’Shit, I can’t dodge.’
Kieran’s eyes widened as he spotted the massive club swinging toward him. It cut through the air with terrifying speed, aimed straight for his skull.
Everything slowed down. His pulse pounded in his ears.
Take the hit and strike down the troll in return, hoping his body could withstand the impact...
Or dodge and lose his chance to attack.
Either way, the odds were stacked against him.
’Tch... Use your powers, idiot.’
Alexa’s voice rang in his head, impatient as always.
But she didn’t understand.
’If I use my powers, the entire space could collapse,’ he thought, his mind racing.
The distance closed up.
The club was nearly upon him.
’Control the flames.’ Alexa seethed.
Kieran’s eyes flickered.
Before, the fire had been wild, untamed. But if he could direct it—focus it—then maybe...
’But how?’ he asked somewhat confused.
’Idiot, the phoenix is part of you.... The flames are at you wake’
A warmth spread from the back of his palm, flowing through his veins like liquid fire. But it didn’t burn.
The flames were everywhere, lingering in the air, coiling around his body.
All he needed to do was command them.
His heartbeat steadied.
In his mind’s eye, the tunnel walls faded. The troll before him vanished.
All that remained was fire.
It swirled, moving in perfect harmony, wrapping around the troll like a second skin. Not uncontrolled. Not chaotic. Focused.
{Eyes of the Phoenix Activated.}
The temperature in the tunnel spiked. The air thickened with heat.
The troll froze, its beady red eyes widening in terror as flames engulfed it.
A shrill, inhuman screech rang through the cavern.
The explosion rocked the tunnel, sending a wave of hot air blasting through the space.
Blood splattered the walls. Smoke curled from the blackened remains of what was once a towering beast.
Its massive club hit the ground with a dull thud.
Kieran stood still, trying to catch his breath.
’I... I controlled it.’
He barely had time to process what had happened before movement caught his eye.
The second troll, still reeling from the shock, was completely exposed.
Kieran lunged, gripping the sharp-edged rock in his hands.
A sickening crunch followed as the troll’s eyes rolled back, blood pooling from the gash in its forehead.
It collapsed in a lifeless heap.
Kieran panted, his arms shaking.
’That... took a lot more energy than I thought.’
{Mission Progress: 5%}
He could feel it—his strength draining. The explosion had taken more out of him than he expected.
Even with a somewhat precise control, the power of Alexa’s flames couldn’t be underestimated.
’What would it be like... If she uses it’s
He couldn’t help but imagine the phoenix using the flames.
Although his was a stronger version, he didn’t have enough energy to use it, her case was completely different.
She was an immortal, who was birthed with the power... She had just enough energy to use it, and also knew how to use it well.
’Eyes of the Phoenix... that was you, wasn’t it?’
’Of course. Who else would it be, fool? Tch.’
Kieran sighed, running a hand through his hair.
She wasn’t just some summon he could control. He knew that. Phoenixes were proud, even in myths. Alexa wasn’t about to bow to him easily.
His attention snapped back to the last troll.
Unlike its fallen comrades, this one didn’t charge.
Fear gleamed in its small, beady eyes.
’It knows it’s going to die.’
He took a step forward.
The troll flinched, stepping back.
’There’s no wall behind it.’
A massive shadow stretched across the tunnel floor.
Kieran’s breath hitched.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze.
And his stomach dropped.
A colossal troll loomed over the smaller one, its massive frame barely fitting in the tunnel.
The smaller troll trembled violently.
But it wasn’t looking at Kieran anymore.
It was staring at him.
The enormous troll didn’t hesitate.
Its monstrous club swung with brutal force.
The little troll’s head flew from its shoulders, blood spraying against the walls.
The club didn’t stop.
It smashed into the tunnel wall, shattering a glowing gem embedded in the rock.
The entire cave shook.
{Warrior-Class Beast Detected! Boss of the Realm!}
{Defeat Boss Without Summon for Extra Rewards!}
Kieran gritted his teeth.
The beast’s aura was overwhelming.
From behind the boss, a flood of trolls emerged.
Their grotesque faces twisted in anticipation.
Kieran’s chest tightened.
’They blocked the entrance... I was right. There weren’t any trolls inside before because they were waiting for me.’
A sinking realization hit him.
His fingers curled into fists.
’Fine. If I’m going down, I’m taking as many of them with me as I can.’
Kieran took a deep breath.
His stance shifted, feet planting firmly on the rocky ground.
Alexa, still watching from her ethereal form, muttered under her breath.
’Was it really the right choice to let him walk into this? This... is too much, even for him. He’s so stubborn... Just like that man. I don’t need any more proof. I like him already.’
Kieran braced himself—
But then, something else spoke.
A voice—clear, sharp, and commanding.
’Don’t bother. I’ll handle this.’
Kieran’s breath hitched.
The phoenix mark on his hand glowed—
A small ember ignited.
And from that ember, she emerged.
A woman stepped forward, her crimson hair cascading like liquid fire.
Her crimson eyes gleamed with arrogance.
Small fangs peeked from her lips as she smirked.
With a single, lazy motion, she raised a hand.
But Kieran caught her wrist.
"Thank you, but don’t touch the boss."
Alexa blinked, startled.
Kieran stepped forward, a confident grin pulling at his lips.
"I want the rewards for myself."