The portal shimmered, rippling like disturbed water as I stepped through. My boots struck stone, and a heavy silence settled around me. The air was thicker here, humid with the scent of blood and ash.
[You have entered Floor 10.]
My eyes scanned the area. This floor was different.
Massive stone pillars lined the space like the ribs of some ancient creature. The walls rose high and uneven, and cracks glowed faintly with crimson light, giving the chamber an ominous heartbeat. Above, there was no ceiling—just darkness stretching endlessly.
I reached for my longsword—the one I'd looted from Floor 7. A group of blue-skinned minions had used it, fast and agile, but nothing I couldn't handle. The blade had caught my eye immediately. Sleek and dark silver with a faint sapphire tint, longer than my knife, its balance perfect. It felt natural in my hand, like I was meant to wield it.
It didn't have a name, but maybe it didn't need one.
"Let's see how far I've come."
The system hadn't spoken a word since the beginning, but I could feel its quiet approval—or maybe that was just my ego.
A deep growl pulled me from my thoughts.
Across the arena, something massive stepped into the dim light. Its claws scraped against the stone, sparks trailing behind. The creature stood nearly three meters tall, hunched, but powerful. Blood-red fur bristled along its limbs. Thick, jagged plates covered its back and limbs, dull grey and battle-worn. Its eyes gleamed like molten rubies.
[Crimson Fang Behemoth – Level 17]
[Floor 10 Guardian – Mini-Boss]
A mini-boss.
It let out a roar that rattled the very ground beneath me.
I gripped my sword, fire mana already coursing into the blade's edge, coating it with a soft red glow. But I knew I had to be careful. My flames wouldn't burn through those armoured plates—not directly.
The Behemoth charged.
It was faster than I expected for something so massive. I dove to the side just as its claws tore through the stone where I'd been standing.
Chunks of the floor exploded into dust.
I rolled to my feet, heart pounding. "Just brute force, huh?"
Good.
I lunged forward, slashing at its side. My blade met the edge of its armour and bounced off harmlessly. Sparks flew. The Behemoth growled and swiped again. I ducked, the claws grazing the edge of my shoulder—pain flaring, but I stayed standing.
Think. Analyze.
I circled it, watching. The plates overlapped like a natural shell, but between them, just near the joints and spine, there were gaps. Small ones.
But enough.
I took a breath, then rushed in low. Its arm came down in an arc, but this time I was ready. I slid underneath the attack, my sword flashing as I drove it toward the gap behind its front leg.
Clang— steel scraped armour—but then, cut. Blood spurted from the narrow opening as the sword bit in.
The beast howled.
It twisted, its claws slicing blindly, and I barely managed to leap backwards. One claw grazed my side, tearing through the edge of my tunic and drawing blood.
It hurt, but I'd taken worse.
I switched grips on the sword, narrowing my eyes. "Okay… let's do this."
The next few minutes were chaotic. The Behemoth charged, slammed, and swiped. Every attack could have split me in two. I dodged narrowly, dancing between claws and pounding fists. Every time I found an opening, I went for the gaps—hamstrings, elbows, the neck.
Wounds began to show. Its movements slowed, blood dripping from a dozen cuts.
Still, it fought harder, rage taking over. It slammed its fists into the ground, triggering a shockwave. I stumbled, nearly falling into its next attack.
Claws arced toward me. No time to dodge.
I raised my hand—"Fire barrier!"
The flames surged upward, not to burn but to distract. The Behemoth flinched just slightly, just enough.
I countered.
I sprinted up one of the fallen stone pillars nearby, gaining height. As the Behemoth turned toward me, I leapt off, sword raised high.
"Now!"
I brought the blade down, right into the base of its neck, where two plates parted.
Thunk–
The sword sank deep.
The Behemoth let out one final, gurgling roar before collapsing with a thunderous crash that shook the entire chamber.
Silence returned. Only the soft hum of the portal remained behind me, slowly forming.
[You have defeated the Floor Guardian.]
[You have levelled up.]
[You have reached Level 19]
[Skill Gained – Flame Edge ]
[+ 10 Stat Points Awarded.]
I pulled my blade free, breathing heavily. Blood ran down the edge, staining the floor.
"That… was close."
I sat down beside the monster's corpse, staring up at the endless dark above me.
Every floor got harder. Stronger enemies. Faster opponents. The world inside this tower was like a reflection of the one outside—merciless and wild.
But I was alive.
I checked my stats, confirming the new ability. Flame Edge—an enhancement skill that imbues my sword with condensed fire, capable of cutting through tougher materials.
I activated Flame Edge, and instantly, dark crimson flames surged along the length of my longsword, wrapping it in a veil of searing heat. The air around it shimmered, distorting slightly as the fire pulsed with raw power.
I tightened my grip, feeling the surge of energy resonate through my arm—dangerous, volatile, but undeniably potent.
To test it, I swung the blade at a nearby boulder.
Shrrkk—
The rock split cleanly in two, the upper half sliding off and thudding to the ground.
I stared at the result, breath caught for a moment. "Damn… that's powerful."
But almost immediately, I felt the strain—the mana drain was sharp, almost greedy.
I deactivated the skill, the flames vanishing into embers.
"As strong as it is… I can't keep it up for long."
This wasn't an ability I could swing recklessly. Not yet.
I then added my stat points +5 into agility, +5 into strength.
Then I looked at the beast one last time.
Even monsters had their purpose in this world.
"Sorry, big guy."
I turned toward the swirling portal to Floor 11, sword in hand.