The first floor of the dungeon was teeming with Sword Demons, but as Fear Herself had promised, they were significantly stronger than before. Nevertheless, Cara and Lotus worked in perfect harmony, swiftly dispatching the foes. As the final demon fell, the glowing staircase solidified, and the two ascended to the next floor of the dungeon.
***
They had been inside the tower for two months now, tirelessly progressing through the floors. As they ascended the staircase once more, a familiar set of notifications appeared before them.
Cara quickly updated her stats before engaging in the battle. After reaching level ten she received less exp for killing the demons. But, as though it was some sort of compensation, she started to receive two stat points instead of the normal one.
Level 15
User: Cara
EXP
9/3200
Aspects
The Friend, Divine Warrior-King
HP
24/24
Mana
18/18
Strength
14
Endurance
10
Magic
13
Agility
10
Level 10
User: Lotus
EXP
20/100
Aspects
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The Thrillseeker, Beast Of Uruk
HP
18/18
Mana
8/8
Strength
9
Endurance
9
Magic
3
Agility
17
A few floors back, Cara and Lotus had encountered a new breed of demon that Cara dubbed "Howlers." These eerie creatures were covered in gray fur, completely devoid of eyes and a nose, and were hunched over unnaturally. Cara quickly realized that their exceptional hearing made up for their lack of sight. Their primary mode of attack was a piercing wail, it was the loudest thing Cara had ever heard.
Cara swiftly lunged forward, catching the attention of the Howlers. With a single powerful strike, she instantly eliminated one of them. Meanwhile, two Sword Demons charged at her, but she skillfully responded by utilizing her ability to fling a sword at one, swiftly dispatching it. Without missing a beat, she swiftly turned around and dealt with the other Sword Demon.
Lotus, her loyal partner, moved with incredible speed and agility, leaping through the air to deliver a devastating kick to a Howler, shattering its spine. As it fell to the ground, Lotus landed gracefully, ready to face the remaining enemies.
The remaining Howlers, enraged by the loss of their kin, unleashed a cacophony of piercing wails. Cara instinctively covered her ears, feeling the sound waves reverberate through her body. She gritted her teeth and pushed through the pain, refusing to let the Howlers gain the upper hand.
With a swift motion, Cara unsheathed her sword and launched herself toward the nearest Howler. She executed a series of precise strikes, her blade slicing through the air with lethal precision. The Howler staggered, blood gushing from its wounds, before collapsing in a lifeless heap.
Meanwhile, Lotus evaded the attacks of the remaining Sword Demons, weaving effortlessly between their strikes. With her nimble movements, she outmaneuvered their blades and swiftly retaliated, landing powerful blows that sent the demons sprawling. Her strikes were calculated and efficient, each one finding its mark with deadly accuracy.
As the final Howler fell to the ground, silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing and the soft crackling of the torches lining the walls. The notifications appeared once more, confirming their victory and signaling their progression to the next level.
Cara and Lotus took a moment to catch their breath, their bodies covered in sweat and dirt. The weight of their journey bore heavily on their shoulders, but their determination remained unshaken. They knew the challenges would only grow more formidable as they ascended further into the Endless Tower Dungeon.
With renewed focus, they ascended the staircase leading to the 17th floor, ready to face whatever awaited them in the next stage of their arduous quest. The path ahead was uncertain, but their bond and their unwavering resolve would guide them through the darkness, one step at a time.
***
A stern-looking man approached Fear Herself with an air of authority. Clad in full golden armor, his hair shimmered with a hue almost matching his attire. His piercing red eyes locked onto the small child before him.
"Are you proud of yourself?" he questioned, his voice filled with disapproval. "My current incarnation is nowhere near strong enough to tackle the challenges of the Endless Tower!"
A man with more delicate features hurriedly caught up to the blond man, his sleek black hair flowing like the night. Out of breath, he attempted to reassure him. "Gil, I told you not to worry. I'm confident that they can handle it."
"How can I not worry, Enkidu?" Gilgamesh exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice. "If she perishes, it will take an eternity to find someone worthy enough to carry on my legend!"
Interjecting into the conversation, Fear spoke up. "Rest assured, Gilgamesh, when you sponsored Cara, the viewership on my streams soared. I won't let her meet an easy demise."
"Then why subject her to such perilous situations?" Gilgamesh's voice grew louder, echoing throughout the palace.
"While I do not appreciate your tone, I will explain my reasoning," Fear replied, wearing a sly smile. "I want people like you on the edge of their seats for an extended period. I won't interfere directly, but rest assured, I have plans in place to make her death highly improbable."
"I demand to know these plans," Gilgamesh demanded, asserting his status as her sponsor.
Fear let out a mischievous giggle. "Have you forgotten who I am? You are nothing more than a mere peasant in my presence. I grow bored of your presence." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she continued, "Gregory, please handle them."