I thought I had witnessed every type of battle in this tower. But what I was experiencing now was something completely different. The darkness was pressing against my body and soul, and every step I took brought me closer to oblivion.
The shadows were wrapping around me faster, and the enemy's power was doubling every second. The more I tried to move, the heavier my body became, as if the world itself was resisting me. The energy I had was rapidly diminishing, and every attack I blocked was met with an even stronger counterattack.
"Will you surrender now?"
His voice was like one that emerged from the depths, cold and unforgiving. But I couldn't surrender. I had no choice but to keep going, not just for myself, but for everyone who was waiting for me to succeed in this journey.
"I will not surrender."
I shouted it at the top of my lungs, challenging the darkness and everything around me. In that moment, I felt something inside my soul glow, something that had been waiting for this moment.
"Shadow Pulse!"
I unleashed the attack with all my might, a wave of dark energy swept through the place, and the shadows around me were torn apart. I felt all the power of the darkness that had been resisting me disappear for a moment, as if I had been given a final chance.
But it was a harsh blow… In that moment, all the shadows returned to wrap around me again, stronger than before. I felt as if I was facing all the realms of darkness at once.
But I didn't surrender.
"Shadow Seal!"
I used my new skill to form a barrier of dark energy around my body, and this barrier was stronger than anything I had ever experienced before. Surrounded by all these shadows, the Shadow Barrier was the only force that kept me from collapsing under the pressure of pure darkness.
"Will of the Shadow!"
I gathered all the remaining strength I had, and made my will burn inside me, resisting the grip of the shadows that tried to pull my soul. It wasn't easy, but something started to change.
The darkness began to retreat.
In an instant, everything became calm, as if the world had come back to life. My senses quickly sharpened, and the feeling of resolve that began filling my body made everything appear clearer.
"It's over."
I stood there, amid the shadows that began to fade away gradually. The final guardian had collapsed before me.
⸻
Rewards:
• +5000 Energy Points
• New Ability: "Absolute Darkness" - Grants full control over shadows and the ability to absorb energy from them. It can be used to greatly enhance your power in battle.
• New Ability: "End of Shadows" - Allows you to use your dark energy to nullify the effects of magical or energy-based attacks, disrupting powers that are drawn from shadows or other combat energies.
• Key to the Eleventh Floor
⸻
I couldn't believe what had just happened. This had been a battle I didn't expect to be this difficult, but I managed to overcome it in the end. And now, after defeating the final guardian, the door to the eleventh floor had opened before me.
I felt uneasy, but at the same time, the power I felt now was pushing me forward.
"What awaits me on the next floor?"
I'll find out soon.