The cavern quaked beneath Buji's feet as a wave of heat emanated from his palm, cascading over the space like a surging tide. The ember-red glow of his magic crackled through the air, lighting up the battlefield. His felt his heartbeat steady, the raw power coursing through his veins sharpening his sense, affecting his movements.

The chains had disappeared into the void, yet the creature was not done. Its eyes still blazed with fury as it stood among the kneeling skeletons, narrowing as it regarded Buji with something akin to intrigue.

"But why are they still kneeling?" Buji asked, but got no reply. "I'm asking you."

"Hahaha...I will make you meet their fate soon, soon...hahaha!" The monster mocked Buji.

"If that's the case, then-" Buji said, but cut his words short.

He rolled his shoulders, his body feeling lighter, stronger. The Emberheart's title he had received was a blessing, the power hummed within him, waiting to be unleashed.

The creature let out a deep, guttural growl.

Then, without warning-it lunged at Buji.

"Very good," Buji muttered.

The force behind the monster's movement shattered the stone under it feet as it moved, the sheer speed of its attack almost imperceptible.

It waved its hands, producing a dark shadow which streaked across the cavern.

But Buji was faster. He has learned to use his mind to control his stats, hence, activate them.

With a flicker of his mind, he activated Phantom Step.

His body blurred, leaving an afterimage in his place as he pivoted sideways. The monster's clawed strike tore through the space where he had stood, carving deep grooves into the ground.

Buji reappeared a few meters away.

"Shadow Assassin!"

His Shadow Assassin Skill kicked in. His form melted into the darkness, the torches that flickered unable to hold his presence.

He was both there and not there. His steps became silent, his breath hidden within the folds of the void space.

The creature twisted. It was indeed experienced. Buji could tell from its attack even as he activated his shadow skill.

Its instincts which honed from centuries of battle guided it to swing an arm out, the air whooshing from the force of its attack.

Buji ducked, weaving through the onslaught of blows. His mind worked rapidly.

'It's real strong, very fast. But its weakness is its predictability. If only I time this right-'

A sudden pressure crashed onto his back.

The monster had anticipated his movement.

Buji barely had time to react before he was slammed into the ground again.

Boom.

Dust and debris exploded into the air. Pain flared through Buji's body, but he bit down on it, refusing to succumb.

His instincts screamed at him. 'Distracted again?!'

A fraction of a second later, Buji found himself on his feet-he rolled.

Just as he did, a massive claw tore into the space he had occupied, missing him by mere inches.

Buji twisted mid-air, flipping onto his feet. His vision sharpened. His Emberheart magic burned within him, demanding to be unleashed.

He didn't hold back.

"Emberheart's Successor!"

Ding!

[Inferno Mode available...]

"Activate!"

[Emberheart's Will initializing-connecting.]

[Connected successfully.]

Emberheart's Successor: Inferno Mode Activated.]

Immediately, flames erupted from his body, swirling in violent spirals. His veins pulsed with molten energy from this eruption, his skin glowed like embers under the heat of sun. The air shimmered around him, distorting with utter

power.

The creature faltered for the first time.

Buji smirked.

"Now, it's your turn," he whispered.

And then, he moved.

The cavern erupted with searing heat as Buji surged ahead, his velocity transcending the bounds of perception. His Phantom Step trailed blazing streaks, his form flickering like an elusive mirage.

The monster swung-

"Hehe, missed."

Buji was already behind it.

He delivered a blow.

BOOM!

A blazing fist collided with the creature's ribs, unleashing a shockwave through its formidable form. The blow propelled it hurtling backward, crashing into the cavern wall with such force that it fractured the stone.

The skeletons flinched, their kneeling forms trembling as dust rained down

from above.

"I did say, you bones are fool. If just you will continue kneeling there."

Buji didn't let their actions distract him. He didn't stop.

He disappeared, only to rematerialize in mid-air above the beast, his Shadow

Assassin skill granting him the power to manifest at will.

His right foot forcefully descended upon the creature's chest.

BOOM!

The cavern trembled. The stone beneath the creature's form splintered. Buji gracefully executed a backward flip, landing with smoothness. He exhaled, realizing his power had fully strengthened. He had awakened his dormant

abilities.

"Yeah!" he raised his hands in an uproar, waiting for the monster to recover. "I want this fight to last."

The monster gradually rose, its luminous eyes blazing with rage, fury. It let out

an otherworldly howl.

And then-it changed.

The shadows coiled around its form, transforming into an ominous grotesquerie. The chains materialized once more, now sparking with the ominous energy of the void expanse.

Buji's smirk faded. 'Of course, it has another form.'

The creature extended its hands.

The chains furiously lashed out.

Buji responded with immediate alacrity. He pivoted gracefully, his Phantom

Step still in play as it rendered his figure a blur. He deftly evaded this initial

blow.

The second chain shot toward him.

He swiftly ducked.

The third wrapped around his arm-yet, before it could tighten, he deftly

countered.

He tightened his grip, once more channeling the fiery essence of his

Emberheart magic into the chain.

Instead of the former red, the metal now radiated with an intense white heat.

The creature screeched as it recoiled. The pain it received from the heat was

evident.

Buji deftly yanked the scorching chain towards himself, cleverly employing the

creature's own momentum against it.

The creature stumbled forward.

Buji pushed forward, with lethal intent clearly showing in his eyes. He moved in

for the kill.

His fingers crackled with flames as he conjured a blade of pure energy.

With a single step, he drove the flaming blade into the creature's flank.

Shrrk!

The creature bellowed ferociously, its form writhing as torrents of fire erupted

from the gaping wound caused by Buji's attack.

Buji's gaze darkened, his grin widened into a devilish smile.

He twisted the blade deeper.

The creature struck out with indiscriminate fury.

Buji sidestepped smoothly, observing as the creature's motions grew

increasingly erratic.

Its chains flickered. Its body quivered. The pain was consuming it.

Buji let go of his grip on the blade.

With one final movement-he placed his palm against the creature's chest.

He activated his final attack.

"Infernal Awakening!" [Infernal Awakening-activated.]

His intent for using this school was to make sure his Agility stats will increase,

even though other of his stats increased.

[Inferno Mode-Activated!]

A pillar of fire burst forth from his palm, consuming the creature entirely.

The cavern shook.

The skeletons close by crumbled to dust under the relentless heat from the

magic power.

The monster let out a final, agonizing roar before its form turned into flakes of

ashes.

And then, there was immediate silence.

Buji exhaled, the fire around him flickering before slowly dying down.

The cavern was still. The battle was not over yet.

He looked down at his palm. His power was still there, still growing.

His lips curled into a smirk. He raised his face to look beyond his front.

Hundreds of Skeletons were still packed, and this time around, it seemed their number increased.

The flakes of fire that burned out of the monster's body had rested them, and it seemed like it strengthened them the more.

"Not until I'm done with you, will I consider victory," he said, releasing the cord

wrapped around his body. "This will do for you."

At that instant, the screen notification panel materialized in front of him.

[Boss Defeated-congratulations!]

Rewards:-

[Shadow Enhancement.]

[Emberheart Mastery (Stage 2) attained.]

[Phantom Step Evolution: You can now switch position with your opponents-activate command-]

"Flick, yes, flick of my thumb against my middle finger."

[Activated!]

Buji chuckled.

"With this, I can reach the stage whereby I will be able to face those

higher-ups.'

"Mr. Zin," he said, forming an empathical facial expression. "I know you must be

dead by now, my burden is reduced at least."

His eyes woke up to the reality before him. The skeletons had begun to

advance further, with their steps uniform in a marching order. Immediately, an instruction was given by the system.

[Kill as many as you can to ascertain your survival.]

[Time limit: 02:00:00.] [Let's see how long you can last.]

Buji hummed. This was the same format of quest he was assigned during his

solo raid.

"Since that's what you want, let's get on with it," he said and flipped his cord in readiness.