Chapter 24

With the thrill of discovery still coursing through her veins, Ruby felt a sense of urgency settle in. She needed to strengthen her skills and improve her stats before she could take on the next Floor Keeper. The icy wasteland surrounding the village was teeming with monsters, and Ruby decided it was time to put her newfound power to the test.

"Guwa, let's head out!" Ruby announced, determination etched on her face.

"Where are we going?" Guwa floated beside her, her ethereal form shimmering in the cold light.

"To hunt," Ruby replied, gripping the hilt of her sword. "I need to face some monsters and see how far I can push myself. We can't afford to wait until I'm ready. I need to be ready now."

"Okay! I'm excited!" Guwa's voice rang with enthusiasm, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

As Ruby ventured into the icy wilderness, she could feel the chill bite at her skin, but it was a welcome sensation. Each step resonated with purpose as she scanned the terrain, looking for any sign of movement. The landscape stretched endlessly, white and bleak, but Ruby knew that danger lurked beneath the surface.

It wasn't long before she spotted her first target: a Frost Wyrm, a serpentine creature with shimmering scales and razor-sharp icicles protruding from its body. The monster slithered through the snow, its eyes glinting with hunger as it caught sight of Ruby.

"Stay close, Guwa!" Ruby called, taking a steadying breath. She felt the energy of her Silver Eyes coursing through her, ready to be unleashed.

The Frost Wyrm lunged at her, teeth bared and ice shards flying from its back. Ruby sidestepped with agility, bringing her sword up to block the creature's attack. The impact sent vibrations through her arm, but she stood her ground, channeling her magic into the blade.

"<Silver Strike>!" she shouted, infusing her sword with the power of her Silver Eyes. A radiant burst of energy erupted from the blade, striking the Frost Wyrm squarely in the side.

The creature let out a deafening roar, reeling from the attack. Ruby seized the moment, following up with a flurry of strikes. She danced around the Wyrm, her movements fluid as she unleashed a barrage of attacks, each one fueled by her determination and the magic coursing through her.

Guwa cheered her on from the sidelines, "You're doing great, Ruby! Keep it up!"

But the Frost Wyrm was not easily defeated. It retaliated, launching icy shards from its back in a desperate attempt to drive Ruby away. She narrowly dodged the attack, feeling the sharpness of the ice graze her armor.

"Not today!" Ruby yelled, her resolve hardening. "<Ice Cloak>!"

The icy barrier enveloped her, granting her added protection. With renewed vigor, she charged forward, weaving through the shards as she closed in on the Wyrm.

"Now, let's end this!" Ruby exclaimed, lifting her sword high as she called forth her magic. "<Silver Slash>!"

With a mighty swing, Ruby brought her sword down in a sweeping arc, the energy from her Silver Eyes erupting from the blade. The radiant strike collided with the Frost Wyrm, causing a brilliant explosion of light and frost.

When the brilliance faded, the Frost Wyrm lay defeated, its body crumpled in the snow. Ruby panted, exhilaration coursing through her as she took in her victory.

"I did it!" she shouted, pumping her fist in the air.

"Awesome, Ruby!" Guwa cheered, floating over to her side. "You took it down!"

Ruby stood over the defeated Frost Wyrm, panting lightly as the adrenaline from battle began to ebb. She opened her status window to check her stats, the familiar glowing interface appeared before her eyes.

System of Dungeon No. 445's Beta Tester

Name: Ruby Crystal (Rose)

Age: 15

Title: <Chosen One> <Pure Blood Silver Eyed Warrior> <Bullet Time> <Messenger > <Prodigy >

<Goblin Slayer> <Enhanced > <Cold Blooded><Bearer of God Light Fragment> <Lucifer's Apprentice> <Survivor > <Last Stand>

Title Effects: +AGI, +STR, +DEX, +END

Level: 83 (Exp 0/503000)

Passive Curse: [Limiter] {30%} Unlocked (MP and SP are allowed to increase)

HP: 68500/68500

MP: 60500/60500

→ 100000/100000 MP

SP: 75900/75900

→ 83500/83500 SP

STR: E+

AGI: D+

END: D

DEX: D-

VIT: E+

MANA: D+

Qi: N/A (Not Cultivated)

The victory against the Frost Wyrm felt exhilarating, but Ruby knew it was just the beginning. Her stats told a story of growth and potential, but she still had a long way to go before she could face the next Floor Keeper.

"The danger level here is C- to B-," Ruby murmured, glancing around the frozen wasteland. "I need to make sure I'm at my best if I want to handle whatever comes next."

With a newfound determination, Ruby pressed onward, scanning the area for her next target. The biting cold wind whipped around her, but she welcomed it. Each gust was a reminder of the strength she needed to cultivate.

As she moved deeper into the icy expanse, she felt her senses heighten. The echoes of her previous battle fueled her confidence, and she knew that each monster defeated would not only grant her experience but would also help her refine her skills.

Suddenly, a shadow flitted across her vision. Ruby turned to see a pack of Ice Hounds emerging from the snow, their fur glistening like freshly fallen snow. Their eyes glowed with a predatory light, and they seemed to be sizing her up.

"Perfect," Ruby grinned, ready for another fight. "Let's see what you've got!"

The Ice Hounds charged, their sharp fangs bared, and Ruby responded with a swift dodge to the side. She called upon her magic as she spun around, her sword ready.

"<Silver Strike>!" she shouted, the radiant energy exploding from her blade as she swung it toward the lead hound.

The attack hit true, sending the first Ice Hound flying back, but the remaining three were undeterred. They circled Ruby, their growls echoing in the frigid air as they prepared to attack from multiple angles.

"Okay, think, Ruby!" she muttered to herself. "I can't let them surround me."

With a burst of agility, Ruby leaped backward, creating distance between herself and the pack. She felt her heart race as the hounds lunged, and she could almost hear the echo of Selene's words in her mind: Embrace your power.

"<Ice Cloak>!" she called, summoning her protective barrier just in time. The hounds collided with the icy shield, their fangs clashing harmlessly against the barrier.

With a determined expression, Ruby seized the opportunity. "Now! <Silver Slash>!"

She charged forward, the magic coursing through her sword amplifying her strikes. The light from her Silver Eyes illuminated the battlefield, and she swung her sword with precision, cutting through the Ice Hounds one by one. Each strike felt like a testament to her growth, a step closer to her goal.

The last hound fell with a howl, and Ruby stood amid the remnants of the battle, panting yet exhilarated. She felt the satisfaction of victory wash over her once more.

"Another win!" she cheered, quickly gathering the materials from the fallen creatures.

As she checked her stats again, she noticed a slight increase in her experience points. Each battle was not only honing her skills but also pushing her toward the next level.

"I need to keep this momentum going," Ruby said to herself, glancing at Guwa, who floated excitedly nearby. "Let's find more monsters!"

But just as they were about to move on, Ruby felt a chill that wasn't just from the surrounding air. Something shifted in the atmosphere, and she glanced around, instincts flaring.

"Guwa, be alert!" Ruby whispered, gripping her sword tightly.

They moved cautiously, the stillness around them growing thicker. In the distance, she spotted a figure emerging from the snow, its silhouette tall and imposing. Ruby squinted, trying to discern the shape, and as the figure drew closer, her heart raced.

It was another creature—larger, more menacing than the Ice Hounds. A Frost Giant, towering and covered in ice and snow, approached with deliberate steps, its eyes locked onto Ruby with a glint of hunger.

"Great," Ruby muttered, her pulse quickening. "Just what I needed. Let's see how I measure up against this one!"

With her heart pounding and her mind racing, Ruby prepared for the fight of her life. She knew she couldn't back down; not now. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but with each step, she was carving her path as a warrior.

"Let's do this!" Ruby shouted, charging forward, her sword blazing with the power of her Silver Eyes, ready to take on the Frost Giant and prove her strength once again.