Alice rolled her eyes, folding her arms, “Here we go again…”
Aurelia laughed, her tone playful yet sincere. “Relax. If I wanted to fight, you’d know.”
“Not like you could beat us anyway…” Alice mumbled.
Alex stepped forward, “So, what now?”
“…” Aurelia looked at the ground, then at the daggers in her hands “I… I want to be stronger…”
“…”
“Hm,” Alex didn’t plan to recruit another person, but maybe…
Aurelia was also part of a powerful and rich family, and the information she would have for them was crucial.
Plus, she had already been super strong in Alex’s past life, and much like with Alice, with his help, she could go even beyond, helping humanity.
While he was thinking about it, though, he received a notification.
Ding!
[“Aurelia” wants to join your party.]
[Yes] [No]
He thought about it for a few seconds, and then tapped the screen, accepting the invite.
The notification disappeared, replaced by a new one confirming their party status.
[Party Size: 3]
“A few more and you’ll have to create a guild,” Alice smirked.
“Maybe,” Alex said firmly before turning to Aurelia, “There are ground rules. You stick close to us, and you listen to what I say. This place is more dangerous than you realize.”
Aurelia smirked, her confidence unshaken. “I don’t take orders well, but fine. Lead the way.”
It wasn’t that he wanted to be a god to them or anything, it’s just that this game was more dangerous than anyone could ever imagine.
“Well, then, follow me,” Alex opened his [World Map].
“To where?” Aurelia asked.
“The fourth floor, duh.”
…
After thirty minutes of following Alex’s map, they finally reached the [Night Plains Exit Pillar], entering it together before being transported upward.
As said before, you would spawn randomly in the floor, so each one of them had been separated yet again.
[You have entered the Fourth Floor: Spear Monkeys Jungle]
[Recommended Level: 400-500]
“Alright,” Alex immediately dashed toward Aurelia’s location.
She was too underleveled for this place, and any encounter could kill her, while Alice could manage on her own, so he made the obvious choice.
Alex sprinted through the dense foliage of the [Spear Monkeys Jungle], the humidity clinging to him as his eyes remained fixed on the glowing marker on his [World Map].
Trees loomed overhead, their twisted branches forming a canopy that dimmed the light and cast eerie shadows on the ground.
The occasional rustle of leaves or distant screeches of monsters kept him alert.
“Hang on, Aurelia,” Alex muttered, pushing himself to move faster.
A notification popped up.
[Danger Zone Detected: Spear Monkey Scouts nearby.]
“…” Alex wasn’t bothered.
Moments later, a pack of [Spear Monkey Scouts] leapt from the treetops.
Their bodies and elongated arms made them agile, while their sharpened wooden spears glinted with a faint venomous sheen.
Alex didn’t hesitate. He simply cast [Crimson Cataclysm].
His plan wasn’t to kill them, but to keep them in place.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Blood spikes erupted from the ground, skewering several monkeys mid-air.
The survivors hesitated before retreating back into the trees, wary of the overwhelming power they’d just witnessed.
The path cleared, Alex dashed ahead, reaching Aurelia’s location just as a towering [Spear Monkey Enforcer] cornered her.
The beast raised its weapon, ready to strike.
“Aurelia, move!” Alex barked.
She spun on her heel, startled, but Alex was faster.
“Fury of Thunder!” Read exclusive content at empire
Three bolts of lightning struck the Enforcer in rapid succession, stunning it.
Then he drew his dagger, slashing at it several times until it died, its body crumpling to the ground as Aurelia stared in awe.
Ding!
[+1400 points.]
“You… didn’t have to do that,” she said, her pride stinging slightly.
“Sure I did,” Alex replied, sheathing his blade. “You’re way underleveled for this floor.”
Aurelia crossed her arms, grumbling. “I could’ve handled it.”
“Sure, if you want to respawn back at the third floor,” Alex shot back, smirking. “Now, let’s find Alice and regroup.”
Meanwhile, Alice had been faring better on her own, weaving through a group of scouts with her [Super Agility] and precise arrows.
It didn’t take long before the three of them reunited near a massive ancient tree, its roots sprawling across the jungle floor.
“Well, that was fast,” Alice commented, wiping her bow clean.
“Don’t get comfortable,” Alex said. “This floor’s boss is no joke, and we’re not here for sightseeing.”
Aurelia leaned against the tree, catching her breath. “So what’s the plan, fearless leader?”
Alex smirked. “First, we level you up, Aurelia. You’re way behind, then we just get enough point to stay at the top of the event.”
Alex and Alice would easily do that since they were the strongest, but although Aurelia was currently also in the top 10, they wanted her to be top 3.
That way, they would get all of the most precious rewards.
A few minutes later, they finally decided to move.
It didn’t take long for Aurelia to see Alex and Alice fighting the monsters.
“You guys can actually handle monsters at level 400–500?” Aurelia asked, breaking the silence.
Her tone carried a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
Alex grinned. “Yeah. Why? Worried?”
Aurelia scoffed, her golden eyes glinting. “Hardly. Just… impressed.”
“Well,” Alice added with a playful smirk, “he can handle level 500 monsters. I can probably take on ones up to level 420.”
Aurelia shook her head, muttering under her breath. “Unbelievable.”
Alice handled most of the ranged attacks, using her bow to take out enemies before they got too close.
Alex stepped in when the fights became more intense, his movements precise and effortless.
Aurelia tried to help, but it quickly became clear that her attacks barely made a dent in the high-leveled monsters.
She gritted her teeth in frustration, but Alex gave her a reassuring glance. “Stay back for now. We’ll handle it.”
They progressed for nearly an hour before the jungle opened into a large clearing.
A deep, guttural roar echoed through the trees, sending a chill down their spines.
“What was that?” Aurelia whispered, her voice trembling.
“…” Alex couldn’t mistake that, “Floor boss.”
“Floor what-?!”
She didn’t have the time to finish that the [Guardian Ape] stepped into view.
A towering monstrosity of muscle and fury. Standing at a staggering 20 meters tall, its fur was a dark brown, matted with dirt and blood.
It held an enormous spear in its right hand, easily twice the size of a normal human.
A notification flashed in front of them:
[Strongest Monster on the Fourth Floor: Guardian Ape – Level 500 – Mythical Boss]
[Health: 50,000,000]
[Skills: Spear Sweep, Piercing Thrust, Earthquake Slam, Roar of Fury, Summon Horde, Spear Barrage, Unyielding Rage]
Accompanying the ape were dozens of smaller [Speark Monkeys], their lithe forms darting through the trees. Each one carried a spear, their movements synchronized as they prepared to attack.
“…”
“…”
Both Alex and Alice drew their respective weapons, ready to eliminate this threat.
After fighting level 600 dragons, Alex was somehow calm even when facing this giant monster.
In his past life he would have surely pissed himself because of the sheer aura emitting from that beast.
“Y-You’re actually fighting that?! Holy shit!” Aurelia gasped, having a hard time even moving her daggers in front of the [Guardian Ape].