Cyrus strolled past the colossal skull, but to his dismay, he found only one path to follow instead of a multitude of options. The path offered no clues as to its destination, with only an interrogation symbol etched into the wall beside it.
Entering the room beyond, he encountered a figure standing at its center. This monster held familiar elements. It resembled a hybrid of a skeleton warrior and a ghoul, standing tall with a well-crafted suit of armor and a razor-sharp sword in its hand. Despite the grotesque decay of its skin visible between the armor plates, the monster exuded a relatively unmenacing aura that made it clear this would be an easy fight comparatively to the Death Knight he had fought previously.
[Lv.23 - Undead Soldier(Common)]
"I suppose the interrogation room may not always facilitate fruitful encounters."
"Overloaded Heat!"
[You have taken 3.2 fire damage]
[You have regenerated 4.2 health]
[You have dealt 60.3 damage]
Ever since he passed through the gate and encountered his fair share of challenges, his damage output had doubled in effectiveness. With this newfound power, he dispatched his enemy in under a minute. His strength far exceeded that of someone at his level; one might even wonder if he could overpower a hunter in their level ranging in the 20s.
[In this location, enemies do not drop any items upon defeat due to its special restriction]
[You have slain Lv.23- Undead Soldier (Common)! You have earned 230 experience points.]
[Experience: 100 -> 330/600]
[Congratulations! You have completed the 5th challenge, please proceed to the next room]
As Cyrus continued his ascent through the challenges, his formidable power proved to be a great advantage, allowing him to complete both the 6th and 7th floors with relative ease despite facing a multitude of monsters along the way. These victories not only bolstered his confidence but also enabled him to further increase his level, now reaching level 6.
As he stood before a series of doors, each leading to a different room, Cyrus knew he had to choose carefully. That was when he noticed a symbol etched into the wall beside one of the doors for the 8th room. It was a picture of a forge and hammer, but it was not like any symbol he had ever seen before.
Intrigued, Cyrus stepped closer to inspect the symbol. The intricately designed image seemed to be glowing faintly with fire, almost as if it was beckoning him towards the room beyond the door. Could it be a clue or a sign of something important? Cyrus wondered. Despite feeling a sense of apprehension, Cyrus couldn't resist the pull of curiosity.
[You have entered 'The Forge!'.]
Cyrus found himself standing in a room that was enveloped in a dim and somber light. The thick stone walls exuded an air of stability and solidity, imparting a sense of permanence to the space. The atmosphere was hot and heavy, filled with the pungent aroma of burning coal that permeated the entire area.
The forge at the center of the room was an impressive sight, with a sturdy metal-lined pit that was brimming with a bright, intense glow from the hot coals that lay within. The bellows nearby hummed with the sound of air being forced into the pit to fan the flames and control the temperature. A large anvil stood next to the pit, surrounded by an array of metalworking tools that included hammers, tongs, chisels, and files, all arranged with meticulous care.
The walls of the forge were adorned with various tools, weapons, and armor, each with its own story to tell, lending the space a palpable sense of history and purpose. Despite the clutter of scraps of metal, discarded tools, and unfinished projects strewn about, the blacksmith's workspace was organized, with everything in its place.
[To utilize the forge, it is necessary to possess both a magic stone and an item to imbue it with. The rarity level of the item must correspond to the rank of the magic stone.]
"Magic Stone? What? Oh, hold on! I actually received one as a reward. Let me check... Ah, here it is. It's a 'Lesser Arcane Magic Stone'."
[You have selected the 'Lesser Arcane Magic Stone', please chose an item to imbue the stone with.]
"Without a doubt, my preferred choice would be my shield - The Rational Damnation!"
[The rank of the item is much higher than the rank of the magic stone. Kindly select an item that has a lower rank.]
"Ah, now I understand the meaning behind it. In that case, I'll opt for my Arsonist's Bane pants."
[You have selected the Arsonist's Bane]
[Imbuing 'Lesser Arcanist Magic Stone' & 'Arsonist's Bane...]
[Complete!]
[You have acquired Arcanist Arsonist's Bane]
[Name: Arcanist Arsonist's Bane
Item Type: Pants (Crafted, Enhanced)
Rank: C -> C+
Description: These shorts are the result of the skilled craftsmanship of a renowned tailor who has managed to combine the unique features of two creatures living in the treacherous "Magma Lake" Gate. The scales of a salamander and the fur of a rodent have been intricately woven together to create a garment that is not only resilient but also remarkably stylish. Although this item does not enhance the wearer's stats in any way, it offers unparalleled protection against fire and other sources of heat. In fact, it is completely impervious to flames and has the uncanny ability to regenerate any damage it incurs back to its original form. However, it is important to note that while the shorts themselves cannot be burned, the wearer is not immune to fire damage and must still exercise caution in hazardous environments.
New: The Arcanist stone has improved the pants' resistance to all forms of magical damage by adding an extra layer of protection.
*Item is Immune to fire.
*Item slowly regenerate any damage it takes.
*Item does not provide Immunity to the wearer.
*Item does not provide regeneration to the wearer's body.
New: *Increases Magic Resistance by 5%.]
"Amazing, I've developed remarkable durability. I've yet to encounter a damage dealer with such tankiness. At present, my fire resistance has elevated to an impressive 25%."
Upon successfully operating the forge, Cyrus was able to discern the path ahead. This time, there was only a solitary option to take, marked by the symbol of a campfire. This indicated that the 9th floor was a designated rest stop before advancing to the final and 10th room.
As soon as Cyrus stepped into the room, he noticed several players standing around, exchanging fierce glares and emanating a menacing energy. It was as if they were poised for a significant event to unfold. Upon catching sight of Cyrus, all the eyes in the room fixated upon him with unwavering intensity and murderous aura. "What's their deal?" Cyrus questioned, puzzled by the situation.