The morning sun filtered through the blinds as Chosa slowly blinked awake. Muscles sore, mind still replaying the events from yesterday—his first real victory—it took him a moment to adjust to the reality of the new day. He lay on his back, staring at the cracked ceiling of his modest apartment, until a soft chime rang in the air.
DING.
A familiar interface blinked into view above him. Luna's voice followed, as calm and sharp as always."Good morning, Chosa. You have pending tasks and options to consider. I suggest beginning with resource conversion."
He groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah, yeah… Time to sell those mana stones."
He got dressed, gathering the small pouch filled with the blue, glowing remnants of the goblins he'd slain. The memory of the Goblin King's roar still lingered in his bones.
The Government Guild Exchange sat in the heart of Zone Sector 8, one of the newer economic districts built after the appearance of the Towers. The architecture was sleek and utilitarian—polished black steel and sharp angles—but the inside bustled with all walks of life. Raiders, merchants, medics, and handlers moved about like an organized storm.
Chosa approached one of the armored clerks at the exchange desk. The clerk, a bored man with silver augmentations along his jawline, gave him a nod.
"Name?""Chosa.""Rank?""D… for now.""Mana stones?"Chosa placed the pouch on the counter with a soft clink. The man scanned them, eyebrows raising slightly at the quantity."Not bad for a rookie."
A few taps later, Chosa's account balance updated. Enough credits for essentials, at least.
A short while later, Chosa exited a nearby supply shop, clad in new armor. While it wasn't high-grade, the lightweight Urban-Steel Combat Gear offered actual protection and a subtle defense enchantment. He flexed his arm, pleased with how it moved with him. His old, ragged set now sat in a dumpster behind the shop.
"Looking good," Luna chimed in his ear."Better than being stabbed through the ribs," he muttered, already making his way back toward the Tower's edge.
[Tower: Floor 2 - Entry Sequence Initiated]
As he stepped through the glowing archway, Chosa's body was consumed by light. Moments later, the world around him shifted, the concrete and neon of the city vanishing.
He landed with a grunt, boots digging into thick moss.The air was heavy with moisture, and the buzzing of insects filled his ears. Giant trees loomed overhead, their canopies blotting out most of the light. Twisting vines, distant animal cries, and mist made it impossible to see far.
"…What the hell?"
"Welcome to Floor 2," Luna said calmly. "Based on scans, this floor replicates the terrain of Earth's Amazon Rainforest. Humidity: 87%. Visibility: Low. Hostile lifeforms: High."
"Perfect," he muttered, unsheathing his new dagger.
He moved slowly at first, eyes scanning for a path or markings. Luna guided him toward a faint trail in the mud—broken branches, claw marks along tree bark—but before he could follow them, a rustle to his left made him spin.
Out of the foliage, three creatures leapt at him, jaws wide and claws extended.
[Mossclaw Raptors]Beast-type. Fast. Coordinated. Low defense, but deadly in packs.
Chosa cursed and sprinted, activating Speed Boost. His body blurred forward as he weaved between trees, narrowly avoiding their slashing claws. The raptors followed, shrieking.
"Luna! Info! Now!"
"Their underbellies are soft. Try baiting a jump attack and striking from below."
He took a sharp turn around a tree, causing one of the creatures to overshoot. As it leapt at him again, Chosa dropped low, spinning and jamming the poisoned dagger upward into its stomach. The creature shrieked and collapsed, convulsing.
The other two didn't hesitate. They flanked him again.
Thinking fast, Chosa tossed a loose stone to the left, causing one to react. He lunged for the distracted one, slashing at its leg, then finishing it when it stumbled. The last one circled him warily now.
"Now you're scared, huh?" Chosa panted.
The dagger still dripped with faint venom.
After a brief standoff, the creature hissed and retreated into the forest.
Panting, Chosa leaned against a tree, wiping sweat from his brow.
"There are hostile creatures everywhere," Luna advised, her tone sharp. "They're lying in wait. Watching. I recommend proceeding with extreme caution from here on out."
Chosa exhaled and nodded, sarcasm laced in his voice. "Great. Will do."
He pressed forward, weaving carefully through the thick underbrush, senses sharp. His eyes flicked across the jungle floor, noting bent leaves and subtle drag marks in the dirt.
Minutes passed like hours as he moved silently.
Then Luna's voice returned.
"We're nearing the boss room. Based on spatial shifts and mana density, we're less than a hundred meters away."
Chosa slowed his steps.
"Also… I'm detecting human vitals ahead. At least two signatures. Possibly other Raiders."
His hand instinctively moved to his dagger. "Friendlies?"
"Unknown. I advise scouting before making contact."
Chosa narrowed his eyes and ducked low, creeping toward the edge of the dense foliage as shadows flickered in the jungle ahead.
Something was waiting.
And this time… it wasn't just monsters.