Chapter 9

009. Growth (2)

- Hyun Seokjin: To put it bluntly, when you reach the 5th floor, you can return to Earth.

- Kim Seunghoon: Is the end of the tower the 5th floor?

- Hyun Seokjin: From what I can see, it doesn't seem to be the case, considering the system is said to expand.

- Park Chanseok: System expansion...?

- Hyun Seokjin: It seems that some commands will be added, and the existing system will expand, allowing the shop to sell a return stone, which is quite expensive.

The system for the Tower of Trials is set to expand, with some items being added.

I focused more on the conversations going on in the community.

- Hyun Seokjin: It seems that the return stone sold on the 5th floor allows you to stay on Earth for a few days before returning.

- Kim Seunghoon: Was the exact point cost not revealed?

- Hyun Seokjin: Yeah, it seems I would have to use another question point to find out, so I skipped that part.

- Lee Hayeon: So, we can't return to Earth completely?

- Hyun Seokjin: It's said that on the 8th floor, there will be an item that allows complete return to Earth.

- Kang Seonwoo: Damn, it seems there's no way to return for now.

The community's reaction was quite gloomy.

However, even this information was a significant gain.

"Is there a way to return to Earth...?"

Ever since entering this tower, I've been wishing to return to Earth.

It's the same for me and the people in this community.

If we can reach the 8th floor, the hope of returning will be realized.

But why?

"..."

Despite knowing there's a way to return, I wasn't particularly happy.

I should have felt some relief, but I remained indifferent.

- Kang Seonwoo: Then I'll share the information I found out using my question point.

Subsequently, the information obtained through question points started to be posted in the community.

- Kang Seonwoo: It seems that once abilities are reset, they cannot be recovered, but you can grow quickly by climbing the tower. In other words, you have to give up your original abilities.

- Lee Changseok: Ah, I also asked about the trial settlement method.

- Hyun Seokjin: Let's share the information!

- Lee Changseok: Trials are basically individual, and additional rewards are given based on the theme or breakthrough process of the trial. It seems that the breakthrough process needs to be special.

- Kim Seunghoon: I thought the criteria for rewards would be more complicated, but it turned out to be surprisingly simple.

The community quickly shifted to a mood of sharing information.

Even though we could buy and sell information with points...

No one actually did.

Everyone seemed eager to return to Earth as soon as possible.

- Lee Hayeon: I just asked about the system that will be expanded, and I got a reply.

- Lee Seungjin: Wow, you're quick. What was the reply?

- Lee Hayeon: It seems that from the 5th floor, the shop will have more weapons and return stones.

- Lee Hayeon: As a bonus, from the 8th floor, skills will also be sold.

- Lee Seungjin: Skills will be sold...? Well, considering it's a tower, that makes sense.

- Hyun Seokjin: Is that all the system will expand to?

- Lee Hayeon: No, it seems that from the 8th floor, a new system called the 'branch point' of trials will be added.

The branch point of trials is simple.

Narrative-focused trials.

Combat-focused trials.

Strategy-focused trials.

It seems that on the 8th floor, you can choose one of these three branch points.

In short, the way to climb the tower will change.

- Lee Hayeon: When you choose a branch point, the trials will match that choice.

If you choose narrative, the trials will proceed like a story, following a set role.

If you choose combat, you'll often encounter extermination or suppression battles.

If you choose strategy, you'll engage in territorial battles with other challengers.

Except for the narrative-focused trials, I can imagine how the others will proceed.

- Hyun Seokjin: Keep a list of those who want to return on the 8th floor. The price of the return stone is still unknown.

- Kang Seonwoo: I'll need to save up points to buy the return stone. Ugh.

- Park Chanseok: Be careful, though. If you save points too much, you might die and not return at all.

- Kim Seunghoon: Depending on the case, you might need to clear more trials to earn points.

- Lee Hayeon: Yes, that's right. There seems to be something more after that, but that's all I found out.

- Lee Jinwoo: Still, the strategy branch involves fighting other challengers, which could be awkward.

- Park Chanseok: Given the nature of the trials, it doesn't seem like they'll let us fight to the death.

- Lee Jinwoo: I don't know what the strategy branch is really about.

Earlier and now...

It seems the administrator doesn't reveal much information at once, even when asked.

'I need to keep this in mind for when I ask questions later.'

Since all the substantial information has been shared, there wasn't much more to gain.

- Kim Donghyuk: I can get a sense of what the branch points are, except for the narrative-focused one.

- Hyun Seokjin: Yeah, it seems all the information that could be shared has been shared.

- Kim Seunghoon: That's true. From now on, it's up to individual skills.

- Lee Seungjin: Ah, the higher difficulty levels probably escaped already.

- Oh Chunsuk: Yeah, it seems only we are still struggling here. Haha.

As soon as the community started to drift into pointless talk, I cleared it out.

Methods to return to Earth and future system expansions...

I definitely gained a lot of useful information.

However, I still felt uneasy.

I've felt this way from the beginning.

'Why am I not happy even though I can return...?'

If I return, I will undoubtedly thrive as a hunter.

I will absorb commanders and become stronger quickly.

'If I do well, I might even become an A-rank hunter.'

But that alone doesn't seem to satisfy me, and I feel frustrated.

It's a moment when the endless desires of humans hit home.

The first opportunity I've gained, and my heart is only becoming more complex, with no sign of easing.

I want to become stronger and climb higher, and these feelings pierce my heart.

A hollow laugh escaped my lips.

'Am I crazy for wanting to die?'

But I can't be consumed by these feelings.

"Let's focus."

Snap.

I lightly slapped my cheek to regain my composure.

Reaching the 5th or 8th floor is still a ways off, after several more trials.

If I get lost in my emotions, I won't even survive the 3rd floor trials.

"Let's think about the 5th and 8th floors when we get there."

Surviving until then is the most important thing.

『Han Seungyun』

『Strength – 18』 『Endurance – 15』

『Agility – 14(+5)』 『Magic – 7』

『Unique Trait – Necromancy (F)』

『Skills – Rapid Regeneration (E+), Burn Resistance (F), Pain Resistance (D)』

"Finally, my stats are looking decent."

They've improved from the tutorial when all my stats were below 10.

However,

It's uncertain if these stats will be effective here.

It's clear that I need to become stronger.

『Unique Trait – Necromancy (F)』

『Proficiency – 65%』

『Basic Effect - Absorb the souls of the dead and use them freely.』

『Detailed Effect (1) – Permanently increase stats, with the amount proportional to the rank of the trait and the quality of the commander.』

『Detailed Effect (2) - Souls can be stored and used later, with the storage capacity proportional to the rank.』

My unique trait's proficiency is gradually approaching 100%.

That means my unique trait will soon grow again.

'If the proficiency increases, the trait will likely reach E-rank.'

Then, new detailed effects will be added.

Other players have said the same thing after increasing their proficiency.

'Besides stat absorption, I need more useful abilities.'

The increase in stats is becoming less significant, so I need something more.

However, I'm not getting impatient.

'I can engage in endless battles.'

Necromancy is a unique trait that grows stronger with repeated battles.

So, I need to prepare well for the 3rd floor trials to unlock new abilities.

I absorbed all the commanders I had stored.

「Using all stored commanders to permanently increase stats.」

「Strength increased by 9.」

「Agility increased by 14.」

「Endurance increased by 10.」

「Magic increased by 6.」

「Current stored commanders – 0/5」

Vitality surged through my body like boiling lava.

Previously, it felt like my body was just getting healthier, but now it's different.

I feel an overwhelming surge of energy.

I savored the aftereffects of my growth and opened my status window again.

『Han Seungyun』

『Strength – 27』 『Endurance – 25』

『Agility – 28(+5)』 『Magic – 13』

『Unique Trait – Necromancy (F)』

『Skills – Rapid Regeneration (E+), Burn Resistance (F), Pain Resistance (D)』

My physical stats, strength, agility, and endurance, all surpassed 20.

They are even approaching 30.

'Especially, with the additional agility, it's over 30.'

I feel like I could subdue an orc with one hand.

The moment I realized my stats had increased to this level,

Thud!

I immediately kicked off the ground, leaped onto the wall of the waiting room, and jumped again.

I leaped from the wall to the ceiling, then from the ceiling back to the wall.

Finally, I landed lightly on the floor of the waiting room.

"..."

After four jumps, my body showed no signs of fatigue.

Instead, it felt refreshed, as if it had been a warm-up.

'Really, I'm becoming more and more inhuman...'

My body felt like a living weapon.

And with all my stats balanced, it felt even more so.

The perfect blend of strength, agility, and endurance.

I can feel that I am overwhelmingly strong now.

Of course...

'It's a bit hard to get used to.'

With this level of strength, my senses are off, making it difficult to control my body.

Still, I can now dominate an orc with my physical abilities.

If I adapt well in the waiting room...

'Even a D-rank monster, I wouldn't lose in a one-on-one battle.'

Of course, overconfidence is dangerous.

Mistakes often lead to failure, and in this Tower of Trials, mistakes mean death.

「Time until 3rd floor trial – 18 hours 32 minutes」

This principle applies to effort as well.

'Time has passed, so I should start training.'

If I get complacent after a win, it's over.

After confirming, I opened the shop window and found a suitable shield.

「Shield of the Dead Tree (D-)」

「Price – 2,100 points」

「Description – A shield made from a dead tree by a black mage. Buff effects activate when health decreases.」

'This should be suitable.'

With plenty of points, I didn't hesitate and bought the shield.

「You have purchased the Shield of the Dead Tree (D-).」

「2,100 points have been deducted.」

「Remaining points – 1,275」

It's a significant amount of points, but it's fine.

I still have a lot of points left from clearing the 2nd floor trial.

「Shield of the Dead Tree」

「Rank: D-」

「A purple round shield made for a paladin by a black mage.」

「Made from a dead tree that absorbs shock to prevent easy destruction.」

「Attack speed slightly increases at certain intervals when health decreases.」

「Strength slightly increases at certain intervals when health decreases.」

The black mage made the shield, and the effects are as described.

They are somewhat unsettling, but useful in this tower where death is near.

'Made for a paladin.'

Ironically, my situation might be similar to a paladin's.

I have to fight endlessly and win every battle to survive.

But such pointless thoughts didn't last long.

I equipped all my gear and started training as I always do.

Shield techniques, dagger techniques, and adapting to my enhanced physical abilities...

I also needed to test the special effects of the 'Assassin's Cloak' I was wearing.

These effects are usually activated using magic.

'I haven't used magic in a while, so I need to practice.'

This way, I can move more naturally in real battles.

With that thought, I had no more to consider.

「Time until 3rd floor trial – 17 hours 12 minutes」

Holding the newly acquired shield, I immediately started training.

Switching from a longsword to a dagger changed the weapon's reach, requiring more adaptation.

However, the more I trained, the more I discovered my new self.

I became more proficient with the sword, and my body gained superhuman strength.

The fact that I can now be this strong, when I couldn't be before,

made the training feel less like a hardship.

Instead,

'It's... kind of fun?'

The visible improvement in my stats made the repetitive training enjoyable.

Of course, I'm not suddenly a genius with a sword.

Still, I'm proud of how strong I've become.

My heart races, and my body feels heated.

The sense of being alive, the feeling of growing as a hunter, stimulates me.

I realized that humans can go mad in such situations.

In a situation where one mistake could cost my life, I feel more alive.

But perhaps feeling alive in this dangerous situation is natural.

Before, as a hunter, I couldn't see even a step ahead.

Without stats, skills, or a unique trait,

I felt this way more.

But if this helps me now, it's not bad.

At least for now, I'm moving my body to survive the 3rd floor trial.

As I trained silently and cleared my mind, a message appeared.

「Time until 3rd floor trial – 0 seconds」

「Time expired.」

It seemed it was time to climb the tower again.

Also,

「Do you want to participate in the 3rd floor trial?」

「Y/N」

It was time to test my combat abilities, which had grown as I climbed the tower.