Horace knew of that mask. Everyone did - the Spider Totem, or better known as the Technomancer, was well known for it and his white coat with a number 0 on its left breast.
His hunch was supported by the fact above its head was:
[???, Level ?????]
"You are-"
"Before you say it, I am not the Technomancer. I am not a clone or his son or some bullshit like that. I am the Technomancer's direct apprentice, the Architect." The terrifying figure spoke before looking him up and down. "And you. Time Dragon's Blessing huh?"
Horace froze. He half expected this considering its level was at least a hundred times higher than his perception. However the confirmation his perception was at least 1,100 was even more terrifying.
"How many times did you die boy? My bet is on five." The Architect spoke as he came closer, radiating aura that betrayed his strength.
Swallowing, Horace tried to stop the treacherous string of insults he wanted to scream at him as he made the tower. Instead he tried to remember. "I-I think eight?"
"You think? Wow. Interesting." Horace felt the Architect was grinning at him. "Well. Your progress isn't half bad. I bet White Pup would be... interested in your tenacity. So I'll offer you this - I can kick you out of the tower. Or I can let you continue. Which one do you want?"
Horace froze. First at the name of White Pup and then at the offer. Thoughts were spinning in his head - the White Pup is a well known disciple of the White Wolf. And the offer could be his way out.
However. He knew that even if he bitched and moaned about the difficulty, he gained a lot more. Not to talk about the fact he could apply to any academy with even a half decent time if he finished all ten floors on Nightmare difficulty and he would be able to get into it. Possibly even into the greatest one of them all - Ark. It was an international facility that was run by the very same Spider Totem. And from what he heard their resources dwarfed any other academy.
"I. I wanna stay." He sighed before taking his shirt to clean it of the Ogre's blood.
"Very well, Horace Smith. If we meet again in your future regression, just tell me we met. I bet my look under this mask will be funny." The man was grinning as he disappeared and time in the tower resumed.
You have earned 100,000 XP by defeating an enemy with a significantly higher level than yourself.
You have earned a bonus XP of 100,000 XP by defeating a BOSS monster with significantly higher power level than yourself.
You have gained [Basic Proficiency in Bastard Swords]
Your Strength has increased by 1 point]
Horace was ecstatic at all of this. He finally reached level 12 and he also gained better understanding of the blade. This would be beneficial in many ways, as Basic Proficiency is something one normally couldn't get at his level.
"Well I ain't normal." He chuckled to himself as he spread his stats.
[Horace Smith, Level 12, Blade Dancer]
Experience: 2,100 / 405,600
Mana: 175/175
Strength: 20 → 22
Agility: 24 → 26
Endurance: 20 → 22
Intelligence: 30 → 35
Perception: 18
Unique Skill: Time Dragon's Blessing
Upon death, regress to the earliest possible time in the realm the blessed one occupied at the moment of death, retaining 50% of stats and non-unique skills while keeping other benefits such as proficiencies.
Proficiencies
Bastard Sword [Basic]
Mana Manipulation [Minor]
Mana Enchantment [Minor]
Mana Detonation [Minor]
Manakinesis [Minor]
Mana Corruption [Minor]
Skills
Arcane Enchantment [Passive] - Any sword wielded by the user becomes automatically enchanted with Arcane Mana, leaving traces of it on enemies struck. Consumes Mana based on the amount of traces left behind.
Manakinesis [Passive] - Allows the user to manipulate their mana even outside of their body.
Lingering Mana [Passive] - User's residual Mana lingers in a state of inertia once it leaves their body.
Arcane Explosion [Active] - Detonates Arcane Mana outside the user's body.
Blade Dance [Active] - Consumes 50 Mana. For the next Minute, residual Mana whirs around the user and strikes out.
En Pointe [Active] - Consumes 30 Mana. Focuses Mana on the top of the sword before blasting it forward or to the side.
It felt good getting that strong. He bet his life (not that he wouldn't get it right back) that he was currently the strongest in his class. Maybe not in his age but he certainly approached it.
"Floor six, here I come." He muttered and walked to the teleportation circle. This time he was surprised at how low the monster's level was, fully expecting the Architect to screw him over and throw a level 50 beast at him. If he didn't know what that name entailed.
[Abyssal Skeleton Mage, Level 30]
"He might as well fucking have." Horace mumbled as he remembered what he knew about this specific type of monster.
Skeleton Mages were considered elite in the common difficulty. The reason why was simple - they could use active skills like magic. They mainly specialised in Curses but the flame gathering on their staffs would say otherwise. They are also smart. Like scarily smart.
And the final nail in the coffin was the fact there were five of them, spread out, their black bones wrapped around their staves and their surprisingly intelligent, flame-like eyes watching him. "Well. Might as well try." He grinned as he charged out, activating Blade Dance and then quickly forming a shield around himself from the shards of mana.
He ignored a ding from the system as fire enveloped him. He kept running even as the air inside his shield superheated, before he blasted it apart, blowing away the residual flames and clearing his vision just as he arrived in front of the closest mage.
His sword easily cut it, as he made a pirouette and dragged it across the whole length of the room, imitating Sword Qi to cover the area in his Arcane Mana. He saw the four remaining skeletons casting already as he raised his hand and snapped.
"Boom." He said with a manic grin as the Arcane Mana exploded. It wasn't over this time so he immediately dashed forward, slashing at the two remaining skeletons, which moved away from him. Thankfully at this point his stats had increased enough that he could clear the distance before they could even cast another spell.
As their bodies disintegrated a clapping sound could be heard as the Architect appeared.
"Wow boy. Just... Wow. I fully expected you would die here." He laughed, making Horace question if this guy had nothing better to do.