Pretending to be a noob in a world scaled by power level

[137] The 12th floor

Stepping onto the 12th floor, we were greeted by a chilling spectacle. Gone were the frost-kissed caverns and towering snowbanks of the previous floor. Instead, we found ourselves standing at the precipice of a vast icy abyss, broken only by a slender bridge of solid ice stretching ahead.

The bridge, a translucent spine of ice, connected the entrance and the farthest point of the floor, shimmering under the pallid glow of the ceiling's phosphorescent icicles. It looked fragile, almost ethereal, yet emanated an undeniable sturdiness as it stood defiant against the frosty winds.

Midway across the bridge, a circular stone platform jutted up like an island in a sea of icy nothingness. The platform was a stark contrast to the rest of the icy expanse, its dark grey surface rough and rugged against the smooth translucence of the ice. Frost-covered pillars stood at cardinal points around the platform, whispering stories of ancient battles and forgotten glory.

Surrounding the bridge and platform, the yawning chasm sank into a blue-black abyss, swallowed by shadows and unending frost. The chilling echo of the wind howling through the void provided an eerie symphony, reminding us of the danger this serene landscape belied.

The ominous beauty of this frozen expanse was a testament to the harsh and deadly world we had plunged ourselves into. Yet, it was a challenge we were ready to face.

Both gates on both sides came down. A giant shadow soared above us, then it landed before us in the center of the arena and let out a ear tearing shriek.

Before us stood the grandeur of an Ice Phoenix, its arrival marked by a deafening cry that echoed across the icy expanse. This majestic creature, seemingly carved from the frost and shadows of the 12th floor, radiated an aura of chilling authority that made the air around it tremble.

Its stature towered over us, immense and fearsome. Its plumage was an intricate tapestry of gleaming icicles and feathers of crystalline frost, each feather a unique shard of translucent beauty reflecting the eerie pale light of the icy chasm.

The phoenix's eyes were twin sapphires that gleamed with a brilliance that cut through the frosty air. They held an ancient wisdom and a ferocity that bespoke a creature from the heart of the abyss, embodying the relentless cold and deadly grace of its icy domain.

Its beak and talons were razor-sharp, gleaming a deadly silver under the glacial light. As it spread its wings, the gust of icy wind swept across the platform, each wing adorned with cascading shards of ice that glistened with a spectral light.

The icy glow from its body reflected off the surrounding frost, casting eerie shadows and giving the scene an otherworldly, almost surreal beauty. It was indeed a creature of legend, an embodiment of the primal, unyielding frost - a chilling testament to the deadly beauty of the Abyss Dungeon. It was at that moment we knew we were in the presence of a formidable adversary, a SSS-tier entity that would demand everything we had to overcome.

Kuroko was the first to break the silence, her feisty personality shining through despite the dire situation. "Wow, that's one heck of a bird! Looks like we've got our work cut out for us," she declared, gripping her daggers tighter, eyes filled with determination.

Sera, the tsundere of the group, scoffed but her eyes couldn't hide her concern. "It's just a big ice sculpture. Nothing we can't handle, right?" she retorted, but the hesitance in her voice betrayed her casual words.

Aurelia, always the fiery and prideful one, squared her shoulders, her dragon-born heritage shimmering with a subtle glow. "I've seen worse," she said confidently, her tone containing an undercurrent of rivalry. "Let this beast taste the fury of fire and blood."

In the end, it was Lila, the kind, introverted, and submissive maid who spoke. She did not fight, but her words were no less important. She looked up at the massive ice phoenix, her voice nearly a whisper. "Please be careful, Master. It's... incredibly powerful." There was genuine fear and worry in her words, and it added to the gravity of the encounter.

Q: What are you afraid of?