Behind Toketsu, the ice coffin lay cracked open and a skeleton warrior.

It didn't resemble anything like the skeleton warrior he had killed just moments ago. This one had two pairs of fluttering black feathered wings, its eyes were burning red and thin crimson glowing lines appeared on its bones. It wore thick spiky ice armour, giving the skeleton warrior a very formidable look which it previously lacked. As the skeleton hadn't worn any armour before it appeared nothing more than a scrawny figure of bones. However, armour changed the complete vibe the skeleton now gave off.

"Come Toketsu, let me teach you what an ice coffin is really like." said the flying skeleton warrior as it landed next to the startled vampire.

Toketsu took a few steps backwards – there was no monster above him on this floor. So technically speaking, he had nothing to fear. Yet, the skeleton standing in front of him was releasing a pressure that made even Toketsu, a vampire whose strength was on par with the foot soldier of the 25th Floor, feel giddy.

However, Toketsu was only frightened for a fraction of a second – he was quick to recover. There were many monsters which appeared frightening when cornered but were actually quite harmless. This is similar to the behaviour seen in animals – the hair on a cat’s back stand up when it feel angry or frightened. This gives the impression the animal is much more fearsome than it actually is. Monsters, in this world, have been known for fearsome appearances to cover up for their lack of strength.

Example, the orc that attacked Sora looked more fearsome than the vampire but the actual strength was not captured in appearances. Similarly, killer bunnies gave off extreme killing intent when they hunted together. The pressure exerted by the skeleton was much more than killer bunnies but it wasn’t enough affect Toketsu.

This case might not be so different – Toketsu thought as he looked at the skeleton. The skeleton had four black feathered wings, crimson glowing tattoo lines around his bones and wore a ridiculous spiky ice armour. Sure, the skeleton might not be an ordinary 5thfloor warrior but at best he can be from the 10thfloor. No monster from the floors below the tenth dare to climb here….

Did Toketsu really have any reason to fear the skeleton? Toketsu called the bluff – or at least what he thought was a bluff.

“So the ice coffin wasn’t enough to kill you. I admit, you surprised me but this problem can quickly be remedied.” Toketsu said as he prepared another spell.

“Useless…”

Sora spoke in an arrogant tone which further infuriated Toketsu. How dare he insult me?

“Ice Rose!” Toketsu screamed as he pointed his index and middle finger at Sora.

Immediately, thorny vines of ice shot out from the ground and wrapped themselves around Sora. It would appear as though Sora had no time to react but truthfully Sora saw the vines reaching out for him. He simply chose to be captured.

“Hahaha!” Toketsu spoke with triumph. “My ice vines are several times stronger than the ice coffin’s grip. You cannot escape them!”

“…”

“No matter how much you struggle, the thorns will slowly seep you of all your spirit power and then your life force. Submit to me now and accept me as your master! Otherwise you will perish!” Toketsu could have executed a more powerful attack however he wanted the skeleton as his familiar – why would anyone not want strong servants?

“Are we done?” Sora asked with a bored voice.

The blood from Toketsu’s face drained away. The way Sora spoke it seemed as though the vines were having no effect on him. Could that be the case? No, the vines were most certainly absorbing the skeleton’s spirit power.

Toketsu bit his lips and strengthened his attack. Despite this, Sora displayed no signs of falling spirit power. Normally, as spirit power falls the amount of pressure that a monster can release decreases. However, Sora’s killing intent pressure did not even drop in the tiniest amounts. There wasn’t even the slightest fluctuation in the pressure he kept exerting.

Toketsu was uncertain now – was this really a monster of the tenth floor? That was his previous estimation of Sora’s ability in a worst case scenario.

“I see…I have again underestimated you…you are a monster that dares to come from the floor below tenth!” Toketsu began laughing. He finally understood why the skeleton was running away rather than fighting the doctor – because it was hiding its true power. Had the skeleton dared to use its power which clearly was stronger than the 10thfloor, then she would have intervened.

The goblin gulped in fear – although Sora directed no killing intent at them, the sheer amount of pressure leaking out from Sora was enough for them to understand that the gap between their strength was that of heaven and earth. Now that they heard Toketsu confirm that Sora most likely below to a floor below the tenth the mystery surrounding Sora’s strength vanished. The goblins were very much relieved they didn’t attack Sora.

“Final stage! Ice Rose Bloom!” Toketsu screamed.

A massive ice rose bloomed behind Sora. Its size kept growing. The size is normally representational of one’s spirit power. Toketsu could immediately tell which floor Sora belonged to.

“It is unfortunate but the rules state those monsters from below the tenth floor are not allowed here. Too bad but you cannot be my servant. Even if you are a 30thfloor monster without spirit power there is nothing you can do! The ice rose is a hundred times more powerful than the…” Toketsu stopped speaking – more like he was too shocked to speak.

Right now, the petals of the ice rose began free falling to the ground and the vines that had tied up Sora began swelling – as if they were about to burst.

Toketsu began perspiring; his forehead was covered in sweat.

“You…which floor do you belong to…” Toketsu asked; there was certain fear in his voice. Even though Toketsu belonged to the 25thfloor, his attacks would be difficult for even a 30th floor monster. However, Sora showed no signs of weakening or struggle. It was quite the opposite.

The rose began withering away – a sign that the spirit force exceeded the amount it could absorb. The swelling vines were also indicating that more spirit power was being forced into them than what they could absorb. Sora was overloading the Toketsu’s attack system.

It may not be the most efficient way to escape but the mental devastation that it spread across Toketsu’s mind was unimaginable.

In another second, the ice rose completely withered away and the vines burst.

The goblins who watched the scene were frightened. First they learnt that the skeleton belonged to the 10thfloor – which was scary within acceptable limits. Then, they learnt the skeleton is at least level 30. At this point he could be considered as fearsome as Toketsu – an idol to be worshipped. However, now they realized the skeleton’s strength exceeds that of Toketsu’s. How should they look up at the skeleton? Admire him or fear him?

There were many frightening tales of monsters belonging to the lower floors – typical goblin bedtime stories. If Sora was truly one of those unimaginable existences then the goblins had everything to fear – not only their lives but the lives of their brethren too! The goblins were drowning in regret for engaging in the chase – this would certainly lead to their demise.

“Brother…it has certainly been good knowing you.” One goblin said to another.

“Likewise, at least we will have the honor of dying by the hands of such a strong monster.”

The two goblins already began whispering goodbyes.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X

Author's Note:

1. Thank you for reading. Please read the sticky post - the battle so far. I have posted something for the readers (read both update and last post).

2. Explanation pertaining to spirit power, classification of monsters by floors etc. will be revealed in the coming chapters.

3. Be ready for a big shocker in the coming few chapters - your complete understanding of the story thus far might go for a toss. --> Actually, I might lessen the blow by split it in two parts. However, please do be prepared!

4. Many thanks to those following this FF and adding it to their favourites!