From the sound of it, it was surely the level boss, but it sounded nothing like a first level boss. Every fiber of my body vibrated to the sound and my heart started beating loudly and uncontrollably.

Just as I thought this, I heard Will's voice. "You never did defeat the champion on the top floor, but better late than never. Good luck! "

"You gotta be kidding me Will, don't tell me you brought the top-level boss to this level, not to mention that I now have 9 people to protect. Has anyone ever told you that you can be a real bastard at times?"

"I have full confidence in you, and if all else fails, I can always find another champion, but I like you, so don't let me down. And yes, I have often been called that and even much worse and I am sure there is a certain amount of truth to that statement."

"Who are you talking to", and what's this about a top-level boss?" Mayor Levine asked, more than a little concerned.

"I was speaking with the Dungeon and it seems that he decided to bring the top-level boss down to this level. I left the top level before I had the chance to face the boss so he brought it here for me to fight it."

"He can sometimes have a really warped sense of humor. One second, he's your best friend and the next he's trying to kill you. But don't worry, I will find a way to deal with it. I don't really have much choice anymore. I promised I would keep you safe and I intend to keep that promise."

"Everyone, this one is going to be entirely for me. This is going to be the toughest beast in the whole tower so I suggest that you all find a place hide if possible."

A few moments later, a gigantic Tyrannosaurus Rex like monster, with 4 legs and 2 long muscular arms emerged from the woods. Its skin looked like some sort of shiny scaled armor, completely black like dragon skin. The trees fell like dried grass as he passed through the forest on the other end of the clearing.

I had absolutely no idea how I would deal with this monstrosity. I racked my brain for a solution. With all the advantages I had been given, there must be something I could use to defeat thing. Suddenly I remembered an idea I had been toying with in my mind for a while, and now seemed like as good a time as any to try it out. The down side though was double; I wasn't sure if I would have enough time to pull it off as it was a bit complicated to create and I wasn't even sure if would work.

"Ben, quick, I am going to need your axe."

He threw it to me and I immediately started super heating the head and using my earth attribute to form it into a hollow-tipped large bullet shape. I inscribed a large rune of penetration and a rune of rotation into the metal bullet but it was all taking too long and the monster was approaching quickly.

I rapidly formed a large tube with thick densely formed mana, with one end sealed off. I created a large mana bomb, hoping I got the proportions right and dropped it to the bottom of the tube, I then placed the runed metal bullet in the tube, basically creating a mana cannon.

Maintaining all of these objects at once was a challenge, but not as difficult as I expected. I knew that what I was attempting was very dangerous, but I had no time to test it.

The mutant T-rex was almost on us, and with each step he took, the ground shook.

I created a support in the dirt using my earth attribute, to resist the kickback and braced the back of the cannon into the depression. I pointed the cannon at the monster’s chest and charged the runes on the bullet with mana and just in time because he was now standing over us.

As I ignited the mana bomb, I prayed that I had made the tube sufficiently thick or I would be turned to mincemeat.

There was a deafening explosion and the bullet shot out at supersonic speed right into the chest of the T-Rex. I was thrown back a couple of meters and felt like I had been hit by a bus.

I got up as quickly as I could, and I saw that my cannon had thrown the creature back about 5 meters and there was now a gaping hole in its chest, but surprisingly it wasn't dead and was struggling to rise.

Through the hole I could see the monster's beast core glowing. It was undamaged but barely hanging on, I also could see the edge of its heart which was still beating. The creature must have had some incredible healing powers because I noticed that the edges of the hole were already starting to heal.

Every inch of my body ached but I knew that I didn't have much time and that I was taking a big risk, but I forced all the mana I could into my legs and rushed the beast before it could stand and dove head first into the hole that was closing as I watched.

I managed to get my hand around its beast core, and ripped it free with all my might while plunging my sword through its heart and ripping it open.

A moment later the beast collapsed, and I pulled myself out of its chest, the large beast core clutched in my hand and my whole body covered in blood.

Just to play it safe, I created another mana bomb directly in its chest and let it blow, spraying gore on everyone in the group. It was messy as sin, but it felt good and I think it gave me a little closure.

Mitch turned to me "Man you must have a massive pair to do what you just did. I don't care what anyone says, you're the man. You are by far the most bad-ass mage I have ever met. And I definitely, definitely, have to get me one of those things you used to blow that hole through him."

"I am taking a wild guess here, but I suspect that I am the only mage you have ever met." I said clapping him on the shoulder. But thanks, I get your point."

"Also, once you have a decent level of mana control, I can teach you to make one of those things. But in all honesty, it was largely luck. I had no idea if the Canon would even work. That was definitely much too close for comfort."

A familiar voice boomed out of nowhere "Congratulations, that was truly impressive. That is the first time I have ever seen someone kill a boss that way. To be honest there aren't that many who have succeeded against that one, I put your chances at about 30%, but not only did you defeat it, but you did it in record time. I guess that I will just have to make them tougher in the future".

"Thanks, Will, but no thanks. That thing was plenty tough, I was just fortunate. I could easily have died there. I really don't get you, sometimes you seem to want to help me, and then other times I would swear that you are trying to get me killed."

"True, True, but In any case, well done. By the way, I don't know if you are aware of this, but you can loot the corpses. Some of its parts are quite valuable. Just walk up to it and think 'loot' and it will be added to your storage space, even the cores. I got a good laugh watching you butcher your kills for the cores; but you are really making quite a mess of them."

I was becoming more and more convinced that I was dealing with a truly psychotic dungeon I thought as I looted the T-Rex with just a thought.

"When you are done here, you will find the exit portal just a little further and each of you has earned a chest."

I was really curious to see what everyone would be receiving as it was only the first level but this psychotic dungeon was full of surprises.

About 200 meters further, we arrived at the portal, and right next to the portal there were 10 chests.

There were no names on the chests, but each chest would only open for the person for whom it was intended.

Mayor Levine opened her chest, which contained 3 gold coins, a golden bracelet with a rectangular cut ruby which served as a temporary shield and doubled as a dimensional storage, a rejuvenation potion and a pair of shoes which allow her to run faster, a mana core potion and a single use mana stone.

Aaron's chest contained a silver chain bracelet which created a 30 second barrier which could only be reactivated after a 20 min recycle period but also doubled as a dimensional storage, 5 gold coins, a dagger that temporarily froze any object stabbed by it and a potion that created a basic mana core.

Ben received an enchanted axe that inflicted fire damage, a dimensional storage ring, 10 gold coins and, a mana core potion and a mana memory gem, single usage, and a black suit of armor.

Mitch received a mana gem single usage, a basic mana core potion, 3 gold coins and a dimension storage ring and a high-quality steel hammer, with no enchantments.

Louis received a physical re-enforcement potion which he consumed immediately, his clothes virtually bursting from the extra muscle mass and seemed to even get a bit taller. A dimensional storage ring, 3 gold coins, an enchanted fire sword and a combat memory stone, single use, and a mana core potion which he also consumed immediately.

Aaron's friends also received gifts similar to Aaron with small differences in the enchantments on the weapons.

Everyone seemed elated with the gifts they had received, I had yet to open my chest.

I realized this was only the first level, but on the other hand, I had defeated a top-level boss, so I didn't really know what to expect.

Everyone seemed to be anxious to see what I would receive.

The first object seemed to be a pile of metallic bars, about 25 kilos in all. When I reached in to take one out, as always, information about the item appeared to me as soon as I touched it.

"Enchanters metal, this metal is ideal for runes and enchantments. Used by an experienced enchanter or runologist, this metal can be used to create powerful weapons or other magical items."

I also received more middle and high-grade healing potions and another resurrection potion. That was a big relief as I had been going through my potions far too quickly.

There were also 4 bracelets entitled "Protect the ones you love". No extra information was given, but as there were 4 of them, so I assumed that they were for my family. That would leave Cara unprotected, but as she could turn into a leopard, she probably didn't need much more protection.

Lastly there was another memory stone, single usage, with the title "mana for healers". This would be a life saver if I could learn how to heal using mana instead of relying on potions.

Once everyone was ready, we entered the portal to leave the tower. I was a little concerned where we would be coming out as I didn't exactly relish the idea of wading through thousands of people."