[Welcome to the second floor.]
[Please choose the subject you would like your quest to be based around.]
[Battle, Intelligence, or Survival.]
The familiar system message hovered before me, its glowing text radiating an otherworldly light in the dim surroundings. A sense of anticipation coursed through me as I stared at the options, each word carrying the weight of potential triumph or failure.
Battle. The word alone brought visions of clashing swords, raging fires, and the roar of enemies charging across a battlefield. A test of strength, skill, and unwavering courage.
Intelligence. My mind conjured images of intricate puzzles, complex traps, and the constant need for quick thinking and cleverness to outsmart unseen foes or solve ancient mysteries.
Survival. The thought brought a chill to my spine, evoking harsh environments, dwindling resources, and the unrelenting need to endure against all odds, whether through sheer willpower or cunning adaptation.
As if responding to my curiosity, the system seemed to come alive, projecting vivid descriptions of each path in front of me. Flickering images and whispered hints of the challenges ahead filled the air, their meaning sinking into my mind like ripples in a still pond.
The decision was mine to make, but the weight of it was undeniable. Which path would I take? Which trial would I face? There was no turning back now.
Seeing that the descriptions matched my exact thoughts, I couldn't help but reflect on the previous trial. It had undoubtedly fallen under the category of Intelligence—a gauntlet of relentless puzzles and traps that had tested my mind to its very limits. The memory of that ordeal still made my skin crawl. There was no way I wanted to endure something like that again. Without hesitation, I struck Intelligence from my list of options.
Next was Survival. My thoughts immediately turned to another vivid memory: the endless expanse of a hellish desert. Scorching heat, parched lips, and the constant gnaw of hunger and thirst as I fought to stay alive with only the barest scraps of resources. That trial had nearly broken me, leaving me teetering on the brink of exhaustion and despair. The thought of reliving such a harrowing experience was enough to send a shiver down my spine. No, Survival wasn't an option either.
That left Battle. The word carried a sense of danger, but also a strange comfort. There was something straightforward about it—an honest clash of strength and skill. No mind games, no harsh elements to outlast, just me, my abilities, and whatever enemy stood in my way. With a decisive motion, I clicked on the Battle tab, solidifying my choice.
The moment I made my decision, the air around me shifted, the system's glowing text fading away to reveal the beginning of whatever awaited me next.
[You have chosen: Battle.]
[Generating quest...]
[Quest Generated.]
Quest Name: Endless Battles
Floor: 2
Objective: Win as many matches as possible without dying. The quest may be completed after the first round.
Reward: Determined by the number of rounds won.
Seeing the quest details, a sense of relief washed over me. It was straightforward—fight, survive, and reap rewards. No complicated riddles, no endless deserts, just combat. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I prepared myself mentally for what lay ahead.
Looking forward, I found myself standing in a sea of ankle-high grass that stretched endlessly in all directions. The familiar sight of my first opponent materialized in front of me—a goblin. But this time, it didn't wield a spear. The crude, jagged edge of the sword it wielded glinted ominously in the sunlight as it prepared for battle.
Once again, the sight of the green creature standing before me filled me with a sense of familiarity—and confidence. This was no longer an unknown challenge, no longer a foe to fear. It was a goblin, just like before, albeit slightly more armed.
Without hesitation, I surged forward, my weapon cutting through the air with precision. The goblin barely had time to react before my blade found its mark, severing its head cleanly in one swift motion. The fight was over as quickly as it had begun. I hadn't even needed to use any of my skills.
[Passed the first round. Would you like to continue] [Y/N]
I clicked "Yes" without hesitation, prompting the next round of monsters to appear. This time, two goblins stood before me—one gripping a spear, the other a sword. Their weapons gleamed in the faint light, but their movements were clumsy. With little effort, I cut them down and quickly clicked "Yes" again, advancing to the third round.
Each round that followed brought more goblins, their numbers and weapon variety increasing with every wave. Despite their growing ranks, they posed little challenge, falling swiftly to my blade.
By the fifth round, something finally changed.
Standing before me was a 165 cm green-skinned creature, its body covered in a thick layer of coarse hair. Its posture was more upright, its eyes sharper, radiating an intelligence the goblins lacked. Though it shared some similarities with the goblins, I instinctively felt this was something far more dangerous. Studying its hulking form, I decided to give it a fitting name: a hobgoblin.
To my surprise, the hobgoblin made the first move, charging at me with its sword. The sudden aggression caught me off guard, leaving me flustered and hesitant. That brief moment of hesitation was all it needed
In the blink of an eye, the hobgoblin closed the distance, its blade arcing toward my neck with deadly precision A triumphant smile spread across its face as the sword connected--only for a metallic "tink" to echo through the air.
The hobgoblin's expression shifted to confusion as its weapon rebounded harmlessly off my skin, which had turned a solid grey. Wasting no time, I seized the opportunity, swinging my sword down with force. The blade cleaved through the creature, splitting it cleanly in two.
I glanced at the remains of my opponent and let out a silent breath of relief. My [Stone Skin] skill from the previous floor had activated just in time, saving me from what could have been a very different outcome.
As the familiar screen appeared, asking if I'd like to continue, I paused for a moment. My [Stone Skin] skill was still on cooldown, and I wasn't about to make the same mistake twice.
I waited patiently, feeling the seconds tick by as I kept my weapon ready. Once the skill refreshed, I calmly clicked "Yes" and immediately shifted into a defensive stance, determined not to be caught off guard again. This time, I was ready for whatever challenge awaited me.