Back in his room, Jae-Hyun sat in silence, the memory of Tae-Jun’s rank burned into his mind. The sight of that crimson Rank A was more than a status—it was a statement of the gap that separated them, both in strength and in choices made. His thoughts churned with a mix of frustration and longing, recalling fleeting memories of the bond they once shared. He could almost hear Tae-Jun’s voice from years ago, encouraging him during their training, their shared ambitions as brothers intertwining. Now, that voice carried commands for someone else. The betrayal ran deeper than strength—it was personal.
But Jae-Hyun knew he couldn’t afford to dwell on it. Instead, he clung to the resolve that had kept him moving forward. He would close the gap, one step at a time, no matter the cost. The encounter had only reinforced his decision to tackle the Tower. It was the only way to grow stronger. As if responding to his resolve, a system notification materialized before his eyes:
System Notification: Quest: Conquer the Tower Progress: 0/?
Jae-Hyun’s chest tightened as he read the notification. The Tower was no longer just a looming challenge—it was now a structured path laid out by the system, tempting and demanding at the same time. Another line of red text caught his eye, a sharp reminder of what he had just seen:
Tae-Jun – Rank A – Red
The notification served as a cruel juxtaposition, a stark reminder of the gap he needed to close. Frustration welled up within him, spurred by the memory of his brother’s commanding presence and the mocking red indicator. His hands clenched involuntarily, nails digging into his palms. It wasn’t just a quest—it was a challenge to his resolve and a chance to tip the scales in his favor.
He thought of the Tower itself, a monolith of challenges and secrets looming over the city. Its shadow stretched endlessly, a silent reminder of the trials awaiting him within. The higher floors were spoken of in hushed tones, their dangers a mix of rumor and reality. No one had dared to face them alone. Jae-Hyun would be the first.
"I have no choice," Jae-Hyun murmured to himself, his voice cold yet determined. "The Tower is my path forward. I’ll conquer it."
The air in his room felt heavier as Jae-Hyun began his preparations. Shadows flickered faintly along the walls, as though reacting to the tension in the room. He opened his inventory, methodically reviewing its contents.
The cool glass of a potion vial was smooth against his fingertips, the liquid inside swirling with a faint glow that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. The weight of his blade was familiar, its edge gleaming under the dim light as he inspected it for any imperfection. A faint metallic scent lingered in the air, mingling with the subdued hum of the system interface that loomed at the edge of his vision.
Would this be enough?
His gaze shifted to the system interface hovering before him, displaying his stats in cold, unfeeling numbers. They had grown exponentially since the day he’d awakened to this new reality.
No matter how much he prepared, the doubt lingered—an insidious voice whispering that he still wasn’t enough. The memory of Tae-Jun’s crimson Rank A flashed in his mind, its weight a stark reminder of his inadequacy. But he couldn’t afford to falter now. Every step forward was a step closer to his sister—and to reclaiming the life they’d lost.
He selected his skills one by one, reviewing their descriptions with meticulous care. His thoughts churned with strategies and contingency plans, each adjustment a step toward survival. The system’s faint hum was ever-present, its indifference both a comfort and a reminder of the stakes.
The city outside bustled with life, its distant sounds muffled by the thick walls of his room. Yet, Jae-Hyun’s focus remained inward. Each item he equipped and every preparation he made felt like a deliberate step toward an inevitable confrontation. He could feel the shadows coiling protectively around him, a silent reassurance that he wasn’t entirely alone.
Once his gear was set, he stood before the mirror, his reflection staring back at him. The man he saw was a stranger and yet entirely familiar. His new haircut, refined and practical, framed a face that had shed its former boyishness. His tailored clothing conveyed a quiet confidence, masking the storm of emotions beneath. But it wasn’t vanity that held his gaze—it was the determination reflected in his eyes, a silent promise to himself and to Mi-Rae.
Stepping out into the streets, Jae-Hyun’s destination was unmistakable. The Tower loomed ahead, its massive silhouette a dark monument to both fear and ambition. The crowd thinned as he approached, the whispers trailing in his wake impossible to ignore.
“Surely he’s not really going in alone,” someone said, their voice tinged with disbelief.
“There must be someone waiting for him on the lower floors,” another suggested.
“But look at him,” another voice scoffed, louder this time. “Just one more who thinks they’re invincible.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Jae-Hyun’s sharp gaze darted toward the speaker, cold and piercing. The man froze mid-sentence, his expression faltering under the weight of the silent challenge. The murmurs quickly quieted as Jae-Hyun turned back, his stride unbroken as he approached the Tower.
The massive doors of the Tower came into view, intricate carvings covering their surface in patterns that seemed to pulse faintly with life. The air grew colder as he approached, the weight of the structure’s presence pressing down on him. Whispers of adventurers who had entered and never returned echoed in his mind, blending with the murmurs of the crowd behind him. He ignored them all.
Standing before the doors, he reached out, pressing his hand firmly against the cold stone. His hand trembled slightly as it made contact with the ancient carvings. The cold stone seemed to pulse faintly, sending a shiver up his arm. The oppressive stillness around him thickened, pressing down on his chest as the doors groaned open. The darkness beyond felt alive, as though it were watching, waiting. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his nerves. There was no turning back.
The system’s voice rang out in his mind, sharp and unyielding:
System Notification: Welcome, Challenger. Progress is survival. Failure is death.
The doors groaned as they began to open, revealing an abyss of impenetrable darkness. The faint hum of energy filled the air, and a shiver ran down his spine. Jae-Hyun took a deep breath and stepped forward, his figure swallowed by the shadows as the massive doors closed behind him, sealing him inside the Tower’s depths.
The crowd outside lingered for a moment longer, murmuring amongst themselves.
“Alone… He’s insane.”
“Maybe he will stick to the lower floors. Or maybe we’ll never hear from him again.”
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as two figures emerged from the shadows of a nearby balcony, their presence commanding attention without a single word. Clad in gear that was both practical and ornate, the unmistakable insignia of Arcane Concord glimmered faintly on their armor.
“Who are they?” a young adventurer whispered, nudging his companion.
His companion glanced toward the duo and lowered his voice. “That’s Han Min-Seo and Kang Ji-Hoon—Arcane Concord’s leader and vice leader.”
“No way,” the first adventurer said, his eyes wide. “What are they doing here?”
“I don’t know” came the reply. “But don’t get your hopes up. If even they haven’t cleared floor 50 yet, no one else is doing it anytime soon.”
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The perspective shifts briefly to Min-Seo and Ji-Hoon.
“Another one who thinks the world bends for them,” Ji-Hoon muttered, arms crossed. “He’s got the look—arrogance with a side of desperation. It’s the kind that gets you killed.”
Min-Seo’s gaze lingered on the Tower’s sealed doors. “Maybe,” she said, her voice distant. “But his steps weren’t careless—they were deliberate. He’s not like the others.”
Ji-Hoon raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear in his expression. “Different how?”
Min-Seo didn’t answer immediately. She watched as the heavy doors closed behind Jae-Hyun, her sharp eyes narrowing as if trying to pierce the veil of shadows. “I don’t know yet,” she admitted, her tone thoughtful. “But he’s not like the others.”
Ji-Hoon scoffed lightly but didn’t press further. Min-Seo’s instincts were rarely wrong, and he had learned long ago to trust her judgment. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough,” he said, straightening. “If he makes it out alive.”
Min-Seo’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, though her gaze remained distant. “Yes, we will.”
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The air inside the Tower was still, unnervingly so. Jae-Hyun’s steps echoed faintly as he moved forward, the darkness around him giving way to an entirely different scene. His surroundings shifted, and soon he found himself standing in what appeared to be a forest.
This wasn’t like any forest he’d seen before. The towering trees stretched impossibly high, their canopies filtering an eerie, artificial light. The faint shimmer of the Tower’s walls encased the forest in an unnatural dome, curving upward endlessly.
The light filtering through the canopy above felt artificial, neither warm nor natural, but bright enough to illuminate the dense undergrowth below. A faint mist lingered at the edges, swirling lazily as though it had a mind of its own.
Jae-Hyun scanned his surroundings, his sharp blue eyes picking out the details. The ground was littered with patches of moss and tangled roots, while faint trails led deeper into the forest. Despite the unsettling quiet, nothing about this floor seemed threatening—not yet.
“It’s just a forest,” Jae-Hyun muttered, his tone clipped as he stepped forward cautiously. The scene felt mundane, too ordinary for a place like the Tower. But the faint rustle of leaves and an unnatural chill in the air hinted at something more—a lurking threat that waited for its moment to strike.
He heard a faint rustling nearby and immediately tensed, his senses sharpening. A moment later, the source revealed itself—a small, timid creature with dull brown fur and beady eyes. Its status appeared before him in the system interface:
Level 3 Forest Hopper.
Jae-Hyun frowned. The creature looked harmless, barely a threat. It hopped about, sniffing the air, unaware of his presence. A glance around revealed several more of the same creatures scattered throughout the area, moving lazily as though oblivious to any danger.
"Figures the first floor wouldn’t offer much," Jae-Hyun muttered, his tone laced with quiet disappointment.
The faint ripple of shadows at his side drew his attention. Kaelzar emerged silently, his massive form imposing even in the calm forest. The Shadow General’s crimson eyes glowed faintly as he awaited orders, his very presence a stark contrast to the serenity around them.
Jae-Hyun pointed toward one of the creatures. “Kill it.”
Kaelzar didn’t hesitate. With a swift, fluid motion, the Shadow General closed the distance, his massive hand enveloping the Forest Hopper before it could react. The creature let out a faint squeak before its body dissolved into shimmering particles, leaving behind a faint trace of energy that drifted toward Jae-Hyun.
System Notification: XP Gained.
Jae-Hyun’s eyes narrowed as he studied the notification, his mind racing. He opened the system interface, confirming the slight increase in his experience bar. The realization hit him like a spark igniting dry wood.
“I can level up here,” he murmured, a flicker of excitement breaking through his usually stoic demeanour. His gaze swept over the forest again, this time with a renewed sense of purpose. The low-level monsters no longer felt insignificant—they were opportunities.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he turned to Kaelzar. “Let’s see how far we can go.”
With that, Jae-Hyun stepped deeper into the forest, the towering trees and low mist surrounding him like a prelude to the trials ahead. For the first time, the daunting shadow of the Tower felt less like a cage and more like a battlefield waiting to be conquered.