"The first floor... the easiest, they said." My voice sounded hollow in the quiet that followed the chaos, resonating off the stone walls.

Each word was a realization.

I had almost been bested on what was considered the most basic level of the Tower.

What lay ahead wasn’t just more of the same—it would be increasingly perilous.

The battles had been brutal and relentless. I was pushed to the brink.

Leaning against the cool stone wall, allowing myself a moment to gather my thoughts.

My body was still recovering, the potions restoring my health but not erasing the fatigue that clung to my mental.

The lesson from the first floor’s battle was clear and harsh: I was a jack of no trades, and in the unforgiving environment of the Tower, that was a dangerous thing to be.

My ability, while special in its own right, was fundamentally reactive.

It protected me from harm through specific situations, but it didn't lend itself well to offensive strategies or sustained combat against adversaries who could think, adapt, and overpower.

"I’m not cut out for head-on clashes with beasts ten times stronger than me. At least not with my current set of skills." I admitted to myself.

Even though I was aware of this limitation, there wasn't much I could do to change my situation immediately.

I wouldn't be able to acquire any new abilities until I reached the 5th floor, where I could exchange the points I'd gathered for upgrades through the black merchant.

So what other options did I have?

I shifted from my prone position into a seated stance, deep in thought.

As my mind raced, my gaze inadvertently fell upon the spot where the floor's guardian had been vanquished by my hand.

"This!"

There, on the ground, lay the guardian's greatsword.

A realization struck me. While not all monsters dropped items, those that did could sometimes include their enchanted weapons.

The items I had picked up from the skeleton guards were non-enchanted, hence they could be picked up directly from the corpses.

However, when it came to enchanted items that monsters wore, they were bound to their souls, meaning they would typically perish with them upon death.

But within the Tower's mechanics, monsters could drop these soul-bound items as part of their loot table.

Realizing that the greatsword hadn't vanished along with the guardian's demise, I understood it was awarded as part of my victory spoils.

Motivated by this discovery, I stood up and approached the weapon, curiosity piqued about its potential attributes.

As I reached out and grasped the greatsword, its heft and balance felt surprisingly right in my hands, as if inviting me to wield it.

I lifted it, eager to examine its stats and discover what kind of power it might add to my arsenal.

https://i.imgur.com/eXn34vK.png [https://i.imgur.com/eXn34vK.png]

"Wow, this is something else." I muttered under my breath.

"Bonesplitter." The name was fitting, considering the skeletal foes I had just vanquished.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Intrigued by the mention of a 'fracture status,' I delved deeper into the item's details to understand its capabilities fully.

Fracture reduces enemy mobility and attack speed by 30% for 10 seconds.

"Fracture... so it does affect the bones."

This effect could cripple the movement and speed of any enemy inflicted by it, which would be tremendously useful.

The ability to slow them down could give me the necessary edge to manage large groups or particularly fast opponents.

Testing the weight of Bonesplitter in my hand, I swung it gently, getting a feel for its balance and heft.

"But..."

Would you like to Soul-Bound the Two-Handed Sword [Bonesplitter Blade]?(Yes/No)

Staring at the system prompt, I weighed my options.

Soul-binding the Bonesplitter Blade would permanently attach it to me, making it unusable by anyone else but also ensuring that it would always be available for my use.

The decision wasn't simple. My background didn't prepare me for melee combat; the very idea of wielding a greatsword felt foreign.

Could I adapt enough to make it worthwhile?

On one hand, selling the sword could provide immediate resources, potentially allowing me to acquire other useful items that were more in line with my natural abilities.

On the other hand, enchanted items were rare, and this particular sword with its unique ability to inflict a 'Fracture' status was exceptionally tempting.

Despite the allure of wielding such a weapon, my journey so far had gradually shaped a different path for me—one of direct confrontation and resilience.

My own abilities, particularly my Self-Immolation, were more attuned to close-quarters combat where I could feel the direct impact of my power.

"No." I decided, my voice steady as I dismissed the system's prompt. "I won’t soul-bind the sword."

There was a brief moment of silence as the system acknowledged my decision, and then nothing—no glow, no fanfare, just the cold, heavy weight of the greatsword in my hands.

While the Bonesplitter Blade was a enchanted item, my style was evolving in a way that didn’t rely on weaponry.

I was becoming accustomed to the directness of using my own body as a weapon, enhanced by my pyromantic flames.

The thrill of close combat, feeling the heat consume my foes, was something no blade could offer.

I would sell the sword.

The price from such a enchanted item would undoubtedly fetch a significant sum. With those funds, I could invest in items that would enhance my unique combat style—perhaps pants that could withstand the intense heat of my flames.

Carefully picking up the sword again, I resolved to take it back to the Adventurer's Guild where I could make the trade.

The money would be far more useful to me right now than a sword I wasn't ready to wield.

As I approached the staircase leading to the second floor, its design caught my attention.

Unlike the stark, dungeon-like atmosphere of the first floor, these stairs were properly maintained and clean.

The staircase extended upwards, curling into the shadowy distance above.

But before I could ascend further, I reached a small landing.

This area was marked by a curious platform, distinct from the rest of the stairway. The platform was adorned with a complex pattern that seemed to shimmer slightly in the dim light, suggesting it was more than decorative.

I had no choice but to step onto the platform if i wished to proceed to the second floor's staircase just beyond it.

Stepping onto the platform, I felt a subtle thrum of energy underfoot. It was then that a system prompt materialized in front of me, startling in its sudden appearance:

You've reached the checkpoint. Would you like to leave the tower? (Yes/No).

It implied that upon completing a floor, I had the option to either exit the tower or continue onward.

If I could leave and then return to this exact point, I could effectively prepare between floors, ensuring I was better equipped and rested before facing further challenges.

It meant that adventurer's didn't have to push their limits recklessly.

Instead, they could take the time to gather resources, train, or even seek out new equipment or information that could be vital for the challenges lying ahead on higher floors.

With a thoughtful nod, I selected 'Yes' on the prompt, choosing to leave the tower for now.

The decision to leave the tower for now was strategic. I knew that stepping into the unknowns of the second floor without proper preparation could end disastrously.

The first floor had taught me harsh lessons in readiness and resource management, lessons I was keen not to disregard.

As soon as I made my choice, a subtle vibration emanated from the platform beneath my feet, and the air around me began to shimmer.

Within moments, the environment around me dissolved into a blur of motion and color, a sensation similar to the one I experienced when I first entered the tower.

When the world finally stilled, I found myself standing outside the tower, the imposing structure towering above me against the backdrop of the sky.

It was reassuring to see the outside world again, to feel the fresh air.

Taking a deep breath, I looked back at the tower's entrance. I now knew that I could return to this exact spot, to the checkpoint, ready to tackle the second floor with better preparation.

With this plan in mind, I turned away from the tower. Making my way to the adventurer's guild building.