The morning sun rose, casting a golden hue over the academy. Sebastian, Marissa, and Elena gathered their gear, their expressions set with determination. Today, they would re-enter the Tower, returning to the floor they had previously conquered. Sebastian's heart pounded with anticipation, the hunger for power thrumming through him.
They arrived at the Tower's entrance, the imposing structure looming over them. Guards stood vigilant, their eyes scanning the newcomers with practiced scrutiny.
"Bracelets," one of the guards demanded, his tone curt but professional.
Sebastian, Marissa, and Elena showed their bracelets in unison, the guards nodding in approval. "You may proceed," the guard said, stepping aside to allow them passage.
The trio entered the Tower, the familiar hum of magic surrounding them. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and something more primal—anticipation, fear, and the promise of battle. The corridors stretched out before them, dark and foreboding, but Sebastian felt only a surge of excitement.
"Let's do this," Marissa said, her voice steady but laced with a thrill of excitement.
Elena nodded, her expression more cautious. "Stay close, and let's be careful."
Sebastian led the way, his senses alert for any sign of danger. They moved swiftly through the first few corridors, encountering clusters of goblins. The small, green-skinned creatures snarled and charged, but the trio was prepared.
Marissa's spear danced with flames, cutting through goblins with ease. Elena stood back, ready to heal any injuries, her magic a soft, soothing presence. Sebastian moved with lethal precision, his dagger flashing as he struck down goblin after goblin.
As each goblin fell, Sebastian reached out with his Devour ability, absorbing their essence. He felt a rush of power each time, his strength growing slowly with every kill. Marissa and Elena exchanged glances, puzzled by the intensity of his actions.
"Sebastian, I've been meaning to ask, what is that ability?" Marissa asked, her eyes narrowing as she watched him absorb another goblin's essence.
"Yeah, I've never seen anything like that," Elena added, her voice tinged with concern.
Sebastian paused, considering his response. He needed to hide the true nature of his ability. "It's just a simple energy recovery ability," he said smoothly, wiping his dagger clean. "It helps me recover my stamina by draining it from enemies I defeat."
Elena's heart sank as she watched Sebastian use his ability. Since awakening her healing abilities, she felt a deep connection to divine energies. Sebastian's Devour ability felt like the antithesis of everything she believed in—a dark, unsettling force that left a crimson aura seeping into his body from the fallen goblins. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that washed over her.
They pressed on, encountering larger groups of goblins as they delved deeper into the floor. Among them were elite goblins, their red eyes gleaming with malicious intelligence. These foes were tougher, but Sebastian, Marissa, and Elena fought with coordinated precision.
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Marissa's spear ignited with even greater ferocity, piercing through the elite goblins' defenses with fiery determination. Elena's healing magic kept them in peak condition, mending wounds almost as soon as they were inflicted. Sebastian moved like a shadow, his dagger finding the gaps in the goblins' defenses with deadly accuracy. As he struck, he twisted his blade to maximize damage, watching with satisfaction as each goblin fell.
With each elite goblin they defeated, Sebastian continued to devour their essence, his power growing with each absorption. Marissa and Elena exchanged more glances, their unease growing, but they remained focused on the task at hand.
Finally, they reached the chamber where the Goblin Brute awaited them. The massive creature roared, its muscles bulging as it charged at them with terrifying speed. The ground shook with each step, its eyes filled with rage and a primitive cunning.
"Stay focused," Sebastian called out, his voice commanding.
Marissa lunged forward, her spear striking the Goblin Brute's thick hide. Flames erupted, but the creature swatted her away with a powerful backhand. Elena rushed to her side, her healing magic enveloping Marissa in a soothing glow.
Sebastian darted around the Brute, his dagger finding the creature's weak spots. Each strike was precise, but the Brute's resilience was formidable. It swung its massive club, narrowly missing Sebastian who rolled to the side, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
Sebastian knew he was stronger now, more capable than ever before. He effortlessly dodged the Brute's clumsy swings, moving with a speed and agility that left the creature bewildered. With each evasion, he delivered shallow cuts across its thick skin, watching as the wounds attempted to heal. The Brute grew more frantic, its roars of pain and frustration echoing through the chamber. Sebastian's strikes became a blur, each cut more precise than the last. He was toying with the creature, testing its limits and his own newfound strength.
"Marissa, Elena, hold back for now," Sebastian called out, his voice calm and controlled. "I want to see how much this thing can take."
Marissa and Elena exchanged worried glances but did as he said, standing back and watching as Sebastian continued his relentless assault. The Brute's attempts to retaliate grew weaker with each passing moment, its massive form succumbing to the dozens of cuts and stabs.
Finally, Sebastian decided to end it. With a swift, decisive move, he lunged forward, driving his dagger deep into the Goblin Brute's skull, the blade piercing through bone and into the creature's brain. The Goblin Brute let out one final, pitiful roar before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
As the Brute's body crumpled to the ground, Sebastian stood over it, his chest heaving. He absorbed the last of its essence, feeling a surge of strength unlike anything before. Marissa and Elena approached, their expressions a mix of awe and concern.
"Sebastian, that was incredible," Marissa said, her eyes wide with admiration. "You're amazing! I've never seen anyone fight like that."
Elena's fear only deepened, her suspicions about Sebastian's ability confirmed. She couldn't ignore the demonic energy that radiated from him, a darkness that threatened to consume everything in its path.
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Devour Notification:
* Total monsters devoured: 53
* Total bosses devoured: 1
* Strength: +2.1
* Agility: +2.0
* Endurance: +2.2
* Intelligence: +1.5
* Perception: +2.3
* XP Gained: +405
* Devour XP: +16.1
System Notification:
* Total Goblins Defeated: 45
* Total Elite Goblins Defeated: 8
* Goblin Brute Defeated
* Total XP Gained: 405
* Level has increased: 5
* Dagger Proficiency has reached level: 3