**Hop.**
I leapt out of Chris's arms and landed softly in the snow.
Then, I gazed up at the massive Ice Tower standing proudly in the center of the snow basin.
"Ice Tower."
[Level Requirement: 45]
[Single-player Dungeon]
[Ice Tower]
This could be considered the second version of the Tower of Trials.
Players who conquer this tower will gain new powers.
Of course, at the moment, it seems physically challenging.
"Alright, I'm going to level up now, sis."
"Okay. Do your best."
I looked up at Chris, who gently patted my head.
"Even though I know Rain will handle things well, don't push yourself too hard."
"...Got it."
Turning away from Chris, I faced the Ice Tower and answered her.
The reason I didn’t look back at her was because I lied.
If she saw my eyes, she would have seen through me.
Without a doubt, at the end of this tower today...
I would push myself to my limits.
---
[Ice Tower, 1st Floor]
Upon entering the tower, the first thing that caught my eye was the walls, entirely made of ice.
What stood out the most were the magical torches embedded in various spots along the walls, illuminating the surroundings with a soft glow.
"Well, at least they’ve got safety measures in place."
I had timed my attempt on the Ice Tower for the same day Chris had off.
If I were to collapse while Chris was at work, it would be even more dangerous.
I silently apologized to Chris.
Sorry, sis, for not telling you in advance.
If I collapse, she’ll probably freak out, right?
But I'm healthier than before, so even if I die a few times, it won’t be that serious.
There’s a high chance I’ll face "that" again at the end of the tower.
A ghost from my past, one I must overcome.
I've gotten stronger, but it’s not something I can defeat without pushing my body to its limits. This won’t be easy.
I briefly touched the item hanging from my belt. It was a special gift from Chris. I still don’t know why the design is so round.
It’s a kind of emergency signal device. If I pull the string attached to it, it sends a direct signal to Chris. It’s linked to her smartphone in the outside world, so even when she’s at work, she can receive the emergency alert.
It’s an extra layer of protection for me, considering my weak constitution. In an emergency, I could use a messenger app or leave the capsule to call for help on my phone, but Chris insisted I carry this.
Honestly, Chris worries too much.
As I stood in the hall of the first floor, lost in thought, the expected creature appeared.
From the darkness of the ceiling, a red shape descended.
**Thud.**
A massive red chunk of flesh dropped before my eyes.
**Kaaaahh!**
[Level 50 Blood Maw]
[HP: 10,000,000 / 10,000,000 (100%)]
The named monsters from elite dungeons are reconfigured to match this solo dungeon format.
It’s just like the Tower of Trials.
So, what’s waiting at the end will be the same.
**Srring.**
**Shhk.**
I unsheathed my trusty sword, *Astaroth*, and swung it to my side. A silver arc followed its path.
**Kaaaah!**
With my body coated in a silver glow, I charged at the roaring mass of blood.
---
[Ice Tower, 8th Floor]
[Level 50 Fallen Angel Golem, Valiel]
[HP: 2,967,056 / 12,000,000 (24%)]
**Bang, bang, BOOM!**
A giant dark sword came crashing down above me. I swiftly dodged all three blades, moving quickly.
**Klang!**
I blocked the incoming dark blade of Valiel, then glanced behind me.
The marks left by the large sword of darkness were quickly disappearing. As expected, the pattern was identical to what I’d seen before.
There was no gimmick involving neutralizing the dark and light swords, nor did I have to fight both an archangel and a fallen angel at the same time.
I was only facing a durable fallen angel golem.
I deflected Valiel’s sword with a strong push, stepping back. I lowered my stance and positioned my sword at my waist.
The first form of the *Flash Slash*.
**Flash!**
A streak of silver light cut across Valiel's body, causing a grotesque howl.
**Shhk.**
As I passed through Valiel, I spun my body, preparing for a second *Flash Slash*.
**Flash!**
And then the third.
**Flash!**
**Ooohhh!**
**Rumble.**
After three consecutive *Flash Slashes*, using the cooldown reset trick, Valiel's body was sliced into pieces, scattering across the floor.
Without hesitation, I moved toward the stairs leading to the ninth floor.
---
[Ice Tower, 9th Floor]
"Oh."
There it is.
[Level 50 Ice Ogre King]
[HP: 15,000,000 / 15,000,000 (100%)]
The massive ogre, its face betraying a savage instinct, looked as though it could rip its enemies apart with its sharp fangs.
Its large hands, covered in white fur, gleamed with sharp claws. It didn’t wield any weapon. Instead, it would likely tear me apart with those monstrous hands.
**Grkk.**
A chill escaped from the ogre’s slightly parted mouth.
According to the information from players who’d faced it before, this monster freezes players with its chilling breath, releasing it in continuous bursts.
This is the infamous "Ice Ogre King," known as unbeatable with the current player specs.
The notorious gatekeeper of the Ice Tower’s ninth floor.
But for me, this Ice Ogre King is just another step.
Without *Astaroth*, sure, it’d be tough.
In a way, I owe my success to my gear, but that’s part of my strength too.
More accurately, it's thanks to Chris’s financial power.
**Shhk.**
I drew *Astaroth* and grinned.
"I’m going through."
---
Of course, it wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped.
After all, the Ice Ogre King, the gatekeeper of the ninth floor, is no pushover.
**Whoom, clang!**
I dodged the Ice Ogre King's wide sweep and quickly closed the distance, raising my sword. It was a strategic block using the *Just Guard* technique to gain a vitality buff.
The ogre spread its arms wide, as if preparing to crush me.
That’s when I counterattacked.
**Shhk, shhk, shhk!**
As I maneuvered behind the ogre, *Astaroth* gleamed silver and slashed at its back.
**Grkk!**
The ogre growled, turning to face me, but its movements were slow.
**Whoom!**
The massive body jumped into the air, preparing to slam down and crush me.
**Tatat.**
**Boom!**
Just in time, I used a backward dodge, avoiding the shockwave from the ogre’s ground slam. The invincibility of the dodge allowed me to escape unscathed.
Turning around and using the backward dodge to get behind the ogre again was different from simply maintaining position with a counterattack. It was an invincibility skill essential for solo play to grab the rear.
I checked the ogre’s HP.
Still 87%.
Its HP was decreasing at a noticeably slow pace.
That’s the level gap penalty.
Not to mention the berserk phase that awaited.
This wasn’t a difficult boss in terms of mechanics. What made it dangerous was the pressure of its berserk state and the eight consecutive ice bursts that would trigger when its HP dropped below 60%. Whether or not I could clear the boss would depend on how much I could maximize my damage output.
This boss was a test of personal damage limits. If I couldn’t bring it down before it went berserk, I wouldn’t even be allowed to attempt the next challenge.
Because the boss was massive, it absorbed all my attacks. Its patterns were slow and simple. From my perspective, as someone who specializes in fast, agile combat, this boss narrowed the gap between me and other players. When facing multiple bosses or difficult patterns, my nimble movements usually set me apart from the rest.
However, if I used *Astaroth* properly and kept up a perfect damage cycle, I could definitely deal enough damage to avoid the berserk phase.
I focused my eyes, continuing to fight precariously, squeezing in every possible strike between invincibility moves and counterattacks.
---
[Level 50 Ice Ogre King]
[HP: 8,970,551 / 15,000,000 (59%)]
**Grkk!!**
**Whoom!**
Suddenly, the Ice Ogre King let out a roar and leapt high enough to nearly touch the ceiling.
This was the prelude to its special pattern, the ice burst.
**Thud! Thud! Thud!**
The impact of the ogre’s massive body crashing down caused the Ice Tower to shake. At the same time, enormous icicles began falling from the ceiling.
The icicles shattered upon hitting the ground, forming patches of freezing energy.
There were eight patches in total.
**Screeeech!**
I quickly assessed the safe areas not covered by the freezing patches and used a movement skill to close in on the ogre. My sword flashed silver as I slashed at the ogre’s body.
The free damage window was longer than I expected. Thirty seconds? Forty? Even as I relentlessly swung my sword
, I glanced at the walls of the tower where the torches were embedded.
I had already gathered information about using the torch objects to counter the ice burst. The idea was to pull out the torches and throw them to clear the freezing patches. But with my current level, I couldn’t afford to stop attacking, even for a moment. I could deal with the gimmick later, after I secured more damage.
**Woooong.**
After several seconds of just standing there taking my attacks, the ogre finally spread its body wide and opened its mouth.
**Grooooar!**
Despite the stillness of the Ice Tower, the air began to shift.
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All the cold in the room was being sucked into the ogre’s gaping maw.
Even the eight freezing patches.
**Whoosh!**
After pounding its chest several times, the ogre suddenly unleashed a torrent of freezing energy.
The eight consecutive ice bursts had begun.