Chapter 8: Flame in the Veins
The elite beast collapsed with a thunderous crash, its body torn apart by searing dragon flames.
Lee Hwan stood above it, breathing steadily, eyes glowing faintly gold. The ground around him was scorched and cracked, smoke rising from the craters his attacks had carved into the earth.
That was the final one.
The last Ravine Beast.
He had done it.
[Congratulations! You have cleared Floor 2 – Bloodfang Ravine]
[Total Ravine Beasts Defeated: 100]
[Elite Boss Defeated: Ravine Hunter Chief – Bonus Exp Awarded]
[Level Up! Level 18 → Level 23]
[You have gained 25 Attribute Points]
[You have acquired a new skill: Flame Burst (Dragon Monarch Skill – Upgradable)]
The system notifications poured in like a storm.
Lee Hwan didn't smile—but his eyes gleamed with a dangerous calm.
"Level 23… That's a decent jump."
He opened his status window, quickly reviewing the changes.
[Lee Hwan – Player Status]
Level: 23
Class: ??? (Locked)
Title: Vessel of the Dragon Monarch
HP: 3,200 / 3,200
Mana: 2,700 / 2,700
Strength: 41
Agility: 39
Endurance: 37
Intelligence: 35
Perception: 38
Available Attribute Points: 25
Without hesitation, he distributed the points.
Strength +5 Agility +5 Endurance +5 Intelligence +5 Perception +5
[Stats Updated!]
Strength: 46 | Agility: 44 | Endurance: 42 | Intelligence: 40 | Perception: 43
With that, his entire body felt lighter. Energy surged through his limbs—his blood burning like molten fire. His dragon aura responded instantly, pulsing with new power.
But it was the skill that caught his full attention.
Flame Burst.
[Skill: Flame Burst (Dragon Monarch Origin Skill)]
Grade: Monarch | Type: Offensive | Current Tier: I
Description: Unleash a burst of dragon fire that scorches everything in a cone before you. Deals massive fire damage. Leaves burning effect.
Upgrade Path: II → III → IV → ???
Cooldown: 30 seconds
Lee Hwan's fingers twitched as he read the description.
"An upgradable skill… like Eye of the Dragon."
This wasn't ordinary magic. This was something deeper. Every skill granted by the Dragon Monarch wasn't just a tool—it was a piece of ancient power, forged by the strongest being in the Tower.
Flame Burst.
He could already imagine it—waves of enemies incinerated in a single breath.
But he had to be careful.
Power like this wasn't meant to be wasted.
"I'll reserve this one," he murmured. "For something bigger."
He stood on the edge of the ravine now, the portal to the next floor glowing a few steps away.
Another voice echoed inside him.
It wasn't his own.
"You grow fast, little vessel."
It was ancient. Deep. Reverberating through his soul.
The Dragon Monarch.
"Your body adjusts well to my flames… But power alone is not enough. Each floor will demand more than strength."
Lee Hwan didn't respond. He didn't need to.
He understood already.
Each floor was a battlefield. A trial.
And he wasn't just climbing for survival.
He was climbing for domination.
As he walked toward the glowing gate, he glanced at the sky—still painted red, still bleeding with dusk.
"In ten years, humanity reached Floor 13," he whispered. "I'll catch up in months."
He tightened his fists.
"Even if I have to burn this entire tower to do it."
Back outside the Tower, the world was changing.
News of a mysterious player who had cleared the First Floor alone had begun to spread.
Some thought it was fake.
Others believed a new Monarch Vessel had appeared.
But no one knew his name. No one had seen his face clearly. He moved too fast. Killed too quickly.
The guilds were already searching.
The Monarchs were paying attention.
And deep within the Tower, other vessels were starting to feel it—a new pressure.
A heat like dragonfire.
The Monarchs that had chosen them… trembled faintly.
Because something stronger had awakened.
Something that refused to be bound by the rules.
End of Chapter 8