Amidst the maelstrom of battle, a daring notion bloomed in Daniel’s mind like a sinister flower of possibility.
The thought unravelled through the corridors of his thoughts, sending tendrils of exhilaration curling around his consciousness.
‘Monsters and their need for air… What if I strip that away?’
His grin broadened an emblem of audacity in the face of danger.
For a heartbeat, he wanted to experiment, caught between the excitement of the idea and the ominous consequences it might bring.
Yet, his relentless curiosity propelled him forward, a relentless force that surged through his veins.
His lips curved into a wicked smile as he contemplated the implications of his experiment.
‘This could be… enlightening’
He watched the monsters before him with renewed interest, a sense of impending triumph sharpening his focus.
In a display of bravado, he channelled his powers, weaving the very fabric of the air around his foes into a concentrated gas.
The tension in the air was palpable as he coaxed his newfound creation to wrap itself around the monsters’ heads, a spectral shroud that heralded their impending doom.
And then, with the deliberate precision of a master puppeteer, he drew upon his power, siphoning the vital breath from their lungs.
‘What if I take that away?’ he pondered with a thrill, feeling their struggles, their futile attempts to fight against an invisible foe.
It was a perilous dance of manipulation, a contest of wills that left his heart racing in exhilaration.
As the monsters writhed and contorted, Daniel’s eyes shone with an uncanny intensity, a blend of fascination and menace.
‘The balance of life itself, mine to command’ he mused, his own breath catching in his throat as he beheld the unfolding experiment.
“Can you feel it, monsters?” he taunted, his voice a velvety whisper. “The fragile thread of life slipping through your grasp.”
One by one, the monsters succumbed to the relentless pull of his power, their forms sagging like marionettes whose strings had been severed.
His heart raced in tandem with the thrill of his success, his grin unwavering even as he confronted the disquieting consequences of his newfound dominion over their existence.
‘An experiment worth conducting’ he reflected, the triumphant fire in his eyes mirrored by the extinguished life within his adversaries.
It was a chilling testament to the extent of his dominion, one that transcended mere battles, forging a path of manipulation that beckoned him ever forward into the unknown.
‘This is a new discovery… why didn’t any wind types users experiment with this method?’
Daniel mused, his thoughts spiralling down the rabbit hole of possibility.
The more he delved into this idea, the more confusion began to bubble up within him.
‘Why aren’t there any records of players using wind types in this manner? There’s no way the players are that idiotic’
His brow furrowed in puzzlement, a mixture of incredulity and fascination intertwining in his mind.
As he delved deeper into the uncharted territories of his thoughts, a nagging suspicion clawed at the edges of his consciousness.
But for now, he brushed it aside, his curiosity and ambition outweighing any sense of doubt.
With renewed determination, he continued to exploit the skill to its utmost potential, uncovering its hidden intricacies.
The more he experimented, the more secrets of the ability unveiled themselves, like the ability to manipulate the very liquid coursing through the veins of the monsters.
It was a relentless pursuit, a thirst for understanding that consumed him wholly.
Yet, amid his relentless drive, a profound truth lay obscured by the shadows of his focus.
The answer to his question had been right in front of him all along, embedded within the very name of the skill he wielded.
And he realized that the skill, Ruler’s Authority was the power to command, control, and manipulate the very elements of existence itself.
The notion of Authority found its practical manifestation as Daniel sought to harness the potential of his shadows in battle.
Yet, the challenge of multitasking during engagements with unique bosses necessitated a different approach.
Thus, he devised a strategic solution, the division of his shadows into six Battalions, each under the command of a designated Unique Monster referred to as a Commander.
Amidst the swirl of newfound responsibility, the six Commanders found themselves brimming with a sense of purpose.
The Authority granted to them was nothing short of a gift, a privilege that elevated their existence and affirmed their roles as leaders.
As they embraced their newfound command, they approached their roles with unprecedented seriousness and dedication.
Beneath the surface, sparks of rivalry began to smoulder among the Commanders.
Each aspired to establish themselves as the foremost leader, the one who could claim the title of the “number one” Commander.
The equality of their achievements thus far fueled this friendly competition, with each of them striving to outdo the others.
In Daniel’s perspective, however, the notion of “number one” was inconsequential.
His acknowledgement lay in their commitment to their tasks and their ability to fulfil their responsibilities effectively.
While the shadows demonstrated a degree of intelligence, it made sense to have capable commanders lead them, individuals who could excel in the strategic arena.
Meanwhile, at his level 600, Daniel found himself at a juncture where further levelling required a significant investment of time and effort.
He was acutely aware that, as the levels progressed, the experience required for each 100 levels increased exponentially by double.
Levels 100 and 200 didn’t have doubled experience requirements, which was seen as a relief by players.
Level 601 demanded an astounding 4.801 million experience points for an upgrade.
Imagine the effort needed to gather such an enormous amount by hunting monsters.
This explained why many strong players stagnated at level 800.
The struggle to gather enough experience was immense, especially considering the number of monsters required for a single level up about 1030 at level 601.
And this was just one level, there were still 99 more to go.
Moreover, monsters at level 600 were formidable foes, able to overpower players of the same level.
Mutated, Evolved, Boss, and Unique Boss monsters added further challenges.
The power of higher-level monsters was influenced by factors like chaos synergy, making it difficult for Daniel without his Phoenix Transformation. .
Monsters beyond level 500 exhibited intelligence and the ability to launch mental and soul attacks, creating an additional layer of complexity that could outmatch Daniel’s skills.
While monsters couldn’t halt his cheating abilities, high-level monsters were certainly more formidable.
The knowledge of magic, runes, and spirit was also becoming apparent.
With this, levelling up easily was nearly impossible without careful planning or significant sacrifices.
Hunting solo posed risks of death, making team efforts crucial.
As a result, average and rare players couldn’t progress to higher levels, as death awaited them.
Within three years of the Apocalypse’s onset, many countries lay in ruins, except for the strongest ones and organizations like the Bell Organization.
Apocalypse Monsters ranged from Boss to Unique Boss levels, causing significant devastation and making the elimination of all invaders nearly unfeasible.
After battling through to the 600th Floor, Daniel amassed countless spoils, currency, equipment, and armour of varying ranks from E to A, and almost 200 skill books ranging from E to A.