Chapter 6 - Flames of the Elder Wyrm

Crimson flames licked the forest treeline as the Elder Flame Wyrm erupted from the earth—a colossal serpent, scales molten like flowing lava, eyes blazing with primordial fury. Its roar shattered boulders, heat waves scorching Alex's skin even from afar. Rival sect forces—Flame Sect pyromancers and Iron Fist bruisers—froze mid-charge, their confidence evaporating.[Boss Alert: Elder Flame Wyrm (A+ Rank). Weakness: Shadow Essence Overload. Evolve to Survive?]Eclipse Dragon Sovereign expanded to full glory, wings blotting stars, shadow flames clashing against the wyrm's inferno. "Apocalypse Dome—now!" Alex commanded, mounting up. The draining mist enveloped the beast mid-lunge, siphoning fiery essence. [+5 Fire Resistance. Flame Core Partial Absorb.]Pyromancers recovered, hurling fireballs. Eclipse phased through, countering with Eclipse Breath—a torrent of shadow fire that devoured spells and two casters whole. Iron Fist bruisers charged with glowing gauntlets, but Void Fang's upgraded claws rent armor like paper. [Chain Progress: Scrap Feast Active. +Iron Body (Lv.1).]The wyrm coiled, tail sweeping a dozen foes into oblivion. Alex dodged with Thunder Phase, Abyssal Lance extended. "Eclipse, chain evo—feed it its own scale!" A severed scale (prime scrap) merged; Eclipse grew barbs of anti-flame obsidian. [Evolution: Inferno Eclipse Sovereign (SS-Rank). New Trait: Flame Reversal.]Flame Sect leader, a red-robed woman named Pyra, snarled. "That dragon mocks our sacred beast!" She fused with flames, becoming a phoenix avatar. Alex intercepted, Shadow Bind locking her wings mid-dive. "Your flames are scrap now." Drain connected—her essence fueled his core. [Firebird Affinity Unlocked. Harem Tease: Pyra Loyalty +10%.]The wyrm bellowed, spewing a magma beam. Eclipse Reversed it, hurling cooled lava boulders back. Alex pierced its underbelly, lance glowing with stolen fire. [Critical Drain: Wyrm Heart Exposed. Finish?]One final Apocalypse surge withered the beast to ash. Loot rained: [Elder Core (SS Fusion Material), Flame Hoard (10k Spirit Stones). Level Up: All Stats +20.]Sect survivors knelt—Pyra included, eyes wide with awe. "Dragon Lord... Flame Sect yields." Shadow Veil scouts emerged from hiding, Lira bowing deeper. "Patriarch's offer triples."[Quest Chain: Sect Alliance Formed. Choose Base: Shadow Veil (Stealth), Flame Sect (Offense)?]Alex smirked, Eclipse shrinking loyally. Distant academy bells tolled—Headmaster's death drew imperial eyes. Time to build an empire from scraps.But a system whisper chilled: [Hidden Threat: SSS Hunter Dispatched. 24hrs to Sect Sanctuary.]