[Ding! A new Mission: Explore and clear this floor in two hours.

    Reward: All stats+3]

    Noah''s eyes widened as the system notification appeared like usual.

    He took a deep breath, his mind racing. Two hours was not a lot of time to explore an entire city, especially one filled with unknown dangers. But the reward was too tempting to ignore.

    With renewed determination, Noah stepped deeper into the ruins. The city seemed to stretch on forever, a labyrinth of concrete and steel. The unnatural vegetation grew thicker, and the air seemed to grow heavier with each step.

    His Presence Detection flickered constantly, a constant reminder of the unseen threats lurking in the shadows. He knew he had to be vigilant, to anticipate every move. This was no longer just a game; it was a test of his skills and his will to survive.

    Noah pressed on, the weight of the timer a constant pressure. The city seemed to grow darker, the buildings closing in around him like a claustrophobic embrace. His Presence Detection flared to life, a cluster of red dots appearing ahead.

    He readied his weapons, his heart pounding in his chest. Whatever was ahead, he knew it wouldn''t be easy. As he rounded a corner, the source of the disturbance came into view. A group of grotesque creatures, resembling mutated humans with elongated limbs and glowing red eyes, were swarming around a pile of rubble.

    Noah took a deep breath, his mind racing. He had to be quick. With a surge of determination, he launched himself into the fray, his daggers a blur of motion. The creatures shrieked in surprise, their attacks wild and uncoordinated. Noah dodged and weaved, his mind working overtime.

    The battle was intense, a blur of limbs and weapons. Noah''s mana reserves were dwindling, and the timer was ticking away. But he refused to give up. With a final, desperate push, he managed to eliminate the last of the creatures.

    The spirits shrieked in agony as the flames consumed them. Their attacks, ethereal in nature, passed through him harmlessly. However, the constant barrage of spirit energy was draining, and Noah knew he couldn''t sustain this pace for long.

    Explore more adventures at m,v l''e-novelhall.net

    With a surge of determination, he focused his mind, channeling his energy into a concentrated blast of Hellfire. The flames erupted in a blinding explosion, engulfing the remaining spirits. When the smoke cleared, the creatures were gone, leaving behind only a sense of emptiness.

    Exhausted but relieved, Noah glanced at the timer. Less than fifteen minutes remained. He had to press on, but he knew that the final stretch would be the most challenging yet.

    His exp bar was slowly increasing.

    The final stretch was a gauntlet. The city seemed to converge into a single, towering structure, its peak lost in the perpetual gloom. The air was thick with an oppressive energy, and Noah could feel his senses straining to their limits.

    As he ascended the crumbling stairs, he encountered a series of increasingly powerful enemies. Mutated creatures, spectral beings, and even remnants of ancient machinery guarded the path. Each encounter was a desperate struggle, a test of his endurance and skill.

    With each passing moment, the timer inched closer to its end. Noah''s body ached, his mana reserves were depleted, and his mind was on the verge of exhaustion. Yet, he pressed on, driven by a strange compulsion to reach the top.

    Finally, he emerged onto a rooftop, the wind whipping at his clothes. Before him lay a colossal, pulsating crystal, its light illuminating the city below. This was it, the heart of the city, the source of its corruption.

    A final, daunting challenge awaited. A monstrous guardian, a fusion of flesh and machinery, stood before the crystal. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural intensity, and its body was a grotesque amalgamation of organic and inorganic matter.

    Noah took a deep breath, his mind clear. This was the final battle, the culmination of everything he had endured. With a surge of determination, he charged forward, his daggers gleaming in the crystal light.