Ascending the Tower of the End
The stone stairs spiraled upwards, their cold, unyielding surface a reminder of the challenge that lay ahead. Rex, Elara, and Lyra stood at the base of the staircase leading to the second floor of the Tower of the End, their expressions a mix of anticipation and determination. The air within the tower was dense, charged with a strange energy that made their skin tingle and their senses sharpen.
Rex adjusted his grip on his weapon, feeling the lingering energy of Elara's Buff Master coursing through his veins. Lyra's Debuff Mistress had already weakened their enemies in the first floor battle, proving the potency of their synergy. Now, they faced the challenge of climbing the remaining ninety-nine floors, each promising more danger and reward.
Rex kept his face expressionless, hiding his thoughts behind a cold mask. He had already resolved not to reveal his unique skills, even to his allies. The secrets of his abilities, Infinite Buff and True Vision, were his advantage—and he would keep them hidden, just in case.
Elara glanced up the staircase, her expression serious. "The first floor was just a warm-up. The real test starts now. If we're going to make it to the top, we need to stay focused and conserve our strength between battles."
Lyra nodded, a smirk tugging at her lips. "And by conserve, she means we'll need to lean on you, Rex. Your stamina is our best bet for staying powered up, and with my debuffs, we'll keep the enemies manageable. But don't let it get to your head."
Rex simply gave a curt nod, not bothering with a response. He took the lead, his eyes scanning their surroundings with an intensity that went unnoticed by the sisters.
With that, they began their ascent, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty tower. As they reached the second floor, the space shifted around them, revealing a new battleground. This time, they found themselves in a vast arena, its floor covered in misty water that reached up to their ankles. The air was cold, and the rippling water distorted their reflections beneath them.
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[Floor 2 Challenge: Defeat the Water Elementals to proceed.]
[Number of Enemies: 15]
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The water rippled as translucent shapes rose from the depths, taking the form of humanoid figures made entirely of liquid. Each Water Elemental glowed with a pale blue light, their forms shifting like currents as they advanced toward the trio.
Rex stepped forward, his Aura flaring around him in a brilliant blue glow. "Elara, boost our attack power. Lyra, weaken their defenses."
Elara nodded, raising her hands as a golden aura enveloped them. The glow spread to Rex and Lyra, infusing them with a surge of strength. "Warrior's Might, activated. Your strikes will hit harder for the next few minutes."
Lyra's dark mist flowed from her fingers, wrapping around the elementals. "Weaken, applied. Their physical forms should be easier to disrupt now."
Rex felt the surge of power but didn't show any reaction, his mind already calculating the quickest way to end the fight. He charged at the nearest elemental, his movements a blur. He swung his blade, enhanced by Elara's buff, slicing through the elemental's watery body. The creature's form splashed apart, collapsing back into the pool of water, but its core remained intact, glowing faintly.
"So they have cores," Rex muttered, spotting the small, crystal-like object within the remains. He drove his weapon into the core, shattering it, and the elemental dissolved completely.
Elara kept her focus, maintaining the Warrior's Might buff while keeping an eye on the surroundings. "Rex, watch your back! They're regrouping!"
Rex turned just in time to see two more elementals lunging at him, their liquid bodies reshaping into spear-like forms. He dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the thrusts, then countered with a quick slash that disrupted one of the elementals. As he moved, Lyra's debuff aura continued to weaken their opponents, making each blow from Rex's weapon more effective.
He didn't need to use his unique skills—his allies' abilities and his own combat prowess were enough to handle this floor. Rex's thoughts remained hidden behind his impassive expression. The sisters didn't need to know just how much more he could do.
As the last elemental's core shattered under the combined assault, a notification flashed before them.
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[Ding! Floor 2 cleared. Proceed to the next floor.]
[Reward: 70 Skill Points, Minor Strength Elixir, 150 Abyss Coins.]
---
Rex wiped the sweat from his brow, catching his breath as the rewards materialized before them. He picked up the Minor Strength Elixir, feeling its power seep into his muscles as he drank it. Thanks to his Infinite Buff skill, the effects became permanent, boosting his strength indefinitely. Every little edge mattered in this place.
Elara gave him a small smile, looking pleased. "That was smoother than the first floor. We're getting used to working together."
Lyra smirked, crossing her arms. "Not bad, but don't get too comfortable. The next floors won't be so easy."
Rex didn't respond, merely glancing up the spiraling staircase that led to the next challenge. "Let's move."
They moved on to the third floor, the air growing colder as they ascended. The chamber they entered was a frozen wasteland, ice covering the floor and walls. A chill bit at their skin, but Rex's Level Up Recovery kept them warm, its regenerative effects allowing them to adapt quickly to the harsh environment.
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[Floor 3 Challenge: Defeat the Frost Beasts and survive the ice storm.]
[Number of Enemies: 20]
[Hazard: Ice Storm, ongoing.]
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The cold wind howled as spectral wolves made of ice emerged from the snowdrifts. Their eyes glowed a piercing blue, and their breath was a freezing mist that threatened to sap the heat from their bodies. Above, dark clouds swirled, releasing shards of ice that fell like daggers.
Elara quickly cast a shield of golden energy around the group to ward off some of the cold. "Keep close! The ice storm will get worse if we spread out."
Lyra's misty aura seeped into the air, slowing the wolves' movements and weakening the storm's bite. "Stay focused, Rex. Don't go rushing off on your own."
Rex ignored her, focusing on the wolves instead. His sword cut through the air, striking down one of the beasts. As he fought, he felt the familiar surge of his Level Up Recovery, his stamina and mana replenishing faster than the storm could drain it. He could fight endlessly like this, but he knew better than to show that.
As the last wolf shattered into ice fragments, another notification appeared.
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[Ding! Floor 3 cleared. Proceed to the next floor.]
[Reward: 100 Skill Points, Ice-Resistant Cloak, 200 Abyss Coins.]
---
Rex picked up the Ice-Resistant Cloak, draping it over his shoulders without a word. Thanks to his Infinite Buff, the cloak's cold resistance became a permanent part of his gear. Elara and Lyra exchanged a glance, but neither questioned him. He preferred it that way. The less they asked, the less he had to hide.
With the third floor cleared, they continued their ascent, each floor bringing new challenges and dangers. But with every step, Rex remained the same—cold, calculating, and ever-secretive about the true depth of his power. The Tower of the End stretched on above them, and Rex knew they still had a long way to go before reaching the summit.