[ Wisdom +5! ]

As I spent over a third of my stats point, I ran while trying to get used to the increase in mental energy as soon as possible.

​​

[ Wisdom: 50.01 ]

'Great!'

Normally, when I raised a stat by that much at once, I would usually be in pain for a while, which was why I planned to steel my heart and endure it through sheer will since there was no way the 'figure' would wait for me. However, I was given a great surprise as the pain I felt was simply as weak as a sting.

'Is it thanks to the forced realization's aftereffects?'

Back in the system space, I was given the chance to experience the horror of my mind space drying up, even 'Mental Immunity' managed to level up twice. Even disregarding that, it made sense that the usual pain I felt when advancing my Wisdom by a chunk would be almost nonexistent since my mind had adapted to that horrible experience.

'Let's just hope this does it…'

Though such a positive surprise was very helpful, I was still not very confident about the result. Still, in the worst-case scenario, I could just spend all my points and show this 'figure' who is the real boss!

In reality, however, I was simply thinking of that to boost my confidence, I didn't really want to try that considering the already large gap between Wisdom and the rest of the stats. That wasn't a worry for me back then, but I could feel that another increment like this could be very detrimental.

Regardless, that wasn't the time to think that deep, being confident and optimistic was likely the only way to fight the corruptive mental invasion of the 'figure'. I was even prepared to act on this thought if it really didn't work since the most important task that I had now was to survive.

'It will work!'

Disregarding my true worried thoughts, I pushed my optimism to the roof as I used my enhanced reservoir of mental energy to form a transparent sheet of armor that covered my whole body, which did give me confidence as I felt my body grow lighter.

This was obviously caused by the 'Telekinesis' ability of my mental energy. In fact, I felt that I had surpassed the threshold of mental strength that would be needed for me to use 'Telekinesis' to fly, or more precisely 'float'.

'It could make my 'dragon flight' much more flexible!'

Using this positive thought to reinforce my mentality, I reached the front of the 'figure' once more and slashed with my sword.

- I guess humans aren't known for their useless persistence for no reason… -

The 'figure' scoffed at my swords approaching his neck, not even bothering to dodge. Instead, he stretched his left arm towards my head and almost pressed on it, releasing a dark sinister mist.

'It's doable!'

As my swords sank further into his neck, I could feel the large hand that was stopped by my mental barrier as well as my swords' connection to his neck exuding the same terrifying mental pressure. Except that this time, it was at a level that could be endured!

Furthermore, as I specified the affected parts, I retracted the full-body mental armor and only focused from my head to my arms and swords, the oppression no longer affected my thinking ability. This impossible battle has finally returned to the level of a fair battle!

- Huh? -

As the first new expression other than carefree nonchalance surfaced on the face of the 'figure', my swords had managed to reach the end of his thick neck, separating his 'new' shocked face from his body.

'Let's finish it quickly.'

Considering that even the basic figures from the earlier floors didn't vanish after their heads were cut, I didn't believe that this would be the end of it. As such, I moved my swords to his torso, working my way into separating it from his lower body.

Unfortunately, as the 'meal' condensed by the last floor of the tower, the 'figure' was really 'thick', I couldn't cut through it swiftly no matter how fast I was, it had to be a working progress, making it feel as if I'm cutting a treat of sorts…

- That's really surprising. You don't only have such a developed body, but even such a great mind. What a shame… -

It would have been better if the head was finally silenced now that it was separated from the body, but it seemed like I wasn't granted this simple request. The sinister voice of the head was very 'chilling'.

- I seem to have even helped you develop your mind a bit. Still, struggling is meaningless. -

As the 'blabber head' continued to speak, I didn't relax my 'sawing'. However, I was forced to stop due to what I saw next…

- I just regret not being able to crush you with my own hands. -

As words flew out of its mouth, the head also flew up and approached the 'stump' that it was cut off from, sitting back on it as if it was very normal. The cut even started to fade, till it was no more apparent!

Quickly retreated again, half the torso that I already sawed also started to 'heal', only a second went by before the 'figure' became as shiny and new at the time it was bought…

'Impossible?'

- You are now capable of resisting me, but that wouldn't last for long. Sooner or later, your mind will run out of its energy, and you will still end up dead even if I use this lousy body. -

The 'figure' not only had the ability to regenerate, but it obviously had a higher Wisdom stat than mine. If we really engaged in both mental and physical battles, my achievements in both battles would simply be zero.

Of course, there could be a chance that the 'figure' was simply bluffing and his body would be destroyed after a limited amount of regeneration. However, it didn't seem reliable to rely on just a guess even if I had emergency potions…

'Why is Darkness incapable of truly destroying him?'

Countless suspicions emerged in my head as my face slightly darkened, but in the end, I got a hold of myself once more. There was simply no need to think deeply about things other than surviving this battle. Besides, I already had an idea in mind…

'Perhaps… that would work?'