Elias readied himself, eyes sharp with resolve.
He would conquer this Tower floor by floor, world by world.
…Until a single thought froze him in place.
"Wait… how am I even supposed to climb it?"
He turned in place, scanning the city square for some towering gate or glowing portal labeled Climb Here. Nothing. Just bustling crowds, sandstone buildings, merchants shouting, and a couple of children playing around.
Elias frowned.
He briefly considered returning to the front desk at registration.
But he still remembered how that had gone.
They'd probably all laugh at him.
So instead, he wandered, through stone-paved streets, past rune-marked walls and sky-lit alleyways, hoping he'd stumble on something useful by dumb luck alone.
That was when a familiar voice rang out.
"Oh? You're still here?"
Elias turned. Shein stood leaning against a wall, casually munching a skewer of grilled meat, brow raised in amusement.
"I thought you already started climbing."
"Well… yeah, about that," Elias muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "How, does one do it exactly?"
Shein chewed once, then burst out laughing. "Wait... the clerk didn't tell you?"
"We had some… minor troubles."
"Pfft. Figures." Shein gestured with his skewer. "Come on. Let's go over this properly. Over food. You're gonna need it."
"Lead the way then."
They ended up back at the Moonlight Rest, a cozy little inn nestled between a scribe's tower and an alchemy shop. At their usual corner table, a hearty meal waited, steaming stew, fresh bread, and glowing berry juice that faintly smelled of magic.
Runes glower softly in the wood grain of the table, keeping the food warm.
Between bites, Shein finally spoke.
"Alright. First things first, if you want to challenge a floor, just say Tower Menu. Same way you'd say Status or Inventory. The system handles the rest."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Elias disappointed. "That's… kind of underwhelming."
"That's the Tower for you. It looks mysterious and complex, but it's actually quite simple."
"And what about the trials?"
"They are totally random," Shein said, wiping his mouth with a cloth. "Each one is personalized. It could be puzzles, a survival, monster hunts, moral dilemmas, a team fight, hell, some people even end up in psychological horror rooms. It's like the Tower's knows who you are more than yourself."
"That sounds… very unbalanced."
"Oh, it is. But the Tower never gives you something you can't beat. Barely beat? Sure. Mentally scar you in the process? Absolutely. But not impossible."
Elias leaned back, processing that. "That's… slightly reassuring."
"Mm." Shein raised an eyebrow. "What class did you get, by the way?"
Elias just smiled and looked away. "...Something weird."
Shein chuckled. "Figures. You've got that 'I don't want to talk about it' energy."
Elias deflected. "You mentioned a menu?"
"Yeah," Shein said, popping the last bite of meat into his mouth. "Just say Tower Menu."
"Alright... Tower Menu."
————
[ TOWER SYSTEM INTERFACE ]
TowerCredits: 30
> Ascend the Spire
> Tower Shop
> Duel Arena
————
"What's the Arena?" Elias asked.
"Bloodless duels," Shein replied. "No deaths, but you can lose your equipment, credits, and your pride. Still. It's a solid way to train. Winners get Tower Credits."
Elias scrolled back up to Ascend the Spire, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Hey, Shein… how far did you get?"
Shein paused, then set his spoon down.
"Floor 57."
"That's... a lot. What level are you?"
"147."
"Whoa. You must be—"
"Below average."
"…Seriously?"
Shein chuckled, not bitter, just honest. "Compared to the monsters walking around this place? Yeah. There's someone who solo-cleared Floor 80. Another guy punched a boss into the next floor."
Elias gave a low whistle. "Noted."
"Also, watch out for guild territory. Some floors are owned by factions. If you stumble into one, follow their rules or get out quick."
"Got it." Elias nodded. "But once I clear a floor, I can return freely, right?"
"Yup. Fast travel unlocks. That's when I can help. But your first time? You're on your own."
"Fair deal."
Shein stood and stretched with a yawn. "Anyway, don't overthink it. Just keep moving forward."
Elias stood as well, tightening the strap on his blade.
He opened the menu again, staring at the option to ascend.
"Well then. Let's see what the Tower has planned for me."
Shein raised his empty skewer in a mock toast. "Good luck."
Elias tapped Ascend.
The world twisted around him.
Reality bent like paper.
The table, the inn, the city, all dissolved into drifting mist.
Then he found himself on solid ground.
Cold wind howled past his ears. The sky above boiled with storm clouds. The ground beneath his boots was rocky, slick with frost.
Elias stood on the peak of a mountain, high above the clouds. The world below was lost in fog, but up here… it was quiet. Still.
Then he saw him.
At the edge of the cliff, an old man sat cross-legged in meditation. Simple robes. Weathered face. A long blade resting beside him.
As Elias approached, the man stood slowly.
"Hm? Are you ready?"
"…I guess. So this is Floor 2? What's the trial?"
The man blinked, as if confused.
"…Floor 2?" he repeated.
Elias hesitated. "Something wrong?"
The old man sighed, as if pitying him. "I see. I understand how unfair this must seem to you. I am Lu Chen. And this… is my eighty-third trial."
Elias froze. "…Wait. What?"
"Paired with a veteran?" Elias muttered. "I must've hit the jackpot."
That is, until the interface chimed again.
---
Objective – A fight to the death
---
Elias stared at the notification.
Lu Chen calmly rose to his feet, brushing dust from his robes.
"…Fuck… me…"
"I understand your frustration," Lu Chen said gently. "Worry not, child. I'll make this quick."
---
Balancing power levels…
---
"Why? Why?! Fucking why?!"
Lu Chen gave him a solemn look. "Take stance, child. It will be less painful."
---
Balance Complete
Lu Chen – Stat Decrease: 70%
Elias Cross – Stat Increase: 70%
---
The wind stilled.
The mountain seemed to hold its breath.
Lu Chen's expression remained unchanged. Calm. Focused. Lethal.
He shifted his weight. Drew his sword in a slow, fluid motion. The blade didn't glow. It didn't shimmer.
It didn't need to.
This man had killed dozens of floor bosses. And now, he was sizing Elias up like a brief nuisance.
Elias, standing frozen on the edge of the cliff, let out a deadpan mutter.
"…Cosplay."
Lu Chen paused mid-step.
"…What?"
Elias' eyes narrowed. A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
A cold wind sliced across the mountain as Elias' shadow twisted behind him. His posture straightened. His voice dropped, smooth and cold like velvet soaked in blood.
..
..
..
..
..
"Jack the Ripper."