As Seraphina and her team ventured deeper into the barren wasteland of the fourth floor, a peculiar tension filled the air. The terrain remained desolate, with broken fragments of bones and ancient weapons littering the ground, but something was different. A shift in the mana currents tingled against Seraphina's senses, warning her of an impending challenge.
The first sign of danger came when the group stumbled upon a wide clearing. It was deceptively empty, save for faint cracks in the ground and an eerie, golden light pulsing faintly from beneath the surface. Without warning, a deep rumble resonated through the area, and humanoid figures emerged from the cracks.
These were no ordinary enemies. Their forms resembled warriors, their bodies glowing faintly with an inner light. They appeared unarmored and unarmed, but their sheer presence was intimidating. Their eyes, a brilliant shade of gold, locked onto the group as if analyzing them.
Seraphina readied herself, her instincts screaming that these foes were dangerous despite their apparent lack of weapons. When the first one lunged, the truth became clear. It moved faster than the eye could follow, crossing the vast space between them in a blink. Its strike, aimed at Seraphina, cracked the ground beneath her feet as she narrowly dodged.
The impact alone sent shockwaves rippling outward, staggering her team. These beings were raw physical power incarnate, their speed and strength far surpassing their rank. Despite their low levels in mana and magical affinity, their physicality was unparalleled.
Seraphina realized immediately that traditional magic might not be enough to counter such brute force. She closed her eyes briefly, focusing inward. Drawing deeply on her mana reserves, she activated a seldom-used technique—mana infusion.
Instead of directing her magic outward, she channeled it into her own body, weaving it through her muscles, bones, and tendons. Her physical strength surged, her movements becoming sharper, faster, and more deliberate. She felt her power amplify, her body moving with an effortless grace that matched their speed.
When one of the glowing warriors launched another attack, Seraphina met it head-on. Her fist collided with its strike, the resulting impact creating a deafening explosion of force that sent debris flying. She skidded back slightly but held her ground, her enhanced strength matching its overwhelming power.
Her speed now rivaled the warriors'. As they darted toward her, Seraphina countered their strikes with swift, precise movements, each blow landing with enough force to shatter stone. The glowing beings were relentless, but Seraphina's control over her mana made her an unstoppable force.
She darted between them, her mana-enhanced speed creating afterimages as she delivered crushing blows. With every strike, she funneled more mana into her attacks, turning her fists into weapons capable of leveling mountains. The ground beneath her cracked and split with every movement, a testament to the sheer force she now wielded.
Her companions watched in awe as Seraphina single-handedly took on the glowing warriors. Kaelion and Aria tried to engage the enemies as well, but their strikes lacked the raw impact needed to harm them.
Aria's darkhold pulsed with gravity magic, slowing the warriors' movements momentarily, but they adapted quickly, shattering her gravitational fields with brute force. The strain from maintaining the darkhold began to creep back despite the potions, but Aria pushed through, supporting Seraphina by restricting their enemies' speed whenever possible.
Kaelion, inspired by Seraphina's display of strength, adjusted his technique. Though his sword strikes were precise and powerful, they barely scratched the glowing warriors. He decided to focus on distracting them instead, using feints and quick movements to draw their attention away from Seraphina.
The battle raged for what felt like hours, though it was only minutes. With each glowing warrior that fell, the remaining ones grew fiercer, their strikes more coordinated and their movements faster. Seraphina pushed her mana infusion to its limits, her body glowing faintly as she matched their escalating strength.
Finally, the last warrior fell, its body dissipating into motes of golden light that faded into the barren landscape. Seraphina stood amidst the destruction, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. Her body ached from the strain of maintaining such intense mana infusion, but she had succeeded.
The clearing grew quiet again, and the golden light beneath the surface flickered weakly before fading entirely. For a moment, it seemed as though the danger had passed, but Seraphina's clairvoyance told her otherwise.
There was more.
The Fourth Floor's Secret
Seraphina's senses guided her toward the center of the clearing, where the ground felt particularly unstable. She knelt, placing her hand against the cracked surface, and channeled a small pulse of earth magic. The ground trembled briefly before splitting open, revealing a hidden staircase leading downward.
The group gathered around, their expressions wary. The presence of such powerful enemies guarding this area hinted at the importance of whatever lay below. Seraphina led the descent, her steps cautious but purposeful.
The staircase spiraled downward into a chamber illuminated by a faint, ethereal glow. The air grew heavier, infused with ancient mana that felt both oppressive and inviting. At the center of the chamber stood an ornate pedestal, its surface etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with light.
Upon the pedestal rested a crystal sphere, its core swirling with golden light. Seraphina's clairvoyance revealed its significance immediately. This was a relic imbued with immense power, designed to amplify physical and magical abilities. Its creation predated the dungeon itself, tied to the ancient civilization that had built it.
But there was more. The relic was not just a tool—it was a key.
Seraphina reached out, her hand hovering above the sphere as her precognition activated. Visions flooded her mind, revealing the relic's purpose. It served as a conduit to another layer of the dungeon, one hidden from ordinary challengers. This secret floor held knowledge and treasures from the ancient world, including lost techniques for mastering mana infusion and physical enhancement.
However, the relic came with a warning. If removed from its pedestal, it would alert the dungeon's core guardians—beings far more powerful than the glowing warriors they had just faced. The choice was hers: claim the relic and face the consequences, or leave it undisturbed and continue their journey.
Seraphina turned to her companions, their faces reflecting a mix of awe and apprehension. She knew the decision would impact their path significantly, but one thing was certain: the fourth floor had proven to be far more than just a barren land.
This was only the beginning of the secrets the dungeon held, and Seraphina was determined to uncover them all.