Lisa’s eyes opened wide. "Do you have a death wish?!"“You’re the weakest in our class,” Rose said angrily.“Really?” Alex looked at both of them.“If I’m the weakest, how come you guys are taking damage while I haven’t even been hit yet?”“If you want to die that fast, I’ll agree with you!” Rose snapped, her face flushed with anger.“We’ll follow you and do nothing!” Jennie added. “You better not beg for our help later.”“Same to you,” Alex shot back. “Take care of yourselves while I’m fighting, ‘cause I’m not helping you if you’re about to die!”“Fine!” Lisa said through clenched teeth. “Let’s see who dies first!”Alex shook his head.They couldn’t agree on much, but at least he could make it to the 10th floor.Later, when everyone reached the 11th floor, they could re-arrange the team.The academy only required four people per team for the first ten floors to avoid an early death during the tutorial levels, which would bring shame to a high-ranking academy like theirs.On the seven
Alex gazed at the blue sky from the eleventh floor, and he had to admit—it was breathtaking.Yet, even the sky may be boundless, but it holds no promise of freedom.He had learned that each floor after the eleventh was a gateway, connecting to countless planets controlled by gods and demons.Adventurers from many places were drawn into this place, where they could become great warriors for the gods if they reach the top.But if they died, they fell into the hands of the demons.Humans fought among themselves, constantly trying to prove who was the strongest, the most powerful.Years, decades, even millennia had passed, and still, nothing changed.All of these towers and planets were just a grand stage, a trap set by the gods for their amusement."This is the illusion of the worlds," his master had once told him."If you want to break the system, you must become the one—the only one—that people across all worlds fear and obey. Become the king of the world, like You did on Archlion."Ye
“For the justice of god Ares! I will kill you!” Nathania rushed to attack Alex with her sword.Alex could see she had improved after a few exchanged moves, but she was still far from his level.“Rage will make you fierce, but it won’t make you faster. It’s control that wins wars, not the loudness of your battle cry.”With a swift motion, he swung his sword, causing Nathania’s blade to slip from her grasp.“It’s not good for a woman to be as hot-blooded as you,” Alex said, sheathing his sword with a casual smirk.“They attacked me first! I’m just defending myself,” Alex continued.“You seek justice with a blade too eager to strike. Justice demands clarity, and you’re blinded by your wrath.”Nathania had trained for weeks, convinced she could take Alex down, but his movements were sharper, faster—inhuman. He was a monster.“Dead men tell no tales. You killed them to silence them and steal their belongings! You’re a villain! I have to kill you!” Nathania shouted, her frustration boiling
Nathania stopped her attack and looked at Alex, confusion spreading across her face.She wanted to reclaim her honor as quickly as possible, but at the same time, she had to hold on to her sense of justice.The two solid principles clashed violently in her mind.Alex saw the conflict and struck while the iron was hot."You have two choices: Master the sword and challenge me to a fair duel to reclaim your honor, or abandon that foolish rule and choose a new god. Do whatever is easier for you, but remember—your justice will never falter, it’s the essence of who you are!""Change god?" Nathania suddenly laughed."Do you think someone can just change gods once they've chosen? The only thing waiting for them is death.""Really?" Alex blinked, surprised. "Changing gods where I’m from is pretty common."Nathania stared at Alex in shock. "Humans are followers of the gods, they have to show them obedience!""Well," Alex smirked, "humans choose gods because they can fulfill their desires. Gods
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
"Where did you send him?" Gerg asked as he met the gatekeeper.The gatekeeper chuckled darkly."Somewhere deep within the Infinite Forest, where the orcs make their homes," he replied, savoring each word."I believe he'll die there—either slain by the orcs, torn apart by the beasts that lurk in the shadows, or lost forever, unable to find his way back.""Great," Gerg responded happily, a triumphant smirk spreading across his face.***Meanwhile, miles away, Alex stood at the edge of the vast and mysterious Infinite Forest.Towering trees with twisted branches reached skyward, their leaves forming a dense canopy that filtered the sunlight into speckled patterns on the forest floor.The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and a gentle mist clung to the ground.Closing his eyes, Alex accessed the Akashic Records.His transparent screen appeared, symbols and maps flickering as he navigated the ethereal database."Just an hour away from the Valley of the Wolf," he murmured to h
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!
"Wait!" Elric shouted, stepping between Alex and the agitated villagers."Calm yourselves!""Elric, move aside!" Marcus demanded, his voice thick with panic as he gripped his pitchfork tightly.His earthen clothes were stained with sweat, and his eyes blazed with a mixture of fear and rage."We must stop him before it's too late! God's anger is not something we can overlook.""Think about what you're doing!" Elric implored."He saved our village from the wolves and offered to deal with the orcs! Is this how we repay kindness?""But at what cost?" Agnes cried out. "He is looking down at our gods. The gods will punish us all!"Alex stood tall, his expression hardening as he surveyed the frightened faces before him."I think all of you are mistaken about one thing," he said coldly.In one swift motion, he drew his sword, the blade gleaming ominously in the fading light."You may fear your gods, but perhaps you should fear me more. Do you truly believe you can challenge me?"A hush fell o