Era of Players: Death God

A Fresh Start

The next morning, Noah woke up feeling completely refreshed. The night's rest had done wonders for his body, and the crisp dungeon air filled his lungs as he stretched, shaking off the last remnants of sleep.

Like usual, he began his morning routine.

With the sun—or rather, the dim dungeon light—rising overhead, Noah started with basic stretches, loosening his muscles before launching into a rigorous workout.

• Squats – 100 reps

• Push-ups – 150 reps

• Sit-ups – 200 reps

• Burpees – 50 reps

Each movement was precise, controlled. The cold air burned his lungs, but he thrived in it. His body had adapted well to the freezing temperatures, and he used the chill as a tool to push his endurance further.

Next, he moved into combat drills.

He shadow-boxed, incorporating a mix of karate, taekwondo, and swordplay, his fists cutting through the air with lethal precision. His footwork was light yet firm, weaving between imaginary strikes, dodging and countering as if an unseen enemy stood before him.

For the final stretch, Noah focused on mana refinement. He activated Presence Detection, closing his eyes and allowing his senses to spread across the frozen landscape. His mana flowed smoothly, no longer wild like before—he was in control.

By the time he finished, 40 minutes had passed.

Sweat clung to his skin, but the cold breeze quickly cooled him down.

Noah headed straight for the ice lake, stripping down without hesitation. The water was frigid, sharp as daggers against his skin, but he welcomed the sensation. He submerged himself completely, letting the icy water awaken every nerve in his body.

This was more than just a bath—it was a test.

He controlled his breathing, calming his heart rate, using the cold as another means of training his endurance. His mana pulsed steadily within him, growing more refined, sharper.

After a few minutes, he emerged, the freezing air biting at his damp skin. He quickly dried off, dressed, and moved on to breakfast.

With his campfire rekindled, Noah retrieved supplies from his item box.

This morning's meal was simple but energizing:

Grilled rabbit meat (leftover from last night's hunt)

A small portion of rice

Dried fruits and nuts for extra energy

As the meat sizzled over the fire, its savory aroma filled the air. Noah ate at a steady pace, mindful of his next steps.

Today, he would delve deeper into the dungeon, testing both his new skills and endurance.

After finishing his meal and securing his gear, he took one last look at his temporary campsite.

Then, with renewed energy and focus, he set off into the unknown.

The frozen wasteland stretched endlessly before Noah as he pressed forward, his breath visible in the frigid air. He had already swept through the first floor in just five hours, leaving behind a trail of fallen monsters. Now, stepping through the gate to the second floor, he prepared for what lay ahead.

The moment Noah emerged, he immediately sensed the difference. The temperature had dropped even further, the cold now seeping past his clothes despite his body's resistance. Ice-covered cliffs loomed on either side, and jagged peaks pierced the sky, forming an expansive glacial labyrinth.

The monsters here were stronger, faster, more aggressive. If the first floor had been a test of endurance, this one would demand more than just raw power.

A low, guttural growl echoed from the distance. Noah stilled, activating Presence Detection. A pack of Icefang Wolves—larger than normal wolves, their fur coated in a thick layer of frost—were stalking him from the shadows.

With a flick of his wrist, he unsheathed Nemesis, his black sword gleaming in the dim light.

Then, they attacked.

The wolves moved as one—coordinated, precise, lethal. The first lunged at his throat, fangs bared, but Noah sidestepped and slashed. The blade sliced cleanly through fur and flesh, crimson staining the ice.

Another wolf pounced from behind. Without turning, Noah spun and thrust his sword backward, impaling it mid-air.

The rest of the pack circled warily, sensing that their prey was not ordinary.

With a grin, Noah activated Shadow Steps, his form flickering as he closed the distance in an instant. His sword danced like black lightning, cutting down the remaining wolves in a series of swift, lethal strikes.

One floor down.

His Second Encounter happened quickly: It. Was Frost Golems.

Further into the tundra, massive figures emerged from the snowstorm—Frost Golems. They stood at least four meters tall, their bodies formed from solid ice, glowing with runes of ancient magic.

Noah's grip on Nemesis tightened. These were powerfully B-rank monsters, true threats.

The first golem swung its massive arm, the air around it freezing instantly. Noah dodged, rolling to the side, his instincts screaming that a direct hit would be devastating.

Activating Gigantification, his arms swelled with strength as he countered with an overhead slash. The black sword clashed against enchanted ice, sending a shockwave rippling through the battlefield.

Crack!

A fissure formed along the golem's chest, but it was far from defeated. The second golem attacked, its massive foot stomping down with force enough to shatter the ground. Noah barely leapt aside in time, ice shards cutting against his skin.

Realizing brute force wouldn't work, he changed tactics. Fire.

He activated Hellfire, his sword igniting in dark crimson flames. The moment he swung, the enchanted fire melted through the first golem's core, reducing it to nothing but steaming water.

The second golem charged, but Noah used Telekinesis, hurling his sword forward like a javelin. It pierced straight through the frozen giant's core, shattering it instantly.

Two floors down.

After conquering the second floor in six hours, Noah stepped through the next portal, arriving at the third floor.

A world of endless white stretched before him. Unlike the tundra, this place was covered in a raging blizzard, reducing visibility to near zero. Snow and ice storms howled, making it difficult to navigate.

The wind was razor-sharp, cutting like blades against his skin.

Noah pulled up his cloak, activating Mana's Armor Level 1 to shield himself from the elements. His Presence Detection spread outward, mapping the battlefield.

Here, the monsters were not just stronger—they were smarter.

A sudden sensation made Noah jump back just in time. From beneath the snow, a creature lunged—a humanoid beast cloaked in icy mist, wielding curved claws that shimmered with frost magic.

Ice Stalkers.

They blended into the blizzard, their figures nearly invisible, attacking with lightning-fast strikes before vanishing again.

Noah barely blocked the first slash aimed at his throat, countering with a wide arc that forced the creature back. But another leapt at him from behind—he twisted mid-air, kicking it away before slamming his sword down.

It howled, vanishing into the storm.

A battle of speed.

Noah narrowed his eyes. He activated Unprecedented Sense, allowing him to feel the subtle shifts in air movement.

The moment the next stalker attacked, he was already moving.

His sword met flesh before the creature even realized its mistake.

One by one, he systematically eliminated the stalkers, adapting to their speed and unpredictability.