The training hall had fallen into eerie silence.
Broken pillars, scorched tiles, and shattered mana crystals littered the ground—testaments to the battle that had just unfolded.
Hajun stood before the glowing sigil. Its shape was familiar—an archaic rune from the 8th Tower Floor. But that floor had been sealed… until now.
Winter leaned weakly against a ruined column, her breath unsteady. "That sigil… it's divine magic, isn't it?"
Hajun narrowed his eyes. "No. It's worse. It's from the Forgotten Pantheon."
A chill crept into the air as he knelt to inspect it. The moment his fingers brushed its edge, a voice echoed inside his head.
"Welcome back, Traitor of Heaven."
He froze.
A memory surged—one he had locked away after his death. The last time he saw Justine as a disciple… when she knelt before him, trembling in tears.
"Please, Master… don't go to the 100th Floor. The gods won't allow it."
"If I don't, we'll remain slaves to them."
"Then let me follow—"
"No."
"Then forgive me…"
"…what?"
"I have to stop you."
Hajun clenched his fists. The sigil wasn't just a mark—it was a challenge. An invitation.
"She's opening a gateway," he muttered. "A test."
Winter finally stood. "A test for what?"
"To see if I'm still worthy of being her master." He looked back at her, voice cold and steady. "Or to destroy me before I become a threat."
Winter hesitated. "Then… what do we do?"
Hajun smirked.
"We climb."
The system chimed softly in his mind.
[Tower Challenge: Floor 8 Unlocked – Special Condition: Solo Entry]
[Mission: Overcome the Gate of Judgment]
[Time Limit: 72 Hours]
Hajun cracked his neck.
"Rest up, Winter. I'll be back before dinner."
And with that, he stepped into the sigil.
The world warped.
And the floor that had been locked for over fifty years opened once more—for the only man to ever reach its peak and fall.
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