Hollow Shadows

We were clearing the floors swiftly. By now, we had reached the 65th Floor. It had been two—maybe three—hours since we began our descent, rushing down without a pause after meeting Nobody. I was already exhausted, and all this nonstop running was wearing me down to the point of unconsciousness. My body was screaming with fatigue.

There were a total of 100 Floors in each Dungeon Complex. The final floor was called [Floor: Disaster] as it was where the final boss would appear. Defeating it granted great rewards such as coins, rare items, and more. However, no Explorer had ever defeated a final boss.

I learned this from Aariz, Maarij, and Selene as we cleared the floors. There were no monsters at all until the 60th Floor. I figured Nobody had killed all the monsters on his way back.

That helped us a lot. Normally, it would take over a day to reach this depth. But since there were no monsters slowing us down, and thanks to the others' experience, leading us to new floor's entrance, we had made it in just a few hours.

Monsters began appearing from the 61st Floor onward, and I wasn't doing much at first except for charging straight and barely dodging attacks from the monsters, and killing them.

For instance, at 61st Floor, when monsters start appearing, we were faced off by a horde of werewolves. They were simply called Werewolves, because they could transform into a human, depending on the situation.

They were huge in size, and had sharp fangs and nails. They suddenly emerged from shadows before us, glaring at us with bloodthirsty eyes.

"Leo, be careful," Maarij advised me as we ceased our movements as if someone slammed the brakes on a speeding car upon the sight of monsters emerging from shadows. "They are Werewolves. Although they're monsters, they can transform into human depending on how the battle between them and their targets play out."

It was very simple advice: Fight, but be on your guard even when you breathe. For a newbie like me, it was a battle of life and death.

"Understood." I nodded.

I then materialized a sword, the same as Aariz, Maarij, and Selene in my right hand.

Aariz had given it to me while he was "training" me. He also helped me unlock some skills necessary for fighting. More likely, he bought them for me from the System.

---

"I've bought you some [Skills], though only one of them is special," he told me as I stared at the translucent screen hovering before me. "You'll get more of them by buying them from System at a high price, or by clearing Dungeon Complexes."

It had been 3 minutes since Maarij had gone to start the jeep, while Aariz was with me to "train" me as much as he could in the meantime. So, the first thing he did was to buy me some [Skills], though I didn't know how he bought them.

"What about leveling them up?" I asked, looking at Aariz.

"Here's a secret which only a few, our family, know," he said with a smile.

"A family secret...?"

He waved his hand as if to say, "Nah."

"Then why call it a family secret?" I asked, incredulously.

"Well, that's because the ones who are with us right now are our family."

"I don't get it. What do you mean exactly?"

"Well, what I mean is that the people who we cherish and are with us, through thick and thin, are our family."

"Ah, I get it. So... what's the secret?"

"You can actually buy and increase the levels of [Skills] by coins," he said with a smug of know-it-all.

With a disbelieving look, I asked, "And how's it a secret?"

"Actually, it's a hidden option which no one can see. And System doesn't tell them either."

"Then how do you know it?"

"Had to beat up a messenger of the Gods to find out," he said with a cheeky grin.

"Makes sense..." I muttered.

That's such an Aariz-like answer, I thought.

I then glanced at the translucent screen, showing my personal information.

+

[Name: Leo Aries Voidwalker.

Age: 24 years old.

Compatible Attribute: Light.

Exclusive Skills: Martial Arts Lv. 3, Weapon Mastery Lv. 4, Patience Lv. 2, Sword Fighting Lv. 1, Mage Lv. 1.

Hidden Skills: Infinite Steps Lv. 1.

Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 6, Strength Lv. 6, Agility Lv. 7, Magic Lv. 2.

Overall explanation: Despite being not yet being awakened in his true form, Leo Aries Voidwalker is still stronger than an average human after being awaken in 1st form now, and has limitless potential due to Light Attribute.]

+

I have gotten three new skills now. [Sword Fighting], [Mage], and [Infinite Steps] which, according to Aariz, is a special skill. I don't know how useful the first two [Skills] will be, but the last one is definitely going to help me a lot. I thought, looking at my personal information on the translucent window.

"Well, now, it's time to teach you how to use them," Aariz said. I looked at him. He materialized a sword, which was same as his sword, in his hand. Giving it to me, he continued, "And for that, you need a nice sword, no?"

I took it from him, lifted it up, and tried to do some swings. It was light. It didn't feel heavy at all. I had thought it would feel heavy and hard to lift. But, I could easily lift it up and swing it around.

"It's light," I said as I performed a swing.

Aariz took a step backwards, and said, "Whoa, there, buddy. I know it's light as it's a legendary item, but don't swing it like that. You might hurt yourself."

"Ah, my bad." I lowered the sword. Looking at it, I said, "So, it's a legendary item, huh? I wonder how much more like this are out there?"

Aariz snapped. "Good question." I glanced at him. "There are 2 of them left which belongs to you guys, so we haven't picked them out. Other than those two, we've all the legendary items out there."

"Is it because you guys couldn't get it?"

"Nah, we just decided to pick them up at last since they are at very interesting place."

"Come again...?" I asked, puzzled.

I was puzzled by what Aariz said. What does he mean, they decided to pick the remain 2 swords at last just because they are at interesting place?

Just what exactly was that place that made them save it for last? Was it dangerous and adventurous?

I wanted to ask. But before I could ask, Aariz started, materializing the sword in his hand, "Enough chit-chat. Let's start the training already."

And just like that my "training" with him began.

---

Back on 61st Floor.

We made our move before those Werewolves could. We rushed towards them, and sliced down a few of them in no time. Realizing the fight had already begun, Werewolves began to attack us.

I was having a hard time dealing with them, but still, I was somehow managing. When those Werewolves began attacking us, I charged straight to one of them, having no plan or whatsoever.

I didn't yell or whatsoever, just charged straight with the sword that Aariz gave me in my hand. That Werewolf was also rushing at me. I wanted to strike first, but I was too slow due to the lack of experience.

That Werewolf attacked before I could, and all I could do was to block his attack with my sword. It pushed down brute force on my sword, trying to break through and take off my head. I kicked it in stomach, forcing it to take a step or two backwards.

I corrected my stance swiftly, thinking to strike first. However, I didn't do so as I didn't know whether it was safe. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that I wouldn't be attacked by other Werewolves as well.

The Werewolf before me launched its attack on me which I parried, and landed a shallow slash over its chest. It was not deep enough to strike its heart and kill it.

Infuriated by my attack, he howled loudly and began attacking me, like a berserker. All I could do was to either block or dodge its attack while stepping backwards.

Dammit, I can't read its movements! I wish there was some skill which will tell me what he was going to do next. I thought, stepping backwards as I blocked off its attack.

I began to think of whatever I could in that situation. Any move I could pull out. I then remembered the [Mage] skill I had. I then parried its attack, and the blade of my sword illuminated with crimson flames using [Mage] skill.

[Leo Aries Voidwalker has used the skill: "Mage Lv. 1".]

The flames were dim—nothing like Selene's. But that was okay; I had just started. Over time, I would get stronger, and I knew it.

Without wasting any time, I made my move first, and attacked exactly where I had landed my last strike. I was expecting to land a few more strikes to kill it. But to my surprise, the strike I landed on it killed it easily.

I didn't manage to cut it down in halves, or burn it to ashes, but I was able to kill it. That alone made me feel a sense of accomplishment.

I can do it! I just have to strike at a good time! I thought, looking at the dead body of the Werewolf I killed before me.

I turned and rushed towards the other Werewolves, and began killing them one after another. I wasn't as skilled as Maarij, Aariz, and Selene.

Compared to them, I was nothing at that moment. So, all I could do was to land strikes as simple as an average knight. Even so, I aimed for their heads, legs, throats, or heart. It was difficult.

I attacked one of them, but it blocked my strike with its claws. I took a step back and instantly dashed forward, showing my target that I was aiming for its head. Judging by my actions, it took a stance to protect its head, thinking he got me. But—

Too bad! That's not what I'm aiming for! I said to my target in my thoughts, as I ducked low and cut off both of its legs. It collapsed. Without hesitation, I drove my sword in its skull, ending its life.

I took in a deep breath. I turned around, and only 4 of them were left. I decided to take one more down before they all were dead for good.

I dashed towrads one of the remaining Werewolves, and caught him off guard. I cut off its head with no problem in a clean arc. I was amazed that I was able to do it, because until now I didn't have any easiness dealing with them.

Have I gotten stronger...? I thought, as I looked around my surroundings.

Aariz walked up beside me. "Not bad for your first real fight."

"I think so..." I said, breathing heavily. "But I'm running out of my stamina."

"I can tell," said Maarij. "Wanna take a break?"

"No, not yet," I replied, shaking my head. "I can mange it until we clear a few more floors."

"Don't overdo it," Selene said, without turning back. She stood to a dark tunnel which was probably leading to the place where the entrance of 62nd Floor was.

Selene continued as she turned, "If you collapse, it won't be just bad for you, but for all of us."

"I know. Don't worry. Let's clear a few more, then rest."

Aariz clapped my back as he walked towards the tunnel. "Glad that you're not being reckless."

Walking behind him, I muttered, "You think I'm an idiot?"

Aariz stretched and laced his hands behind his head. "I wonder."

"You make me want to punch you so bad, y'know?" I scowled.

Aariz chuckled. "My bad. My bad. I'll tease you slightly less."

"Why you—!"

Maarij walked up and smacked Aariz's head lightly. "Hey, don't tease him. He's dead tired."

"Boo," Aariz pouted. "You're no fun."

We entered the tunnel which led us to the entrance of 62nd Floor after a few minutes.

From there, we continued downward, floor after floor, until we reached 65th Floor. That's where we decided to rest, just for half an hour. We had to rush down the remaining floors, even if monsters appeared before us. But I already had reached my limits.

I couldn't go further in this condition. So, it was better to rest a bit and build up some stamina, because from now on, we were going to clear the floors by rushing without dealing with monsters, even if they appeared before us.

Maarij proposed this plan after I asked them to stop there for a bit for rest. Everyone agreed to it. I was now leaning against the wall, and had my eyes closed to rest and build up stamina as much as I could.

Just a little longer... Hang on, brother. I'm coming to save you.