[installing]

Dark motes of light soon integrate the huge corpse of the komodo to itself. Then, the light swirled around James. His skin transformed. His fur was shed and dark scales covered his skin.

James had stayed further from humanity.

Nevertheless, James resolved himself for the change. He didn’t want the status quo any longer. He wanted to change and power. He wanted to fit into this world. He rubbed his own body, feeling the itch in some parts of his new scales.

After getting the hang of his new scales, it was time for the treasure chest. As always, James opened the lid from far away using his spider web, wary of another trap that might cleverly be hidden inside. Of course, no traps sprung up.

Inside the chest lay an iron arm. Its feature was like humans, except it was fully clad in iron.

[Golem arm of Valhalla:

Made by an ancient mage who desires eternal life. He thought he would be granted eternal life by replacing all of his organs with that of a golem. Regardless, nothing could replace his brain, and once he passed away, his golem parts were scattered across the world.

STR+30%, Physical Resistance +30%, negative trait: Repairable, Mana -200]

[Congratulations, you have obtained a golem arm. Would you like to install it?]

“Ugh.. another mana penalty. But the stats were ridiculous, “James pondered. He might look like he was pondering, but deep down, he already made a decision.

[installing]

The change was immediate. James was amazed. He could still sense his right arm even though it was supposed to be all iron. James grasped with his new hand. He then opened and closed his new limb. It felt natural, as if his old hand had returned. When he held on to his trusty axe, it felt so much lighter, as if it were made of plastic in his new hand.

“Now, the other chest!” James walked away after he attached his spider silk to the chest. The chest opened quietly. No traps were sprung.

Inside the chest was a disgusting mask made of flesh and a mirror. James asked The System, and it confirmed that it was just an ordinary mirror. The mirror reflected a scaly beast, like that of a fantasy monster’s lizardman. Dark scales covered his head, and all of his hair fell out. A fang jutted out from his molar when James opened his mouth.

[mask of identity:

Made by a researcher whose face was ruined in a fire. The mask will show your true face without blemish.]

James tried on the mask, the fleshy bits of the mask soon enveloped his head. After a while, James inspected the mirror.

“My face…” James muttered. Tears inadvertently leaked out from his face. The mask perfectly replicated his face. James realized. In his pursuit of power, he might have forgotten something important. His humanity. The mirror and the mask reminded him of that.

“System. Repair my backpack, please.” James decided to throw away the water pouch. As long as he kept his water core and daggers, he would never need to worry about water.

[10 coins deducted. Your leather bag has now been repaired.]

[Name: James

Age: 35

Sex: male

Levels: 27

Coins: 340

Stats:

STR: 100

Dex: 95

Magic: 44

Mana: 600

Skills:

* Novice Axe mastery level 1 (Powerstrike, V-slash)

* Beginner Sword mastery level 6 (hurricane)

* Beginner Bow Mastery level 7 (Quickshot)

Magic:

* Mind flay

* Mana sonar

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Unique Skill:

* Chimera:

* Goblin stomach (Iron guts) (stomach slot)

* Mana core (Water Spell: ice spear, water manipulation, Magic +60, Mana +1000)(Extra slot)

* Orc’s left arm (STR+10%) (Arm slot)

* Eyes of Mana (mana sense) (Right eye slot)

* Golem arm of Valhalla (STR+30%, Physical Resistance +30%, negative trait: Repairable, Mana -200)(right arm slot)

* Sahuagin’s webbed feet(+10% dexterity in water) (leg slot)

* Sahuagin’s lungs (Underwater breathing) (lung slot)

* Golem core (Poison resistance) (negative trait: mana-250 Magic -10, Repairable)(Heart slot)

* Orc’s torso (torso slot)

* Orc’s head (Head slot)

* Shadow snake fang (intermediate life leeching)(mouth slot)(new)

* Jumping Spiders spinneret (Thread creation)(Extra slot 2)

* Elder Komodo’s Scale (Physical resistance +20%) (Fire resistance)(skin slot)

Equipment:

* Leather armor set +10 dex

* War axe

* Longsword

* Crossbow

* Waterspout dagger

* Mask Of Identity

* Leather bag]

James stuffed the mask and the mirror on his backpack and gazed at the golden portal that had been there for a while. After a few short breaths he approached the portal.

“This is the last floor, right?”

[Yes. If you clear this floor, you and the rest of the survivors will clear the Dungeon trial. Everyone will be transferred back to Earth at the same coordinates as you transferred before. If the place is not available, you will be transferred to the nearest coordinate. Goodluck Survivor James]

“Thank you.” James smiled. He first thought The system as some emotionless AI. However, he somehow could sense emotions from it lately. He could feel that The System was cheering him on. It wanted James to clear the trial.

James gathered his resolve before the portal. “After this, I will be back on earth.” He chanted before putting his hand before the golden glow.

[Do you wish to go to the fifth floor? You may not return to the previous floor. y/n]

“Yes!” James was pulled into the portal. The familiar white room soon followed with the same notification that he had to wait. James sat down. He no longer viewed this white room as dull but comfortable. He felt he could relax in this room.

Alas, he was not allowed to be in this room for he was transported to the next floor. An expanse of mountain with a clear single path to the peak stretched before his eyes.

James grabbed his crossbow, ready to shoot anything that moves. But not even birds came. The mountains he was on was so tall that clouds gathered below him it was a spectacular view.

James looked around as he went into the path. There were no winding roads. Only a single path lay before him. At the peak, an angel dropped from the sky and landed several meters away from him.

Its white wing belied its dark armor. James wondered how that angel could fly with such heavy armor. From the top of his head, to the tip of its toes, metal armor padded his body. A black shield and sword were on his hands. James looked at him in awe. James was dressed like a beginner in MMORPG while this angel looked like a premium player who played 30 hours a day for 3 years straight.

The Angel held the sword uptight. A golden glow shone on the perimeter of the circular plate James stood on.

Then, the circular plate floated to the sky. James was taken aback. Panic suddenly surged as he realized he had nowhere to run. However, when he looked at the black-armored angel, he understood. This is a duel.

“Alright. Let us begin!” James rushed in with his axe. The angel followed suit. He charged with his shield.

James’ axe glowed golden as he unleashed his axe skill, weapon strike. His eyes widened when he saw the round shield similarly glowed golden. Both skills clashed. Thanks to James’ new arm, the angel was pushed back. While it lost the skill clash, it counterattacked sooner with its sword. James barely parried it as he jumped back from the exchange.

“Shields have weapon skills too?” James cursed. He thought only weapons had mastery skills. Moreover, James realized that shields had a massive advantage over other skills. Even when it lost the skill exchange, it kept the angel’s posture stable, making counterattacks easier.

James lunged at the angel. This time, he unleashed a stab toward him. The winged monster easily shielded himself from his strike, but James had a plan. His experience might be short, but he was resourceful. He slammed the angel with his shoulder. But the angel didn’t relent.

“Just die already!” A golden glow gathered on James’ sword. With an upward slash, James leaped as the blade arched upwards. It traced a line on the angel’s armor, knocking it back. James winced. He thought none could beat a sword skill. However, he had been proven wrong again. Although multiple cracks formed around the armor, it clearly held against James’ sword skill.

A golden glow roused from his sword. The armored wing monster was getting impatient. James smirked and met the skill head-on. The axe and the sword collided as a shockwave blew away all the dust on the circular plate. The battle of the two gladiators was at its peak. James clenched his teeth as this particular clash reminded him about Kouki.

“Don’t hesitate!” James slashed, and his axe suddenly turned back due to his own skill, aiming at the winged beast’s head. Similarly, the angel also curved his own slash. The sword turned and aimed at James’ torso. Both didn’t hesitate. James thought they would die a mutual death.

Just by the slightest margin, his skill clashed with the angel’s armor first. An explosion resounded in the sky-high arena as the winged knight were blown away.

“I won?” Adrenaline covered his pain for a moment, but James gradually felt pain on his flank. Further observation revealed that the angel had torn through his leather armor and slit open the side of his stomach. It even went through his new scales. The wound wasn’t fatal, but James shuddered. If he was late by even a fraction of a second, he would have lost his bottom half.

“Shit! Angel my ass. Demons were more suitable.” James cursed as he looked at the angel. The armor had cracked and slowly peeled off from its body. A black eye with a yellow iris glared at James. The angel shook his body, peeling off the remainder of its armor. Purple skin covered its ripped abs.

The angel discarded his helmet. The purple skin, long ears, and lidless eyes on his head made him look like a demon from hell.

The angel… no. The demons growled as he looked at James with hatred. James readied his axe. However, contrary to James’ expectations, the demon flew away.

“Huh?” James was stunned for a few moments before grabbing his crossbow. He had no time to bite on its bolt. Golden glow gathered on the crossbow, and the meteor soon chased after the beast. The demon veered off to its right, and the golden meteor missed its mark.

“Now what…” James looked at the boss, puzzled. The circular plate he stood on soon shone. Multiple cracks emerged from it as rocks floated in the sky.

“What the heck?” James took flight. The circular metal cracked, and piece by piece, it fell to the ground. James didn’t realize, but he had flown over a thousand meters from the ground. Even with his enhanced status, James was sure he would die if he fell from this height.

Luckily, this is a trial dungeon, The System did not give an unbeatable trial. Rocks, the size of a suitcase floated from the ground, marking a path forward. James was a gamer, he knew what he should do. If this was a game, he would jump to that floating platform without hesitation. However, this is real life. James hesitated.

“Damn it. I should trust my gamer instinct for now!” James took a leap of faith and hopped on the rock platform. The platform cracked, but James already took on the next leap. Like playing a platformer game, he hopped from one platform to the next.

The path seemed to extend indefinitely. But it soon ended on a cliff. A statue of an angel clad in armor stood there while the demon kneel before it. James hopped on to the wide half circular plate. He looked at the angel and mocked him.

“Hmm? How narcissistic can you be for worshiping your own statue?” James looked at the statue. He then smirked as the statue resembled him. However, the inside was completely rotten.

He was reminded once again. Many people were like this angel. They appeared courageous, honorable, and cool on the outside. However, when he peered inside, he could only find a rotten heart. Looking at the angel brought him that sort of feeling.

“HARRGH!! !@$^#)@!” The angel roared as indescribable language spewed out from his mouth. James didn’t need to understand him to know that he was cursing him.

The demon roared, displaying the serrated teeth. He growled and readied his shield and sword. This time, he didn’t wear them like an honored knight from before. This time, he wore it with the intention of killing James.

James nodded. With a similar howl, James roared at the demons. The two monsters then clashed once again. This time, no one backed down.