TITLE UNLOCKED: Silver Bones

Most people forge weapons, but you are a weapon forged to the bone.

Rewards:

* Reinforced Skeleton: Bones are significantly harder and more durable.

* Enhanced Strength: Grants an additional 1000 lbs. of force that can be exerted through the skeletal structure (affecting physical strength and lifting capacity).

* Synergy Effect: Increases Spirit and Body cultivation speed by 10%.

Seraphina paused, her eyes widening slightly as the announcement faded. Max, ever observant, simply nodded, a knowing look in her eyes. John himself felt a distinct shift within his body—a sense of profound solidity, of unyielding strength radiating from his very bones. He flexed his fingers, feeling the newfound power coursing through his reinforced frame. The added strength was undeniable, a tangible surge in his physical capabilities. But it was the boost to his cultivation speed that truly captured his attention. This accelerated growth would significantly shorten the time it took to reach his next breakthrough, allowing him to become even stronger, even faster.

The next moment, a beam of pure silver light descended from above, engulfing John completely. He levitated gently in mid-air, suspended within the radiant, almost palpable glow. The light pulsed with a gentle warmth, penetrating his skin and flowing directly towards his bones, reinforcing them, strengthening them further. As the silver light coursed through his body, John felt a distinct tingling sensation in his left hand. He focused his awareness there and saw it: the Foot Meridian, the one that had been lingering at the eleven o'clock position, just shy of full activation, began to spin. The hand on the miniature clock face blurred as it accelerated, completing its final rotation with a soft, internal click that resonated deep within him. The meridian struck twelve. As it did, the quality of the silver light shifted. It didn't dim, but it seemed to… refine, intensifying in both brightness and purity. The color deepened, becoming almost a white silver, an almost blindingly pure luminescence that seemed to contain even more of whatever energy was strengthening him. It was as if the light itself had become more… silver, more concentrated, more potent, a tangible force washing over him.

The silver began to seep into his hair, starting at the tips and spreading upwards, encompassing roughly three inches of each strand. It wasn't a gradual graying, the dull silver of age; this was pure, gleaming metal, each strand now like a fine silver wire, as if dipped in molten silver and instantly cooled. The number 30 etched on his left hand shimmered, then solidified into a gleaming silver 40, the metal catching the ambient light. The silver light that had enveloped him faded, and John descended from mid-air, landing squarely on his feet. The impact was significant; a loud thud echoed through the tree, and a large crack spiderwebbed across the wooden floor beneath him, a stark testament to the sudden increase in his weight. John could feel it now: the distinct sensation of his bones and blood having been transformed, now imbued with a metallic density. Time magic, or Time-Chi, flowed through him with a newfound smoothness, a powerful current now readily accessible. He felt… heavier, more grounded, yet also strangely energized, as if a vast, untapped reservoir of power had been unlocked within him. He now simply needed to practice channeling and controlling this surging flow.

Seraphina stared at John’s left hand; her eyes fixed on the gleaming silver 40 emblazoned there. What? she thought, a mixture of confusion and disbelief swirling within her. She had barely scraped her way to the 38th floor, the sole survivor of her group’s ascent. Yet, John had returned from the 40th, and his very presence was… different. He exuded an air of effortless nobility, a bearing she couldn't quite define—a stark contrast to the rough-edged adventurer she had first met. She had encountered numerous full-blooded vampires in her long life, beings steeped in aristocratic tradition and ancient bloodlines, but none of them had ever projected the same aura that John emanated at that moment. It was a subtle shift, a change in his very essence, but it was undeniable. This was a good sign for her, she realized. If he had reached the 40th floor, it meant he could likely help her ascend as well. But the silver number on his hand… what did it signify? Hopefully, he would explain it. A sudden, unsettling thought crossed her mind: Wait… is he now stronger than me?

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John spoke, “I know you want my help, Seraphina, but I can’t directly fight alongside you in the dungeon. Before you feel betrayed,” he added quickly, seeing a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, “it’s because of this silver number.” He gestured to the 40 on his left hand. “It seems I have to conquer every floor up to the 40th solo. However,” he continued, his tone reassuring, “I can definitely help you train and cultivate, offering my support just as you’ve done for me—even if we had… some initial misunderstandings.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “I introduced you to Ayna and Alana so you three could form a party, a team, to reach the 40th floor together. Remember: if you face stronger opponents, the best defense is to become stronger yourself.” He met her gaze, waiting for her reaction.

Seraphina approached John, a soft smile replacing the earlier disappointment that had briefly clouded her features. She leaned in and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice soft. “I was initially upset, but now that you’ve explained… it’s hard to stay that way. And you’re right,” she admitted, a determined glint returning to her eyes. “I must become stronger—for myself.” She paused, a fleeting shadow crossing her face. “I lost sight of my true goal, relying too much on others to carry me. I will talk to Ayna and Alana,” she added. “They’re eager to see you,” she hesitated slightly, “but they’ve been… cautious about coming to the tree. They’ve reached the 10th floor, but they’re worried about attracting unwanted attention because of their connection to you.”

John hadn’t considered the potential repercussions for his friends. “Max,” he called out, a note of concern in his voice, “please go and bring them here. They’re welcome to stay.” He turned back to Seraphina, offering a reassuring smile. “You’re welcome to stay as well, of course. However,” he added, a playful glint in his eye, “no more… indulgences until I see at least a 50 on your hand. Deal?” She returned his smile, a playful spark dancing in her eyes. She leaned in once more, this time pressing a lingering, more meaningful kiss to his lips. “Then consider that a promise,” she whispered, pulling back slightly, a subtle blush coloring her cheeks. “Something to look forward to… when I hit floor 50.”

John went to check on the snake. He noticed immediately that it had sprouted horns—a clear sign of its rapidly increasing power. He approached the creature, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “I see you’re feeling better,” he said, his voice warm and friendly. “I’m a fisherman, you know, and I’ve always wanted to see a carp jump over the dragon’s gate.” He chuckled softly at his own analogy, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Max,” he called out, “could you bring me the largest beast core we have?” A moment later, a massive, pulsating core materialized in Max’s outstretched hand, radiating a faint heat. She offered it to John, who took it and presented it to the black snake. The creature accepted the offering without hesitation, swallowing the core in a single gulp. John could almost feel the surge of energy as it passed down the snake's throat, its obsidian scales rippling slightly as the power spread through its immense body. John’s smile widened. He nodded to the snake, then turned and walked towards one of the cultivation rooms, a sense of anticipation building within him. With all the recent changes to his body and his Time-Chi, he wanted to solidify his foundation before facing the challenge of the 50th floor boss.