Chapter 12 - Fractured Paths
As he opened the massive stone doors of the 20th-floor chamber, it groaned as they swung open, revealing a vast, dimly lit arena. Torches mounted along the jagged walls flickered ominously, their faint light casting elongated shadows over the cracked stone floor. Jae-Hyun stepped forward, his dark adventurer’s coat swaying slightly, his sharp, cold eyes scanning the arena. His grip on the hilt of his sword tightened as the oppressive atmosphere pressed down on him.
At the center of the arena, a massive lizard-like beast covered in jagged, obsidian spikes stood motionless. Its glowing crimson eyes flickered like flames, locking onto Jae-Hyun as a low, guttural growl rumbled from its throat. The creature’s tail, tipped with spiked protrusions, twitched menacingly, scraping against the floor with a deafening screech.
Thragath, the Spine Tyrant
The system notification appeared in Jae-Hyun’s vision, displaying the boss’s name in bold, light-yellow letters. Beneath it, the title read: "Guardian of the 20th Floor."
“Alright, big guy. Show me what you’ve got.” Jae-Hyun muttered to himself, his voice low and focused. He’d read about this boss—its first phase was relatively manageable, but the second phase… well, that was where most adventurers’ luck ran out. During its second phase, most adventurers had no choice but to defend and stall for time, waiting for its rage mode to run out after 5 minutes. The sheer strength, speed, regeneration, and overwhelming chaos of Thragath in this state made direct confrontation almost impossible.
Thragath let out a deafening roar, the sound reverberating through the chamber as it charged forward with surprising speed for its massive size. Its movements were not entirely wild; there was a sharpness to its approach, a calculated feint as its claws swiped toward Jae-Hyun. The move forced Jae-Hyun to dodge, only to realize too late that the creature’s tail had swung around to catch him off balance. He barely managed to twist out of its range, his instincts screaming at him to stay alert. Jae-Hyun’s instincts kicked in, and he rolled to the side just as Thragath’s claws raked across the floor, leaving deep gashes in the stone. He countered swiftly, slashing at its exposed flank. The blade cut deep, drawing dark, viscous blood that hissed as it hit the ground.
The beast roared in pain, but its retaliation was immediate. Its massive tail lashed out, forcing Jae-Hyun to duck under the sweeping strike. The sheer force of the tail’s impact shattered a section of the floor behind him, sending shards of stone flying.
Jae-Hyun grimaced, adjusting his stance. He had underestimated the beast’s agility. “Looks like you’re not going down without a fight,” he muttered, a flicker of determination lighting his eyes.
He lunged forward, dodging another swipe and delivering a calculated slash to its leg. Thragath stumbled briefly but recovered with an angry roar, its claws slashing in rapid succession. Jae-Hyun deflected the blows with his blade, each clash sending vibrations up his arm.
With a burst of speed, Jae-Hyun feinted to the left, aiming for the creature’s underbelly. Thragath, however, was not as mindless as it appeared. As Jae-Hyun committed to the strike, the Spine Tyrant twisted its massive body, attempting to catch him off guard with a counter swipe from its claw. Jae-Hyun barely managed to adjust mid-strike, twisting his body to avoid the blow. His sword grazed the beast’s underbelly, forcing it to stagger back but leaving Jae-Hyun panting from the unexpected maneuver. "Alright," he muttered under his breath, "you’re smarter than you look." The attack hit its mark, forcing Thragath to stagger back. Its movements grew sluggish as it roared in defiance, but with a final, well-aimed strike to its neck, Jae-Hyun brought the Spine Tyrant crashing to the ground. He exhaled sharply, lowering his blade as he surveyed the fallen creature.
“If this is the best it’s got, I’m disappointed,” he muttered, but his instincts screamed otherwise.
The ground beneath him trembled violently. Thragath’s supposedly lifeless body began to twitch, and a guttural, inhuman roar erupted from its maw. Crimson energy pulsed through the jagged spikes on its back as the creature rose once more, its body radiating an ominous, fiery aura. The name above its head shifted from light yellow to a dark orange, flickering ominously, then deepening to red.
Phase Two Activated: Thragath, the Spine Tyrant (Rage Mode)
The system notification flashed before Jae-Hyun’s eyes, followed by another message:
New System Quest: Defeat Thragath within 5 minutes.
Penalty for Failure: 50% reduction to all stats.
Jae-Hyun’s eyes widened in shock. “Five minutes? Are you kidding me?” he snapped, glaring at the glowing notification. His mind raced, weighing his options, but before he could formulate a plan, another message appeared:
System Notification: Oh, come on. Where’s the fun if it’s too easy?
Jae-Hyun clenched his jaw, muttering under his breath. “One day, just one day, the system might actually let me breathe.”
The system’s response was immediate and dripping with mockery. “Oh, Challenger, where’s your sense of adventure? Surely you didn’t expect me to sit this one out?” It added, with a sly jab, “And here I thought you liked a challenge. Should I make it easier? No? Then quit complaining and start fighting!” It added with a playful jab, “You’re the ‘Challenger,’ aren’t you? Shouldn’t this be nothing more than a warm-up?”
Thragath’s rage mode was unlike anything Jae-Hyun had seen. Its movements became erratic and unpredictable, each swipe of its claws tearing through the air with terrifying speed. To make matters worse, the beast’s wounds from the first phase were rapidly closing, its regeneration working overtime.
As if that weren’t enough, dark portals began to materialize around the arena. From them emerged smaller lizard-like creatures, each one bearing the same jagged spikes and glowing red eyes as their master. The Spine Tyrant’s roar seemed to rally them, and they charged toward Jae-Hyun in a frenzied swarm.
“Perfect,” Jae-Hyun muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm. Without hesitation, he activated his Abyssal Shadow skill. Spectral warriors materialized around him, their forms shifting and flickering like living shadows. Among them was Kaelzar, the towering shadow half-demon half-dragon, its presence dwarfing even Thragath’s minions.
“Kaelzar,” Jae-Hyun commanded, his voice firm, “lead the shadows and handle the minions. Keep them off me.” The towering shadow general dipped its head in acknowledgment, its glowing eyes narrowing with focused intensity. Kaelzar surged forward, rallying the shadow army with calculated precision. His movements were not only fierce but deliberate, cutting through the chaos and ensuring the spectral warriors maintained their formation. Meanwhile, Jae-Hyun took a moment to reassess the situation, the frenzied melee giving him just enough cover to plot his next move against Thragath. Jae-Hyun’s trust in his summoned forces allowed him to focus entirely on Thragath.
The Spine Tyrant’s regeneration was a major obstacle, but Jae-Hyun’s sharp eyes caught something—a faint, rhythmic glow emanating from its chest, beneath the largest cluster of spikes. It was subtle, but it pulsed in time with the creature’s movements.
“A core,” Jae-Hyun realized. “That’s what’s fueling its regeneration.”
With renewed determination, he surged forward, weaving through the beast’s wild attacks. A massive claw swiped inches from his face, but the Shard of Temporal Edge he had obtained earlier came in clutch, enhancing his reaction time just enough to dodge at the last moment. Using the momentum, he delivered a powerful strike to the glowing core. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, and Thragath roared in agony as cracks spread across its chest.
The timer in the corner of Jae-Hyun’s vision ticked down mercilessly. 2:47. 2:46. 2:45.
Thragath’s rage only intensified, its movements growing more desperate and feral. Jae-Hyun’s breathing was labored, his muscles screaming in protest as he dodged, parried, and struck with precision. Every second felt like an eternity, but he refused to relent.
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Finally, with a decisive leap, Jae-Hyun drove his Abyssal Blade into the core with all his strength. The glowing orb shattered, and Thragath let out one final, deafening roar. Yet, instead of collapsing immediately, it thrashed wildly, catching Jae-Hyun off guard. The massive tail slammed into his side, sending him tumbling across the arena. Blood dripped from his lips as he struggled to rise, his vision blurring.
The timer showed 0:21. Every part of his body screamed in protest, his vision blurred from exhaustion, and his breaths came in ragged gasps. For a fleeting moment, doubt crept into his mind—was this it? But Jae-Hyun clenched his fists, forcing himself to stand. "No," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with determination. "Not yet." His potions were gone, his stamina depleted, but the fight wasn’t over yet.
“Kaelzar!” Jae-Hyun’s voice was hoarse but commanding. “Distract it!”
The shadow general roared, diving toward Thragath with all its might. The Spine Tyrant turned its attention to the incoming threat, leaving a narrow opening.
Jae-Hyun’s grip on his sword tightened as he steadied his breath. “This ends now.”
With everything he had, he dashed toward Thragath, aiming for its blind spot. But as he closed the distance, the beast turned, its bloodied eyes locking onto him. It lashed out with one final, desperate claw strike.
The blow connected, raking across Jae-Hyun’s side and drawing a spray of blood, but he didn’t stop. Ignoring the searing pain, he drove his blade into Thragath’s head with all the strength he could muster. The beast roared one last time before collapsing, its massive body shaking the ground as it fell.
Jae-Hyun stumbled backward, his vision fading. The system’s chime sounded faint and distant:
Quest Complete: Thragath, the Spine Tyrant defeated.
Reward: Increased EXP, Rare Loot Box, and access to the 21st floor.
Jae-Hyun’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The last thing he saw before everything went black was Kaelzar standing over him, guarding his fallen form.
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Jae-Hyun’s eyelids fluttered open, his body screaming in protest as the dull ache of pain radiated through every inch of him. He lay sprawled on the cracked stone floor of the arena, the aftermath of his battle with Thragath still evident. The arena was eerily silent now, save for the faint crackling of dying torches lining the walls.
Groaning, Jae-Hyun forced himself to sit up, his hand instinctively clutching his side where Thragath’s claws had torn through his coat. Blood had dried across his skin, and his entire body felt like it had been through a meat grinder. His sharp, cold eyes flicked to his surroundings, noticing the shadowy figures of his spectral army standing vigilantly nearby. At the forefront stood Kaelzar, the towering shadow general, his glowing eyes fixed protectively on Jae-Hyun.
“Still here, huh?” Jae-Hyun muttered hoarsely, managing a faint smirk. Kaelzar dipped his massive head in acknowledgment, his presence imposing yet reassuring. Kaelzar shifted slightly, his massive claws digging into the stone as his glowing eyes narrowed. A low growl rumbled in his chest, a clear sign of his vigilance.
Grimacing, Jae-Hyun opened the system interface, navigating to the shop. He barely had the strength to stand, let alone move, and his priority was clear.
Purchase: Greater Healing Potion – 500 Gold.
The glowing vial materialized in his hand, its contents shimmering with a golden hue. Without hesitation, he downed it in one gulp. Warmth spread through his body as the potion took effect, closing his wounds and dulling the worst of his pain. He repeated the process with a second potion, ensuring he was at full strength.
With a relieved sigh, he stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders. “Alright,” he muttered, “let’s see what I got for all that trouble.”
Opening the system rewards menu, a triumphant chime played as a series of notifications appeared before him:
Level Up! Level Up! Current Level: 41
Rare Loot Box Obtained! High-End Mana Crystal Obtained!
Jae-Hyun’s gaze lingered on the level notification. He’d gained two levels from the fight, bringing him closer to the A-Rank threshold. The number carried weight—not just in power, but in the trials he had endured to reach it. A faint smirk crossed his lips. Yet, there was no time to celebrate. Each level brought him closer to the truth, and the stakes only grew higher.
What truly caught his attention was the state of his shadow army. A quick glance revealed something he hadn’t noticed before—Kaelzar and his spectral forces had leveled up alongside him. Their forms looked sharper, darker, and more defined, exuding an aura of greater strength.
“Looks like you’ve been getting stronger too,” Jae-Hyun said, eyeing Kaelzar. The Shadow General lowered his head slightly, a low rumble emanating from him as if in agreement.
He turned his attention to the Rare Loot Box. The ornate chest shimmered faintly in his inventory, its edges trimmed with gold and intricate runic engravings.
Use Rare Loot Box?
Jae-Hyun tapped “Yes,” and the box materialized before him, opening with a burst of light. The chest shimmered faintly, almost reluctant to give up its treasure. As Jae-Hyun opened it, a surge of energy flooded the air, and the artifact emerged, glowing with an intensity that made him squint. Its presence radiated power.
Item Obtained: Chrono-Weaver’s Amulet
Very Rare Artifact: This ancient amulet allows the wearer to manipulate the flow of time in short bursts. Grants the skill "Temporal Surge," enabling the user to slow time for 5 seconds at a significant mana cost. Cooldown: 10 minutes.
Jae-Hyun’s eyebrows shot up as he examined the artifact. “Now this… this is going to come in handy.” He slipped the amulet over his neck, feeling a faint hum of energy as it attuned itself to him.
Next, he inspected the High-End Mana Crystal, a shimmering blue gem that pulsed faintly in his palm. Its description indicated it could be used to replenish a massive amount of mana or as a crafting component for high-tier equipment. He tucked it away, saving it for when he’d truly need it.
Jae-Hyun glanced up at Kaelzar, who had been watching silently. “How long was I out?” he asked.
Kaelzar raised one massive clawed hand, extending four fingers.
“Four days?” Jae-Hyun’s voice was laced with alarm. Kaelzar shook his head slowly, then nodded at Jae-Hyun’s second guess. “Hours?”
The shadow general dipped his head in confirmation.
“Four hours,” Jae-Hyun repeated, exhaling in relief. “Could be worse, I guess.”
Jae-Hyun took a deep breath, letting the events of the last few hours replay in his mind. The vivid memory of Thragath’s claws tearing through the air, the blinding glow of the shattered core, and the life-or-death chaos of the battle sent a shiver down his spine. His fingers traced the edges of the amulet hanging from his neck, its presence grounding him.
“I came so close to losing it all…” he muttered, his voice barely audible. His fists clenched as his thoughts shifted. His father’s cold, calculating eyes and his brother’s mocking smirk flashed in his mind. The memory burned like a brand, fueling the fire inside him.
He straightened, his sharp eyes narrowing. “No matter how strong they are now… I’ll surpass them. I’ll crush them.” The quiet determination in his tone carried a weight that even Kaelzar seemed to notice, the shadow general tilting his massive head in silent acknowledgment.
“They think they’ve won,” Jae-Hyun said under his breath, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. “But every step I take in this Tower brings me closer. Closer to making them pay for what they’ve done.”Just as he began to rise to his feet, the air in the arena shifted. A faint ripple distorted the space before him, and within seconds, the mysterious NPC he had encountered at the entrance of the chamber appeared once again. The air turned frigid, and a faint hum vibrated through the arena as the NPC materialized, their cloak billowing despite the stillness. Dressed in the same tattered cloak, their face now obscured by a hood, they radiated an otherworldly aura.
“Congratulations, Challenger,” the NPC said, their voice calm yet carrying an unnerving weight. “You have achieved yet another feat—defeating Thragath within its rage mode. Few have ever managed such a task.”
Jae-Hyun narrowed his eyes, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. “You again. Who are you? And what do you mean by ‘few’?”
The NPC ignored his question, their head tilting slightly as if amused. “We are all pleased with your performance. You continue to exceed expectations.”
“We?” Jae-Hyun pressed, stepping forward. “Who’s ‘we’? Are you talking about the Tower’s creators? What do you want from me?”
The NPC’s lips curved into a faint smile, though their face remained mostly hidden. “I’ll be waiting for you,” they said cryptically.
Before Jae-Hyun could demand further answers, the NPC vanished in a blink, leaving behind only the faint ripple in the air where they had stood. He cursed under his breath, frustration bubbling within him.
“Figures,” he muttered.
Kaelzar let out a low growl, his glowing eyes locked on the spot where the NPC had been. Jae-Hyun took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. There was no use dwelling on the encounter now. The answers would come in time—he just had to survive long enough to find them.
With a determined expression, he turned toward the glowing portal that had appeared at the center of the arena. It beckoned him to ascend to the 21st floor, promising even greater challenges ahead. The portal flickered ominously, its light casting strange, shifting patterns on the cracked stone floor. Whatever lay ahead, Jae-Hyun knew it wouldn’t be easier. And that thought only hardened his resolve.
“Alright,” he said softly, tightening his grip on the hilt of his sword. “Let’s see what’s next. I've already wasted four hours.”
And with that, Jae-Hyun stepped forward, his resolve stronger than ever, ready to face whatever the Tower had in store.
Unbeknownst to him, elsewhere in the Tower, another struggle unfolded—one that would test Ahri’s resolve in ways she had never imagined.