The eerie glow of bioluminescent fungi lit the air as Dawnfyr stepped deeper into Veilroot Hollow, his heart pounding with anticipation. The dungeon had been relatively tame at first—puzzles and small mobs like the Sylvan Wraiths. But now, things were ramping up.
Before him stood a new wave of enemies: Corrupted Dryads, twisted versions of their graceful counterparts. Their bark-like skin oozed dark sap, and their glowing green eyes seemed fixed on him, full of rage. Around them lurked Vinebeasts, massive creatures that resembled trees come to life, their roots slamming the earth like fists.
Marcus smirked from behind his screen, leaning forward in anticipation. "All right, Veilroot Hollow. Let's see what you've got."
The dryads hissed, their arms twisting into thorny whips as they launched their attacks. Dawnfyr dodged the first strike, activating Battle Instinct* to improve his reflexes. He countered with Quick Slash, his greatsword slicing through one dryad's torso.
Damage Dealt: 65 Physical ATK.
Damage Taken: 18 from thorn whip lash.
The second dryad lunged at him, casting Rotting Bolt, a magical projectile that struck him square in the chest. His Magic Resistance softened the blow, but it still stung.
Damage Taken: 35 Magic ATK.
Grimacing, Dawnfyr pressed forward, swinging Crimson Fang in a wide arc and activating Crushing Blow. The blade glowed faintly as it struck both dryads, knocking them back and leaving deep gashes in their wooden forms.
Damage Dealt: 80 Physical ATK to each dryad.
After a few intense seconds, the dryads collapsed, their forms crumbling into piles of corrupted bark and sap.
The ground trembled as three Vinebeasts emerged from the shadows, their massive forms towering over Dawnfyr. Each swing of their root-like limbs threatened to flatten him, but Marcus couldn't help but grin.
"Now we're talking," he said, cracking his knuckles as he adjusted his grip on Crimson Fang.
The first Vinebeast roared, slamming a root into the ground and causing a shockwave. Dawnfyr leapt to the side, avoiding most of the impact but still taking a glancing hit.
Damage Taken: 22 Physical ATK.
He activated Fearsome Aura, lowering the Agility of nearby enemies. The Vinebeasts staggered slightly, their movements sluggish. Dawnfyr seized the opportunity to rush forward, landing a clean blow with Blade Focus* that targeted one Vinebeast's weak point.
Damage Dealt: 90 Physical ATK (Critical Hit).
The second Vinebeast retaliated, its roots sweeping across the ground and catching him off-guard. Dawnfyr grunted as the blow knocked him back.
Damage Taken: 40 Physical ATK.
Not wanting to waste time, Marcus opened his inventory and consumed a Healing Elixir, restoring 200 HP instantly. "Let's keep this going," he muttered, diving back into the fight.
Activating Verdant Cascade—his newly unlocked Dryad subclass ability—Dawnfyr unleashed a wave of magical vines that swept across the battlefield, ensnaring the Vinebeasts and immobilizing them temporarily.
Damage Dealt: 45 Magic ATK per Vinebeast.
The spell gave him enough breathing room to finish the job. He swung Crimson Fang relentlessly, landing blow after blow until all three Vinebeasts lay defeated.
The fights grew harder with each floor, forcing Marcus to adapt his strategies. He faced Shadow Spriggans, swift and deadly creatures that used poison-tipped thorns to attack from a distance. Their agility made them difficult to pin down, but Dawnfyr's Fearsome Aura kept them from overwhelming him entirely.
At one point, Marcus was forced to use a Mana Crystal to replenish his MP mid-battle, allowing him to cast Nature's Grasp, immobilizing several enemies at once and turning the tide in his favor.
Damage Taken Throughout Floors:
Corrupted Dryads: ~80-100 per encounter due to magical projectiles and thorn lashes.
Vinebeasts: ~90-120 due to heavy physical strikes.
Shadow Spriggans: ~60-80 due to poison damage over time.
Marcus found himself relying more and more on cash items—healing elixirs, mana crystals, and even a temporary buff that increased his Physical ATK by 20% for an hour.
By the time he reached the final floor, his resources were dwindling, his nerves were frayed, and his hands were slightly sweaty. But he couldn't deny it—he was having the time of his life.
"This dungeon's insane," Marcus said, taking a moment to stretch in his seat. "Whoever designed this deserves a medal."
At last, Dawnfyr stood before the entrance to the boss room. The massive double doors were covered in glowing runes, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. Marcus felt his own heart race as he read the system prompt:
Boss Room: Heart of Corruption
The doors creaked open, revealing a cavern filled with swirling green mist. At its center stood a monstrous figure—a Corrupted Elder Dryad, its form twisted beyond recognition. Branch-like appendages crackled with dark energy, and glowing sap dripped from its gnarled body like blood.
"Here we go," Marcus said, gripping the hilt of Crimson Fang tightly. The hours of grinding, strategizing, and adapting had led to this moment.
With a deep breath, he stepped inside, ready to face his greatest challenge yet.
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