I continued my descend down the stairs, slight sweat dropping down my cheeks as I kept on going deeper and deeper down.
The already somewhat dim cave, became even dimmer inside of this staircase area. While I could and most would most likely use their 'infrared' vision to see where the stairs lead down to, the heat in the volcano alone was enough to basically turn me blind the moment I decided to switch to my infrared vision.

So it was not worth even using.
I simply flicked a small flame on top of my index finger for a 'light' source, by using a small amount of power from my [Ifrit {Lord of Flames}] skill.

Before you ask, yes, apparently I was able to just use fire based abilities with this skill as well - it's only function wasn't to summon Ifrit and drain half of my Magical Energy.

Trust me, I was surprised to learn this as well.
But at the same time, I felt completely idiotic when I did learn of it.

'I'm slowly starting to regret my choice of coming down here..'

I thought, exhaling.
These stairs reminded me of the fucking staircase back when I first found the ruins where Arabor was sealed inside.
Which was NOT a pleasant memory at all. Trust me, I hated that entire experience of going down the staircase and then having to propel myself back up afterwards.

Eventually, after a little while, I finally reached the end of the staircase, walking out into a small tunnel, which led off into a very, very open room.

The room was gigantic.
All the way on the other side of it, was an empty pedastal that seemed to have a crystal cage around it.
However, other than that, there was nothing else that I could spot in this room.

Well... That is - spot with eyes.

[Universal Detection] has picked up multiple High Density Magical Energy organisms lower down.

Yeahh... Don't trust your sight in this world.
Sometimes, it completely lies.

Walking a bit further into the room, I was eventually met with a steep drop down, which looked a lot like a massive cliff.
Looking down at the bottom of the drop, I could spot what looked to be 3 massive... Dragons? I think?

Whatever they were, the creatures slept at the bottom.

Analysis suggests that in order to reach the pedestal incased in Crystal, the monsters at the bottom have to be defeated.

I figured as much... Well, no point in stalling.

I then simply hopped into the giant drop down, before falling for a couple moments, landing with a loud and powerful crash, which woke up the three creatures, who all looked at me before roaring, shaking the room as they did.

With a quick Appraisal through [Sages' Wisdom], I was able to find out that these three monsters were Greater Devil Half-Dragons.

Now, I have no idea what 'half-dragon' meant or what the 'Devil' was supposed to mean — However what I did know, is that these things were strong.
On average, their stats fell behind mine by a small margin and they had significantly less skills, however the skills they did have, were mostly Epic and Individual.

'Looks like I'm in for one hell of a battle..'

I thought, preparing as I took a battle ready position - adrenaline kicking in like crazy, as a powerful sense of thrill and excitement rushed into me.
Perhaps finally, I'll get a fight that won't end in 12 seconds.

All three half-dragons quickly prepared and fired off black and red flame breaths at me, which I swiftly dodged by leaping up high into the air, before retaliating with a Maximum power
[Venom Shocker] which hit 2 of the three monsters.

Unfortunately, the third one has seemingly seen through my attack and managed to quickly take to the air, flying up with its wings out of my attacks way.

'They are clever!'

I thought, with a excitement filled smirk.

I doubt anyone would find their way into here, so I guess I can fight them in a more efficient form.

Quickly switching back to my snake form, I began to quickly leap through the air, using
[Abyssal Magic] to create air borne platforms, from which I would propel my snake body off of - giving off the same effect as me simply flying.

I managed to use this method to get right above the air borne half-dragon, as the other two dragons at the bottom looked up and roared.

The third dragon also looked above it at me, before roaring and charging up a fire breath.

'Aand you're an idiot.'

I thought, before launching a [Crimson Lightning] into the beasts mouth, causing its fire breath to explode inside of its body and kill it in an instant.

Experience threshold has been reached.
You have risen to level 73.

Okay- Did not expect it to kill the thing instantly... 
That wasn't my intention.
I watched as the monsters corpse hit the ground. Then, I quickly dodged two incoming fire breaths before quickly landing next to the dead half-dragons corpse and quickly beginning to move towards the remaining two beasts.

The monsters attempted to crouch me with their giant claws, however thanks to the massive abundance of shadows around, I was able to efficiently use my skill [Shadow Manipulation] to effectively move anywhere in this whole room.

Which also showed me another thing-
Because there is such an abundance of shadows around me due to the minimal light in this room, I effectively have this whole room under my control due to my [Shadow Manipulation] skill.

'I guess I can use that to my advantage!'

I thought before propelling myself up high into the air. The monsters were about to take off after me with their wings, however I quickly used my [Shadow Manipulation] skill to create many, many appendages from the shadows around them, to completely immobilise the two monsters, making it completely impossible for them to move.

The monsters fell dumbfounded, as well as very, very angry as they attempted to break through.

"No luck you oversized lizards - Those binds are basically indestructible thanks to just how many shadows are around."

I stated with a confident tone.
[Shadow Manipulation] skill was one that didn't use my Magical Energy to determine its power, but instead used the abundance and amount around, since it was impossible to use this skill without shadows.

The more little shadows there are, the weaker my skill is.
The greater the amount of shadows there are... The more powerful my skill is.

So, you take this knowledge and combine it with the fact that this ENTIRE CAVE practically had minimal light source and had an EXTREME amount of shadows in it — and you get me, basically capable of playing god.

The monsters attempted to turn their heads towards me and fire off their breath attacks at me, however I simply used my [Shadow Manipulation] skill to practically seal their mouths shut, before preparing to finish both of the creatures off with one last skill.

'How about a little Venom?'

I thought, before using my skill [Venom Control] and sending two giant 'spikes' made from my purple acid at the creatures, impaling them and killing them in an instant.

Experience threshold has been reached.
You have risen to level 75.

Rare Skill [Inferior Dragon Breath] acquired.
Title <Dragon Slayer> granted.

Well that went well.
Before I landed back onto the ground, I quickly made all the shadow appendages disappear, before switching back to my Human form and landing back down onto the ground.

As I looked at the three defeated dragons, I used my [Devourer] skill to grab the bonus I was so used to, devouring the dead monster souls and Magical Energy.

Mass amount of Magical Energy has been absorbed.

Excess Magical Energy will be turned into skills..

Rare Skill [Draconic Glare] acquired.

Well that's interesting.
Two new rare skills - both to do with dragons. I most definitely see a [Fractured] combination here.

'Sages' Wisdom, combine my two new Rare skills.'

Understood.
Using the Skill [Fractured]...

Success.

Epic Skill [Dragon Arts] created.

Sweet!

That most definitely was a worth while battle.
As for my stat growth...

"Open Status."

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Name; Faofa Shin
Species; Superior Serpentine
Level; 75 — Rank; B

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stats:

HP; 82450 — ATK; 11900
MAGEN (MAGICAL ENERGY); 17890
STAMINA; 9890 — INTELLIGENCE; 704
OVERALL POWER; 22890
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Titles:
<Reincarnated> ; <Ally of Abyss> ;
<Guardian of The South> ; <Dragon Slayer> ;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Skills; [Trickster]

Rare Skills; [Fractured],
[Magic Nullification Barrier],
[Magic Resistance], [Thread Manipulation],
[Crimson Lightning], [Heat Regulation]

Epic Skills; [Venom Control], [Overworld Detection], [Holy Magic Nullification],
[Greater Physical Resistance], [Undetectable], [Abyss Magic], [Soul Appraisal], [Second Life],
[Dragon Arts]

Individual Skills; [Sages' Wisdom](2), [Devourer], [Shadow Manipulation],
[Beasts Will],
[Venom Shocker], [Serpents Wrath],
[Venomous Chomp]

Legendary Skills; [Warlock], [Jester]

Arc Skills; [Ifrit {Lord of Flames}]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Of course - what did I expect?
Although, for three foes, the stat growth is kind of reasonable. Not like my stats went up by 10 fold or something like that just like all other times.

Closing my status window, I looked up at the top of the room.
Amidst this whole commotion with these three beasts, I had almost forgotten the entire reason why I even fought them in the first place.

Stepping into a shadow, I quickly moved back up, right infront of the Crystal cage that surrounded the pedestal I saw earlier.

Upon waking a bit closer, I touched the crystal cage, causing it to suddenly light up, as a voice announced something.

'  Confirmed.
Individual Faofa Shin has successfully completed the trial of The Ancient Fire of Rebellion.
    The Barrier around the fire shall now be lifted, to allow the flame to meet it's new master. '

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Hey!
Welcome to my LAST chapter of 2023 and FIRST chapter of 2024!
What a crazy year was 2023, am I right?

Overall, I'd say that (technically) last year, 2023, was quite a rollercoaster. A lot happened in it.

And I hope, that a lot good will happen in the Year of the Dragon, 2024.

Happy New Years everyone!