Boss monsters in Dreadspire had multiple phases.

On the first floor, all of them capped at three, like King Kobold and Gravelurker, both of whom we had already taken down. Their second phase would trigger at 50% health, and the third at 10%.

Naturally, I assumed the same rules applied to Horrogoth.

Muradin's final strike should have ended it. It was already in its third phase, after all.

At least… that's what I thought. That's what I assumed.

I had fallen for the illusion of my own knowledge, treating this world like a game.

Without thinking, I smacked my forehead.

Because Horrogoth had a fourth phase.

***

[Gorgroth's Call cast]

A chilling sense of dread gripped me.

"RUN TO GORGROTH! NOW!" I shouted, my voice frantic.

"What the hell is that?!" Darwyn gasped, eyes wide with terror.

"Death," Orin muttered, her voice trembling. "It's coming for us."

At Horrogoth's feet, the whirling vortex of wind and flame grew larger, spiraling violently, its heat searing our skin even from a distance. The Flame Tornado had begun pulling us in, its gravitational force like a black hole.

"It's invulnerable!" Elena shouted, attacking the beast once again. The arrow ricocheted off the barrier of swirling energy. "Nothing's getting through!"

"Then stop wasting strength!" I snapped. "We run. NOW!"

We pushed forward, forcing our way to Gorgroth, forming a tight circle around it as if clinging to hope itself.

The storm's pull grew stronger, yanking at our bodies like unseen hands. We had seconds left before it consumed us.

"Get ready!" I yelled, barely holding my stance.

I cast Rejuvenation and Inner Beast on Gorgroth, trying to fortify its roots against the force, along with an additional Tempest Shield as a precaution.

"Hold it together, my friend," I whispered to Gorgroth. "You're our last line."

[Enhance Potion cast]

Orin prayed. "I hope this helps" She hurled a Frostbound Flask.

A wall of thick ice exploded into existence, a desperate barrier between us and Horrogoth.

Elena fired web-infused arrows in rapid succession. "Anchoring us, don't move!"

The threads latched onto the stone floor, binding us.

"Don't let go of each other!" she cried.

We clasped hands tightly, gripping each other like our lives depended on it… because they did.

The Flame Tornado had become monstrous, its scorching winds roaring toward the cavern ceiling.

I was closest to the source. "I can't hold!" I shouted as my boots lifted inches from the ground. The webbing snapped.

"NO!" Orin screamed, lunging toward me.

She and Elena dug their nails into my wrists, fighting to keep me from being swallowed whole.

But then, one by one, we started to rise.

Darwyn was the last still grounded, his body pressed tightly against Gorgroth's trunk. The great beast strained, its roots groaning, earth cracking beneath it.

Time slowed. It had only been minutes since the tornado formed, but it felt like hours.

"ARRRGHHH!"

We screamed in desperation, muscles tearing from the strain, clinging to each other with everything we had left.

"I won't let go!" Elena cried. "I won't—"

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

"I can't… I can't feel my arms!" Orin wailed. "We're going to die!"

The ground beneath Gorgroth cracked. Its roots began to lift.

We were losing.

"Please, just stop already!" Orin cried out, squeezing her eyes shut.

And whether by sheer luck, or some divine force answering her plea, the pull suddenly weakened…

A heavy silence fell over us. The wind died.

"Is… is it over?" Elena whispered.

For the first time since this hellish nightmare began, we could breathe again.

Relief washed over us.

Muradin, blood running down his face, let out a breathless laugh. "By the great ancestors… we lived."

I almost smiled. We almost dared to hope.

Until—

BOOOOOOOOM!

A deafening blast tore through the air behind me.

I felt it before I even registered what happened. A sudden, searing heat scorching my back, flesh burning, peeling, blistering in an instant.

"NOOO!" someone screamed, maybe Orin.

The explosion ripped through our formation, sending us flying in opposite directions.

I had no control over my body.

"Elena!" Darwyn's voice echoed, fading.

My vision blurred.

The world spun.

And just before everything went dark, I saw it.

Horrogoth, bathed in a blinding white light.

***

A sharp, searing pain shot through my back as I regained consciousness. Groaning, I realized I was lying face down.

"Don't move yet," Elena's voice came from beside me, calm but firm. I turned my head slightly and saw her meticulously polishing her bow. "Orin gave you a lot of potions, but only low-rank ones. Your wounds aren't fully healed yet."

I let out a sigh and rested my head back down.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

"The moment the storm settled, that crazy monster decided to blow itself up," Darwyn chimed in from nearby. "Your injuries were the worst. Your back was completely scorched, and, well… you landed headfirst."

"Very graceful," Elena added dryly.

I winced. "No wonder everything hurts…"

"You were out for three days. Same as Muradin. He just woke up not long before you," Darwyn continued. "I was out cold for a full day, Orin woke up later that evening, and Elena followed the next day. Orin and I did our best to pour potions down everyone's throats. Good thing we had plenty in stock."

"Oh, and the cave door opened after we defeated Horrogoth," Darwyn added casually.

Before I could process that, a familiar voice called out.

"Eryndor! You're finally awake!" Orin cheered while waving her hand. She was sitting beside Muradin, who still looked half-dead. "Now, hurry up and summon Gorgroth!"

I knew exactly what she wanted. With a tired wave of my staff, I summoned Gorgroth.

The massive, carnivorous plant unfurled before us. Its thick, bark-like torso rising up, surrounded by twisting vines and jagged leaves.

Without hesitation, Orin ran up and threw her arms around Gorgroth's sturdy trunk. "Gorgroth! Thank goodness you were here! You saved us all!" she gushed, pressing her cheek against the rough surface.

Muradin, watching the scene, raised an eyebrow. "Hey, what about me? Don't I get a hug too?" he teased.

Elena walked up and patted Gorgroth's bark, while Darwyn gave a small nod of appreciation.

"I doubt he even understands what's—" Muradin started.

Splurt!

A thick glob of sticky, greenish goo shot from Gorgroth's mouth, splattering all over Muradin's chest.

"Ugh, that was just a coincid—"

Splurt!

This time, the goo landed directly in his mouth.

Muradin gagged, frantically spitting and coughing while the rest of us burst into laughter.

Even Gorgroth rustled slightly, as if thoroughly amused with himself.

***

After some time, we finally got around to discussing the loot. Strangely, Horrogoth, the name we had all agreed upon, had not dropped a single Mana Stone.

"This is the only thing I could find," Darwyn said, holding up an object in his hand.

It was a semi-transparent orb, swirling with deep red and black hues. Inside, a ghastly image of Horrogoth's monstrous form twisted within the glass-like surface. A Soul Fragment.

From a creature whose very existence had been unknown until now.

I swallowed hard. "C-can I keep it?" I asked hesitantly.

"Funny, we were all just thinking the same thing," Darwyn gave a knowing smile. "You're the only one who hasn't scored a good item yet. Plus, this could be a decent stand-in for that Korrogoth Soul Fragment you've been hunting."

That was true. I had set my sights on Korrogoth Fragment because its stats aligned with my build. But if Horrogoth was anything like an upgraded version of Korrogoth… maybe their traits wouldn't be too different.

"Can you appraise its value?" I turned to Elena.

She examined the fragment closely, tilting it slightly under the dim firelight. "Hmm… it's tricky. But it should be at least one tier above the Gravelurker. And since this is a completely undiscovered monster, I'd estimate… somewhere between 500,000 to 600,000 Mana Stones."

I nearly choked. Five hundred to six hundred thousand?!

"How much have we collected so far?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Around 55,000," Elena replied. "But if we deduct your previous debts… well, let's just say you won't be left with much."

My shoulders slumped. So much for getting rich off this expedition…

"Don't worry, you can pay us back once we return," Orin said reassuringly, noticing my disappointment. "Besides, it's only day six. There are still plenty of Mana Stones waiting for us out there."

Darwyn and Elena both nodded in agreement.

"Now stop moping and eat the damn orb before it gets cold," Muradin chimed in with a smirk.

I hesitated. Using the fragment now was risky. We had no idea what stats or abilities it would grant me, and it would permanently take up a slot in my Soul.

But still… the thought of missing this opportunity gnawed at me.

Without another word, I took a deep breath, turned to my team, and gave them a grateful nod. "Thanks, everyone."

Then, before I could overthink it, I shoved the orb into my mouth.

The moment it touched my tongue, a surge of unexplainable feeling flooded through my body. My muscles tensed, my vision blurred, and a deep, raw energy coursed through my veins.

I clenched my fists as the sensation overwhelmed me.

Please… let these stats be what I need.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.