I shiver, but let my flames burn brighter to block out the eyes on the back of my head and continue to walk forward.

This is all just an intimidation tactic. I know these moves well, I've used them many times before. I won't run from the fight before it's even started.

Walking further in, the dense aura on the floor gets deeper and darker. It's up to my shins now, I activate my stat-boosting skills on full blast to push through with more willpower. I can feel it begging me to fall victim to its mental trap.

There's a light tugging sensation at the back of my mind, trying to break in.

It's similar to when Ember attempts to open our telepathic link. Very similar...

I bit my bottom lip, focusing on the target in front of me, and wading deeper into the dense aura that now drifts up to my waist.

I activate my MP plundering ability, attempting to absorb some of the aura that fills the room. The Knight I faced before now wasn't a fan of this ability, so maybe It'll have a greater effect on the fog here as well.

The moment my skill activates, the mist surrounding me instantly retreats. I can see my black boots on the stone floor below me with perfect clarity.

Just like when I started to take the last Knight's energy, the aura here seems to have a mind of its own. Or, it's being controlled by a mind that doesn't like its MP being depleted.

Even though it parted the moment my skill activates, I still plundered a small amount of mana. It's possible, just not very effective.

I grin, then call out deep into the mist.

"You didn't like that much, did ya?"

I chuckle, keeping my plunderer skill active while making slow footsteps further toward the back of the room. Ember follows behind me, sporting a toothy grin as well.

The light crackle of flames and low hum of mana coming off my sword and armor fill the silence as I prepare for a fight to break out.

Walking deeper into the murderous fog, it continues to drift away from both Ember and me as we keep our plundering abilities active.

Light shines down from above in golden rays as it's filtered by the glass artwork above us.

The red aura is falling in on itself faster and faster towards the back of the room.

The mist isn't even trying to get near us now. It just seems to be consolidating on a single point. To me, it looks like the caster is deactivating this magic spell.

It's the perfect time to take advantage of the situation.

I eagerly outreach my senses. Letting my All-Seeing Eye seep further into the room as the mana-blocking mist fades away. My Inspect and Appraisal skills finally pick up on a reading.

The presence in the back of the room finally reveals itself. My eyes widen and my heart races when I see the information that finally comes into full view.

____________________

[Lv. 489]

Active Items:

[The Behemoth's Armor Set][Blood Bonded] +99% Defense +79% Speed +69% Agility

[The Behemoth's Platinum Ring] +106% Mental Strength +86% Strength

[The Behemoth's Platinum Amulet] +111% Defense

[Lower-Floor Boss Identification Core]

Active Skills:

Combat Magic [Advanced Earth Summoning]

Combat Magic [Advanced Mana Manipulation]

Buff:

Transformation [Hidden Ability]

____________________

"Finally... we meet..."

I continue walking forward in a straight line as the red aura retreats, getting denser and denser as it compacts into a much darker ball of mist at the backside of the room.

More empty tables with perfectly set silverware and plates reveal themselves as the red fog dissipates.

The only thing on my mind is getting a good look at this monster.

Its armor and items all seem to be on a whole new level than any monsters I've faced in the past.

It has two advanced combat magic skills: Earth Summoning, and Mana manipulation.

I've seen both of these Combat Magic abilities performed before in their lesser forms, but never the advanced versions. Abby has an earth summoning skill, and I remember watching Nessa Mimic Mana Manipulation during the C-Class Exams.

These are the upgraded versions and will be used by a monster with mana control possibly stronger than my own....

I grit my teeth, continuing to march forward. A smirk creeps its way across my face the closer I get to the consolidating clouds of red mana...

I begin to think about its hidden ability, the "Transformation" buff, but I'm rudely interrupted by the tugging sensation on my telepathic link once again.

Staring straight ahead, I grip my sword tighter.

Ember's link is already open...

The closer I step to the cloud of dark aura at the back of the room, the harder the tugging sensation at the back of my mind becomes.

It's easy to block out at first, but each footstep in the direction of the monster before me makes it harder and harder to concentrate.

What was at first a light tugging, has turned into a rhythmic tapping and scratching at the back of my brain.

I let out a grunt, drinking an MP potion, and keeping my eyes focused forward on the Beast behind the veil of blood-colored mist.

I cross the halfway point of the large open banquet hall. I'm 40 meters in, and from what I can tell... There's about 40 meters or so to go until the back wall.

I turn back to Ember, speaking through our link.

"I'll be going all out... Only interfere if I give you the word, or if I'm unable to do so."

Ember nods in agreement as I turn back toward the fog and walk another 10 meters forward at a much faster, determined pace.

My jaw is clenched and my eyes are locked on the outline of a tall dark oddly humanoid-looking figure at the back of the room beneath all this fog.

The scratching feeling attempting to dig into my mind gets louder and louder, but I continue to push through. If I can't even get up close and personal with this Floor Boss, I'll have no chance of beating it in a fight.

Another 10 meters go by, and the fog has completely contracted into a large glowing ball at the back of the room. It glows red, while the outline of a black shadowy figure can be seen within it observing the room before it.

The buzzing sound of mana begins to fill my ears and the scratching speeds up while getting louder and louder within the depths of my mental barrier.

It feels curious and devious, but calm and collected. Whatever is prying into my mental walls just wants to talk... I'm just not sure If I want to hear what it has to say.

I take another step forward while letting out a grunt, blocking out the noise.

The scraping becomes unbearable as the mist retreats entirely, only to stop, surrounding the dark entirety s head.

The moment it stops, the scratching feeling at the back of my head breaks through... It's unbearably loud, then eerily quiet...

I hear a deep powerful voice enter my telepathic link, all I can do is stop and stare as its voice echoes in my mind.

"Visitors don't come here often... I never would have expected a Demon and a Dragon to show their faces in a place like this."

Dungeon Diver: Stealing a Monster's PowerWhere stories live. Discover now