REINCARNATION OF THE STRONGEST WAR HERO

Fireballs and lightning streaks lit up the dungeon air. Screams of monsters mixed with the cries of fury from hunters. For a brief moment, it seemed the tide was turning in Gideon's group's favor.

But nothing lasts forever. Neither good luck nor misfortune.

BOOOOM!

The dungeon boss finally moved.

The hulking orc stomped forward, its massive frame radiating pressure like a living storm. With a guttural roar, it swung its axe.

SWOOOOOSH!

"Jessi, put up a barrier!" Gideon shouted.

Jessi responded quickly. With a wave of her hand, a thick wall of ice rose instantly in front of the party's formation.

CRAAAACK!

The axe slammed down. Jessi's barrier didn't stand a chance. The colossal force shattered the ice with one blow, sending frozen shards flying everywhere.

"Another!" Gideon shouted, but it was too late.

BOOOM!

The next swing cleaved through the air like a reaper's scythe. The shockwave exploded in all directions.

Everyone dodged but the formation crumbled. Everyone spread.

When the boss had attacked, Jessi was the closest. After everyone dispersed, the boss lunged at her again. She desperately conjured an ice blade and tried to parry the incoming axe.

Both Jessi's blade and the monster's axe met each other.

Clank!

The impact knocked her backward like a ragdoll, her body tumbling and skidding across the stone floor.

"Jessi!" Ronald screamed.

The orc didn't stop.

Its blood-red eyes locked onto the next target…. Luna.

Luna tried to leap back but her body only trembled. The monster's towering frame loomed over her. The axe was lifted once more.

"Move… Move…" She screamed in her mind but her legs wouldn't even budge.

The axe was already there. Ready to bring havoc.

But just as the axe was about to split her in half….

BOOOOM!

Gideon's flaming fist landed on the Minotaur's side.

The beast staggered, its massive hooves skidding back several meters. Smoke rose from its flank where Gideon had struck.

"Handle the rest of the monsters. All five of you!" he bellowed.

There was no room for argument.

"Understood!" Ronald shouted. Even Logan nodded.

Except Gideon, other five turned and refocused on the goblins and the dire wolves. Clashing sounds of spell blades and sparkling magic attacks enveloped the whole area as they resumed their battle with the horde of monsters.

Meanwhile…

Gideon stood face to face with the dungeon boss, the double headed orc.

The beast raised its massive axe.

Gideon clenched his fists, air swirling wildly around his arms and fire dancing along his forearms.

The ground trembled beneath them.

"I know you're itching for blood to spill… aren't you?" Gideon said with a growl. "But I will make sure that you're the only source."

Kheekhee! It felt like the boss smiled at Gideon's provocation.

And Gideon could tell. "This bas***d is no brainless brute. It sure is enjoying the show.

Then it started. They both lunged.

BOOOM! CRAAAACK!

Fists and axe collided. Flames roared and wind exploded with every movement. Gideon zipped around the orc, his fire-imbued strikes crashing into the beast's limbs while bursts of air magic boosted his speed and dodges.

"You lured us here… set a trap… but I will make sure…that this triumphant smug of yours doesn't last long," he muttered between gritted teeth.

The orc roared and brought down its axe, splitting a chunk of the floor.

Gideon flipped backward, wind cushioning his landing.

"This thing is on a whole different level. Though it's only a D-class dungeon boss, its battle prowess and strength is comparable to that of a B-class dungeon bos," he thought.

Back on the other side….

The remaining five held their ground, barely.

Jessi was back on her feet, blood dripping from her temple. But her hands moved with ferocity.

Water surged around her like a serpent. "I'll freeze you all where you stand!" she roared.

She flung spears of ice that impaled goblins and trapped wolves in icy cages.

Ronald's lightning tore through the battlefield.

His spear danced like a viper, each thrust accompanied by an electric burst that electrocuted everything it touched.

"Nick… I haven't forgotten. This is for you!" he screamed, body glowing with arcs of raw lightning.

Luna stood beside Logan, breathing hard.

She hurled fireballs and sent lightning zaps through her palms.

But her aim was off, and her hands were trembling slightly. Fear still lingered in her mind.

"Focus," Logan who was busy massacring the monsters noticed her condition and said sharply. "They won't stop unless we burn every last one."

She nodded.

Logan spun forward, two sharp blades of ice extending from his arms. Then he sprang into action.

He moved like a predator. Fast, lethal, and merciless.

A dire wolf leapt at him. He jumped and spun with his ice blade slicing the monster in clean half.

Melissa was near the center, standing her ground.

Her palm pointed forward, the floor trembled.

With a grunt, she raised one arm and gravity crashed down on a cluster of goblins, flattening them with crushing force.

Then she threw a sphere of fire, combusting the remains.

"Monsters…. I will make you taste the same fate that you brought down on our dead members." she hissed.

But her breathing was a bit heavy. Sweat poured from her brow. Her vision was starting to blur. She was burning through too much of her mana and stamina. Rage, fear adrenaline all were pushing her to the limits.

And suddenly…..

CRACK!

A dire wolf got past the front line. It lunged straight at Melissa's back.

She turned, trying to raise her crossed arms as shield.

But it was too late.

SLASH!

Its claw raked across her side. Blood burst out in a crimson arc as she screamed and collapsed backward.

"Melissa!" Luna shouted.

Ronald turned but couldn't break from the swarm around him.

"Damn it!" Logan cursed and pushed forward to reach her.

Booom!

Just then a loud impact echoed from the other side.

Gideon staggered, blood dripping from his shoulder.

The orc had tricked him.

It feigned a swing to the left—then twisted and brought its axe up at an unexpected angle.

Even with wind-enhanced reflexes, Gideon was a second too slow.

He looked down at the gash running across his upper chest.

"Dirty bast**d." Gideon cursed.