I pant heavily, each breath stabbing at my lungs. My mana slowly starts to regenerate as I rest against the cold wooden floor.

  After a few moments, I force myself to stand. My legs are shaky, but I manage. That’s when I see it.

  Inside the wolf’s mouth, wedged between its massive fangs, is the boss loot.

  Disgust twists in my stomach, but I have no choice. Gritting my teeth, I step forward and grab onto the chest, yanking it free with a sickening squelch. I drop it onto the floor and wipe my hands on my already-torn outfit.

  With a deep breath, I open the chest.

  Inside, a short sword gleams in the dim light.

  I grin.

  Finally, a real weapon.

  Daggers are too short, too weak. Staffs aren’t made for combat. But this gives me some reach, something to fight back with.

  I grip the sword tightly, feeling its weight in my hand. It’s not the best, but it’s better than nothing.

  Using the last bit of my mana, I whisper another Restore spell, letting the warmth spread through my aching body. Then, my eyes land on something else—the broken red gemstone from my staff, lying on the ground.

  I crouch and pick it up, running my fingers over its cracked surface. I can’t leave it behind. Not yet. I tuck it inside my corset, hoping it stays secure at least until the tenth floor.

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  With one last look at the fallen wolf, I move forward.

  The next door leads me back into the familiar cold stone environment. The warmth of the wooden chamber vanishes as I step onto a spiral staircase, the same type I’ve climbed before.

  When I reach the next floor, I stop dead in my tracks.

  The room is a massive triangle.

  I stand at the widest part, the entrance behind me. In the center, a long rectangular gap stretches from one side of the room to the other—an endless void.

  At the far narrowest point of the triangle, a skeleton stands in front of the next gate.

  Its hollow eyes seem to lock onto me instantly. A bow is clutched tightly in its bony fingers, an arrow already nocked.

  The only way across is a thin wooden plank in the center. It’s not attached to anything. One hit, and it’s gone.

  I need a plan.

  The moment I step forward, the skeleton lifts its bow and fires.

  I barely jerk my head to the side. The arrow grazes my ribs.

  "Whaaat?" I gasp.

  I’ve fought skeletons before. They were slow, mindless. This one isn’t.

  I glance at its armor. A ranked skeleton.

  Another arrow flies. I dodge, twisting my body. It slams into the stone wall behind me.

  Wait.

  I snatch the fallen arrow from the floor, spin on my heel, and hurl it back.

  The arrow pierces its neck.

  Its skull topples off.

  "That was easier than I expected," I mutter.

  Then its body moves.

  Its bony hand grips another arrow.

  Panic shoots through me.

  It’s immortal.

  I barely dodge the next shot, but it cuts across my arm. I don’t have time to think.

  I bolt toward the plank bridge. I just need to rush it.

  Then the skeleton lifts its foot and kicks the plank.

  My world freezes.

  The wooden plank tilts.

  I’m falling.

  No time to think.

  I stab my sword into the stone wall.

  The blade catches, halting my fall. My boots scrape against the rock as I slide downward, barely holding on.

  I grit my teeth and haul myself up.

  The moment I reach solid ground, I sprint.

  The skeleton fires. I dodge, barely.

  I tackle it.

  It smashes its iron gauntlet into my ribs. Pain explodes in my side.

  But I rip the bow from its hands and snatch the quiver off its shoulder.

  It’s unarmed.

  I grab it by the legs.

  I spin.

  Once.

  Twice.

  And hurl it into the void.

  I don’t hear it hit the ground.

  I don’t care.

  I passed the floor.

  Breathing heavily, I sling the bow over my back. The arrows rest against my shoulder.

  Now, I don’t have just one weapon.

  I have two.