After one painstakingly long hour, Arthur fell on the ground staring at the ceiling of the first floor.
It's finally done.
⦗System⦘
⦗Level Up!⦘: 3 > 4
⦗Name⦘: Arthur Grimwood
⦗Level⦘: 4 (100/5000 exp)
⦗Guild Rank⦘: Only Available With Academy Certificate
⦗Military Rank⦘: Only Available After Reaching Platinum Guild Rank
⦗Physical Skills⦘: Only Available After Reaching Level 5
⦗Aether Skills⦘: Only Available After Reaching Level 5
⦗Class⦘: Necromancer
⦗Stats⦘:
Strength: 13
Speed: 12
Aether: 15
Intelligence: 17
--------
Arthur suddenly felt all is fatigue fading away. This was an effect that happened right after one leveled up.
Time to move forward...
He walked up the ancient, spiraling stairs to a small opening in the ceiling with the same translucent barrier at the entrance.
⦗System⦘
⦗Congratulations on clearing the first floor of the Trial Tower⦘
⦗Next Objective⦘: Clear the second floor
Out of nowhere, a heavy roar echoed from the other side of the large floor. Arthur instinctively tightened his grip on his sword, his heart pounding.
A large beast, similar to an adult wolf, came at him with speed faster than Arthur could comprehend. It slammed its huge paw against Arthur shoulders, causing him to fly into the wall.
"This is going to be difficult. This guy isn't only fast, but has power in his swings," Arthur groaned to himself.
He pushed himself off the cold stone wall, his body aching from the impact, slightly trembling.
He looked down to his shoulder, realizing that ice had frozen on to it. The wolf-like beast, now fully visible in the glow of the Aether, growled as it got ready to pounce again. The tips of the wolf's paws were covered in ice and Arthur could see its breathe coming off its icy fangs.
⦗System⦘
⦗Enemy Detected⦘: Dire Frostwolf – Level 5
⦗Skills⦘: Frost Slam, Glacial Dash, Enhanced Reflexes
"Level 5..." Arthur muttered to himself, examining the notification window, "And the dash from earlier with the frost slam. Not to mention its enhanced reflexes. No wonder it packs such a punch."
He raised his sword, infusing the mysterious, dark Aether that came with his class. Even though he hadn't unlocked any Necromancer skills, Arthur was still smart and had basic fighting abilities.
Think, Arthur, think. It's fast and powerful, but every beast has a weakness.
The Frostwolf wasted no time, charging toward him with its Glacial Dash. Arthur barely dodged, feeling the icy gust of wind trailing behind the beast's claws. He swung his sword down, hoping to hit the wolf's exposed side, but it turned mid-dash, avoiding the attack effortlessly.
The beast quickly spun and slashed using its sharp claws, but Arthur was ready and brought his sword up in time. The impact reverberated with Aether, pushing him back.
Arthur gritted his teeth in pain. He couldn't keep trading blows like this, and he definitely did not have the endurance to last against such a beast.
He realized the only way he could win this is to use offense.
...
Arthur steadied his stance, his eyes looking around the room. The frost covered floor and jagged icicles hanging from the ceiling gave him an idea. He began circling the wolf with very exaggerating movements, hoping to get its attention.
"Come on... take the bait," he muttered.
The Frostwolf snarled, the streaks in its fur glowing brighter as it charged again. Arthur ran toward a cluster of icicles hanging near a wall, his heart racing. Just as the wolf leaped at him, he dove to the side, just in time.
The wolf crashed into the wall behind him, causing a cascade of sharp icicles to rain down. It howled in pain as several shards stabbed him in its back and hind legs.
Nice. Now it can't use its Glacial Dash, meaning I can start the hunt now!
Arthur didn't waste a second. He surged forward, and thrusted his sword into the wolf's neck, making it howl in pain before a notification pinged in front of him.
⦗System⦘
⦗Experience Gained⦘: +800
⦗Progress to Level 5⦘: 900/5000
However, not even for a second did Arthur let his guard down.
That can't be it, there must be more on this floor.
As if the tower read his mind 2 more Frostwolves and a pack of level 4 wolves appeared out of nowhere. But this time Arthur was ready.
I understand now.
Before the Frostwolves could react, he took down the entire pack of level 4 wolves in one strike with the strength that came from his level 4 stat points.
+100 exp
He then got the attention of the other 2 wolves and dashed to another wall with icicles hanging precariously, ready to be used as his weapons.
The wolves used their glacial dash, but Arthur easily saw it coming, baiting them to hit the wall and get struck with the falling icicles. While they were still dazed, he went in for the killed and finished them.
+1600 exp
...
After repeating this against multiple waves of enemies, a notification appeared.
⦗System⦘
⦗Congratulations on clearing the second floor of the Trial Tower⦘
⦗Next Objective⦘: Clear the third floor