After taking down another Shadow Serpent, Junichi ordered another break. The hunt was grueling, physically and mentally, even though their coordination was markedly improving. They took refuge again in an alcove, catching their breath in the oppressive greenish light. All nine survivors had now reached level 2.

  Misaki, emboldened by the success of her 'Spiritual Soothing' skill on Daichi and her own level-up, decided to try approaching the enigmatic Yuki. Yuki had stood apart during the break, observing the shadows, her mark glowing faintly after her intervention against the serpent.

  “Yuki?”Misaki began softly, approaching cautiously.“That was... amazing what you did earlier. That... magic?”Yuki slowly turned her head, her dark eyes fixing Misaki expressionlessly.“I... I was wondering... since we all have a css now... what’s yours? And your skill? It might help us to know...”

  Yuki's gaze remained fixed for a moment, cold, almost empty. Then, without a word, she looked away and turned her attention back to the depths of the cavern, completely ignoring Misaki.

  Misaki stood there, taken aback and slightly hurt by the silent rejection. She sighed softly and rejoined the others, shaking her head in response to Goro's questioning look.

  Renji had observed the scene. Yuki's silence was unsettling, but another thought occupied his mind. His ability to see the monsters' stats. It was too significant an advantage to keep to himself, especially now that they needed to optimize their hunt to reach level 5. The group's survival took precedence over his initial discretion.

  “I noticed something.”Renji said, his calm voice drawing the attention of the tired group.“Against the st serpent. I tried to focus on it, and at the same time on the feeling of the mark on my hand.”He held up his marked left hand.“For a moment, I saw... information. Its level, its health points.”

  Surprised silence greeted his statement.“What? You can see their HP?”Kenta excimed, incredulous.“How? Just by concentrating?”

  “That’s what it seemed like.”Renji confirmed.“Focus on the target, and on the mark. The information was brief, but clear. Level 4, 80 HP for the serpent. When Yuki hit it, I saw the HP drop to 72.”

  “Incredible...”Aiko murmured, her eyes shining with interest despite the situation.“A kind of... scan? Linked to the mark? Can everyone do it? Does it consume MP? Is there a range? Does it work on the boss?”The questions tumbled out, her curious nature taking over.

  “I don’t know.”Renji admitted.“I didn’t feel any MP cost, but the information was very brief. I don’t know if it works for everyone or if it’s linked to my Assassin css. That’s why I’m telling you. We have to try. If we can see an enemy's remaining health, we’ll know when to focus our attacks, when a monster is almost dead. It could make a huge difference.”

  “Enough questions for now, Aiko.”Junichi intervened pragmatically.“Renji’s idea is solid. Knowing if the enemy is almost dead is crucial. Next fight, we try. Kenta, me, we focus like Renji said. Let’s see if it works.”

  The prospect of gaining such a tactical advantage gave the group a little more energy. They resumed the hunt, more alert, searching for their next target. It was another Shadow Serpent that appeared, hissing from the roots of a gnarled tree.

  “Ready?”Junichi asked.“Goro, draw it out. Kenta, Haru, get ready. Renji, Aiko, Yuki, support. Misaki, Daichi, stay back. Kenta, me, we try the ‘vision’.”

  The fight began. Goro blocked the first charge with his shield. As the serpent prepared to strike again, Kenta and Junichi stared intently at the creature, simultaneously concentrating on the tingling sensation of their marks.

  Shadow Serpent - Lvl 4 | HP: 80/80 | MP: 20/20

  “I see it!”Kenta gasped, a fierce grin spreading across his face.“Level 4, 80 HP! It works!”

  “Confirmed.”Junichi said, more soberly, but with a glint of interest in his eyes.

  This confirmation galvanized the group. The fight became more focused.“Hit the left fnk!”Renji shouted, having seen the serpent turn slightly.Haru and Kenta obeyed, their blows nding true.HP: 65/80 fshed in the minds of Renji, Kenta, and Junichi.

  “It took a big hit! Keep going!”Kenta encouraged.

  Yuki unched another Minor Affliction, closely followed by a strike from Goro.HP: 48/80

  “Less than half!”Junichi announced.“Don’t let it escape!”

  The serpent, sensing danger, tried to retreat, but the group, guided by the knowledge of its remaining HP, gave it no chance. A final coordinated attack from Kenta and Haru finished the creature.

  XP Gained: +40

  The victory was quicker, cleaner. The ability to see the enemy's stats was a decisive advantage.

  The hunt continued, alternating between Spectral Monkeys and Shadow Serpents. Thanks to the shared 'vision' of Renji, Kenta, and Junichi, they could prioritize targets, quickly finish off weakened enemies, and avoid wasting effort. XP climbed faster.

  Renji, Misaki, Aiko, and Junichi reached level 3, then level 4, their stats gradually increasing. Daichi and Yuki remained at level 2.

  As they explored a section of the path they hadn't yet searched thoroughly, Haru stopped abruptly. His 'Keen Perception' seemed to have detected something.“Wait... There.”He pointed towards a rock face covered in thick vines.“Behind the vines... it doesn’t look natural.”

  Intrigued, the group approached. Pushing aside the damp vines, they discovered a hidden alcove, almost invisible. And at the back of the alcove, resting on a rudimentary stone pedestal, was a dark wooden chest, bound with tarnished metal. It wasn't locked.

  “A chest?”Kenta whispered, eyes wide.“Like in games? With loot?”

  “Careful.”Junichi warned.“It could be trapped.”

  Haru carefully examined the chest and its surroundings, using his heightened perception.“I don’t see anything... no wires, no obvious mechanism. Seems safe.”

  Cautiously, Goro lifted the heavy lid. Inside, resting on worn velvet, was an assortment of simple, worn but functional weapons, much better than their previous finds or improvisations. There was a simple steel short sword, a one-handed hatchet, a shortbow with a handful of arrows with damaged fletching, a slightly carved hardwood staff, a dented metal buckler, and a few extra throwing daggers.

  “Real weapons!”Kenta excimed, dropping his rusty sword to grab the steel short sword. It was basic, but solid.Goro swapped his cracked wooden shield for the much more reassuring metal buckler and took the hatchet. Junichi picked up the shortbow and arrows with obvious satisfaction. Aiko took the carved staff, which seemed more fitting for a Mage than her fshlight. Haru added the throwing daggers to his collection. Renji kept his improvised dagger for now, preferring the lightness. Misaki and Daichi took nothing, having no immediate use for a weapon. Yuki remained indifferent.

  Better equipped, they resumed the hunt with increased confidence. Finally, after a series of fierce but efficient battles, Kenta felt the intense pulsing in his mark again.

  Level Up! Level 5 Reached!Skill Acquired: Power StrikePower Strike: A stronger but slower melee attack or one consuming more stamina/MP.

  “Level 5!”Kenta shouted, brandishing his new sword.“And a new skill: Power Strike!”

  Shortly after, it was Goro's turn.Level Up! Level 5 Reached!Skill Acquired: ProvokeProvoke: Draws the attention of one or more nearby enemies onto oneself. Success chance based on level/SPR difference.

  “Ha! Level 5! ‘Provoke’! Now I can really make them look at me!”Goro grunted with satisfaction, banging his hatchet against his buckler.

  Haru quickly followed.Level Up! Level 5 Reached!Skill Acquired: Quick DodgeQuick Dodge: Passively increases chances of dodging physical attacks.

  “Level 5. Quick Dodge.”Haru announced, his voice still low, but his movements already seemed more elusive.

  Renji also reached level 5.Level Up! Level 5 Reached!Skill Acquired: Sneak AttackSneak Attack: Increases damage dealt when attacking from stealth or from behind the enemy.

  “Level 5. Sneak Attack.”Renji said, his gaze already calcuting how best to combine his skills.

  Misaki and Aiko reached level 5 almost simultaneously in the next fight.Level Up! Level 5 Reached!Skill Acquired: Light HealLight Heal: Restores a small amount of HP to a single target.

  “Level 5! ‘Light Heal’! I can... I can heal now! Really heal!”Misaki's eyes lit up with real hope, looking at the pale marks left by the spectral attacks on her companions.

  Level Up! Level 5 Reached!Skill Acquired: Arcane BoltArcane Bolt: Launches a projectile of pure magical energy at a target. Basic damage.

  “Finally! Level 5! ‘Arcane Bolt’! A real attack!”Aiko couldn't contain her excitement, gripping her new staff tightly.

  The st was Junichi.Level Up! Level 5 Reached!Skill Acquired: Precise ShotPrecise Shot: Actively increases the accuracy or critical hit chance of the next ranged attack (consumes MP/Stamina?).

  “Level 5. Precise Shot.”Junichi announced, checking the tension of his new shortbow.“Good timing.”

  Seven of them had reached level 5, the level recommended by the door. Only Daichi and Yuki remained at level 2. They felt stronger, better prepared, better equipped.

  They decided to take down one st Shadow Serpent before returning to the clearing. The fight was quick, almost easy. Junichi tested his bow and his 'Steady Aim' skill, loosing an arrow that struck the serpent with surprising accuracy. Aiko unched her first Arcane Bolt, a dart of energy that seemed to injure the shadow creature. But at the end, when the creature dissipated... nothing. No XP notification.

  “Huh?”Kenta looked at his hand.“No XP? Why?”

  They tried again, finding a Spectral Monkey. They defeated it even faster. Still nothing.

  “Is it... over?”Haru asked.“We don’t gain XP anymore?”

  “Level 5...”Aiko realized, her excitement fading.“That’s the recommended level on the door. Maybe we can’t go higher on this floor? A level cap?”

  “Damn it! Just level 5?”Kenta spat, frustrated.“I was hoping we could level up a bit more before going back in!”Goro grunted his agreement, banging his hatchet against his buckler.

  “But... is level 5 enough?”Misaki whispered, worry returning to her voice.“Against... her? What we saw...”Aiko nodded, sharing her apprehension.

  “Enough or not, we don’t have a choice.”Junichi cut in, his face hard.“The system is blocking us here. It’s pushing us towards the door. We’ve reached the required level, found better weapons, got new skills. It’s now or never. Staying here won’t make us stronger.”

  The realization settled in, heavy and cold. They had reached the peak of what this floor could offer them. The next step was inevitable.

  The group gathered, their gazes turned towards the direction of the clearing where the obsidian door awaited. The time for preparation was ending. The time for confrontation had arrived.