Chapter 7 – The Trial of Blood

The air on the 16th floor was thick with tension. Unlike the lower floors, which had predictable landscapes, this one felt unnatural. The walls of the corridor were lined with strange carvings, ancient symbols pulsating with a faint red glow. The flickering torches cast unnatural shadows, twisting and stretching along the stone path.

Arsonalt took the lead, daggers in hand, his assassin instincts on high alert. Alec followed closely behind, his usual curiosity tempered by caution. Roy, their newly acquired companion, padded silently alongside them, his small frame barely making a sound.

"This floor doesn't feel like the others," Alec muttered, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Yeah," Arsonalt replied. "It's like something is watching us."

Roy suddenly stopped, his fur bristling. His eyes darkened, and a low growl escaped his throat.

Then, the walls began to move.

A deep, guttural laugh echoed through the corridor as the carvings on the walls pulsed violently. The stone beneath them shifted, and before they could react, the floor collapsed.

The Blood Arena

Arsonalt landed hard, rolling instinctively to absorb the impact. Alec hit the ground with a grunt, and Roy leaped beside them, seemingly unharmed.

They found themselves in a vast arena, the walls towering above them, pulsating with the same eerie glow. The stench of blood and decay filled the air, and in the center of the arena stood a massive iron gate, shaking violently.

Alec dusted himself off. "I don't like this."

Arsonalt narrowed his eyes. "Neither do I."

Then, the gate burst open.

A creature emerged—a monstrous, crimson beast, its body covered in jagged bone-like armor, standing at least four meters tall. Its four glowing eyes locked onto them, its massive claws scraping against the ground.

[Boss Monster: Bloodhound Tyrant]

Alec's face hardened. "Looks like we're not getting out of here without a fight."

Arsonalt smirked, spinning his daggers. "Good. I was getting bored."

The Battle Begins

The Bloodhound Tyrant moved first, lunging toward them with terrifying speed. Arsonalt barely managed to dodge, the wind from its movement cutting across his cheek. Alec raised his hand, chanting quickly.

"Shadow Bind!"

Dark tendrils shot from the ground, wrapping around the monster's limbs. For a brief moment, it was immobilized.

"Roy, now!" Arsonalt shouted.

Roy's eyes flashed, and a curse symbol appeared beneath the Bloodhound Tyrant. The beast roared in agony as its strength weakened, its movements slowing.

Arsonalt dashed forward, his daggers glowing with a faint purple hue—his Assassin skill, Venom Fang. He aimed for the creature's exposed joints, slashing rapidly.

The Bloodhound broke free from Alec's spell, retaliating with a devastating claw swipe. Alec barely had time to raise a barrier, but the force still sent him flying back.

Arsonalt gritted his teeth. "Tch. We're not strong enough to take it head-on."

Alec wiped blood from his mouth and nodded. "Then we don't fight fair."

They exchanged a glance—then moved in perfect sync.

Victory or Death

Alec raised his hands, chanting a new spell. Shadows coiled around him, the arena darkening. The Bloodhound Tyrant hesitated, its senses thrown off.

Roy launched a curse, causing the beast to stagger.

That was all the opening Arsonalt needed.

With a burst of speed, he disappeared into the shadows, reappearing directly beneath the monster. His daggers found their mark, piercing deep into its throat.

The Bloodhound howled, but its cry was cut short.

With a final, brutal twist, Arsonalt ripped his blades free, and the monster collapsed.

[BOSS DEFEATED!]

Arsonalt panted, wiping blood from his face. Alec dropped to one knee, exhausted.

Roy tilted his head. "Meow?"

Alec groaned. "That was... way too close."

Arsonalt chuckled. "Yeah. But we won."

A soft glow filled the arena as a black orb floated from the monster's remains. Alec's eyes widened.

"A Blood Core... That's a rare one."

Arsonalt picked it up, feeling its strange energy. He had no idea what it did, but something told him they would need it later in the tower.

He looked at his companions, then at the endless path ahead.

The real climb had just begun.