Tower of Paradise

Suddenly, Philip, who had previously moved, climbed up the lateral walls of the sanctuary towards the undead. A battle axe materialized in his hands as he executed multiple wall-to-wall jumps with an agility that, in another situation, would have been impressive.

—Die! Disgusting monster! —he shouted with a bravery that I found disconcerting.

The man jumped and directed his axe towards the head of the Incarnation of Terror. It was a brave move, but absolutely useless. The undead simply raised his skeletal hand, those steel claws stained with fresh blood, and with the other hand, firmly grabbed the head of the blond man, lifting him off the ground almost a meter, bringing him to the height of his disturbing golden eyes. His hand was so large that it completely covered the man's face.

—¡Kuaaaaargk! —The undead closed his hand and... crushed Philip's head like a watermelon. A rain of blood and brains burst into the air while the corpse fell to the ground with a dull sound, like a puppet with its strings cut.

—¡Aaaaaaah!

The horror screams of the women running towards the portal resonated in the sanctuary. Screams that announced that the worst was just beginning.

—¡C-run towards the portal! —the man shouted while taking the lead and fleeing like a fugitive seeking refuge.

Then, the Incarnation of Terror disappeared from the place like a shadow fading into darkness. Somehow, a man knew exactly where the undead had appeared, but when he attacked it with his sword, it simply broke into pieces against the monster's body.

—Damn. —The shock and his desperate expression revealed that the man had not expected his faithful weapon to break so easily. Unfortunately, it was already too late. The monster tore off his head in a single movement, as if he were pulling grass in a garden.

—¡Disperse!

—¡H-help me!

—¡Do not stop! ¡Run towards the portal!

Both fleeing groups ran frantically towards the portals like rabbits scared before a predator. The undead moved like a hungry lion in search of its prey, meticulously choosing who to devour first.

I observed the situation carefully. Although the monster to overcome had changed, the essential content of the sixth floor had not changed. I knew it perfectly. The punishment for breaking the rules was quite severe. If someone broke them, they would immediately become the target of the Incarnation of Terror.

The undead vanished and appeared in the air like a ghost, right above a man, and pierced his back as if it were butter, crashing him against the hard ground while a devastating scream was heard and blood spilled like a macabre fountain.

It was definitely exaggerated, but things like this were normal in the tower. The slightest mistake could cause death. That's how the rules worked in this infernal place.

—Shouldn't we help? —Raymond suddenly asked me while we watched the carnage from our position.

—Do you think we are in a position to fight that creature?

I took a deep breath before answering, carefully calibrating my words.

—¡¡Kuaaaagrh!!

While we talked, the screams of agony were heard like blades tearing the night, ripping the silence with their desperation.

—¡¡Aaaaargh!!

—The objective of this test is not to defeat that monster —I looked away from Raymond. I was tired of seeing those expressions, although I knew that my own face betrayed my sanity by making the same features. Once again, I was grateful to wear a mask that hid my emotions—. Well, if you want to die, then you should try it.

I looked ahead attentively. Of all the people who crossed the blue fires, only one was still alive. She was a woman traveling like a comet at great speed using her magic. A wind attribute mage who was just a few meters from the portal.

—...Well. She made it —KathyIn muttered while looking at the girl with hope. She was the same girl who had caught my attention at the beginning of this nightmare.

—No. She is going to die. —I shook my head, knowing what was to come next.

Just when the girl was about to cross the portal, just a meter away—a distance so close but that at the same time felt so distant and unattainable—the Incarnation of Terror appeared beside her, materializing out of nowhere.

—Now, take the opportunity to close your eyes. You can close your eyes when that creature is facing away —I instructed my companions.

—But you must keep them open when he is facing you. It is not even allowed to blink. —I closed my own eyes for a moment and then opened them again, remembering the deadly rules of this floor.

With a slap, as if killing just an insignificant fly, the girl's head flew through the air. Even from the distance that separated us, I could see her horrifying expression frozen on her beautiful face.

Finally, the blue flames, which had not allowed unauthorized advance, had completely gone out. It was our signal to move.

—Let's go. If he passes in front of you, do not stop looking at him, —I said firmly.

Beside me, KathyIn's body trembled like a leaf in full autumn. I wanted to be able to comfort her and tell her that everything would be okay, but I knew it was not the time. And I also knew it would be a lie.

—Move stealthily. Forget the weapons and equipment of the corpses, —I instructed as we began our advance.

A dozen bloody bodies were lying on the floor while souls swam above their heads, small blue lights floating like luminescent fish in a sea of blood.

—Do not do anything unnecessary. Just head towards the portals —I continued, keeping my voice low but clear—. KathyIn, try to be as silent as possible.

—Yes, you already said that a moment ago —she responded, a little annoyed.

—You are very noisy; that's why I repeat it personally —I replied.

No... That was not the truth. I emphasized it because I did not want her to die in vain.

—¡Fine! —KathyIn puffed out her cheeks and pouted. She looked really cute, like a sweet candy melting in my heart, a small reminder that beauty still existed in this scenario.

—Concentrate to the maximum and be careful.

We walked with extreme caution, as if we were stepping on a minefield where each wrong step would mean our death.

—And if I stop seeing him... what will happen? —Raymond asked me while looking at me, fear evident on his face.

—If you avoid his gaze or close your eyes when he is looking at you, he will attack you... —I explained while walking at the front, with Raymond to my right and KathyIn to my left, forming a survival triangle—. And you will die in the same way as all these people.

—So, we just have to advance in that way?

—For now, yes. —I looked ahead. The Incarnation of Terror was still standing near the portal—. Since he is not looking in our direction, we must advance as much as we can.

On the other side, at the same distance, the last two people who had remained with our group followed us while watching us. Since they were not very far, I could hear their conversation.

—What will we do...? —asked the woman next to the man wearing a cap and thick beard.

—I don't know. We can only try to do what that guy said —referring to my instructions.

My group and I had already reached the center of the sanctuary, where the rhombus crystal had been before. And as expected, the Incarnation of Terror turned around and walked in our direction. I felt my blood freeze in my veins.