Level 25

After the safe zone disappeared, Phanessa found herself once again immersed in the mysterious and otherworldly environment of the tower's second floor. The forest she wandered through was unlike any she had ever seen, its trees towering and ancient, their bark shimmering with streaks of black and gold. The air was thick with magic, and the ground beneath her feet glowed faintly with an ethereal light that pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat. Tiny golden particles floated lazily in the air, drifting like fireflies in the dim, enchanted twilight.

Phanessa moved cautiously through the forest, her senses sharp and her bow at the ready. She had been using this time to hone her skills, battling the various creatures that roamed the woods. Each encounter pushed her further, forcing her to adapt and grow stronger. The forest was a perfect training ground, filled with hidden dangers and challenges that tested both her abilities and her resolve.

As Phanessa made her way through the black and gold forest, the eerie beauty of the place began to shift subtly. The air grew thicker, charged with a strange energy that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. The golden motes of light that had been drifting peacefully through the air now seemed to vibrate with tension, and the shadows between the trees grew darker, more oppressive.

Phanessa slowed her pace, her instincts on high alert. She had learned to trust these instincts—whenever the environment around her changed like this, it usually meant danger was near. Her hand tightened on the grip of Nature's Wrath, her eyes scanning the dense forest for any sign of movement.

It wasn't long before she heard it—a low, rumbling growl that seemed to resonate through the earth itself. The sound was deep, primal, and filled with menace. Phanessa stopped, her body tensing as she focused on the source of the noise. The forest around her fell deathly silent, as if holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.

From the shadows emerged a creature that made Phanessa's heart skip a beat. A massive tiger, its fur as black as the night, but streaked with glowing lines of molten orange that seemed to pulse with an inner fire. The beast's eyes glowed with a fierce, burning light, and every step it took left smoldering footprints in its wake, the ground sizzling beneath its paws. The tiger's presence exuded raw power, its muscles rippling under its fur as it moved with a deadly grace.

Phanessa took a step back, her breath catching in her throat as the tiger locked its fiery gaze on her. There was no mistaking the intelligence in those eyes—this was no ordinary creature. It was a predator, a guardian of the forest's secrets, and it had marked her as its prey.

The tiger let out another growl, this one more intense, vibrating through the air like a warning. Phanessa knew she had no choice but to fight. Running wasn't an option; the creature was too fast, too powerful. She needed to face it head-on, using every skill and bit of experience she had gained in the tower.

With a steadying breath, she nocked an arrow and drew her bow, aiming directly at the beast's glowing eyes. She released the arrow, the string snapping with a sharp twang as the arrow flew through the air with deadly precision. But to her shock, the tiger moved with blinding speed, sidestepping the arrow as if it had anticipated her attack.

Phanessa didn't have time to react as the tiger lunged at her, its massive form covering the distance between them in a heartbeat. She rolled to the side just as the tiger's claws raked through the space where she had been standing, the force of its strike tearing through the ground like it was paper. The heat radiating from the creature was intense, the air around it shimmering with waves of heat.

Coming to her feet, Phanessa quickly fired another arrow, this time aiming lower, trying to catch the tiger off guard. The arrow struck its flank, but the molten lines of energy across the tiger's body flared, and the arrow disintegrated upon contact, as if consumed by the beast's fiery aura.

The tiger snarled, more irritated than hurt, and circled her slowly, its eyes never leaving hers. Phanessa realized that direct attacks wouldn't work against this creature—it was too well protected, its fiery energy burning through anything that came too close. She needed to be smarter, more strategic.

As the tiger prepared to strike again, Phanessa activated her Windstep ability, moving with blinding speed to reposition herself behind a cluster of trees. The tiger's claws slashed through the air where she had been standing just a moment before, but she was already moving, using the forest to her advantage. She dashed from one tree to another, keeping her movements unpredictable, trying to find an opening.

The tiger roared in frustration, its fiery aura intensifying as it began to swipe at the trees, tearing through them with ease. Phanessa knew she was running out of time. She needed to find a way to turn the tiger's power against it.

Her eyes fell on a large tree, its thick trunk glowing faintly with golden light, one of the many ancient trees that seemed to pulse with the energy of the forest. An idea began to form in her mind. She might not be able to damage the tiger directly, but she could use the environment to her advantage.

Phanessa moved swiftly, positioning herself near the tree, her breath coming in quick gasps as she prepared her next move. The tiger, sensing her shift in strategy, charged at her with all the force of an avalanche, its eyes blazing with murderous intent.

At the last possible moment, Phanessa activated her Nature's Embrace ability. Vines and roots erupted from the ground, wrapping around the tiger's legs and slowing its momentum. The tiger roared in anger, its fiery aura flaring up to burn away the vines, but the brief moment of restraint was all Phanessa needed.

She dashed forward, using her momentum to slide under the tiger's belly as it struggled against the vines. In one fluid motion, she drew an arrow, notched it, and aimed straight up at the tree's thickest branch, right above where the tiger was trapped. She fired, and the arrow struck true, severing the branch with a loud crack.

The heavy branch, filled with the forest's ancient energy, crashed down on the tiger, forcing it to the ground with a resounding thud. The impact caused the glowing lines across the tiger's body to flicker, its fiery aura momentarily disrupted. Seizing the opportunity, Phanessa leaped to her feet and drew another arrow, her hand steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She aimed for the tiger's exposed throat, where the molten lines were weakest, and released the arrow with a prayer. The arrow flew straight and true, piercing the vulnerable spot with a sharp thud. The tiger let out a final, deafening roar as its fiery aura flared one last time before extinguishing. Its massive body collapsed to the ground, the glow fading from its eyes as the life left it.

Phanessa stood there, breathing heavily, her bow still raised as she watched the tiger's form disintegrate into embers, leaving behind only a smoldering imprint on the ground where it had fallen. The forest around her began to calm, the oppressive tension lifting as the danger passed.

[System Notification]

Dungeon Monster Defeated: Emberclaw Tiger

Experience Gained: 30,000 XP

Level Up! Current Level: 25

Special Item Obtained: Emberclaw Core

Description: A core filled with the fiery essence of the Emberclaw Tiger. Can be used to enhance fire-based abilities or weapons.

Phanessa lowered her bow, her heart gradually slowing as the reality of her victory sank in. The battle had been fierce, but she had won, using her wits and connection to the forest to overcome a seemingly insurmountable foe. As she collected the Emberclaw Core, she felt a surge of power from the level-up, her strength and skills growing even further.

The system's notification rang in her mind, bringing a sense of accomplishment.

[System Notification]

Level Up! Current Level: 25

Congratulations! You have reached Level 25.

Class Upgrade Available: Choose Your Path

As the notification faded, another screen appeared before her, offering her five choices for her class upgrade. Each option was detailed, showing the unique skills and abilities that would be unlocked with the upgrade. Phanessa felt a thrill of anticipation as she considered her options, knowing that this choice would shape the rest of her journey through the tower.