The Final Boss Appears?!

The Orcs were bigger than the hobgoblins, but their strength was about equal. At most, just a sign apart within the same letter. Even in terms of how fast they moved, they were far behind Lima. Even Gwen had to admit that if she couldn’t use fire, the queen slime would’ve defeated her.

Shaking her head, Gwen returned her focus to the charging monsters. She pointed two fingers at one orc and flipped her hand, pointing the fingers upwards. The floor rippled; stone shot upward, wrapping around the orc’s legs. Stopping it mid-stride.

Bang!

The orc’s head bounced off the ground as more stone wrapped around it. It struggled against the restraints, letting out a mighty roar, but it failed to break them. Gwen pointed her glowing red palm at the monster.

“Flame Lance!” she shouted.

A sharp yellow flame shot forward, the moisture in the air gone as it flew at the Orc. It struck the monster’s head, killing it and then turning it to ash.

“Huh, Flame Lance is effective, but costly. I could probably use it ten more times comfortably before I feel a heavy drop in my magic.” Gwen muttered to herself.

“Boss, watch out!” Kira warned.

Gwen’s head snapped up. At the last second, she jumped aside, dodging a fist that struck the empty air next to her. The orc chased after her, throwing a flurry of strikes. She leaned out of the way of a punch and countered with a downward slash. A yellow flame came out of the tips of her fingers, cutting off its limb.

The monsters roared, raising the stump. Moving her arms rapidly, Gwen slashed at the orc—cutting off its legs, its other arm, and its head faster than it could react.

Boom

The body flopped to the ground, rolling to a stop at her feet. Letting out a sigh, Gwen shot out a small fireball, burning the corpse.

So, yellow flames are stronger than ‌red or orange flames, but it takes up more magic, which is why the lance used a lot.

Yellow does feel right for her, and easier to control compared to the lesser colors. Maybe it has something to do with being able to use holy energy. It’ll have to be something she figures out after leaving the dungeon.

Disappointed by the lackluster fight, Gwen walked back to the group.

“You’d think after being in a party for a week I’d stop being surprised by how strong Gwen is,” Chris muttered, though Gwen overheard it.

“Boss has always been like that; always getting stronger,” Kira added.

Claire nodded in agreement.

A hum echoed, cutting off the chance of any reply. shaking around the place, then grew louder. Evolving into a deep laugh that dug deep into their bodies.

“And you call yourself a follower of the Dark God!” the voice chuckled. “Your minions were pathetic!”

Gwen’s eyes narrowed as she studied the object in the middle. The red eyes were still there, yet the shoulders seemed to be moving.

I wonder if that’s the true boss, but I just haven’t wanted to attack yet.

A shiver went down her spine. If that’s true, no telling how strong the black armor is compared to the monsters they just fought. Her lips twitched before turning upwards.

“Uh-oh, Boss started smiling again.

“Ugh, does that mean there’s another monster to fight?”

Chris nodded. “You heard that voice; there’s probably a monster still lingering somewhere.”

Gwen’s eye twitched. Instead, she turned and launched a fireball at the black armor in the middle of the room. A black spiral appeared, absorbing the entire attack. Out of the portal stepped a man dressed in all black.

A scowl on his lips turned his otherwise handsome face ugly. His eyes pulsed with a dark energy, matching the shade of his short hair. The man quickly closed the distance between himself and Gwen.

“I hate you!” he growled, his voice low and deep.

“Oh, thanks… I think.” Gwen tilted her head to the side. “I don’t remember you, so I can’t offer you any apologies for something I may have done.”

“Tch, you and that little cat girl ruined my plans at Raom village. I’ve been wanting to deal with you ever since.”

“Right, Raom…”

“We wiped out a group of goblins in the village a month ago,” Kira offered.

“Ah, I almost…” Gwen suddenly paused, her eyes narrowing on him. “Were you the one who attacked the village?”

The man’s frown grew deeper. “I’m going to enjoy killing you, and you’re a little party!” he spat, the black glow growing, the forced wind blowing across them.

Gwen’s smile dropped, turning into a frown as she stared at him. Without warning, she pushed off her back foot, launching herself at the man. The man leaned back out of the swing, countering with a blow to her stomach. Gwen easily caught the strike, locking his fist in place.

“I’m so going to enjoy kicking your ass.” She growled.

The man smirked. “Not if I kill you first.” He snapped his fingers, and a goblin appeared behind Gwen.

Dropping the man’s hand, Gwen leaned away from the goblin's slash. Spinning around, she shoved a red palm straight into its stomach, turning it to ash. The silver-haired mage didn’t have to move before something struck her back.

Bam!

Gwen’s body bounced once before she slid to a stop, coming to her feet. She barely had time to center herself before the man appeared in front of her, his foot wrapped in darkness aimed at her head. Getting her arms up in an X formation, she coated her arms in fire.

Boom!

The man’s leg struck with force that numbed Gwen’s arm. Her body shook from the damage as she held her block. Finally, after what felt like minutes, the man jumped backward, landing a short distance away.

“Because I summon goblins doesn’t mean I’m weak, Gwen Vanderick,” the man sneered, his magic circling him. “I have more tricks than just summoning!”

“Ew, first off, fuck you, whoever you are. Second, I don’t care what you learned! Either way, I’m going to kick your ass!”

“You’re trying to buy time until you feel your arms again, right?” The man chuckled. “That’s one of my little tricks. I can paralyze people for ten seconds. It helped with my various… activities.”

Ahh, that explains why my arms haven’t been reacting to me shaking them. Gwen thought, biting her lip, holding back her pain. It felt as if hot needles were poking her arms.

“My name is Damien, remember that when you meet your Goddess in the afterlife.” He flexed his muscles and rushed forward, disappearing.

Gwen’s eyes widened. Behind me.

She spun around and got her arms up in time to block the fist. Her feet dug into the stone as she pushed backward, panting. She tilted her head downward, letting her hair fall into her face.

“Do you think we should help her?” Chris said loudly, voice echoing in the arena.

“No…his strength is stronger than ours,” Claire replied, frustration in her tone. “We’d just be a liability with our injuries if we even tried.”

Gwen didn’t say anything as she stood still. If not for the trembling of her arms, she would’ve looked nothing but a statue. Yet despair never grew in her chest.

No, the man’s energy… it was uniquely different. His magic felt like the opposite of the light magic she’s been using. How he wrapped it around his body, even using it to paralyze, reminded her of Bun-Li.

Maybe I can copy what he’s doing with my light magic, she thought.

The man chuckled as he started coming closer to her. “Don’t you hear your companions? They’ve already given up,” he said, stopping in front of her. “How about begging me, and I might feel like sparing your life?”

Gwen looked down at her trembling arms. “Beg, seriously?” She lifted her head, a huge smile on her face. “This is the most fun I’ve had in a while! Even greater than the slim boss I just defeated.

Suddenly, a yellow light flashed around her, overtaking the very darkness that seemed about to swallow Gwen.

“Do you think I want it to end already when I can finally let loose!” She screamed, charging ahead. “Get ready for round two, you fucker!”