"Quick! We need to move!"
Caspian shouted as they both ran toward the doors of the final room.
The volley of projectiles rapidly closed in, the shadows they cast growing darker by the second.
They cleared the final stretch of rocky terrain just in time and reached the entrance.
Breathing heavily, they watched as explosions and impacts rained down behind them.
The projectiles triggered a massive, earth-shaking explosion. Rubble rippled outward, completely decimating the area and cutting off their escape.
There was only one path forward now.
____
[Mission: Defeat the final boss of this dungeon within 30 seconds.]
[Reward: 10,000 SP]
____
"Your Highness, this is the final boss, right?"
"That's right. What? Are you worried?" Caspian teased.
Kala's face showed clear apprehension as she voiced her concern.
"It's impressive that you can fight with the strength of someone levels above you, but even the most talented unevolved would struggle against a final boss. Some, like the Dragon King, maybe could have in his time…"
Caspian placed a finger on her lips, earning a small pout.
"If, as you said, my grandfather could do something like this, then I can too—and a lot more."
His effortless confidence reassured her.
Kala was naturally reserved and preferred reading about adventures rather than living them.
As a commoner, she had always believed her destiny was to be weak, or at least inferior to nobles.
But Caspian's belief in her made her feel she could achieve something greater.
Just like in the stories she loved.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the massive doors groaned open—
Like an old beast awakening from years of slumber.
What greeted them was a vast circular chamber. A winding platform, like a serpent, hung suspended by thick metal chains above a bubbling river of lava.
It felt as if they had stepped inside a volcano. Scorched rock and thick soot coated the walls.
Waiting on the platform was a fire-wielding salamander.
A large, sinuous, lizard-like creature with a long tail lined with sharp spikes that ran up to its head like a jagged ridge.
Its fire-resistant hide made it difficult for most unprepared groups to handle.
It released a deep roar that shook the chained platform.
Its maw opened wide, rows of razor teeth on display, its long tongue flicking like a viper.
"You might be more annoying than I first thought…" Caspian muttered.
He spoke to Kala beside him.
"Stay at the back and weaken its fire resistance as much as you can."
Not giving her time to respond, he dashed into the arena at blinding speed, each step leaving shallow imprints from the force of his strides.
____
[Time remaining: 29 seconds]
____
Alright, let's test myself against a dungeon final boss!
A bloodthirsty grin spread across his face as they clashed.
It was clearly more challenging than the troll.
But far from unbeatable.
He just had to do it in time.
The salamander's tail whipped toward him, its spear-like spikes aiming to impale.
Caspian raised his sword and tried to redirect the blow using its momentum, but his arms strained under the sheer weight.
The strength gap between this final boss and the troll was night and day.
This was a true battle for supremacy.
Spotting a brief opening after deflecting the tail, Caspian stretched out his free hand.
Holy Fire ignited the air, roaring forth in a wide cone like a divine flamethrower meant to consume everything.
The flames bypassed much of its fire resistance and thick hide.
Half the monster's face melted instantly, leaving behind bubbling, mangled flesh.
It screeched in agony and rage, the sound whipping debris into a frenzy.
Momentarily distracted by the deafening cry, Caspian was caught off guard.
The salamander lashed out with a vicious claw swipe.
He blocked with his sword but was knocked off balance and forced back a considerable distance.
He drove his blade into the ground to slow himself, eventually coming to a stop.
A quick check told him he was unharmed.
Looking up, he saw Kala shouting in worry.
"Your Highness!"
She hurled multiple Water Balls at the boss, her worn wooden staff glowing with azure light.
The half-mutilated salamander turned slowly, molten flesh dripping from its ruined face.
Its single yellow eye locked onto her with pure malice.