Leon spent the next several days establishing his underground base. Carefully mining iron, silver, and a few scattered gold veins, he began to craft improved weapons and armor. The finch remained his constant companion, darting through the caverns to harass small enemies or scout ahead. Slowly, he expanded his summoning capabilities. The first bat he bound became a reliable combatant, attacking automatically when threats approached. Soon, a second bat joined, giving him the beginnings of a fledgling army. Every creature he summoned increased his confidence—Master Mode was brutal, but with careful planning and strategy, he could survive.
As he explored deeper into the caves, he found a natural underground chamber filled with shallow water, rich in life crystals and ores. Here, he paused to assess his progress. His basic iron armor had been upgraded with silver, giving slightly better protection, and his copper shortsword had been replaced with a silver one. His summoner army consisted of the finch and two bats, enough to handle small groups of Master Mode slimes and skeletons, but not larger threats. He knew that to continue, he would need to face his first true test: the world's first major boss.
For a summoner, that meant preparation. The Eye of Cthulhu, though an early-game boss, would be far more dangerous in Master Mode. Its speed, health, and damage were all amplified, and any mistake could be fatal. Leon spent hours building an arena on the surface: long wooden platforms stretching across a hill, campfires and heart lanterns strategically placed for buffs, and honey pockets to allow recovery. Every element of the arena was calculated. In Terraria, environmental advantage often determined the outcome of a fight more than raw damage.
When night fell, the Eye of Cthulhu appeared, its single red eye glowing in the darkness. Leon's first instinct was to remain calm and let his minions engage. The finch and the two bats swooped forward, striking at the eye's weak points. He observed carefully, studying the boss's movement in real space. Its swooping arcs were faster than in-game, and the real-world physics made dodging more physically demanding. A misstep could send him crashing into the ground or colliding with a platform at a fatal angle.
The battle was long. The Eye of Cthulhu struck repeatedly, swooping low and then retreating, summoning smaller servitors—additional monsters to complicate the fight. Leon shifted his position across the platform, managing distance, timing jumps perfectly, and positioning his minions to intercept additional threats. The finch darted between arcs, pecking the eye relentlessly, while the bats attacked the smaller spawns. His silver shortsword was used sparingly, only when openings appeared. Each swing was precise, efficient.
After several tense minutes, the Eye of Cthulhu began its second phase. Its speed increased, its swooping became erratic, and its attacks more aggressive. Leon's heart raced, but he maintained control. Using the arena he had built, he forced the eye into predictable paths, allowing his minions to continue dealing consistent damage. Slowly, steadily, the boss's health bar diminished, a tangible measure of progress in this deadly real-world setting.
Finally, with one precise positioning maneuver and coordinated attack from his minions, the Eye of Cthulhu shattered. Its fragments scattered across the ground, leaving behind hearts and coins. Leon carefully collected the rewards, feeling the familiar surge of accomplishment he had once experienced behind a screen—but this felt far more intense. Master Mode Terraria was real, and the victory was hard-earned.
With the first boss defeated, Leon had proof that progression logic was intact. He would survive. His summoner path was viable. And most importantly, he had confirmed that minion management, environmental control, and strategic movement—skills honed during countless hours as a player—remained effective.
As dawn approached, he returned to his underground base to organize the spoils. Heart crystals would increase his health, ores would be refined into better armor, and any additional resources would be used to expand his summoning abilities. Leon began plotting the next steps: building a proper summoning arsenal, exploring deeper caves, and eventually confronting more difficult bosses.
Master Mode was relentless. Terraria was alive. And Leon had only just begun.