained the urgency of the situation.
"If we do not strengthen ourselves now, we will be swept away like dust in the wind," declared Orzoth, his voice heavy with concern.
"We need to bring Drayk back!" Varian exclaimed.
"NO!... Sorry, no, he needs to complete his training. We must be able to handle this without him—at least we need to buy him some time."
"Hey, Orzoth, stay calm. We'll find a way to deal with this. By the time Drayk returns, this problem will already be solved," Kaelon reassured him.
"We need to prepare the village—combat training, scouts patrolling the mountain to detect any movement, and reinforcing the defenses so that if they do get in, they'll be at a great disadvantage," the sage explained.
Kaelon took the lead in combat training. Many Drakhors had never wielded a weapon before. They were hunters, blacksmiths, and artisans—not warriors. But that had to change. Within a few days, intensive training was implemented, teaching not only the handling of swords and spears but also group battle tactics. The goal was not just to teach them how to fight, but to ensure their survival.
Outside the village, patrols were organized. Small armed groups began to keep watch, stealthily monitoring the surroundings, ready to detect any suspicious movements.
As the village prepared for war, Varian took a different path. Sneaking through neighboring towns, walking through dark alleys and shady taverns, she sought information about Darius' movements and the Order of the Eclipse.
What she discovered was alarming: mercenaries were being recruited, troops trained in secret locations, and rumors indicated an imminent attack. The Order was not just gathering forces—it was preparing for a final assault.
When Varian returned to the village, she gathered Orzoth, Kaelon, and the other leaders to report her findings.
"They will come in overwhelming numbers. If we only stay on the defensive, we will be annihilated."
Kaelon clenched his fists. "Then we will need a strategy. We will make sure that every one of their soldiers pays a high price before crossing our walls."
Training continued while Orzoth delved into ancient records, searching through ancestral scrolls that might provide them with an advantage. Among the relics of ancient Drakhal, he found something valuable: a scroll along with some runes, containing instructions to erect protective barriers left behind by the Primordial Dragons.
"These runes are powerful... but they require a great amount of draconic blood to be activated," murmured Orzoth, studying the inscriptions with keen eyes.
The sage sought the elders' support, and the ritual was initiated. Small amounts of Drakhors' blood were used to fuel the runes, raising a vast invisible barrier around the mountain. This would not prevent an army from entering, but it would alert them to any hostile approach, eliminating the need for scouts risking their lives outside.
During training, something unexpected happened. Among the younger ones, dormant magical abilities began to awaken. One, while trying to lift his sword, accidentally conjured a bluish flame. Another, after being struck in training, healed instantly.
"This is unbelievable... draconic magic is returning!" Orzoth exclaimed in awe.
The village was changing, and war was approaching. But along with it, the lost glory of the Drakhors seemed to be resurfacing. The time for hiding was over. Now, they would fight for their own future.
During the preparations of Darius' troops, an invisible weight bore down on his shoulders. War was inevitable, but he knew he could not act rashly. The council of nobles would not accept an attack without solid justification. Any mistake could spark revolts and put his own power at risk.
In a private meeting within his fortress, the most influential nobles of the city gathered. The room was filled with conflicting voices.
"The Drakhors are a forgotten threat that cannot be allowed to rise again!" exclaimed Duke Varin, a man with stern features and rigid posture. "If we let them reorganize, it will be the beginning of a new era of terror!"
"You speak as if they are still the monsters of war!" retorted Marquis Edrion, one of the few who showed restraint. "But can we not use this opportunity to our advantage? If we conquer the Drakhors instead of exterminating them, we could shape them into loyal weapons for the kingdom."
"This is madness!" Lady Lysara shouted, her eyes burning with indignation. "They are treacherous beasts! If we give them space, in a few years we will face a revolt led by one of their so-called 'dragon kings'!"
Darius remained silent, listening as the debate grew more heated. His gaze lingered over a map of the kingdom, analyzing the possibilities. Exterminating the Drakhors would bring glory and security to the throne, but if he could bend them to his will, he could consolidate an army unlike any before—and perhaps even claim the throne for himself.
The problem was uncertainty. The Drakhors had not been seen for decades. What guaranteed that they still possessed enough strength to be useful? And if they were still as dangerous as in ancient times, would he be dooming his own kingdom to chaos by hesitating?
"We should consult the king," suggested Count Maedrin, interrupting the whirlwind of discussions. "If the Drakhors are eliminated, the credit will be his. If they are used as a weapon, he can decide the best way to do so."
Darius narrowed his eyes. He knew the king was weakened, pressured by both his own council and the Order of the Eclipse. Perhaps there was still time to turn the situation in his favor. But to do that, he would need to act with extreme caution.
With a sigh, he stood up and imposed silence upon the room. "We will await the royal decision," he declared, his voice firm, even though he knew the king had no real choice, since the Order of the Eclipse itself was behind the attack. "But in the meantime, our troops must continue preparing. Whatever the outcome, we must be ready to crush any threat."
Deep within the ruins, on the tenth floor, at the center of that colossal arena—where the cracked ground exuded heat and the walls shimmered with the latent energy of the environment—an imposing figure had emerged.
A Primordial Dragon.
Unlike any other creature Drayk had ever faced, this entity transcended sheer brute strength. Its body was covered in scales as black as the void of the universe, its eyes gleamed like two stars trapped in the firmament, and its mere presence warped reality around it.
Without hesitation, Drayk smiled. This was exactly what he had been waiting for.
"Finally, a worthy opponent," he murmured, feeling his blood boil with anticipation.
The Primordial Dragon roared, and the entire arena trembled. The air vibrated with such overwhelming pressure that cracks began to form in the ground. Drayk charged forward without a second thought.
Determined to test his raw strength, he attacked without activating any of his transformations. Relying only on his speed and technique, he lunged at the creature. His strikes were fast and precise, his skill at its peak. He dodged the sharp claws, danced between the fiery attacks, and countered with lethal blows.
But it was useless.
Each of his attacks was like trying to break a mountain with a feather. The dragon simply ignored them, retaliating with blasts of fire and devastating claws. In less than a minute, Drayk was crushed against the ground, his body charred before his consciousness faded into darkness.
Death number one.
When he awoke again at the Nexum altar, his breathing was ragged. He smiled.
"Okay, that one was just impulse. Now, let's do it right."
This time, he decided to activate his draconic form. His wings spread wide, and his body became covered in golden scales. His power multiplied instantly, and his speed increased enough to face the Primordial Dragon on equal footing.
The battle was fierce.
Golden flames clashed against black fire. Claws and fangs collided like hammers striking steel. The arena was torn apart by the impact of each blow, energy blasts destroying everything around them. The intensity of their clash was so great that the very air seemed to cut like blades.
But even so, Drayk lost.
The Primordial Dragon was faster. Stronger. More experienced. Even with all his draconic power, he couldn't withstand the brutal onslaught of his enemy.
Death number two.
Now, it was serious. Drayk activated his Original Form.
His body expanded, his wings reached their full span, and pure flames danced around him. The ground trembled beneath his weight, and his roar echoed like thunder. The Primordial Dragon finally acknowledged him as a worthy opponent.
Then the fight began.
It was a battle between true titans. Each strike created explosions of energy, the ground cracking under the sheer intensity of their combat. Drayk's flames burned through the enemy's darkness, his claws shredded the Primordial Dragon's magical barrier. For a moment, it seemed like the fight was balanced.
But it wasn't.
The enemy was more experienced. More relentless. In the end, Drayk was struck down once again.
Death number three.
When he awoke again, his expression was grim. His body trembled from exhaustion. But his mind burned with determination.
He would not accept losing again.
This time, he activated everything.
Original Form + Primordial Blood.
A burst of power erupted from his body. His muscles tensed, his scales shone like the sun itself. His strength doubled, and his control over his abilities reached a whole new level.
The battle began, and this time, everything was different.
Drayk was no longer just attacking. He predicted his enemy's moves, adapting to his combat style. His flames no longer just burned—they consumed the dragon's fire. His body endured, regenerated, and fought beyond its limits.
Every strike was felt by both. Every movement tore through the space around them. Every second was a battle to stay alive.
And in the end, after countless wounds, broken bones, and flames consuming everything—Drayk won.
He felt the blade of his claws pierce the Primordial Dragon's chest. The enemy let out one final roar of defiance before finally collapsing.
Victory.
And then, the notification appeared before his eyes:
[Congratulations! You have defeated the Primordial Dragon!]
[+2 levels acquired!]
[Level 14]
{Str: 585 | Int: 515 | Dex: 685}
[New ability unlocked: Supreme Draconic Aura]
(Description: Drayk's presence now commands absolute respect from any lower-bloodline creature, capable of paralyzing enemies and strengthening nearby allies.)
He fell to his knees—exhausted, but satisfied.
"This... was tough."
The next few days wouldn't be easy for Drayk. The deeper he ventured into the labyrinth, the stronger his enemies became. Thrilled by his rapid growth, he completely ignored Nexum's warnings. He wanted to push his limits, and every battle was an opportunity to grow stronger.
But reality would exact its price.
During his fight against the King of the 20th Floor, something unexpected happened. At the peak of the battle, Drayk felt his mind go blank. His movements became automatic, as if his body were fighting on its own—without his control. Unable to react or dodge, he saw the fatal strike approaching, and before he even felt the pain, everything went dark.
When he woke up, he was by the city's fountain on the 6th floor. The cool breeze contrasted with the intense heat of his previous battles, and for a moment, he wondered if it had all been a dream. But then, as he lifted his head, he saw two familiar figures.
Aru'Mathis and Nexum were watching him.
"What kind of ability was that, the one he used on me?" Drayk asked, sitting up with a groan of exhaustion.
"What are you talking about, Drayk?" Nexum replied with an amused smile.
He frowned. "I… wasn't in control of my body. I'm sure I blacked out before even getting hit by the final blow."
Aru'Mathis let out a heavy sigh. Nexum, meanwhile, crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.
"I told you to rest frequently, didn't I?"
Drayk averted his gaze. "Ah… yeah. Something like that…"
"Exactly. What happened to you was a mental blackout. Your body is exhausted, and it entered a 'power-saving mode,' as your consciousness would put it." Nexum chuckled, clearly amused by the situation.
"But already? I didn't feel this exhausted after fighting Orghazal!" Drayk protested, confused.
Aru'Mathis finally spoke, his voice carrying the patience of someone who had witnessed this mistake countless times before.
"You're forgetting that time flows differently in here. It took you weeks to reach the 20th floor."
Drayk's eyes widened. "Weeks…?" He hadn't realized it. Since the battle against the Primordial Dragon Orghazal on the 10th floor, he hadn't returned to the city. He hadn't rested. He had just kept moving forward, as if he were unbreakable.
"I really… didn't notice," he murmured, rubbing his forehead.
Taking a deep breath, he stood up and began walking through the city, completing the missions he had left behind. Despite his exhaustion, his instincts told him that the rewards would be worth it.
And he was right.
[Complete the Tenth Floor.]
Reward: Sovereign's Eye
Description: A skill that allows the user to see through illusions and detect hidden weaknesses in enemies. (Predator's Eyes skill has been absorbed.)
Effect: Allows Drayk to predict an opponent's next movements in battle. Disables illusions, rendering camouflage and mind-manipulation abilities useless. Grants a +50 Intelligence bonus.
[Collect 15 Shadow Essences.]
Reward: Blade of the Depths
Description: A sword forged in the darkness of the labyrinth, capable of cutting even the magical energy of enemies.
Effect: Deals direct damage to mana, drastically reducing enemy mages' abilities. Absorbs dark energy to enhance Drayk's attacks. Possesses a special attack: "Shadow Rift", a dimensional slash that bypasses conventional defenses.
[Defeat Orghazal.]
Reward: Nexum's Gloves
Description: A pair of gloves embedded with Nexum's power crystals, granting partial control over time's flow within the labyrinth.
Effect: Distorted Time: Drayk can slow time for 5 seconds in battle. Existence Bond: The rune's energy strengthens his connection to the Nexum Runes, improving his mastery over the Original Form. +75 to all stats.
[Notice: Status Updated]
[Level 20]
{Str: 715 | Int: 670 | Dex: 815}
Drayk examined his new sword, feeling the pulsating energy of the gloves against his hands. He could feel the difference. With each challenge overcome, his body grew stronger, and his mind sharper.
But the battle against the King of the 20th Floor had left an invisible scar.
He realized he had crossed a dangerous threshold—the same one that had already claimed the lives of many before him.
He took a deep breath. This couldn't happen again.
From a distance, Aru'Mathis and Nexum observed him. Finally, the great ancestral dragon spoke, his voice deep as distant thunder.
"Now you understand. Power is not just about strength, Drayk. You can win every battle and still lose the war if you don't learn to control yourself."
Drayk nodded, his expression serious. He looked down at his hands, feeling the weight of his own power.
He still had much to learn.