Chapter 6 – The Trial of the Mind and Blade

The 15th floor wasn't just a puzzle—it was a trap.

Arsonalt, Alec, and their companion Roy stood before a massive ancient ruin, surrounded by floating platforms and shifting staircases. The only path forward was sealed by a giant door covered in glowing runes.

Alec ran his fingers across the markings. "This isn't a battle trial," he muttered. "It's a puzzle."

Arsonalt sighed. "A waste of time."

A voice echoed through the ruins:

"Prove your wisdom. Solve the trial, or remain here forever."

A countdown appeared above the door: ∞

Trapped on the 15th Floor

The three of them tried everything—breaking the door, searching for hidden mechanisms, even using magic. But the moment they attempted the puzzle, they realized its true nature—it required skills they didn't have yet.

They were too weak.

For the first time since starting their climb, they had to stop.

Arsonalt clenched his fists. "So we train."

Alec nodded. "We train."

Even Roy, their pet and companion, let out a small chirp of agreement.

Four Months of Survival

What should have been a temporary stop turned into four months of brutal grinding.

The 15th floor was infested with relentless monsters—creatures designed to prevent weak players from progressing.

From the moment they stepped away from the puzzle room, they were hunted.

The Guardians of the 15th Floor

The first night, the Rune Stalkers attacked. Four-legged beasts with glowing blue markings, capable of phasing through walls. Their claws cut through stone like paper, and the first fight nearly killed them.

The second night, Sentinel Wraiths emerged from the ruins. Ghostly entities that drained mana and stamina with every hit. Alec barely managed to keep them at bay with his magic.

The third night, Mind Reapers came. Humanoid creatures that mimicked voices, luring their prey into traps. It was only Roy's Echo Howl that saved them from walking straight into an ambush.

Every night, they fought for their lives.

Every day, they trained to survive.

Arsonalt's Evolution – The Assassin's Path

Arsonalt adapted by becoming faster and deadlier.

Shadow Step let him vanish in darkness, moving unseen between enemies.

Critical Chain increased his damage with every consecutive strike.

Reaper's Mark cursed an enemy, making them bleed over time.

With each battle, he moved like a ghost, striking before the enemy even knew he was there.

Roy – The Cursed Supporter

Roy, their mysterious pet, evolved in combat.

Curse of the Weak made enemies slower and more fragile.

Life Link allowed them to share damage, preventing sudden deaths.

Echo Howl stunned enemies, creating openings for attacks.

Despite his small size, Roy became their lifeline in battle.

Alec – The Mage of Control

Alec's magic evolved into a tactical arsenal.

Noise Cancellation created a zone where no sound escaped, allowing for silent ambushes.

Dimensional Grasp let him momentarily disrupt enemy movements.

Seeker's Sight showed him hidden pathways and weak points.

With Alec's magic controlling the battlefield, every fight became a hunt—with them as the predators.

The Final Battle – The Rune Stalker Alpha

On the last day of their training, as they prepared to solve the puzzle, a deafening roar shook the ruins.

The Rune Stalker Alpha had found them.

A beast three times the size of its kin, with burning blue eyes and a body covered in shifting arcane markings. It charged, claws ripping through stone as it lunged at Arsonalt.

He barely dodged, rolling to the side before vanishing into the shadows.

Alec raised his hand. "Roy, now!"

Roy's Echo Howl stunned the Alpha for a split second—long enough for Alec to launch Dimensional Grasp, slowing its movements.

Arsonalt reappeared behind it, slashing across its back, marking it with Reaper's Mark.

The Rune Stalker howled, twisting violently as it swiped at him. But Arsonalt had already moved.

One strike.

Two.

Three.

Each Critical Chain attack cut deeper and deeper, until the Stalker's body collapsed into the ruins.

Its corpse disintegrated, leaving behind a blue crystal core.

Alec picked it up. "This… might be useful."

Arsonalt exhaled. "Now can we finish that damn puzzle?"

Alec smirked. "Let's get to work."

The Puzzle Awakens

They returned to the sealed door, stronger than ever.

Alec's Seeker's Sight revealed hidden pathways.

Arsonalt's Shadow Step let him move through traps undetected.

Roy's Echo Howl disrupted guardian spirits.

Piece by piece, they assembled the solution.

When the final rune was placed, the massive door shuddered, then cracked open.

Beyond it lay a spiraling staircase, leading up to the 16th floor.

Arsonalt exhaled. "Four months, just to get past a damn door."

Alec smirked. "Welcome to the tower."

And with that, they climbed once more.