After resting for 20 minutes, Katsuya's Hp and endurance had fully recovered. He continued venturing further and killed more slimes and other kinds of monsters, until he found a pair of satire leading down. After walking down them, he had finally made it to floor #89.
It looked similar to the first floor that looked like a forest. But instead of being a normal green forest, it was a snowy forest with a constant snowfall. Every time he would let out a breath, it would turn to fog.
[Quest Complete: Clear a floor]
[You may choose a prize from the list below:
1. Learn a magic spell
2. Receive an Item from a list
3. Random prize
4. New Skill ]
"I do want a new skill but, learning a spell does sound nice."
He had made his decision.
[Choose a spell you would like to learn
1. Fireball - Shoots a ball\balls of fire. Drudge depends on how much Mp you use.
2. Spirit blast - An invisible magic blast will shoot towards your opponent. They will not be able to see it unless they have a sensing skill.
3. Shock - A steam of lighting that had a 50% chance of stun ]
All these were good choices. Fireball was a classic spell that even did burning damage. Shock would give him an upper hand in almost any fight as long as he was accurate. There was 'Spirit blast', an attack could not be avoided unless you were able to see it. Each spell had its own strengths and weaknesses.
"Hmm. I guess I'll have to go with…"
Katsuya's eyes scanned the list one more time before he chose.
"...Fireball."
[You will be able to use 'Fireball' without practice]
"And I don't even have to practice, I could just use it immediately, nice."
His head turned, looking at one of the snowy trees. It was time for him to try out the spell. Holding out his palm towards a tree, he chanted.
"Fireball."
{Mp: 187,060/192,060}
The middle of his hand lit up and a blazing ball of fire shot forward; The targeted tree and many of the ones behind all turned to ash in as the ball exploded.
Boom!
Even though the cold weather was extreme, Katsya still felt the heat from the blast.
"...Maybe I overdid it."
Using it without needing practice was one thing, but being able to know how much Mp to use was another.
"I guess I really do need practice in some aspects."
When he finished his sentence, he felt a chill down his spine. Not because he was scared but because he had sensed something due to [Sixth Sense]
His feet could feel vibrations from the ground and when he turned around, he saw where it came from. They were monsters called 'Cold Snake Men'.
Unlike normal snakes, they took a humanoid form, having hard scaled and yellow eyes. They were in great numbers surrounding Katsuya in each direction. In the past, he had read about these kinds of monsters. By biting you, they could poison, freeze or stun you; And in rare instances, could turn you to stone.
"Sora, analyze the monsters."
{ Opponents: 325 }
{Average Hp: 533,987 | Average Intelligence: 112 | Average Def: 50,000 Average Mp: 122,753 | Average Atk: 144,345 | Average Speed: 397 | Average Endurance: 4,513}
His heart felt weak just by looking at the numbers. Even if he had the advantage because of his speed and skills, he was outnumbered. Avoiding injuries wasn't possible. But, if he could quickly take a great number of them out, there was a chance he wouldn't take as much damage.
"I'll have to give it everything I got, without hesitation."
[You have activated 2 skill: 'Speed Boost' and 'Double Speed']
Bright-red flashes of light shined as he struck the monsters left and right. It was in a time span of a second that trees were broken in half and many of the creatures were killed.
{Opponents: 224}
3,373/4,123
Doing his large scale combo had left him vulnerable, he felt the fists of the creatures strike him hard, pushing him to the floor.
Thump!
The anxiety he felt was overwhelming as the snake men surrounded him in a tight circle.
"Damn, I'm not going out like this."
With all every ounce of his strength, Katsuya jumped off of the ground and up into the air, way above.
"Fire ball!!" Instead of being a smaller ball of fire, this one was greater. At least 10 x the size of Katsuya.
Like a meteor, it shot down at the ground, creating a deadly explosion.
Swoosh.
Boooommm!!
The shockwave pushed Katsuya higher and higher into the air, until he could see the area from a birds eyes viewpoint. The trees in that area were nothing more than ash and all the snow had melted. The only thing left was a huge crater, made by the explosion.
Katsuya gently glided through the air as he started falling back down. He leaned back and flipped his body, stomping onto the ground when he landed. The floor shook and cracked.
Stomp!
Crack!
Huff….Huff… Huff…
Catching his breath, he looked at the aftermath his fireball had caused. Ash and dust filled the air and the trees were all gone. His intention was to only kill the snake men but, by accident, he killed the entire forest life.
"I never knew that magic was this overpowered." said Katsuya
Sora's voice then spoke for the first time in nearly an hour.
"Actually, it's usually not. You just used all of you M.P in one go, that's why the explosion was that big. But, now that you did that, I can see through your eyes that there's a large door up ahead."
In the distance, there was a giant red pair of doors.
"That's good news but, I'm feeling a little exhausted. I'll take a little break before going any further. Stat check."
{ Katsuya: Class: Unspecialized
Level: 479/479
Hp: 567,899
Intelligence: 189
Mp: 0/184,069
Atk: 192,060
Speed: 680
Endurance: 2,123/4,123}
"My stats are higher than before. With this, I'm on the level of a Platinum-ranker."
Meaning, that in theory he was equal to 2 Gold-rank adventurers or 34 S-rankers. His strength had come a long way from being only D-rank and level 1. As Katsuya recalled all of the troubles he had in the past, he also recalled that time he leveled up for the first time. There was no way to explain how grateful he was for getting the skill [A.I]
It was the only reason he was able to come this far. The more he thought, the more he knew that his journey was far from over.
"Just by thinking of it, didn't I get a new skill when I fought the demon? Sora, show me the description of the new skill I got."
"As you wish." Sora's voice replied.
[Rage 2 - the advanced form of the skill 'Rage' All of your physical attacks do 100% more damage and you will gain 50% damage resistance. Your speed will increase by 20%. Will 'Rage 2' is in use, your combat knowledge and flexibility will also increase. All of your opponents stats except for 'Intelligence' will decrease by 50%
The downside of this skill is that your Endurance will decrease by 5 every second.]
"This will be extremely useful in many ways. With this I probably won't ever have to use 'Monsterization' "
Katsuya turned his head, giving his full attention to the giant doors that stood in the distance, many miles out. It was because of his enhanced eyesight that he was able to see that far.
"Hmm, I should get going."
Almost in an instant, he was there.
"Alright, let's get these open." He thought to himself.
Katsuya held out his hand then with little effort, flicked the doors wide open.
Nothing surprising was behind the doors, it was just another pair of stairs, leading down.
Slowly, he started walking down.
Tmp...Tmp...Tmp...Tmp…
There were blue crystals that lit up the wall with each step he took.
Tmp...Tmp….Tmp….
[Quest Complete: Clear 2 floors in the progressive dungeon.]
[Claim your prize]
"I'll wait on that."
Finally, he was on the last step. There was a wide but short hallway that had a normal pair of doors that stood at the end of it. It certainly didn't look like the entrance to a boss room but Katsuya could feel that it was.
Placing his hand on the door, he let out a breath then pushed them open.
It was a large room, just as big as any boss room. It was dark but it filled with light when Katsuya walked inside. There was a large skeleton statue that stood at least 13-feet tall, it was surrounded by exactly 4 smaller skeleton statues that were Katsuya's size.
Letting out a sigh, he spoke.
"Let me guess, you are just pretending to be statues. Once I get closer, You'll attack me, right."
There was no response from the statue skeletons. So, Katsuya walked over to them and stopped right in front of them.
"Now what?" he asked.
Each of the skeletons' empty eye sockets lit up with a blue light and started moving. The only one that didn't move was the larger one. All the smaller skeletons swung their arms at Katsuya.
"Just as I thought."
As if he were the wind, Katsuya gracefully took steps to the side, dodging every hit and taunting them.
"Pretty slow for Gold-rank monsters."
[You have activated 2 skills: Attack Double, Brawler]
One hit, two hits then three hits, all the skeletons' skulls shattered and their bodies fell apart, falling to the ground.
Crash. Crash. Crash.
Katsuya's eyes looked up and saw the larger skeleton looking down at him.
It lifted it's arm then smashed it into the ground next to beside him.
"Is that supposed to scare me?" Katsuya asked.
Unexpectedly, a voice came from the walking bone statue.
"I am the skeleton king. Any who wish to challenge me, will be destroyed. Do you still wish to fight?"
For a moment, Katsuya saw it's stats.
{Elite Skeleton
Level: 912 | Hp: 8,100,000 | Intelligence: 111 | Def:1,000,000 |
Mp: 2,112,000 | Atk: 2,025,000 | Speed: 411 | Endurance: 5,678 }
It's defence was super high, meaning that without a penetration skill, Katsiya most likely wouldn't be able to do any damage. A sweat ran down his check when he let that fact sink in. Still, he wasn't about to show fear so he smirked and looked into the skeleton's glowing eye sockets.
"Bring it on."
"You have made your decision, human. You will now...FACE DEATH ITSELF!!"
Katsuya swifty ducked, barely dodging the skeletons attack.
"He's slow so I'll be able to keep up…."
Right then, his fists swung like a storm, hitting the monsters body many times. Stopping, he finished his thought.
"...But for how long?"
Swoosh!
The Skeleton's fist came out of the smoke, catching Katsuya off guard.
"Deflect."
Out of reflex, he whacked the creature's hand to the side and, with a firm movement, slammed his fist into its chest.
Boom.
Fwsh.
His blow had knocked the monster all the way to the other side of the room. It was a powerful strike but it still had no effect. It was like a stale-mate, Katsuya would be able to avoid attacks but, his own attacks didn't do anything. That was when His genius ability to form plans came in handy. The first step was to increase his attack power as much as possible.
While remembering the fight with the ancient shadow, he took a fighting stance and started chanting.
"Calm the mind, Imagine power stronger than my opponents. I will be as firm as steel." He took a deep breath then let it out.
With an intense look, he stared at the Skeleton and held his hand out to the side.
"Sora, I want to equip my blue Katana."
A blue light flashed from his hand, revealing a blue-bladed katana as it faded.
"It's times like this that I'll have to use this. Sharpen, activate."
Every muscle in Katsuya's body tensed up and he felt his veins rushing with blood.
['Attack Triple' has activated]
Rushing forward was the skeleton.
"Are you done thinking!" It shouted.
The wind all around shook incredibly violently when the monster slammed it's fist through the air. Katsuya instantly vanished and instead of the attack hitting him, it smashed into the ground.
Crack!
Like teleportation, Katsuya appeared behind with his pupils shining red and his skin being completely darkened.
['Rage 2' has activated]
"I got you now."
[Warning: Opponent has activated 'Hide Presence']
[Warning: Opponent has activated 'Strong Telekinesis']
As he swung the katana, he felt a pressuring force cover his body and slam him into the ground. His arms and legs were numb as he laid flat, trying to get up. It was to no success.
"Why….can't I move?"
"You should stop trying to move my telekinesis won't let you, " the skeleton replied.
Katsuya knew what came next. He was unable to even move, so that meant that his life would end, here in the depths of the dungeon.
Stomp. Stomp…
The skeleton came closer, until it's shadow covered Katsuya.
Up until this point, Katsuya did a good job at hiding his fear and the fact that he was afraid to die but, now it was all coming out.
He was no longer filled with rage, only true and dark fear.
['Rage 2' has deactivated]
His eyes opened wide and his will to fight was gone. He let his head forehead bang knot the floor and tears began to fill his eyes, falling to the ground. Katsuya had no other thoughts besides the ones that showed despair.
"It's just not fair. I don't want to die. Even if I got up, I couldn't run. The doors are locked shit until either me or him dies. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Damit! I don't want to die."
The skeleton grabbed onto Katsuya's arm and spoke.
"I won't kill you...right away that is. I'll make you suffer."
One forceful yank, he pulled the arm off his body.
Katsuya creamed in the most pain.
"AAGGGHHHHH!! DAMMNNIIITT!!!"
Blood gushed out before he knew it, he was laying in a warm puddle of his own blood. He was horrified, laying there, watching his life slowly decrease.
(Hp: 234,341/567,889)
But then, he thought of something that gave him hope. He could summon Sora to possibly help him. With all his strength, he shouted.
"Sora! Appear!"
There was a bright flash of light, and as if faded, a girl with white hair stood there.
"Don't worry, I got you!" She shouted.
With great speed, she sprinted and smashed her hand against the skeleton. Silence filled the atmosphere as the monster turned to look at her.
"Now, where did you come from."
The skeleton had taken his eyes off of Katsuya, giving him an opportunity to escape. Quickly, he stood up, holding his wound then running with all of his speed to the other side of the room. Even if the doors don't open until the boss is defeated or the challenging adventurers die, Katsuya didn't care. He was going to try and make his own way out.
One great swing, he punched the wall, making a shockwave.
Booom!
"No...way."
The wall didn't even crack, it was undamaged.
"Now where do you think you're going?" said the skeleton.
Right away, Katsuya's body fell to the floor and he felt the pressure holding him down. His body was covered by a green light.
A large hand grabbed onto his leg and began pulling on it.
"Time to lose your leg!"
His leg was ripped off of his body like it was a piece of paper.
"AAAAGGGgHHhh."
Katsuya's warm blood quickly started surrounding his body while he laid there, missing an arm and a leg. It was over, he was going to die and there was nothing he could do. Sora was defeated right away, meaning that she wouldn't be any help until she recovered. Getting weaker and weaker, he still didn't want to believe that this was it for him.
There was only one option left, either he uses [Monsterization] or he dies.
"...I...can't use it. I can't use it. I can't…..use it."
His breathing was getting softer and he could feel the feeling of death. Coldness filled his limbs and his vision was slowly turning grey.
(Hp: 14,128/567,889)
It was only a matter of seconds until he would lose consciousness then fully bleed out the rest of his life.
A voice kept repeating inside his head, over and over.
"Use it. Use it. Use it. Use it. Use it."
(Hp: 6,179/567,889)
"But...I can't….I can't….I can't but....I don't want to die."
(Hp: 2,146/567,889)
Katsuya tightly closed his eyes then made his decision. He was going to live, no matter the cost, even if he would lose a part of himself within the process.
['Monsterization' has been activated]
In that moment, his Hp fully recovered but it was far higher than it was before.
(Hp: 2,839,495/2,839,495)
[New stat unlocked: Defense]
His lost limbs instantly regenerated. The witeness in his left eye turned black and his eye color changed to purple. His skin darkened only slightly.
[New skill learned 'Limb Regeneration']
Then, he slowly began to stand up, quivering.
[New skill learned: 'Telekinesis Resistance']
Now, he felt no fear. Instead, he felt as if he could destroy anything and everything. With this, he could no longer be considered fully human.
Technically, he was a Legendary-rank monster.
A phrase from the depths of his mind started to repeat. "The abyss...Kill...Kill... Kill all creatures of the abyss."
"How did you manage to get up? No, how are you still alive?" The skeleton asked.
"Haha. Well, It looks like I'm a monster now. It's a real shame, though. I guess in order to kill monsters, I had to become one myself. But with, I've become greater than you by far." Katsuya replied.
"You think just because your appearance changed that you're stronger? Do you expect me to believe your actual above me? Save your ridiculous excuses. You've managed to regrow your limbs. Oh well, I'll just have to tear them off again."
"I guess a demonstration is always best."
[You have activated 5 skills: Attack Double, Brawler, Attack Triple, Double Speed, Speed Boost]
Before a second even passed, Katsuya now stood behind the skeleton while flashes of light pierced its chest many times.
Boom. Boom.Boom.Boom.Boom.
The bones from its body shattered to pieces as they scattered into the air, raining back down.
With a dark and emotionless expression was worn on Katsuya's face as he spoke.
"That's what sets us apart now. I'm just much faster….and stronger."
[Quest Complete]
[Claim Your prize]
He had achieved 244 hits in a single second. His body set in motion, walking forward.
"I have enough energy to clear the next nine floors without a break, probobly."
With his current stats, he was on the level of Legendary-ranker. Which meant that in theory, he was equal to up to 5 Gold-rankers, 3 Platinum-rankers or 20 Silver-rankers.