The Giant Fire Ball
As the flames engulfed the Goblin Chief's entire body, the beast howled in agonizing pain. Azrael, panting heavily, watched with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction as the formidable foe succumbed to the searing inferno. The intense battle had drained his mana, leaving him on the verge of exhaustion with nearly depleted stamina.
The Goblin Chief writhed in agony, its massive frame consumed by the relentless flames. The chamber echoed with the beast's agonizing cries, and for a moment, Azrael basked in the victory of his hard-fought battle.
However, his moment of triumph was short-lived as he witnessed a sight that sent a shiver down his spine—a giant, flaming beast running towards him. The Goblin Chief, despite the inferno engulfing it, seemed to resist its impending death.
"Can't that thing stay down even on its death," Azrael muttered, realizing that the challenge was far from over.
Taking quick, deep breaths, Azrael sprinted away, creating distance between himself and the burning beast. Seeking refuge, he made a dash towards the throne and hid behind it, the darkness providing a cloak for his escape. The chamber was illuminated as the flaming Goblin Chief pursued him, its fiery form casting an eerie glow.
A minute later, the beast reached the throne, its massive frame lighting up the previously darkened area. It clasped the upper frame of the throne, craning downwards to peer behind it, expecting to find Azrael. However, to its surprise, the space behind the throne was empty, leaving the Goblin Chief momentarily puzzled as it searched for its elusive prey.
The fire from the Goblin Chief's hand spread to the bony throne, igniting it in a fiery display. The once dark and foreboding throne now glowed with an ethereal light as the flames danced upon its skeletal structure.
The beast, no longer emitting cries of agony, craned its head to inspect the other side of the throne, finding it empty as well. With its legs seemingly scorched and crumbling, the Goblin Chief kneeled down. It pressed its massive head to the ground, peering underneath the throne in a desperate attempt to locate its elusive adversary.
Spotting Azrael cowering beneath the throne, the Goblin Chief extended a finger, slowly snaking it inside the burning structure. The finger glowed brightly as it ventured closer to the hidden prey.
Azrael could feel the intense heat as the glowing finger followed him. Backing away slowly, he realized the perilous situation and ran as the fiery appendage continued its pursuit under the throne. The chase came to an abrupt halt, and Azrael watched as the burning finger slowly ceased its movement.
As the flames subsided, what remained was only charred flesh, the once formidable Goblin Chief now slumped down, burning alive. The chamber, once filled with the chaos of battle, now echoed with the crackling of the diminishing flames and the fading struggles of the defeated beast.
rawling from under the throne, Azrael gazed at the burning remains of the once formidable Goblin Chief. The beast's body lay motionless, the flames gradually waning as the life force within extinguished.
Breathing heavily, exhaustion catching up to him, Azrael felt the weight of his battered body. Every inch ached, and the weariness threatened to overwhelm him. The desire to collapse on the ground and sleep for days tugged at him.
A twinge of pity crept into Azrael as he observed the once-mighty Goblin Chief reduced to a charred, lifeless form. For over two centuries, the beast had thrived, only to meet its end at the hands of a mere human, burning it alive.
In the aftermath of the battle, a pronounced click echoed through the chamber—the familiar sound of the boss room door opening in acknowledgment of its defeat.
How many beings had yearned for this very moment? How many deaths had this room silently witnessed, bearing the scars of countless struggles?
The opening door marked not only Azrael's victory but also the culmination of unspoken sacrifices and the echoes of a history written in the blood and ashes of those who had come before him.
Outside, the air was filled with sounds—cries, cheers, claps, and a mix of jubilant screams. The news of the Goblin Chief's defeat had reached the ears of those beyond the chamber.
Azrael, drained yet victorious, managed to pull his weary body towards the charred remnants of the boss. Despite the unsettling smell of burnt flesh, there was a strange satisfaction in the air. It was the sweet scent of triumph, a tangible proof that he had overcome the beast, and his well-earned reward awaited him.
With a keen eye, Azrael observed the lump of ash that was once the Goblin Chief. Stooping down near the charred chest, he gently pushed his hand into it, meeting a wet squelch as it sank in.
His hand explored until it found something hard, gripping it tightly. Slowly withdrawing his hand, he revealed the object—the core of the defeated beast.
In the world of monsters, defeating them often yielded these cores. The larger and more powerful the monster, the more potent the core—a valuable prize obtained through triumph over formidable adversaries.
'This can help me build my mana core.'
Azrael thought as he tightly gripped the circular-shaped frame in his hand. In the center, a red gem sparkled, holding the essence of the vanquished monster. Within the gem, potent and pure mana was entrapped—a valuable resource he could utilize to enhance his own mana core through meditation.
Furthermore, this thing could fetch anywhere from 50 silver to 2000 gold, depending on the core itself. However, this was just what regular monsters dropped.
Boss monsters, on the other hand, yielded additional treasures—items that were both valuable and pricey. These included potions, elixirs, weapons, armors, and occasionally even unique skills, making the defeat of boss monsters a lucrative endeavor beyond just the core.
Azrael rose to his feet and surveyed the ash-covered corpse, searching for any signs of shimmering or glinting amidst the charred remains. As he anticipated, his eyes caught a glimmer—on the monster's waist, a pouch was tied securely.