Noah sat beneath the sprawling tree, its dense canopy offering a respite from the relentless sun. His body ached with fatigue, but his mind was sharp, alert. He had cleared the first floor in record time, a testament to his skill and determination. Now, it was time to reap the rewards.
With a thought, he accessed his system interface. A notification awaited him. He had gained a perfect understanding of the Darkness element, a profound knowledge that would undoubtedly enhance his abilities. Excitement coursed through him as he delved deeper into the newly acquired knowledge.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the darkness within him. It was a raw, primal force, a void filled with infinite possibilities. He experimented, drawing upon the darkness, shaping it into different forms. At first, it was nothing more than shadows, fleeting and insubstantial. But as he delved deeper, he discovered a new level of control.
He could manipulate the darkness, shaping it into tangible objects. A dagger materialized in his hand, its form shifting and changing at his whim. A shield formed around him, a protective barrier against unseen threats. He even managed to create a small orb of darkness, a sphere of compressed blackness that hovered in front of him.
The possibilities were endless.
''Let's think more deeply, shall we?"
Noah's mind raced, the possibilities endless. He had mastered the art of manipulating darkness, but what if he could combine it with his existing skills? The thought of merging darkness with his flame art sent a shiver of excitement down his spine.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the two elements. Darkness, a void filled with infinite potential, and flame, a destructive force of nature. He began to experiment, merging the two, shaping them into a new form. Failure was inevitable, but he persisted, his determination fueled by the promise of a powerful new ability.
After hours of experimentation, success finally arrived. A small, pulsating flame emerged, its color a deep, ominous black. It was unlike any flame he had ever seen, a fusion of darkness and fire, a creation born from the depths of his imagination. He named it "Hellfire".
[Ding! An ungraded skill was created. Hellfire!]
[+5 Mana!]
Noah couldn't contain his joy facing the system's notification. The effort was worth he thought.
The Hellfire, while small, was incredibly potent. It consumed everything in its path, leaving behind a trail of destruction. But the cost was high. The creation of even this small flame had drained a significant portion of his mana. He knew that mastering this new ability would require time and practice.
Summoning his status window, Noah was pleasantly shocked to discover his newly created skill to be in the exclusive skill's session.
■Status Window
Name: Noah Adler
Rank: Expert
Level 51
Class: Angel of Death
Title: Goblin Slayer
◇◇◇◇◇
☆Stats☆
Mana: 135
Strength: 136
*It dances and skips, it's read in the eyes but it cheats with the hips. If it meets its match it's easily caught, but it's worth nothing if it is bought.*
Noah pondered the riddle, the words dancing in his mind. Finally, a realization dawned upon him.
"The Heart," he declared.
A soft hum echoed through the cavern, a confirmation of his correct answer.
The second riddle followed:
*I live off of a busy street, if you want you can stay for an hour or two, but if you don't pay rent I'll tell on you. What am I?*
Noah thought for a moment, recalling a past experience that held the key to the answer.
"A parking meter!" he exclaimed with confidence.
Again, the door hummed in affirmation.
The final riddle was posed:
*What am I?*
Noah paused, considering the simplicity of the question. It was a trick, he realized.
"A question," he answered, his voice filled with certainty.
The door rumbled, its surface vibrating. With a final creak, it swung open, revealing a dark, imposing corridor. The next level awaited.
The second floor was a stark contrast to the tropical jungle of the first. A vast, icy expanse stretched out before them, a pristine snowfield that seemed to stretch on forever. Towering snow-capped mountains formed a majestic backdrop, their peaks piercing the sky like the teeth of a frozen dragon.
Isolated in this icy wilderness were peculiar trees, their branches and trunks cloaked in a thick layer of frost. They stood as silent sentinels, their white foliage a stark contrast against the blinding white of the snow. A biting wind howled through the icy expanse, carrying with it the promise of danger.
Noah scanned the icy landscape, searching for a suitable spot to set up camp. The wind howled, a relentless force that chilled him to the bone. Shielding his eyes from the biting snow, he spotted a small cave nestled at the base of a towering snow-covered mountain. It was a meager shelter, but it offered protection from the elements.
With a sense of urgency, he made his way towards the cave, his footsteps crunching through the snow. The wind whipped around him, carrying with it tiny ice crystals that stung his exposed skin. But he pressed on, his determination unwavering.
Reaching the cave, he ducked inside, relief washing over him as he escaped the biting cold. The interior was small and damp, but it was a refuge from the storm raging outside. With a quick assessment of his surroundings, he began to set up a makeshift campsite.
Noah erected his tent with practiced efficiency, the biting wind doing little to deter his focus. The small, dome-shaped shelter provided a much-needed respite from the icy expanse.
Once the tent was secured, he rummaged through his item box, pulling out the essentials for a makeshift meal. A small, portable stove, a packet of dehydrated soup, and a few energy bars would have to suffice.
The stove was set up with surprising ease, its flame a warm counterpoint to the icy world outside. The soup packet was added to a pot of melting snow, its aroma filling the small space with a comforting warmth. As the soup simmered, Noah leaned against the tent wall, his body slowly warming up.
The meal was simple, but it was exactly what he needed. The hot soup, coupled with the energy bars, provided the sustenance he required. As he ate, he allowed his mind to wander, contemplating the challenges that lay ahead.
Hopefully it would be fun.