Kira stood at the edge of the first floor, looking back at the group of men and women who had refused to ascend the tower. They huddled around their makeshift campfires, clinging to their fragile sense of safety. Their leader, a burly man with a thick fur coat and a golden ring glinting on his finger, watched Kira with narrowed eyes.
Kira smirked, his gaze flickering to the ring. "When we reach floor 24," he said, his voice cutting through the cold air, "I'll come back down here to the first floor. And when I do, I'll take that ring off your finger as my prize."
The man's face twisted with disdain, but Kira didn't wait for a reply. He turned away and faced his group—415 men and women who had chosen to move forward, to keep climbing the tower despite the dangers.
A chill wind swept through the icy landscape, but Kira's eyes burned with determination. "From now on," he declared, his voice strong, "we are the chosen ones. We are those who will prevail in the face of death."
His words stirred something in the crowd. The murmurs of uncertainty faded, replaced by quiet resolve. These were the people willing to risk everything to survive. They knew that staying behind would only lead to their slow demise.
As they approached the gate leading to the second floor, the group was tense but determined. The atmosphere thickened with anticipation. Kira led the way, his cloak fluttering in the cold breeze, his hand gripping the icy gate handle. He paused, glancing back at his companions.
Then, as his fingers tightened around the gate, Kira suddenly shouted into the air, "I wish to choose my skills!"
His words echoed through the frozen wasteland, causing a ripple of shock to course through the crowd. The murmurings began almost immediately.
"He really beat the Ice Wizard without a skill?" someone whispered in disbelief.
"Unbelievable!" another exclaimed. "If he managed that without a skill, this will be a breeze if we follow him!"
Eyes widened as the realization spread. Kira, the one who had already proven his strength, had not even selected a skill yet. Their respect for him only deepened.
Before Kira, a glowing panel appeared, hovering in the air. It displayed five skill options, each more tempting than the last.
The first skill glowed a vivid blue:
Frostbrand: A blade of ice capable of freezing enemies on contact.
The second skill shimmered with red fire:
Flame Step: Allows the user to move with the speed of fire, leaving trails of flame in their wake.
The third skill hummed with crackling energy:
Energy Surge: Unleashes concentrated bursts of pure energy from the user's hands, devastating enemies in a wide area.
The fourth skill pulsed with dark shadows:
Shadow Manipulation: Grants control over shadows, allowing the user to create weapons, shields, or even conceal themselves within darkness.
The final skill was wrapped in an ethereal glow:
Aether Sight: Enhances the user's perception, allowing them to see through illusions, predict movements, and detect hidden threats.
Kira's eyes scanned the skills, his mind racing with the possibilities. Each one could change the course of his journey, but he had to choose wisely. Around him, the others watched in awe, waiting to see what their leader would select.
With a final glance back at the group, Kira smiled, his hand reaching toward one of the options. The air seemed to thrum with anticipation as he prepared to make his choice...