Klang!

'I guess that's to be expected…'

The shadowy figure's head had just flown off and landed on the ground before fading away. However, it seemed as if the shadowy figure didn't really care about that part of its body…

It simply continued banging me in its headless state!

'This tower really isn't for the lighthearted.'

The current situation matched one of the speculations I had in my head as I changed my target to the shadowy figure's legs, allowing it to finally lay down and take a break…

The limbless headless torso of the shadowy figure seemed to still have life in it as it didn't fade away, making it pretty easy to guess what the next step to take would be. It seemed like I had to act as the butcher who has to serve the tower its meal.

As if to suit its name as the tower of 'Refinement', the tower needed its challenger to reduce the target of purification into 'refinable' portions for it to work its magic, or that's at least what I believed to be the case from my observation.

'At least there is no actual blood, bones, or muscles…'

Fortunately for me, the body of the shadowy figure was all made of the same material, just like a statue made of clay, making it somewhat easier to accept the unusual task I had to perform.

'Let's see… this should do it.'

Changing 'Lightning Cloud' to its shortsword form for a more convenient butchering experience, I hacked away using Darkness elements. It was quite a dull experience, but it still didn't take too much time thanks to my high slicing rate.

Watching the last 'meal' fading away in anticipation, I quietly considered my whole experience on the first floor, pondering my options for the floors to follow…

[ The refinement of the First Floor has been completed. ]

The words of the crystal card calmly popped up in my head as I felt a slight sting, something really did change.

It couldn't be described as feeling somewhat lighter myself, but it wouldn't be wrong easier to say that something did feel lighter. It felt negligible, but it didn't pass by my high Perception.

Expectedly enough, the source of this feeling was the Darkness Cell situated in my heart, the Corruption that was buried deep within was definitely reduced, it was just that it was indeed too little.

'So that's why it's the first floor?'

If one was to compare the pre-refinement Corruption in the Darkness Cell to its current state, the reduction could count as barely 3%, it certainly made the hacking I did feel even duller…

[ Would you like to proceed with the refinement of the Second Floor? ]

'...Yes.'

While feeling slightly reluctant, I still gave the same answer that I gave earlier. While it was true that I had at least one method to make this easier, it wasn't the time to end this round of testing just yet.

'Oh?'

As my approval was transmitted over to the crystal card, I could see a hexagonal shape shining under my feet, before I felt a sudden sense of elevation!

However, no matter how I perceived it, it merely felt like a feeling, the place I was standing in was identically the same, and even my 'Omni-viewing Eye' didn't catch any actual movement after the surprising shine...

As confusing as this was, I wasn't given time to overthink it, a new yet identical shadowy figure had already materialized before me once more.

Having decided to not give the shadowy figure time to respond, I took a step toward it before activating the Darkness elements that I dispersed just earlier and struck one of its arms according to the 'textbook' example I set on the first floor. However…

Klang!

'The hardness is almost doubled!'

Though I expected an increase, such a high one made me slightly shiver at the thought of what might be waiting for me on the last floor…

Swoosh!

Retreating one step to the back, I dodged the materialized sword that came at me in response, it seemed like it didn't stop at hardness just as I guessed.

'It's definitely faster…'

Having a quick exchange of a few rounds with the shadowy figure without the intent of doing much damage to it, I gauged the degree of capability that it had in comparison to its 'brother' on the first floor.

'Its weapon skill is at least at beginner level 5…'

Even though it wasn't risen by an overall standard, all the aspects of the shadowy figure had increased to a certain degree, starting from weapon skills to speed, reaction speed, and even battle senses, it would be really hard to believe if one denied that training was at least half the purpose of this tool.

'Well then…'

[ Would you like to pause the refinement of the Second Floor? ]

As I just had the thought to end this round of testing which satisfied almost all my questions, the crystal card's response came in quick.

'Yes.'

My answer seemed to have an immediate effect as the shadowy figure froze in place and even the air around me seemed to follow through and before I could feel the effect of this 'freezing', I found myself standing in front of the tower's entrance.

I could only get a glance, but it was hard to compare it to anything other than hitting the pause button on a video. Just like the tower had quite a bit of weird rules, its out-of-place abilities didn't disappoint…

'This settles it.'

The tower proved to be capable of solving my 'Corruption' problem, but just judging from the difficulty of the first floor, it might be impossible for me to reach the fourth or the fifth floor, let alone the last one. Sweeping the whole space for my target might prove quicker than going through with it as my current state.

'It's your time to shine.'

However, the mental imprint's last gift was precisely a game-changer in that aspect, not only would it act as the key to conquering the Tower of Refinement efficiently, but it may as well be the key for the breakthrough that I have been seeking for the last few weeks!