I couldn't help but burst into laughter. In a sense, I was still grappling with disbelief, yet the rush of exhilaration surging through me was undeniable.

The magical flames conjured by the skeleton mages merely flickered and danced harmlessly against my own blazing aura, a sense of amazement overtook me.

"So, this is how it feels to have an edge against magic." I mused to myself, my spirit soaring as each spell cast in my direction proved futile.

As I navigated the numerous wave's of enemy, a profound realization dawned on me about my seemingly so called 'cursed' ability.

Every new discovery, every leap in understanding, seemed to steer me towards confrontations with fire, whether battling my own flames or those used by others.

This realization led me to a startling thought: what I had once considered a curse might indeed harbor truth, althought with a nuanced understanding. This power wasn't a curse designed to harm me in the broad sense of thing; instead, it was a targeted bane against those of the flame faction.

This ability, which had seemed so daunting, was shaping into a formidable foundation that any flame wielder, especially pyromancers like those from my own family—the Arashi—would fear.

The thought struck me with a mix of irony and satisfaction. The very power that had set me apart from them, that had led to my isolation, was now evolving into a force that could challenge their dominance.

The idea that I was becoming a creature that could be the bane of all flame wielders, especially those of my own lineage, carried an ominous undertone... for them.

It wasn't just about the power itself but what it represented—a shift in the dynamics of power, a challenge to the status quo within the pyromancer community and my family.

This growing affinity to flames hinted at a destiny far removed from the life I had expected.

It was as if destiny, with its unending trials and revelations, was forging me into a living weapon of sort, for a purpose that i had yet been introduced to.

"I might actually be able to achieve my goal..." This wasn't just a fleeting hope or a distant dream anymore.

The goal I had set for myself, to disentangle my mother from the Arashi's clutches and provide her with the peace, quiet, and happiness she truly deserved, suddenly felt within reach.

The journey, I knew, was far from simple. The complexities of their influence and the potential consequences of such a move, had always made the goal seem daunting, almost insurmountable. But now, with every revelation about my abilities, I was beginning to see a path forward.

However, I wasn't naive. The notification had explicitly stated that my ability could only neutralize flames of a lower intensity than my own.

I knew where I stood in the hierarchy of power within my own family. As a fledgling member, my abilities, while unique, were not yet formidable enough to challenge those entrenched in their mastery of pyromancy. The disparity was clear, a rift that couldn't be bridged by determination alone.

If I was to stand any chance against the higher echelons of the Arashi, let alone the patriarch, my abilities needed to evolve.

It wasn't enough to simply survive the Tower's challenges; I needed to surpass them, to transform my flames from a mere shield against lesser fires into a force capable of confronting the inferno that awaited me outside its walls.

"I must become stronger... I am still far too weak!"

I've grown complacent, basking a little too eagerly in the glow of a few easy victories I've achieved recently.

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"This can't go on," I whispered to myself, acknowledging the harsh truth of my situation. "I can't let my ego blind me to the reality of my weaknesses."

I nearly forgot the fundamental rule of this world: power reigns supreme. I am far from exceptional, at least not yet... In reality, I am confronted with numerous obstacles that must be overcome before I can even consider achieving my goal.

I need to address the continuous health depletion caused by my ability; I must find ways to enhance my offensive and defensive capabilities, especially the former at this point.

The only offensive advantage I currently possess is the slight increase in flexibility and strength from the heat radiated to my muscles, although my defense is significantly better, thanks to the numerous advantages my ability offers, such as Reduced Sensitivity to Cold, Sterilization, Cauterization, among others. It's evident that I require more in terms of offensive skills.

Yet, the decision is difficult: should I prioritize offense and seek an ability that bolsters my combat effectiveness, or should I urgently find a solution to the detrimental life-draining aspect of my power?

"Ah! Whatever!"

Continuing to dwell on the uncertainties of my ability and the choices before me was an exercise in futility.

At this point, my focus needed to be on the task at hand—proceeding with the challenges of the tower.

"No point in worrying about it now." I muttered to myself. The time to make those critical decisions would eventually come, but for now, I had to move forward.

The battle continued in earnest, my strategy was clear: Leave the mages alone, while using their spells as a weapon.

With deliberate moves, I orchestrated my position so that every mage's assault would inadvertently become a missile against their own. The success of this approach was undeniable. As a fireball hurtled towards me, I stood my ground, evasion unnecessary. I was a front-row spectator to the spectacle of fireballs detonating among the skeleton ranks, reducing them to a cascade of bone shards and dust.

This manipulation persisted, gradually thinning their numbers with each passing moment. Eventually, only the mages remained. It was time to direct my attention towards them.

Approaching the first mage, aware that the direct confrontation would expose me to their magical assaults. However, this was of no concern to me.

The moment the fireball was conjured, it rocketed towards me, but upon contact, it vanished into the protective flames that cloaked me. The mage, stripped of its only source of offense, quickly succumbed to my onslaught, its skeletal frame shattering beneath the might of my strikes.

One by one, I turned my attention to each mage, their magical attacks proving futile against me. With each defeated mage, the room grew quieter, the chaotic energy that had filled it just moments ago fading away.

Finally, as the last mage fell, silence returned to the chamber. I stood alone amidst the remains of my adversaries, the system notification chiming in to announce the completion of the third wave.

Congratulations! You have completed the Third and Final Wave.

You have defeated 60 'Reinforced Skeletons' & 4 'Lesser Skeleton Mages' ! You have earned a tally of 80P!

Congratulations! You have completed the Quest 'Survive the coming waves of enemies!'

You have earned additional rewards:

- 100P

- Skeletal Key

As the dust settled and the silence enveloped the room, signifying the end of the third wave, a simple, yet unmistakably unique skeletal key appeared before me. Crafted from bone, its design was straightforward, without any intricate carvings or embellishments. The head of the key formed into a skeletal shape gave it a grim, fitting theme for the Tower's ambiance. I reached out, taking the key into my grasp, its cool bone texture a stark reminder of the battles I'd just endured.

Holding the key, a sense of accomplishment washed over me, mixed with relief for having three health potions still in reserve.

"I've earned 311 points," I mused, pondering over the sum. Without a benchmark, it was hard to measure its significance, but intuition told me every point counted. These points were currency in the Tower, a means to potentially tip the scales in my favor when I finally encountered the black merchant.

With the battle behind me and the key as my next lead, I knew it was time to press on.

With a deep breath and the skeletal key as my guide, I made my way back to the door that had previously barred my progress.

"Let's find out what's behind that door," I resolved as i stepped forward.