Chapter 35: Taking On the Boss (2/2)

Rita gulped nervously again, but looked a little less fearful than she did a minute ago.

”Lloyd, I want you to protect the rear line, especially your sister. To the best of your ability, stop monsters from getting close to Rita and Tal, but try to protect yourself. You don't have to kill any of them, just give the rest of the group time to eliminate the threat.”

”Right.” The boy said more confidently than he obviously felt.

Mike noticed that no one asked him where he would be in the formation. They evidently trusted him to act in their best interests.

He gave the group one more thorough examination. In truth, Mike was not nearly as confident as he appeared. When he took charge of the newbie adventurers, he began to feel the weight of responsibility.

The five of them were literally risking their lives following his plan. If something went wrong, he wasn't sure if he would ever be able to forgive himself.

After a few moments spent wracking his brain, trying to see if he had forgotten anything, he decided it was time. [Nothing for it, but to do it, I suppose.]

He turned and faced the boss room doors. He raised one hand, waving the group to move forward, before placing that same hand on the right most door and pushed it open.

The adventurers took their places around him, Brenden hopping up to stand next to him, a feral grin already locked in place. He looked.....eager, like predator during the hunt.

[I swear this guy is bipolar. Whatever. He could think he was Napoleon, and I wouldn't care so long as it got us out of here in one piece.]

As soon as the door was open, the group sprung forward and entered the boss room.

Apparently, the boss room sealed itself when delvers entered it, and it was not uncommon for some of a party to be stuck outside of the room during the fight. In order to prevent this from occurring, most adventuring parties would rush into a boss room at one time.

Mike examined the chamber while the rest of the group got into formation. The worked stone of the previous section of the dungeon had given way to natural-looking cave walls. The adventurers stood in a vast, circular chamber so large, it dwarfed all the other dungeon rooms they had seen leading up to this point.

At the very center of the room was a glowing pool of magma, roughly 30m across.

Everyone was tensed, waiting for the fight to start, when a confused voice broke the silence.

”Where's the boss?” Lloyd asked. ”It's not another trapped room, right?”

Mike was about to reply, when a strange rumbling cry echoed throughout the chamber.

An oddly smooth and rounded head emerged from the pool in the center of room, gradually giving way to a long and slender reptilian body. Every part of the creature seemed to be composed of glowing lava. Much like many of the creatures Mike had seen in this world, it seemed to have been built on a larger scale, standing roughly 5m tall and nearly 20m longs.

Two brighter patches near the top of its head evidently served as the monster's eyes. They swept the room, before focusing on the adventurers.

Another patch formed where a normal lizard would have a mouth. It seemed to stretch wide and another of those unusual cries was unleashed on the group.

”What is that?!!” Lloyd cried.

”Lava Salamander. Composite elemental of earth and fire. Recommend Water Magic.” Tal answered, more succinctly than usual, already conjuring her spirit into existence behind her.

”Duly noted.” Mike answered while he summoned a sphere of water into his hand and directed it the monster. It splashed against the salamander, accomplishing little besides creating some steam.

”Will need more.” Tal called.

”Yeah, I got that.” Mike answered dryly.

The salamander's eyes narrowed as it focused on Mike. It stretched its mouth wide again, but this time its chest region seemed to inflate.

Recognizing the approaching danger, he threw his left hand forward and quickly summoned a thick wall of water in front of the group.

”Stay behind me!” He yelled, while cursing in his heart. [What is it with this place and fire breathing lizards?]

He had to squint as a bright flash of light filled the room. His wall of water was quickly engulfed by a wash of fire, nearly evaporating it on contact. Seeing his rapidly dwindling protection, he fed more mana into the wall, but it seemed to be a losing battle.

A cloud of steam erupted from the confrontation, and Mike could feel the flesh of his arm burning, the searing agony making it difficult to maintain his concentration.

After what felt like an eternity, the flames abated. Mike released his water magic, and fell to his knees, cradling a now-blackened arm.

He could distantly hear yelling. It sounded like someone was trying to call his name, but he couldn't think over the intensity of the pain.

He looked up, and saw the salamander charging directly at him, mouth still agape.