[Aiden's POV]
As I landed on the third floor, the scent of decayed wood assaulted my nostrils. The corridor itself was made from wood cabins. Nails jutted from the floor and walls. I took a step forward; a creaking sound from the floor disturbed the silence of the floor.
However, in the next second, the earlier silence was replaced by a skittering and tap-tap-tap sound. My sight caught the silhouette of a long crawling creature.
A centipede with legs of wooden planks and nails appeared followed by more of its brethren. They tried to bite my legs or my hands. I answered with mana infused punches.
The same cycle of eliminating 70% of monsters followed. I slightly slowed down the killing after 50% to get a breather so that fatigue won't accumulate over time.
My body may be able to handle fatigue better, but it was a thirty-floor dungeon, so I had to manage my pace accordingly.
Following the same routine, I purged Hounds on the 4th floor and Husks on the 5th floor. The 6th floor Gravebell Spiders presented a unique challenge, the bells tied to their stomach caused slowness in my actions as time passed.
However, I sped their elimination by using the sigils. This cautioned me more, their strength wasn't threatening. At least not yet but their quirks could be challenging.
After the 6th floor, there wasn't any issue until I reached the 10th floor. The Tombstep Sentinel was a knight with stone armor with exceptional defence.
Up until now, all monsters were killed in one or two strikes at most, but killing them required three to four strikes due to their sturdy stone bodies.
But they were still no match for my strength of sigils activated punch and jabs. Just as I neared clearing the 10th floor, the system message came as a surprise and intrigue to me.
[Due to repetitive exposure to the Undead monsters. You have obtained a temporary Undead Summoning Banner.]
Now that was interesting, "So, all the same rules apply to this banner too?" I asked.
[Yes, Host]
"While we are at the topic, is there any fixed time limit to temporary banner and is there any way to make them permanent?" I followed with a question.
[The time limit of a temporary banner is a minimum of one week. The limit can be extended, or a banner could be turned to permanent by spending Origin Points.]
"So it all comes down to Origin points. Huh?" I remarked.
"Just in case, how many points would I need to make the Undead summoning banner into a permanent one?" I hesitantly asked.
[1000 Origin Points, Host]
After hearing the cost, I glanced at the points I gained so far.
[Origin Points: 9678]
"And here I thought I had enough Origin Points for a long time," I commented with a heavy heart.
"How long have I been fighting System?" I asked, feeling much drained and increasing fatigue.
[29 hours 38 minutes]
"This much time for up to the 10th floor only; this dungeon doesn't even have safe zones like other dungeons. Well, let's continue our grind." I resolved myself for a very long fight.
Few minutes later, the final Tombstep Sentinel fell under my sigil activated punches. I also learned that keeping the same sigil active for a long time also puts strain on that body part.
However, I had a feeling, or rather instinct, which had become more active, that I should bear this strain to strengthen my body to increase the limiter's capacity.
As I was transferred to the 11th floor, the thought of using Summoning Cards crossed my mind, but I decided to push a little bit forward.
From the 11th floor onward, the monsters were Ascendant rank, still doable, but they weren't completely mindless anymore. I needed to watch for any sudden attacks.
The information about the floor monster appeared before me.
[Name: Pallbearer Colossus]
[Rank: Ascendant]
[Threat: Average; dangerous if allowed to gather]
[Emotional state: STOMP! STOMP!]
Feeling confused about the emotional state mentioned, but that confusion cleared as I saw the monster raise their hands and throw down the rocks at me.
Maneuvering from the fallen rocks, I attacked forward. The stone slabs bound to the body via chains were tougher than they looked.
Suddenly, as I saw the 4 monsters in line, looking at their decent height. A thought crossed my mind; I activated sigils on my legs and sprinted forward.
It felt like something akin to spring was added to my legs; my stride was much longer, and I felt I could jump even higher. Putting the idea to use, I jumped straight onto the monster head.
The head of the monster exploded like overfilled balls. I continued jumping from one head to next, leaving headless bodies in my path.
Soon, I was on the 12th floor, the number of monsters has decreased a lot compared to first floor. The monsters on the 12th floor numbered around 700, numerous but manageable.
I also checked my OP count, surprised to slight spike compared to the number I killed on 11th floor.
"Why, the numbers high System?" I asked.
[The amount of Origin Points increases with an increase in monsters' ranks.]
"Oh, that's much better. That makes all this grinding really worth it," I exclaimed. "Is there any table or something like that?" I asked further.
[Awakened – 1 OP; Ascendant – 3 OP; Master – 5 OP; Grandmaster – 10 to 16 OP; Sage – 20 to 35 OP; Saint – 40 to 70 OP.]
[The list will be extended as you grow in ranks.]
"Oh, I had gained such a better OP mine. It's a shame; it can only be entered once." I remarked on seeing the list.
"Say System, could I use Seraphine or summons to farm Origin Points?" I asked, hoping for something positive, but the system's answer shattered that hope.
[No host, you can only collect OP from being that are bonded to by blood only.]
Suddenly, amidst the talking, I missed a monster movement, and I was barely able to shield myself at the last moment as a claw of the Flesh-script monster tried to rip open my chest.
Claw marks appeared on my hands as I skidded backwards due to the force of the swipe. Golden blood spilled on the floor for the first time; only a few drops had fallen, but the wounds immediately recovered.
But something changed the moment blood drops touched the ground. The intensity of the attacks rose rapidly; it looked like they had become frenzied.
Making some distance between me and monsters, I quietly focused on evasion and attacking from the frenzied monsters. As I remained unscathed from their attacks, their madness increased even more. They even started to fight amongst themselves to reach me.
This gave me a huge opening; I clenched my fist and used the skill for the first time. The pressure around my fist changed as I activated "Overdrive Fist."
With the sigils still active, as fists connected to the monsters. Their flesh just exploded as it came into contact with my hands.
Sensing the opportunity, I put more effort into speed and started killing the monsters in one shot, before the skill went on cooldown.
In a few minutes, the ground was littered with black blood and decayed flesh as I killed the last monster before I was transported.
My fist returned to normal state as skill went on cooldown and I deactivated my sigils.
"Okay from now on, more fighting, less talking," I commented as I took a deep breath and was transferred to the 13th floor, having learned my lesson.