"Waiting for me?"
Bell watched as the Skeleton King slowly advanced into the floor.
No sound could be heard, yet the entire floor was thick with a grim, murderous aura.
Bell knew the source of this aura.
The Floor Boss before him.
"A pure aura, with no hint of chaos. Unlike the monsters and other Floor Bosses I've faced before?"
Though the entire floor was steeped in a grim atmosphere, Bell could sense that the Skeleton King before him exuded a distinct presence. It wasn't the aura of a monster but that of a warrior.
"Roar!!"
The Skeleton King couldn't speak, so it responded with a roar.
"Seems like you were waiting for me."
Bell accepted the response with satisfaction. He stepped into the Skeleton King's attack range without any apparent concern for a sneak attack.
The Skeleton King didn't take any such opportunity; instead, it simply stood there, waiting.
"You should know, a demigod is no match for me. Only gods might require me to take things seriously, and clearly, you're not at that level."
"ROAR!!"
The Skeleton King understood that it was no match for this human, but it still had its duty to fulfill.
Even as a stepping stone, it needed to show everything it had.
The hollow black eye sockets of the Skeleton King revealed an unusual emotion, and Bell clearly sensed it. This caused him to withdraw his casual attitude, his smile disappearing entirely.
"Is that so? Even though you were created by my mother as a plaything, it feels very real to me. I don't know your name, but I acknowledge you, Udaeus."
"I'll prepare myself. Let me see your strength."
"Roar!!!"
Udaeus let out a ferocious howl, drawing the massive sword from the ground. It was clear that he was ready.
Bell, who had stepped back, now stood firm, his expression serious and focused as he met the Skeleton King's gaze.
His right hand reached into the four-dimensional space and pulled out a jet-black dagger.
Udaeus, gripping his greatsword, didn't waste this opportunity. For a being with such limited mobility, an effective attack was a rare chance—and this one had been given by his opponent.
With no hesitation, he knew he had only one choice.
To strike with everything he had in the most powerful blow he could deliver.
Udaeus raised his greatsword over his shoulder, no flourish, just using the weight of the blade and his own strength to channel his will into the sword, pushing it to its absolute limits.
The magic stone's energy surged into the blade, amplifying Udaeus' aura several, even dozens of times over.
With his preparations complete, Udaeus swung his greatsword at his opponent without hesitation.
In that instant, time and space seemed to freeze.
A dazzling white light engulfed the dark world—a crescent-shaped radiance.
"Clang!!!!"
At the critical moment, Bell raised his dagger, blocking the moon-like white light.
The immense weight nearly tore the dagger from his grip.
"....."
Bell didn't say a word but deeply felt the will behind the strike. Faced with such resolve, he knew there was only one thing to do.
To meet it head-on.
To withstand that pressure and pour his own will into the dagger.
To shatter it with unyielding resolve!
Bell's dagger blazed with blinding light, instantly swallowing the moon-like radiance.
"Swish!"
In the moment Bell's blade struck, everything vanished into nothingness.
Faced with this unparalleled blow, Bell's response was his own will and even greater strength.
The world returned to color.
Udaeus' skeletal form froze completely, the crimson light in his pupils slowly fading to nothing.
Bell walked past Udaeus without a glance at the fallen figure.
"Reincarnate."
"Come challenge me again in your next life. But next time, being merely a demigod won't suffice—you'll need to stand among the gods themselves."
Udaeus strained to turn his head, the red glow in his eyes flickering back to life.
"Ah..."
After his final sound, the red light vanished, and the skeleton collapsed completely.
Bell didn't look back at Udaeus' fallen form. Perhaps they would meet again someday—all was a matter of fate...
As he left the floor, Bell couldn't help but smile.
"An interesting fellow."
"Your technique has indeed been engraved into me. That unparalleled will, and the 'weight' that you wielded to its ultimate limit—both have left a profound impression. Everything about you will become fuel for my continued growth."
"Now, I'll set myself back on the path to becoming stronger."
An indescribable aura surged from Bell, and the gears that had stalled due to imperfections began turning once more.
Those watching the projection saw a line of text appear.
[Beginning the transformation toward three digits.]
Though neither world fully understood the significance of "three digits," both understood that it signified a realm beyond the gods.
Or perhaps it was the realm where "the World" resides.
This realization caused a rapid heartbeat in those who understood, as they all realized what they were witnessing.
It was the path of growth a youth was taking, and the birth of another extraordinary existence.
The gods atop the Tower of Babel fell silent once more.
"This boy... is truly remarkable."
This time, the gods marveled not only at Bell's extraordinary growth but at his resolve to continue even after reaching the peak.
Though he stood at the level of a god, this youth was different. He still had the desire to grow stronger.
"So... do we truly have no hope left?"
"It once seemed that way. But now, it appears that might not be the case."
At that moment, the gods felt that once this youth fully grew, he might not be meaningless to them. Perhaps when he ascended to a higher position, their own stagnant progress could be unleashed.
"Therefore, this child is essential!"
"Therefore, the 'World' itself wants this child to grow step by step!"
At this moment, the gods finally grasped the meaning of "hope."
This hope might not only be limited to the individual—it could even bring blessings to the entire world.