Rex's heart raced as he stood before the B-Rank boss. The colossal ant advanced toward him, its armor-like shell and razor-sharp mandibles ready to crush anything in its path. Rex wasn't fully prepared… but turning back was not an option.
"What do I do now…?" he whispered, caught between fear and determination.
The boss struck. Its massive limbs slammed into the ground, shaking the dungeon floor and sending stones flying in every direction. Rex leapt aside just in time. As he landed, his sword began to glow on its own — fire and blue energy entwined, moving as if guided by its own will.
"I'm not the same person I used to be!" Rex shouted.
He waited for the perfect moment to strike, studying the boss's movements. Each attack left a trace, giving Rex subtle clues about its weak points. Taking a deep breath, he focused, time seeming to slow around him. Clutching his sword tightly, he charged forward.
Whooshhh!
A wave of energy erupted from his blade, piercing the ant's armor. The boss staggered for a moment. Rex followed up with a rapid flurry of strikes, each blow chipping away at its strength. But the B-Rank boss would not go down easily.
The ant snapped its massive mandibles at him, but Rex remained calm. Seizing a small opening, he held his sword with both hands and summoned all his power. Fire and blue energy fused into a blazing surge.
Fssshhhhhh!
With a massive explosion, the ant collapsed. Rex panted heavily, drenched in sweat but victorious. From the boss's body, he collected a golden jewel and several valuable items. This was his first major dungeon victory.
"This… is just the beginning," Rex said, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I need to get stronger… much stronger."
And so, Rex had tested not only his skills but also his willpower.