Storing the body of the beast after his first kill, Cloud steadily advanced into the dungeon, making sure to only attack beasts that were alone.
Each battle was troublesome, Cloud having to struggle against the powerful physique of the Black Dogs.
They weren't only stronger than him, but also faster, their agility forcing him to constantly rely on his fireballs to find openings during battle.
His strategy of targeting isolated beasts had worked so far, until his fifth attempt—the creature he was currently fighting had called on its partner for help.
With the creatures faster than him, running was out of the question for Cloud.
Managing to keep his head and limbs intact after tussling with the beasts for nearly a minute, Cloud finally created a narrow opportunity.
Escaping a swipe with his body barely clearing his initial target, Cloud bit down on his Katana as two balls of fire floated above his hands.
Blood trailed down his face from the corner of his eye, and from the corner, he saw the limb of the other Black Dog coming straight for him.
Cloud could abandon his attack and block the blow, but he knew this was a chance he needed to capitalize on or lose his chance of victory entirely.
The fireballs shot downward, hitting the target with precision.
But try as he might, he was unable to turn in time and could only tighten his body as the back of the Black Dog's paw slammed into him.
Grrrrrr!!
Cloud gritted his teeth, biting harder on his Katana as he was sent flying through the air, passing several burning trees before slamming into the ground and going into a brutal roll down the hill.
Ignoring the cries of its partner, the beast chased after Cloud, seeking to finish him before he could recover.
"I can do this," Cloud roared in his mind.
Reaching him within seconds, its eyes locked onto his fallen form. The beast believed it had finally caught its prey, but before it could strike, the rolling body suddenly uncoiled and shot straight toward it with a feral roar.
Having gone into full charge, the beast found itself unable to stop.
Gravity at the bottom of the hill pulled it downward, its momentum overpowering its muscles.
It let out a shrill cry, slashing wildly with its claws in a desperate attempt to strike its target, but it was too late.
Cloud's body slammed into it, and together they went tumbling violently down the slope.
At the bottom of the hill, the Black Dog lay flat and unmoving, its back pressed against the ground.
A figure pushed himself upright atop its belly.
Cloud's legs trembled as he stood, much of his chest covered in blood that did not belong to him.
[You have killed level 17 beast, +450 KP]
Dropping down from the corpse, Cloud staggered slightly. His eyes turned toward the creature responsible for the gashes across his body, his back stinging from the long slash it had managed to land.
Stuffing the beast away, Cloud lifted his gaze to the top of the hill where he could still hear the frantic whines of the blinded Black Dog.
Letting out a low grunt, he began climbing.
It took time, but when Cloud reached the top, he found the beast snarling in every direction, snapping its jaws at the shadows created by the surrounding flames.
Watching it from a distance, Cloud summoned the blue screen.
[KP: 2154]
[Fireball (level 6): 128 KP to level up]
[Level up]
[Level up]
The notifications rang repeatedly before his points dropped into double digits.
[Fireball has evolved to rare grade Grand Fireball (max)]
Letting out a slow breath, Cloud raised his hand and immediately a blazing sphere of fire formed.
The beast's ears twitched as it turned toward him.
His expression was calm.
Cloud channeled his mana, the knowledge of the technique already engraved within his mind. His body facilitated the spell as though he had been casting it for years.
The fireball swelled rapidly, expanding until a massive orb of flame hovered above his palm.
Unlike before, the Grand Fireball spun violently, drawing in surrounding wind as countless tiny explosions detonated within its blazing core.
Cloud looked at the charging beast and coldly released his attack.
The fireball shot forward at blinding speed, blasting apart the ground beneath it and crashed into the Black Dog before it could even turn to flee.
Maintaining its form, the massive sphere swallowed the beast whole. Roars echoing from within as it spun violently in midair. It traveled several meters forward as if guided by intent and then erupted.
A catastrophic explosion tore through the forest, carving a crater nearly ten meters wide as a scorching wave of heat washed outward.
Leaning against a tree, Cloud watched impassively, his clothes snapping violently in the roaring wind.
For nearly a full minute, nothing but destruction reigned at the center of the blast.
When the flames finally died down and the crater revealed itself, Cloud sank to the ground.
He breathed silently for several seconds, crimson light reflecting in his eyes as aches pulsed through his battered body.
[You have killed level 16 beast, +380 KP]
[You have levelled up]
Cloud exhaled in relief as fresh energy surged through him.
His bones and muscles strengthened, his drained mana reserves refilled, and the knowledge etched into his mind stabilized even further.
The corners of his lips twitched.
A smile formed.
Then he burst into mad laughter, his voice echoing wildly through the ruined forest.
At some point, he had begun doubting his decision to remain on the third floor, but now, feeling the power coursing through him and witnessing the might of the technique he wielded, Cloud was beyond elated.
He wasn't just satisfied anymore.
He was addicted.