Next few days passed uneventfully. Lorian tended to sit in his wheelchair, gazing at the falling snow in silence. His mentality has undergone change. He became calmer and more reserved in his speech.

One would feel comfortable calm, steady, peaceful tranquil aura around him.

However, the change in his temperament was in no way detrimental. This peaceful, frail youngster was capable of becoming more dangerous than the most ferocious of beasts. His willpower and determination knew no bounds when his life was in danger.

The village had also become peaceful. The villagers didn't regard him as a hero, but they showed him a friendly attitude.

Lorian silently admired the resilient villagers. The pain of losing loved ones didn't break them. Was it a sort of tradition or conviction, they started working harder, looking forward to future even more. The broad backs of those, who sacrificed their lives and allowed them to live on became their backbone and source of motivation.

Many silent tears were shed, but they never gave up on themselves.

After the chief's departure, Elise also started interacting with Lorian. They would have some short conversations and Lorian never refused her company, however, he was inwardly not happy with her, since he read pity in her eyes.

He didn't need anyone's pity.

Ania was different. She was always cheering him on to never lose hope and look forward to the future. He liked her more and more, but he never made a move to advance their relationship.

Lorian was an inwardly prideful individual. He wouldn't allow himself to have a relationship in his current condition, because at present he wouldn't be able to provide her the happiness she deserved. However, Ania had already taken a place in his heart.

Still, these feelings bordered deep affection and nothing more. He was still a cold person. This didn't change.

As a human, one would always have a soft spot. A woman was always one of them. It was a weakness and source of motivation at the same time.

Considering his character, Lorian wouldn't allow himself to have this weakness at this early a stage.

Though he spent his days idly, he never forgot to continue farming Exp in the instances.

After this major power-up, Lorian cleared the hard mode of the first floor easily.

The rewards were handsome, as expected.

Silver cape (Middle-grade artifact) +5 cold resistance Engraved skill: Trace erasion

This cape was made out of snow wolf fur and gave satisfying silver-white sheen. It was warm and cool looking. The outer cover was fluffy, while the inner layer was silky smooth.

It was extremely useful for Lorian, who would no longer be afraid of backlashes from overusing frostbite.

Lorian had no way to measure the trace erasion skill in his current condition, so he allowed Ania to test it.

They were both dumbfounded when Ania's footprints on the snow were erased as she walked.

Lorian was reminded of fox, as their tails would erase their footprints as they moved around. This cape had the same effect. It was amazing.

Lorian temporarily decided against trying the nightmare mode and went to test out other floors.

His disability was not much of a deterrence in the instances as he fought in a similar manner he fought in the beast tide. Besides, there was no feeling of pain in instances and he could fight more unrestrained. Also, he was much stronger than last time.

Lorian knew that huge amount of holy water was spent to save his life, so he had no cheek to ask for more, even if it would help him easily pass the 2nd floor. Hence, without holy water, he could only temporarily ignore the 2nd floor. He couldn't hurt the ghost of the second floor with mere physical damages, after all.

The 3rd floor's resident became that robust monster.

Though it was merely at the middle stages of the mortal realm, its innate physique and vitality were very high. Its single strike was enough to flatten his virtual self. However, it was a bit clumsy and this could be exploited.

In his current condition, Lorian wasn't particularly flexible either, so his advantage to exploit the monster's clumsiness was gone. He could no longer use holy water as a catalyst in battles, so his battle power dropped further. He didn't have Fanar's legacy either.

However, his warrior profession bar reached up to nearly 8000/10000 Exp, which made him 1.8 times stronger than the average human. This was more than enough to make up for the losses and deal with the monster of the 3rd floor. At least enough for easy mode, which had 1 monster with reduced attributes.

The monster turned out to be variant of a troll as system revealed.

Clearing the easy mode with 70% of original attributes was no problem when he had already beat the original version.

After the giant dropped dead and turned into particles, a flask full of some kind of orange liquid dropped to the ground. Lorian was pleasantly surprised by the drop.

Strength Potion (Consumable)

Effect: Doubles strength for 10 minutes

Usage limit: 3

Though it was a consumable item, it was a life saving one. It could boost his strength to the point where he could challenge 1-star warriors. It could be used thrice.

Lorian was tempted to enter the normal mode, but he had no confidence to beat 3 variant trolls with original attributes, so he decided to play it safe at first and challenged 4th floor's easy mode.

The 4th floor's inhabitant was earth scorpion. It was one of the tougher fleeing monsters he has killed in the beast tide.

Its outer shell was very tough and tail shot venom. Despite that, beating it in easy mode was no problem. This time, the reward was another consumable item.

Flask of earth scorpion poison (Consumable)

Effect: Corrosion, paralysis

A thought flashed in his mind. He could use this poison to temper his anti-poison body. He would consume it in small doses.

Though it wouldn't be a pleasant experience, his resistance would rise, making this whole ordeal worth it.

After all the same floors were challenged successfully, Lorian decided to go back to the first floor and challenge the nightmare mode.

He was a bit nervous as the nightmare mode sounded very intimidating, but he was reassuring himself.

'No matter how much the difficulty rises, it won't be too bad, right? The earth scorpion I just beat could easily wipe tens of snow wolves. They wouldn't even be able to breach its defenses. Yeah, what's there to fear?'

Lorian secretly burned with excitement. His only worry was, that he would be drowned in tens of snow wolves. He wasn't afraid of their individual power, but the strong pack was much harder to deal with.

Before entering, he had made preparations and drank a huge amount of water to use as a fuel for frostbite skill.

Defeat snow wolf king to clear the floor

Nightmare mode (Enemy has 100% of original attributes)

The battling ground was no longer the forest.

It was the night. Moon hung in the air, radiating menacing, cold light. On both sides of the street were seemingly quiet, dead buildings. The wind was blowing. The snow had covered the street and the buildings.

A huge figure with deep blue eyes stood opposite to him, facing him silently. Its shadow overshadowed Lorian's figure.

The snow wolf king was at least 3 times bigger than the original snow wolf. Its mere presence gave one feeling of inferiority. Its smooth white fur ruffled gently in the snowy wind.

- Awooo~

The snow wolf king raised its head and 2 snow wolves materialized on its left and right.

Lorian burned with excitement as he appraised the snow wolf king

Snow wolf king (Sub-elite) Mortal (2500/10000) Skills: Summon, Command, Frostbite, Slash Flurry, Freezing Howl, Chilling fury

'This won't be an easy fight.'

Lorian thought. His right leg didn't work so he had to fight in the similar style as before.

He was kneeling on the sword, staring right at the snow wolf king's radiating blue eyes unwaveringly. He was wearing the wolf mask, like usual and the majestic silver cape was draped over his shoulders, slightly waving along with the movement of wind.

- Bring it on...

Lorian whispered.

At the same time, the snow wolf king burst into motion.