“You were right. It was no ordinary frog.”

  Blanche admitted as she watched me exit the boss area.

  “Yes.”

  I responded, my voice dull and drained of energy. He was too strong. I had to use tricks and match him with my intelligence to defeat him in the end. However, I could fuse Enhanced Perception and Night Vision to get a new skill. But something told me to not do it. Maybe it was my warrior instinct telling me to fight against another warrior with what I had now. Or maybe I thought I would get better rewards this way. Well, it didn’t matter now.

  “Proceed.”

  (Fusing Night Vision and Enhanced Perception together.)

  (Records are being collected.)

  (You lost Night Vision and Enhanced Perception.)

  (You acquired passive spark skill Watchdog of the Night.)

  (In the realm of shadows, where others stumble blind, you see clearly. Eyes like the wolf, instincts like the predator.)

  (Your ability to perceive your surroundings increases greatly. Your perception can’t be obscured by fog or darkness.)

  (All of your senses increase by 30 percent in darkness.)

  (Your stats increase by 10 percent in darkness.)

  It was this powerful at E rank? Hmm.

  “Champion, lower your head and let me dry you off.”

  I stopped reading my new skill and looked at Thalia. Just like the first time I acquired Enhanced Perception, I now noticed new things about our priestess.

  Her hands trembled slightly as she held the soft cloth, yet her expression remained calm and serene. Her blue eyes held a quiet focus, though now, with my new perception, I could see the faint flicker of worry behind them. The exhaustion from the battle was clearly reflected in my posture, but there was something else—a hesitation in her movements, as if unsure how close to get.

  Thalia had always been composed, always had that divine grace about her. But now, my sharpened senses picked up the subtle rise and fall of her chest, her breathing slightly uneven, betraying her attempts to maintain her poise. Even the scent of her—something faintly floral, mixed with the lingering aroma of incense from her prayers—stood out in sharp clarity.

  “I can’t catch cold, Thalia.”

  I said, my voice softer now, but still drained. Her expression hardened instantly. I gulped hard.

  “Or maybe I should dry off. Just in case.”

  "Indeed, Champion," she replied, her voice soft yet laced with authority. As Thalia dried me off, I looked at the third boss, my eyes seeing the words clearly even though I was far away.

  (Steelmind Sovereign, the Biometal Colossus)

  (Forged from the fusion of advanced biometal and psychic energy, Steelmind Sovereign was designed to protect knowledge beyond mortal understanding. It exists as the perfect union of mind and matter, punishing intruders with ruthless efficiency. To fight it is to contend with an unstoppable machine powered by an unyielding intellect.)

  (Two people may enter.)

  …

  “That’s a crab.”

  I said, absentmindly.

  “A giant one.”

  Artemeni continued.

  “A giant metallic one.”

  Blanche added.

  “Alright. Two people. We have Blanche, Aurora, and G?kb?rü left. How will we do it?”

  I asked.

  “I’ll go. Last time you took my turn.”

  Blanche stepped forward.

  “Are you sure? It says two people.”

  I asked, glancing at the description of the next boss.

  “It is metallic. It will conduct lightning. And I am fired up.”

  Blanche crossed her arms, her pale silver hair catching the dim light of the dungeon. I raised my eyebrows. She was fired up? Very well.

  “Okay. You can go alone. But I am sending Aurora if it seems like you are in trouble.”

  I looked at G?kb?rü, who sat at my side, his bright sapphire eyes locked onto the massive gate leading to the next arena. The little wolf pup tilted his head as if he were trying to judge whether he could chew through a mechanical crab. His ears perked up at my glance, but I shook my head.

  “You’re sitting this one out, buddy.”

  “Arf?” G?kb?rü growled softly, almost disappointed, but stayed obediently at my side. I reached down and ruffled his snowy fur, grateful for the bond we shared. Even in my drained state, I could feel a faint pulse of mana as our connection reassured me. This trial wasn’t mine… for now.

  Blanche stepped into the boss's chamber. It was an enormous circular chamber, its floor polished to a metallic sheen that reflected the eerie glow of mana crystals embedded in the walls. In the center of the arena stood the Steelmind Sovereign.

  Calling it a “crab” wasn’t inaccurate, but the word didn’t do justice to its sheer size and menace. Its body was massive, forged from silvery biometal that gleamed under the pale light. Sharp-edged plates covered its shell, etched with intricate, glowing runes. The Colossus had eight segmented limbs, each ending in razor-like claws that clanged against the ground as it shifted. Its head was a dome of polished metal, save for a single, massive eye—a burning red core that pulsed like a heartbeat.

  “I’ve been waiting for a real challenge,” she muttered, blue eyes narrowing.

  The Steelmind Sovereign's massive eye whirred to life. A deep hum reverberated through the chamber as its limbs came to life with a mechanical precision that made the air feel heavier. Runes on its shell lit up one by one, flowing like circuitry, and the temperature dropped. I could feel its energy even from here.

  From where I stood, I could feel the snap of Blanche’s mana, her elemental affinity flaring to life. She was lightning incarnate—fast, deadly, and relentless. How did I even manage to beat her?

  The Steelmind Sovereign’s eye glowed brighter, beams of crimson light scanning the arena like targeting systems locking on. A sudden pulse shook the room as it fired a concentrated beam of psychic energy.

  Blanche blurred, her agility leaving an afterimage as she evaded the beam with a single sidestep. The psychic energy seared across the chamber and scorched the wall behind her, leaving a glowing line in its wake.

  “Too slow!” Blanche shouted, thrusting her rapier forward. Lightning erupted from her, crackling like a living storm as it collided with the Steelmind Sovereign’s shell. The metallic giant shuddered, its runes flickering erratically for a moment. It seemed like the fight was about to end but of course, it couldn’t be that easy. The massive red eye began to pulse faster, the runes on its body glowing brighter instead of flickering. Its massive claw flared out towards Blanche but she managed to get them stuck in the ice walls she created.

  The arena trembled under the pressure of the Steelmind Sovereign’s next move. A grinding noise filled the air, like gears shifting inside a massive machine. Blanche’s ice walls cracked as the mechanical crab’s psychic energy surged through its body. With a single pulse of red light from its central eye, the frozen barriers shattered into a thousand shards, scattering across the arena like glass.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Blanche skidded backward, her silver hair whipping in the turbulent air. Her rapier crackled with energy, arcs of lightning snapping at the ground as her mana flared to match the rising intensity of the battle.

  …

  “It was a good fight. You did well, Blanche.”

  I said as I grabbed her as she exited the boss area, supporting her so she didn’t fall to the ground. I helped her get to Thalia so she could be healed up before turning to the next boss.

  (Verdant Matron, the Blooming Guardian)

  (Once the guardian of a sacred grove, the Verdant Matron was corrupted by forces seeking to twist her into a weapon of destruction. Yet, even in her corrupted state, she clings to her duty as protector, unleashing the fury of nature upon those who disturb her domain.)

  (Two people may enter.)

  “It has a similar feeling to elves and elementals.”

  She had green skin with various flowers growing out of her body. Vines cascaded from her limbs like flowing robes, while her glowing green eyes emanated a calm yet commanding aura.

  “G?kb?rü, Aurora. It is your turn.”

  G?kb?rü immediately jumped with excitement.

  “Watch her movements. Support Aurora and use Wolf King’s Crown if you feel like you absolutely feel like.”

  I turned to Aurora.

  “Use your magic as you wish. G?kb?rü will keep up with you.”

  G?kb?rü gave an eager bark in response, his sapphire eyes blazing with excitement. The little pup’s snowy fur bristled with energy as he padded forward, ready for his first battle. Aurora followed close behind. The boss chamber for the Verdant Matron stood in stark contrast to the cold, metallic arena Blanche had fought in. Vines crawled along the walls, their leaves pulsing with an eerie green glow. The air felt alive—humid and filled with the faint scent of earth and rot. At the center of the room stood the Blooming Guardian.

  Aurora was the first to act. She raised her staff, and a flurry of mana swirled around her, building into a searing crescendo. Flames erupted at her feet, racing across the chamber to burn through the advancing vines.

  Fire magic. Logical approach against her enemy even though it wasn’t her specialty. G?kb?rü darted forward, his small form a white blur against the dark, overgrown terrain. With his enhanced reflexes and monstrous strength, he leaped onto a thick root and sprang toward the Matron, jaws bared. The bloom-covered guardian swept one of her massive thorned limbs to intercept him, but G?kb?rü twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike before landing atop her arm.

  A blast of freezing air erupted from G?kb?rü’s maw, coating the Matron’s limb in jagged ice. The frost spread rapidly, slowing her movements as the icy surface cracked. G?kb?rü growled fiercely, his sapphire eyes narrowing as he clung to the limb.

  Aurora seized the opening. She thrust her staff forward, chanting under her breath. A spear of blazing red mana coalesced at the tip of her staff before launching toward Matron’s chest. The Verdant Matron let out a guttural, groaning roar as the spear exploded on impact, sending fiery embers cascading across her vine-covered body.

  The ground trembled in response.

  Suddenly, massive roots erupted from Matron’s body and pierced the ground. The vines on the arena floor surged upward like writhing tentacles, lashing out at Aurora and G?kb?rü. Thorns erupted from the ground in violent bursts, forcing Aurora to dodge with swift footwork while weaving protective barriers around herself.

  G?kb?rü wasn’t as lucky—one of the vines coiled around his hind leg, dragging him toward the Matron’s looming form. The little wolf snarled, his teeth snapping at the writhing plant.

  “Shadow Melt.”

  I sent the thought through our connection, reminding him what he could do by borrowing my skill. G?kb?rü’s sapphire eyes flashed as darkness rippled across his snowy fur. The vine tightened its hold for a brief moment—before G?kb?rü dissolved into shadow, slipping through Matron’s grasp like smoke on the wind. He reappeared a heartbeat later, several paces away, his bright eyes filled with determination.

  “Arf!” he barked fiercely, his small form radiating an aura that felt far larger than he was. I could feel his mana surging through our bond. He wasn’t done yet.

  Aurora didn’t let the opportunity go to waste. With G?kb?rü buying her time, she slammed the base of her staff against the ground. Flames spiraled around her feet, coiling upward into a massive serpent.

  The advancing vines recoiled as they burned, curling into blackened husks. The air filled with the sickly-sweet stench of scorched vegetation.

  The Verdant Matron responded with a deep, resonant groan. Flowers on her body bloomed violently, spilling clouds of pollen into the chamber. The golden mist thickened, filling the air in an attempt to obscure visibility and sap their strength.

  “Poisonous pollen,” I muttered under my breath. “G?kb?rü, Frost Breath.”

  He responded immediately. His small chest heaved as he inhaled deeply, and then—

  A blast of freezing air erupted from his mouth, sweeping across the chamber and cutting through the golden pollen like a northern gale. The cold bit into the swirling mist, crystallizing it into harmless flakes of frost that fell gently to the ground. Aurora, shielded by her magic, remained unaffected.

  The Verdant Matron let out a furious roar as her attack failed. Her massive, vine-covered body lurched forward, roots and tendrils snapping like whips as she struck at both opponents.

  Both of them reacted differently, G?kb?rü using Shadow Melt to allow the roots to pass through him harmlessly as Aurora created a mana shield to block them.

  “Graviton Crush.”

  The space surrounding the Matron twisted as Aurora cast her magic. The effectiveness of the spell was even greater now… Could it be she used the rune which allowed her to overcharge her spells?

  “Solar Flare Implosion.”

  A column of searing white fire carved through the writhing vines and slammed into the Verdant Matron’s chest. The flames licked across her corrupted form, burning away the darkened, twisted sections of her body. The Matron let out a wail—a sound both mournful and furious—as her form began to destabilize.

  G?kb?rü didn’t waste the moment. With his small, agile frame, he darted forward, leaping from root to root until he was within range. His mana surged once more, and I could feel him tapping into his inherited strength.

  “Wolf King’s Crown!”

  A brilliant silver light erupted from G?kb?rü as the skill activated. For a moment, the small pup seemed to grow larger in presence, his form glowing with an almost regal energy. His claws and teeth shimmered with mana, and he pounced, aiming for the Matron’s core.

  The impact was explosive. G?kb?rü’s strike pierced through the remaining vines and smashed directly into the Verdant Matron’s chest. The guardian let out one final, echoing cry before her body began to crumble. Vines withered, flowers blackened and fell, and her massive form sagged under its own weight before disintegrating into a shower of green particles.

  The battle was over.

  “4 down, 6 to go.”