Demon Slayer : LEveLing uP

After finishing off all the demons on the second floor and making sure the area was safe, I used the stat points I got from leveling up to boost my different skills. With that done, I set my sights on the next challenge: the third floor.

I couldn't help but wonder how tough this next floor would be. Would the demons be stronger? How much would they have leveled up? Only one way to find out.

The path to the third floor was now open, thanks to the system unlocking it after I completed the second-floor task. So, the new mission was clear: tackle the challenges waiting on the third floor.

If I think about the pattern of demon levels from the first two floors, the demons on the third floor should be at least level 15. That's the minimum, but I'm not really sure how high their levels could go on this floor.

The thing is, I've only cleared 2 out of 7 floors so far, and the demon levels are already getting close to mine. If I run into level 18 demons on the third floor, then on the fourth floor, level 18 could be the starting point for the weakest demons.

Fighting one-on-one with demons that are level 19 or above might not be too tough, but if I'm up against a group, like 15 demons at once, I'm not sure how that will go.

As I keep going through the quest, I know it's going to get tougher with each floor. I need to make smart choices, keeping my health up and using as little MP as possible until I really need it.

Before long, I saw the entrance to the third floor.

When I stepped inside, I noticed it was wrecked, similar to the last floor. But this time, it wasn't completely trashed—some parts were only half destroyed. You could say it was in slightly better shape than the second floor. If the second floor was at 2-3% health, this one might be around 15%.

I moved ahead, paying close attention to everything around me and even the ground beneath my feet. There was so much destruction and debris scattered everywhere that even a moment of distraction could cause trouble, and that's the last thing I need right now in this part of the quest.

As I continued walking, I suddenly spotted a small picture lying on the ground. For a moment, I was completely taken aback, but I quickly pulled myself together and bent down to pick it up.

Just as I was about to touch the picture, I saw a sudden movement from the corner of my eye. Out of nowhere, a demon attacked me. This one was much shorter than the ones I had faced on the previous floors. With quick reflexes, I managed to block the attack, though my sword was still in its sheath, so I used my hand to stop it. The demon immediately came at me again with its other hand, moving so fast that I couldn't grab it in time. I twisted my body just enough to dodge the blow, and then used my strength to push the demon back a few feet. With a quick backflip, I created even more distance between us.

Even though this demon was shorter than the ones on the lower floors, it was quick and agile.

But what about that picture?

I only got a brief glance at it, and suddenly it was gone, vanished without a trace.

I was sure I saw something, but before I could wrap my head around it, I realized I was in trouble.

I was surrounded by demons on all sides. Unlike the previous floor, where the demons were clustered together and I could break them up to fight one-on-one, this time they had spread out and encircled me.

"Was the picture just a trap?"

Even if it was, I doubt the demons have the awareness to set something like that up. It must have been the system's doing. But why use that picture as bait?

[Demons Level: Minimum 14, Maximum 17]

---

With demons on all sides, I took a deep breath and quickly sized up the situation. These demons, ranging from level 15 to 18, had surrounded me with a cleverness I didn't expect. Their eyes glowed eerily in the dim light, and their bodies seemed like a mix of shadow and solid form, giving off a menacing energy.

Just as I was trying to get my head around what was happening, the demons suddenly attacked. They moved so quickly and smoothly that it totally surprised me. These demons were way faster than the ones I'd fought before. They came at me with quick and carefully planned hits. I just about managed to block the first hit with my arm, feeling the shock run through me. The second demon attacked right after, moving so fast it was like a blur. I barely dodged it by twisting my body and jumping back.

I felt a rush of panic as I struggled to keep up with their nonstop attacks. My mind was racing, trying to figure out what to do next. I knew I couldn't let them stay in control.

[Fatigue: 10/100]

[MP: 530/580]

[HP: 610/610]

[Defeated Enemies: 0/15]

Knowing I had to move as fast as the demons to stand a chance, I gathered my courage and pushed myself to be as quick as possible. My actions became lightning-fast, just like theirs. As the demons got closer, I used the technique First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace, swinging my weapon in swift crescent shapes to keep them back.

As I got used to their speed, I started paying more attention to how they fought. They attacked in quick, well-coordinated bursts, using their speed and numbers to try to overpower me. I realized I needed a strategy, a way to break up their group and take them down one at a time.

I started to see a pattern in how they attacked—a tiny pause just before they jumped at me. That was my chance. With this in mind, I planned to pull them in closer and take advantage of those brief moments when they were open.

When the next demon rushed at me, I pretended to back away, making it commit too much to its attack. At the very last moment, I stepped aside and struck with precision, my blade slicing through its defenses. The demon stumbled and fell.

[Defeated Enemies: 1/15]

Feeling more confident after that win, I used the same tactic again, each time drawing a demon in and taking advantage of its brief pause. My blade moved through the air with purpose, cutting down demons one by one with careful skill. The room turned into a storm of action, each move planned, each strike intentional.

[Defeated Enemies: 5/15]

The demons began to hesitate, their earlier confidence starting to fade. Seeing my chance, I took the upper hand by using the **Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Chains**. This technique helped me control their movements and break their teamwork. The chained slashes opened gaps in their defenses, allowing me to strike accurately.

[Defeated Enemies: 10/15]

With fewer demons left, I changed my approach to keep control of the fight. I used the debris scattered on the floor to my advantage, pushing the demons into tighter spaces where their speed wouldn't help them as much. One by one, they fell, each defeat showing how much better I was getting at understanding their strategies.

[Defeated Enemies: 14/15]

The last demon lunged at me, clearly desperate to make a final stand. I faced its attack with steady precision, and in one smooth move, my blade struck true. The room went quiet, the shadows pulling back as the final demon faded away into mist.

[Defeated Enemies: 15/15]

I stood among the aftermath, breathing hard, my mind replaying the battle. The demons had been tough opponents, their speed and teamwork really testing my abilities. But by watching and adapting, I managed to defeat them.

[Fatigue: 30/100]

[MP: 530/580]

[HP: 610/610]

[Exp. Received - 1,000]

As I got ready to move up to the next floor, a thought stayed with me. These demons had really tested my limits, and I couldn't help but wonder what was waiting for me on the higher floors. The challenges ahead were sure to be even tougher, and I made up my mind to stay alert, ready to adjust and conquer whatever awaited me.