[1. Arthur Solace: Level Null]
[2. Zeus: Level 22]
[3…]
‘There isn’t a level above 22, it seems,’ thought the crimson-eyed man, clicking his tongue. It wasn’t as if he could conquer a higher level, but now that there wasn’t a possibility, Arthur was disappointed.
Basically, the crimson-eyed man had achieved the highest possible score on the First Floor. It wasn’t likely that his record would be broken any time soon, although it was definitely possible. As one explored a path, others would follow.
Driving across a smooth, man-made road was easier than driving on uneven, unexplored ground.
Hiking across an explored path was easier than hiking across an unexplored one.
If one achieved something, others would follow.
[Rewards: 25,000 Tokens, Aquarius Token]
A flame ignited in Arthur’s eyes, and his determination only grew in strength. This was only the first of a hundred floors he yearned to scale. Although it was only a single floor, it represented the initiation.
[User has completed all possible trials.]
[User will be forcefully ejected into the Residential Area of the First Floor.]
[Processing Ejection…] ｂ𝚍𝚘𝚟ｌ.ｎｔ
[34%… 63%… 93%…]
The Residential Area was one of two areas of a particular floor. Each floor–once someone completed its trial–would reveal a Residential Area in which one was not bound by any trials or challenges.
On a particular floor, there was the Residential Area, and the Trial Area.
Suddenly, a warm light enveloped Arthur’s body, providing it ample warmth. The particles became distinguished, and eventually, the light dissipated, while Arthur’s body faded along with it.
[Ejection is complete.]
*
As the system message announcing Arthur’s achievement traveled across the tower, the opinions of players varied. But one thing was for certain; the news caused waves of disbelief and doubt across the tower.
The dynamic of the tower trembled, and although the authority of the Divine Rankers was not questioned, it slid down a little. Many believed the player named “Arthur Solace” cheated, but the Guardians refuted that notion.
A few were angry, wondering how a mere player at the first floor–one who did not have powerful ancestry–could surpass the legendary Divine Rankers during their youth. It was simply preposterous.
Others were slightly glad, relieved that the stiff power dynamic of the tower had shifted a little.
It wasn’t a massive alteration, but it was definitely a trigger. However, the Divine Rankers quickly flaunted their authority, silencing those who dared to question their status. Arthur entered the spotlight for a little bit.
But the matter was quick to dissolve into nothingness.
The tower was a bustling place, where shocking incidents were not shocking. Even if something utterly ridiculous occurred, as long as it did not threaten the ecosystem of the tower, it would quickly be buried.
This was displayed when the matter about Arthur’s achievement was buried under the escalating war between the Demonic and Heavenly Order, two high-ranking clans on the same level as Asgard, Olympus, etc.
The two clans worshiped the Demons and Angels respectively, and were renowned for their extreme faith, to the point where no one dared to challenge them. Even the other high-ranking clans avoided conflict.
Each day for the Demonic and Heavenly Orders was gruesome and bloody, involving thousands of deaths and tremendous losses.
But their war was eternal, until either the Demons or Angels prevailed.
In a small hut constructed using straw and wooden longs, a crimson-eyed man sat in a meditative position. His body emanated potent light on one side, and a liquid-like force on the other.
The soft breeze that swept by the hut tickled Arthur’s skin. The interior of the hut was quite bare, with only a bed and a drawer. Pills were scattered across the broken, damp floor, and had practically been destroyed.
A leather bag, a falchion, a scabbard… those were Arthur’s worldly possessions.
The leather bag contained a few items, such as food, water, and a few more white pills, but that was about it.
Arthur’s expression was strained. His eyelids were firmly pressed together, while several wrinkles were visible on his face. His eyebrows were scrunched, and he seemed to be in pain.
The crimson-eyed man’s skin was dry due to the chilly winds. Suddenly, Arthur’s eyes shot open, but the lack of pupils was quite evident. His eyes rolled up, revealing only the sclera of his eyes.
Arthur’s vision was dark, like the abyss.
His hand grabbed another white pill, and he quickly tossed it into his mouth, gulping it down without need for water. The potent light on one side shifted, emitting a more refined glow for the first time.
The liquid-like force on the other side became tranquil like a pond. Arthur’s body relaxed, allowing the two forces to shift closer to each other. However, immediately, as they touched, the energies detonated.
Arthur’s eyes widened, and he desperately tried to retract the two energies.
Yet, it was too late.
Boom!
The floor cracked, while flames burst from the explosion. Arthur stood up, curling his fist before smashing it into the ground, expending a large amount of mana in the process. Then, he expelled most of the mana in his circuits into the surroundings, increasing the density of the supernatural energy around him.
The forces reconciled, calming in an instant.
The clash had ended, but the conflict would remain. Mana and the Path of Sun did not mix well, and were opposing forces residing within Arthur’s body. As long as the Blessing of the Sun was not calmed, it would pressure his mana circuits.
As long as that continued, his mana circuits would gradually begin to corrode. He would lose access to mana, which was definitely not a viable solution to his predicament.
After achieving a grand result in the first floor, Arthur rushed to the Residential Area of the particular floor. He wandered to the outskirts, settling in a place named “Gargo Village.” It was quite detached from the rest of the Residential Area, which represented and exuded a more modern vibe.
However, Gargo Village completely contrasted it, appearing as more of a medieval village with not much technology to speak of.