With Tanya piggybacking on his back, Alex walked ahead while Nathania followed closely behind.He felt his muscles tighten under Tanya's weight, her soft breath tickling the back of his neck.They made their way through the bustling houses and markets of the 11th floor, heading toward the space gate to the 12th floor.Originally, when the tower was first discovered, there were no controlled space gates to higher floors; all who ventured inside were pioneers.Twenty years later, the latest gate reached up to the 42nd floor.Floors 11 through 41 were reportedly cleared, and the gates to subsequent levels were controlled by either guilds or national governments.According to the tower's system, whoever first defeated the floor monster would receive the authority key to control the space gate to the next floor.Although it's called a "Floor," each level is actually a vast planet teeming with unique beasts and creatures unlike any found elsewhere.The tower serves both as a training ground

Elric, the village leader, approached Alex with a smile of pure joy lighting up his weathered face."Sire," he began, his voice tinged with deep gratitude, "we want to express our heartfelt thanks for what you've done for our village."He placed ten gold coins into Alex's hand, the coins clinking softly. "Please accept this. It’s all the money we have."The villagers gathered around. Whispers rippled through the crowd as they carefully observed him, unsure of his intentions.They knew Alex was powerful—strong enough to slay the entire wolf pack on his own. If he had bad intentions, nothing in the village could stop him.Alex glanced at the gold coins, then at the faces of the villagers.He saw the worn clothes, the tired eyes—the signs of a community struggling to survive.Gently, he closed Elric's hand back over the coins. "Please, I don’t need the money," he said softly.A collective gasp arose from the villagers, their expressions shifting to shock and fear."Sir, please accept it!

Alex paused, his gaze sweeping over the tense crowd.The villagers stood in a semicircle, their faces etched with fear, anger, and confusion.Out of the corner of his eye, Alex noticed movement.Two gaunt figures stepped forward—skinny villagers whose eyes bore the weight of immeasurable pain.Their clothes hung loosely on their frail bodies, and their foreheads were marred by black stains—the dreaded mark of exile, cursed and cast out by Ares, one of the main gods revered in this land.The first man swallowed hard, his voice barely more than a whisper."Your God," he began hesitantly, his eyes pleading. "If He is the Almighty and all-loving... would He accept us?"Elric, the village leader, stepped forward cautiously, his face a mixture of concern and fear."They are sinners, the forsaken, the exiled," he explained, his voice quivering."They have been kicked out and cursed by Ares. Every month, they endure unbearable pain. If your God accepts them, it could bring Ares's wrath upon y

The female orc stood apart from the rest: smaller in stature, her features softer and less harsh.Long, dark hair framed her face, and if not for her green skin and pointed ears, she might have been mistaken for a beautiful human woman.She clutched a simple staff adorned with feathers and beads, her knuckles white with fear."You seem to have potential as a magician," Alex observed, turning his gaze toward her.She took a hesitant step back, her voice trembling. "W-what have you done to them?" she whispered, her grip tightening on her staff."They're merely sleeping," he assured her. "They'll awaken unharmed in a few hours."Her eyes darted to her fallen kin and then back to Alex. "Why spare them? You had the power to...""To kill them?" Alex finished for her. He sighed softly. "Because violence isn't my goal. I wish to prevent unnecessary bloodshed."She studied him cautiously. "Humans and orcs are enemies. Why would you warn us?""I can see that you're not all mindless monsters. Yo

[Wrist Gate Emblem Detected. Activating Functionality.]A translucent interface materialized before Alex.[Portable Space Gate Storage Activated. This device can record and store coordinates of any space gate encountered. Owner can use it to summon a gate at any location by accessing stored coordinates.]"A portable gate?" Alex eyes widening in amazement.The tower was notorious for its perilous floors, many with gates fiercely guarded by powerful guilds.Access was controlled, movement restricted.But with this wrist emblem, those barriers meant nothing now.He wouldn't be tied to the regular gates anymore.He could go wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted.A grin spread across his face as he strapped the emblem onto his wrist.It fit perfectly, molding to his skin as if crafted just for him.Without wasting another moment, Alex activated the recording function.[First coordinate recorded. Please give the name of this coordinate.]"Eden," he breathed.But his elation was short-lived