The wind howled atop the storm-wracked peak, a furious chorus that raged like a wounded beast. Torrents of rain lashed down in thick, stinging sheets, drumming a relentless rhythm onto the jagged rock and carving narrow rivulets down the mountain's steep slopes. Thunder growled across the heavens, rumbling deep like the wrath of forgotten gods. Amid the chaos, two figures stood—battered silhouettes clinging to consciousness and pride.
Shirou knelt on the cold, soaked earth, blood staining his lips as it dripped onto the stone beneath him. His breath came in short, sharp bursts. Just meters away, his opponent—a towering warrior named Lord Tyrin—struggled to stay upright, a deep dagger wound in his thigh, leaking crimson with every step.
Their eyes met across the battlefield. No words were needed. Both knew this was the end.
With a guttural cry, Tyrin surged forward, lightning coiling around his blade like a furious serpent. But Shirou, body screaming in protest, launched upward in a blur of motion. In a single, flawless strike, he plunged Inferno Fang into Tyrin's chest, piercing through flesh and armour with a crackle of mana and steel.
A sharp gasp escaped Tyrin's lips. His body convulsed, blood gushing from the mortal wound. But Shirou didn't stop. He twisted his blade free, pivoted on one foot, and unleashed a perfect 360-degree arc. The steel sang through the air like a whisper from death itself.
The blade cleaved cleanly through Bismuth's neck. The man's head rolled from his shoulders, hitting the rocky ground with a dull thud before the rest of his body crumpled into the mud, rain already washing away the crimson that spilled forth.
Silence, save for the wind.
Then it came—the familiar chime of the system.
> [You have defeated Lord Tyrin.]
[You have levelled up.]
[You have reached Level 35.]
[HP and Mana fully restored.]
[You have cleared the 20th floor.]
Shirou inhaled sharply, feeling the weariness melt from his bones. Warmth surged through his limbs, pushing out the ache of battle. His muscles eased, his mind cleared. It was like waking from a nightmare only to find strength in your own skin.
He stood slowly, brushing blood from his chin as his golden eyes narrowed on the shimmering notifications hovering before him.
Then, something new flashed into view.
> [You have reached the required level.]
[You have obtained the skill—Skill Extraction.]
Shirou blinked, puzzled. "Skill extraction? Extract from where?"
As if in answer, another line appeared.
> [Choosing a skill from the opponent...]
[Skill Chosen—Lightning Element.]
Lightning element?
Shirou extended his hand hesitantly, focusing on the sensation he'd felt during the battle. Sparks flickered between his fingers—thin tendrils of electricity danced across his palm, crackling with wild energy. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"I can actually use lightning now…?" he whispered. The energy felt different—raw and volatile, yet responsive to his will.
He turned toward Inferno Fang, attempting to channel the lightning into the blade. The sword, however, remained dormant—no glow, no surge of elemental fusion.
He sighed, slightly disappointed. "Well, no harm in trying."
Still, he wasn't done experimenting.
He recalled how Bismuth had used lightning to increase his speed. Taking a deep breath, Shirou directed the energy inward—toward his legs.
There was a flash.
In the blink of an eye, he sprinted forward, slicing through the rain like a bolt of silver and blue. He stopped abruptly, eyes wide.
"I'm faster. A lot faster."
Shirou grinned, rain clinging to his face.
"Even if I can't channel lightning into my blade, this alone gives me a major edge. If they can't touch me… they can't hurt me."
Excited, he spent several minutes testing his new ability—short bursts of speed, precise dodges, even climbing the side of a boulder with electrified jumps. It was exhilarating.
Eventually, his attention drifted to the glowing blue portal at the far end of the peak. Beyond it lay the 21st floor.
"Let's see what's next."
He gathered lightning into his feet again and dashed forward, aiming to leap through the portal.
But instead of passing through, he slammed face-first into something unseen.
"Ow—what the hell!?"
He staggered back, rubbing his nose. There was a wall. An invisible one.
A chime rang in his ears again.
> [System Notification]
[Floor 21 is locked.]
[Unlocks in 15 days, 15 hours, 15 minutes, 15 seconds.]
"Fifteen days?" he muttered, staring in disbelief. "Guess I'm not going anywhere for now."
Sparks gathered in his hand, forming a glowing green crystal—the Return Stone. He was just about to crush it when another notification interrupted him.
> [You are being teleported to your world.]
"What? I didn't even—"
A blinding white light engulfed him.
When the light faded, Shirou found himself back in his bedroom. He looked down. The Return Stone was still in his hand, untouched.
"Huh?"
It shimmered briefly before dissolving into sparks and vanishing back into his inventory.
He sat on the edge of his bed, damp hair dripping onto the sheets. "Okay… if the system could just teleport me back, then what's the point of the Return Stone?"
He mulled over the events. "Maybe the system automatically teleports me after certain milestones? Like floor 20, maybe every tenth floor. The stone must be for emergencies—if I want to leave early."
Then another thought struck him.
"When I finished floor 10, I didn't touch the next portal. I just used the return stone. But this time… I tried to enter and hit that wall. Maybe that's the trigger."
Then his expression darkened as he leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
"My emotions... they're mostly back now. I'd say 80%, maybe more. My memories too. I remember who I was… what I stood for."
He clenched his fists.
"It's like the system took everything from me. My memories, my emotions—and gave them back slowly. Maybe… maybe it was protecting me. This world isn't kind. And the only way to grow stronger is through death—through killing. If I'd come in with all my feelings intact, I wouldn't have lasted a day. I was too kind. Too soft."
His voice grew quieter.
"But now… I've changed. Killing doesn't shake me anymore. I've become someone who can survive this world."
He fell back onto his bed, exhaling deeply.
"What is this system, really? Why me? Why was I chosen? Transmigrated to another world with a leveling system..."
A grin crept across his face as realization bloomed.
"I must be the main character of this world."
He started laughing. Loud, uncontrollable laughter that echoed in the silence of the room.
Then he froze.
"Oh no. I really hope no one heard that."
Still chuckling, he sat up. "Right. I got a new skill. I should probably check it out properly."
But then his gaze landed on the bathroom door.
"…It can wait."
He stood, dragging himself toward it.
"I really need a bath."