Invisible Warrior

As Bane approached the boss room on the fourth floor, the fog had completely dissipated. He considered himself incredibly fortunate to have avoided fighting any more Weeping Angels. Those were the strongest enemies so far. Bane thought, slightly concerned for what the boss would bring.

So far, each boss was a larger or slightly altered version of the standard floor enemies. Bane didn't know if he could handle fighting an oversized Weeping Angel.

Taking a step forward, Bane noticed the boss's room was covered in a thin layer of water. He gazed down at his reflection, his face emotionless as he moved deeper into the room. The rippling waves distorted his image with each step.

A blue magical forcefield enclosed the battlefield, leaving no dry portion of the arena. The water reached up to his ankles, slowing his movements and creating loud sloshing sounds as he trudged through it.

Still no sign of the boss... he thought, slowing to a stop after venturing further into the room.

Slosh.

Bane quickly turned toward the sound of water sloshing behind him, but there was nothing. The entrance he had come through was now sealed by the forcefield. His hand instinctively fell to the hilt of his sword.

Am I just hearing things? he wondered, though he doubted it. His danger sense had never failed him before, and he trusted his instincts.

Bane scanned the room, his confusion and anxiety growing. By now, the boss would have made its move... Usually, bosses had some grand entrance, but this was different—there was absolutely nothing.

Slosh.

"What?" Bane muttered, unable to contain his surprise as he turned toward the sound. Clear ripples emanated from the direction of the noise, near the entrance. Since no one could enter or exit the boss's room, Bane knew something was amiss.

Drawing his sword, Bane cautiously walked back toward the entrance, following the ripples. As he approached, he heard a faint metallic whirring sound.

"Agh!" Bane screamed, falling back onto the floor as if struck by a hammer to the chest. His eyes widened as he stared at the empty space before him. He wasn't alone—the boss was here. The rippling water moved closer, as if something invisible was advancing toward him. Sensing danger, Bane struggled to his feet and hobbled away.

"Oh no..." He tried to run but clutched his chest where he had been hit. His upper armor felt dented, and he feared his ribs might be broken.

Putting some distance between himself and the boss, Bane avoided the ripples in the water as his mind raced to figure out what he was facing. Evil water? An invisible creature? Absurd ideas flooded his thoughts as he activated his threat analysis:

Invisible Warrior: The boss of the fourth floor. A slow, invisible enemy wielding a large hammer, which is also cloaked in invisibility. While invisible, its movements are revealed by the watery floor of the boss room.

Bane's mouth hung open in disbelief. One of his wild guesses had been correct—an invisible warrior. He watched the sloshing water as it slowly advanced toward him.

It's definitely slow, he noted, observing that the distance between them hadn't closed much. He allowed his passive healing to take effect, assessing his injuries. Though he couldn't fully grasp what had just happened, knowing the enemy's nature restored some of his confidence.

I've got this, he thought, steadying himself with a deep breath. No broken ribs, he confirmed after exhaling.

Just avoid its hammer and outmaneuver it. Easier said than done, Bane realized. His first challenge was figuring out where to attack. He knew the boss's general location from the ripples, but specifics like height, weight, and armor were unknown.

Despite these disadvantages, Bane had one clear edge: the system was on his side.

Feeling ready, Bane charged toward the invisible warrior. The creature's watery footsteps halted as it noticed Bane's approach, but Bane didn't stop.

It's not like you can move from where you stand, he thought, aiming for the last spot where the ripples had appeared. To avoid a counterattack, Bane zigzagged through the water, keeping track of the boss while staying unpredictable. After circling the area several times, he closed in and slashed at the spot.

His sword met resistance, and Bane poured all his strength into his swings, slashing repeatedly until his blade cut through nothing but air. He hesitated, stopping his assault, but soon his questions were answered.

A large splash drenched Bane as the boss collapsed, its invisibility fading upon its death. The creature resembled the Weeping Angels but was taller and wielded a massive hammer.

System notifications flooded his vision:

Enemies Defeated:

Invisible Warrior – 1

Rewards:

1 XS Energy Crystal

2000 XP

Nothing out of the ordinary, Bane thought, dismissing the notifications. Aside from the hefty experience gain, everything was as expected. Still, he couldn't help but wonder when he'd receive something other than extra-small energy crystals. Exciting to think about what's to come.

He moved on to claim his rewards for completing the floor:

Floor 4 Completion:

Slay all enemy types on the fourth floor:

Weeping Angels – Complete

Guardian Angels – Complete

Invisible Warrior – Complete

Rewards: 15,000 Shill, 2 Skill Points

The pain he'd endured from the boss was a first for him. Without his improved armor, Bane was certain he would have died. Should I invest points into fortitude? he wondered, contemplating diversifying his attributes instead of focusing solely on strength and agility. He opened his status and allocated the two points to fortitude.

[Bane of the Slums]: LV 24 (3,620/6,200)

[Title]: Slime Slayer LV 1 (72/100), Goblin Dispatcher LV 2 (56/1000), Arachnid Assassin LV 2 (155/1000), Angel Assassin LV 1 (5/100)

[Strength]: LV 11

[Dexterity]: LV 2

[Mind]: LV 1

[Agility]: LV 10

[Fortitude]: LV 4

[Magic]: LV 1

[Skills]: Appraisal LV 1, Threat Analysis LV 1, Danger Sense LV 2, Passive Healing LV 1, Magnetize LV 1, Night Vision, Feared Hunt

Exhausted, Bane closed all the windows and returned to reality. He trudged through the water and retrieved the pulsating purple energy crystal, storing it in the void sack at his waist. 

This floor sucked, he thought, depositing the crystal. There weren't many enemies, but they were incredibly strong. This one would be terrible for farming money. Resolved never to return, Bane left the boss's room and entered the stairwell to the fifth floor. After activating fast travel, he returned to the dungeon entrance.

I'm done for today, Bane thought, his mind heavy with concern for the challenges ahead. If he was already facing invisible enemies, what could possibly come next?

As he turned the corner to exit the dungeon, he was met with a familiar, infuriating face.

"Luna," he muttered under his breath, glaring at the cat-like woman clad in her mercenary attire, her black sword resting on her back. He hadn't seen her since the day she humiliated and robbed him.

Bane's first instinct was to attack, but he hesitated. There are too many people here. If I start a fight, I'll be held liable. Thinking rationally, he approached her slowly.

Sensing his presence, Luna glanced up, her face tensing as she stepped back. "I thought you'd be dead by now," she said with a nervous smile, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword.

"What makes you think that? Just because I lost to a cowardly cat lady?" Bane teased, continuing to advance.

"Get away," she hissed, her voice low enough to avoid drawing attention.

Bane raised his hands and stopped, laughing. "You're pitiful. A disgrace to adventurers." Luna didn't respond, her brown tail tucked between her legs.

Bane felt confident—borderline cocky. I know I can beat her. Bane thought, sizing her up.

"Do you want to take this elsewhere?" Bane asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"You really think you can beat me?" she retorted, her mind racing as she tried to comprehend the change in Bane.

He's different. Everything about him... His aura... It's changed, Luna thought, her eyes widening as she assessed him. It's not just how he carries himself—he's physically different too. She swallowed hard, trying to maintain her tough demeanor, but Bane could see through her facade. 

"Come on, let's settle this fairly—one on one," Bane said, gesturing toward the dungeon.

"Your confidence makes me sick," she spat as the two moved toward a secluded tunnel, neither taking their eyes off the other or their hands off their swords.

The two walked slowly from the dungeon entrance and to one of the tunnels on the first floor and when the two of them were out of sight, they sneered at each other and each withdrew their swords causing a loud, shing. 

Luna held her long, black, slightly curved sword in front of her. Bane took a few steps and stood across from each other, Bane stretched and cracked his neck while Luna just stood eyes piercing Bane.

Like a cat, her pupils narrowed significantly, leaving a pool of amber with a small black slit in each of her eyes.

No words were exchanged while the fight began.