Sergeant Ricky sat in his car, scrolling through his phone, boredom evident on his face. Suddenly, Captain Lee and Anna emerged through a mystical purple portal, bathed in moonlight under the night sky. Ricky, curious, opened the car door and inquired about their whereabouts and experiences within the tower.
Noticing a strange change in both Captain Lee and Anna, Ricky observed their eyes, bright with excitement yet harbouring an emptiness reminiscent of serial killers. The two disclosed their intention to privatize the tower for themselves, excluding even the army.
Feeling uneasy, torn between opportunity and moral duty, Ricky apologized and asserted his inability to support such a plan. Anna and Captain Lee, understanding yet resolute, claimed ownership of the tower.
Amidst their discussion, another portal appeared, and Derek, the army soldier, stepped out, having completed the first floor. Recognizing their similar achievements, Derek sided with Anna and Captain Lee, suggesting the protection and exclusive use of the tower until they gained a significant level advantage over the public.
Moments later, Victor and his goons arrived through a portal. Derek, perceiving a kindred spirit, proposed they join their group, asserting ownership of the tower. Victor and his goons, defiant, drew their weapons, prompting Derek to offer a choice: the easy way or the hard way, brandishing his spear.
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Moments earlier, inside the first floor:
*Congratulations On Clearing The First Floor, Challengers* x 3
*Level Up! +1 point in each stat. +5 Additional Points* x 3
*Congratulations on reaching level 3!* x 3
*Ability Unlocked (Victor Koh) - *Umbral Blades: Cloaked in shadows, your daggers cut with a sinister edge, inflicting more grievous wounds upon your foes.*
*Passive Ability Unlocked (Josh) - *Royal Block: The kingdom relies on your defence, Shields reduce damage by 10% *
*Ability Unlocked (Kennedy) - Scattershot: Fire an arrow that splits into five mana-infused projectiles, each dealing 50% damage in enemy directions.*
"Whoa, these abilities are amazing! When we get back to the real world, we're going to be way stronger than everyone else. We've got to come back here every day to train; you've all read those webtoons, right? The early bird gets the worm, and right now, we're the early bird."
"You might be an idiot, Kennedy, but this time you're correct," Victor said with a smirk.
The group returned through the portal, asking Rose how to leave. She handed them their portal rings, which had enough storage space for their weapons inside, and they all placed them on their fingers.
Ready to depart, they thought about leaving and found themselves outside the tower.
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"So, what's it going to be, boys? Are you going to join us and take the tower for our own? Imagine being the strongest in the country, if not the world."
"When you say work together, you really mean work under, right? Someone's got to watch the entrance to make sure others don't get in; I think you mean us," Victor said, revealing the crux of Derek's message.
"Of course, you'll be working under us. We're older and more powerful than you," Derek laughed.
Victor and his goons frowned at their arrogance, not knowing the other side had defeated the first floor. They raised their weapons, thinking the others were inferior.
Captain Lee and Anna raised their weapons in response. Anna pre-emptively called mana towards her, reaching stage three of flowing mana inside the first floor. She could now manipulate magic and the elements outside her body, having acquired a defensive spell called Aqua Bubble from the tower. The bubble mitigated damage by 20% over a longer period than a regular shield, fitting to the shape of the wearer and almost invisible.
Anna discreetly cast this ability on herself, Derek, and the captain. Victor's perceptive eyes, however, noticed the move and signalled Kennedy to pull back his drawstring.
*Fwiipppp.* An arrow flew towards Anna, who seemed the weakest. Captain Lee flung himself in the way, shield protecting Anna from the sudden attack.
Both sides formed a triangle formation, with ranged members standing behind. Derek activated his ability, Bloodline Assault, stimulating his weak bloodline to grant himself a power boost. His reflexes, agility, and strength increased by 10%. With spear in hand, he dashed towards Kennedy, intending to beat him down.
As Derek closed in, Josh stepped in the way, saying, "I don't think so," and blocked his attack with the shield. His passive ability reduced incoming damage by 10%.
Anna and the captain weren't bystanders either. Anna called mana towards her, firing a mana ball at her opponents, while the Captain charged at the teens with sword and shield ready.
The captain swung at Victor, who evaded and slashed at his shield with daggers, leaving a fiery dark flame in its wake—a result of his new ability, Umbral Blades, coating his weapons with a shadow flame for more potent grievous attacks.
"What the hell is that?" the captain thought to himself as he noticed the flames dissipating on his shield.
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Kennedy and Anna engaged in a ranged battle, evading and firing attacks at each other. Kennedy predicted Anna's dodge, nocking an arrow to the left of her. Despite her corrections, the arrow made contact with her shoulder. Fortunately, imbued with mana and protected by her bubble shield, the arrow didn't penetrate too deeply.
Anna raised her staff, channelling mana into it before firing a blast toward Kennedy. He rolled out of the way but still felt the explosive force, sending him flying onto the concrete road.
Slowly getting up, Kennedy realized he had only three arrows left. Anna was in a similar situation, her mana nearly depleted from previous attacks and abilities.
On the dance floor, fatigue set in, and attacks began to slip through defences. Josh's arms burned as he held the heavy shield, blocking Derek's relentless attacks. While none had penetrated, the force and recoil took a toll.
Victor and the captain fought fiercely, Victor using his lanky body to slice from a distance, dancing around the captain, who relentlessly slashed back and forth. Both enhanced humans, they were only level three and grew tired from continuous combat.
Both sides panted heavily. Captain Lee unleashed his swordsman ability, Enhanced Strike, emitting a faint glow as his power and speed increased slightly.
Victor, caught off guard, felt Lee's blade slash across his chest, blood dripping immediately. Enraged, Victor manoeuvred around the shield, slashing at the captain's legs. Captain Lee yelped in pain as the shadow flames penetrated the wound, dropping to one knee.
Seizing the opportunity, Victor aimed high, slashing at the captain's throat.
In his peripheral vision, Derek saw the impending strike and leapt toward the captain, his spear protecting Lee's throat.
Victor's daggers struck the spear, irritated at his unsuccessful kill.
Captain Lee stood up slowly, favouring his injured leg, retreating back behind Derek, who's range was even longer than Victor's with the spear.
The battlefield was tense, and the air crackled with magical energy as Anna and Kennedy faced the culmination of the intense battle.
Anna, her magical prowess dwindling, summoned the last of her magic to cast a devastating mana ball, charging it with all the energy she could muster.
Kennedy, the archer with one arrow remaining, knew this was the final moment and prepared to unleash his ultimate scatter shot.
As the opposing attacks hurtled towards each other, the clash created a blinding explosion, enveloping the battlefield in a dazzling display of magical forces. The combatants on both sides held their breath, anticipating the outcome. The shockwaves rippled through the air, and for a moment, it seemed as though time had frozen.
Within the chaotic maelstrom, one of Kennedy's mana arrows managed to break through the explosive chaos, finding its mark on Anna.
The projectile tore through the defences she had erected, piercing her thigh with agonizing precision. Anna, overwhelmed by the sudden pain, unleashed a harrowing scream that echoed across the battlefield. Her ability to protect herself with mana or her aqua bubble was now compromised, leaving her vulnerable.
Simultaneously, a bolt of mana surged through the remnants of the explosion, striking Kennedy squarely in the chest. The force of the impact sent him hurtling through the air, crashing into a nearby wall before slumping to the ground. The archer now lay incapacitated, the fight taken out of him by the powerful blow.
As the dust settled, the gravity of the situation became apparent to both sides. Rushing to their allies aid a temporary ceasefire came across the battlefield.
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"Damn it, Rose, how did I not manage to be the first to clear the floor? It's insane," Jay complained, a tinge of frustration evident. He hoped that being the first would yield some tangible reward, a testament to his luck in reaching the tower ahead of the others.
Rose, ever the comforting presence, reassured him, "It's not your fault, Jay. You've put in more time and effort here than anyone else. In time, you'll grow stronger than them. You've already set the record for the fastest floor clearance."
"Yeah, I guess," Jay responded, a hint of disappointment lingering. "I did get some kind of ability, though. You showed me how to use mana outside my body, and now I can cast abilities too. But summoning lightning feels so damn difficult. I can't seem to connect with it."
Rose explained, "Lightning is the rarest element to have an affinity with. Teaching you how to use it is akin to dealing with a bloodline. The more you practice sensing it, the easier it'll be for you to call it. But for now, keep practicing and then go home. You don't want to turn into one of those fanatics who spend their entire life in the tower, do you?"
"I wouldn't mind, really," Jay thought to himself, realizing he had nothing waiting for him outside the tower – no family, no friends, nothing.
Settling into a meditation posture, Jay closed his eyes, immersing himself in the vast ocean of mana around him. Attempt after attempt, he tried to convert the mana into the elusive lightning, but it remained a stubborn challenge.
Despite the difficulty, Jay persevered for three and a half hours. His frustration didn't wane, but he understood that something as formidable as lightning wouldn't come easily.
Finally, he felt sparks and crackling within his soul, a sign of progress. It took him much longer compared to simpler elements like water, which Anna had mastered in just ten minutes. Yet, the sparks at his fingertips were a tangible testament to his journey into the formidable realm of lightning manipulation.
After an arduous session, Jay's stomach rumbled, signaling the need to head home. He decided he would quit his job first thing in the morning, recognizing that the tower held far more promising opportunities than his current employment.
"Thank you for all your help, Rose. I'll see you tomorrow," he said, envisioning himself outside the tower.
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*WRRRRSHHH*
A portal opened, and Jay emerged, his spear safely stored in his ring. However, the scene that greeted him was one of aftermath – an immense battle had taken place, leaving blood splattered across the floor and a palpable disruption of mana in the air.
Surveying the surroundings, Jay noticed two parties tending to the wounded. Captain Lee spotted him and bellowed, "Hey, kid! Come over here right now. What were you doing inside that tower?"
Panicking, Jay bolted at the sight of the police uniform, an entity he wanted no involvement with. Fortunately for him, Captain Lee's badly wounded leg prevented any pursuit. Victor informed the officers that they wouldn't interfere with each other, and an agreement was reached. They left, attending to their respective members' medical needs.
Arriving home thirty minutes later, Jay indulged in a hot shower before devouring his second-to-last pack of ramen noodles. Satisfied and with a full belly, he settled in front of the TV for the late-night news.
Every media platform echoed the same message from world leaders – under no circumstances were individuals allowed to enter the towers. The structures belonged to the government, and the army would undergo training to clear them.
"This is ridiculous. They just want to privatize the towers for their gain. The poor get poorer, and the rich get richer," Jay muttered to himself.
Fuelled by frustration, Jay laughed at the irony. "Fuck them. I'm going to clear the tower and claim it for myself. What can they do then?"
Although Jay had been the first to reach the towers, he understood the challenges that lay ahead. Escaping the authorities added another layer of difficulty to his already formidable journey. With determination burning in his eyes, he prepared for the trials that awaited him in the tower and the world beyond.