Ascension : the hundred floors

The Village Awakens

Aric stood at the outskirts of the Village of Beginnings, his newly acquired Beast Fang clutched in one hand. The sun was rising, casting long shadows across the quiet village. The Combat Master's challenge had been tougher than he'd anticipated. The Beast Fang wasn't from just any creature—it had belonged to a Frenzied Dire Wolf, an enhanced variant that nearly overwhelmed him.

He glanced at his status window, which now reflected his hard-earned progress.

Aric Valen's Status

Level: 4

HP: 700 / 700

MP: 470 / 470

SP: 570 / 570

ATK: 110

DEF: 75

AGI: 55

LCK: 27

XP Progress: 50 / 600

Aric sighed. The stats looked good on paper, but he knew he still had a long way to go. Every fight felt like it was pushing him to his limits. The Tower wasn't just testing his strength—it was testing his will.

As he approached the Combat Master's training grounds, his surroundings became livelier. New players gathered in small groups, their chatter mixing with the clanging of a blacksmith's hammer. Some looked eager, while others bore the weight of early defeats.

Aric frowned. This is the real challenge, he thought, watching their unease. Keeping the resolve to push forward, even when you've already tasted failure.

The Combat Master's Test

The Combat Master stood at the edge of the training field, arms crossed. His gaze was sharp as he watched Aric approach.

"You've got the Fang," the master said, his tone neutral. "Good. You're more persistent than I thought."

Aric handed over the item without a word. The Combat Master inspected it before nodding approvingly.

"Now, let's see if you've got the guts to handle what comes next."

The master beckoned Aric to follow him into a secluded area of the training field. Wooden dummies and scattered weapon racks lined the space. At the center stood a glowing circle etched into the ground—a training arena powered by the Tower itself.

Training Arena Activated

[You have entered a Training Arena.]

[Combat Training Mission: Survive for 3 minutes.]

[Difficulty: Hard]

Aric tensed as the glow intensified, and spectral warriors began to materialize. Each one was armed and armored, their faceless visages radiating malice.

The Combat Master's voice boomed. "The goal isn't to defeat them—it's to survive. Use everything you've got. Show me you're more than just brute force."

The Battle Begins

The first spectral warrior lunged at Aric, its sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Aric sidestepped and countered with Crimson Slash, the glowing arc of energy dissipating the specter in a single strike.

But no sooner had he defeated one than two more appeared. He activated Phantom Dash, weaving between their attacks, but the enemies were relentless. Each movement drained his stamina, each strike depleting his focus.

Mid-Battle Status

HP: 640 / 700

MP: 390 / 470

SP: 450 / 570

The second minute was a blur of dodges, counters, and narrowly avoided strikes. Aric's shield, Iron Aegis, absorbed most of the damage, but the strain on his arms was evident. His breathing grew heavier, and his muscles screamed in protest.

"Focus!" the Combat Master shouted. "You're hesitating—commit to your attacks!"

Aric gritted his teeth, pushing himself harder. He activated Blade Storm, a skill he'd acquired during his fight with the Frenzied Dire Wolf. His sword became a whirlwind of steel, cutting through the specters in rapid succession.

By the time the third minute ended, the training arena fell silent. The glowing circle faded, leaving Aric standing alone amidst the dissipating remnants of his foes.

Training Complete

[Mission Complete: Survive for 3 Minutes in the Training Arena.]

[Reward: Combat Skill Upgrade – Precision Strike]

Aric collapsed to one knee, panting heavily. His hands trembled as the Combat Master approached, his expression unreadable.

"You've got potential, kid," the master said finally. "But potential means nothing without discipline. Keep that in mind as you climb the Tower."

The Village Resumes

After resting at the local inn, Aric reviewed his new skill.

Skill Gained: Precision Strike

Type: Active Effect: Delivers a powerful, focused attack that ignores 30% of the target's defense. Cooldown: 30 seconds

Aric smiled faintly. The skill was a valuable addition to his arsenal, one that could make a difference against tougher opponents.

But there was no time to revel in his success. The first floor still had more challenges to offer, and Aric was determined to face them all. As he prepared to leave the village, a new notification appeared.

[New Mission Unlocked: First Floor Guardian Challenge.]

[Difficulty: Brutal]

[Description: Defeat the Guardian of the First Floor to ascend to the next level of the Tower.]

The Guardian Awaits

Aric's gaze hardened as he read the mission details. This was what he'd been working toward—the first real test of his abilities. The Guardian wasn't just a foe; it was a symbol of the obstacles he would face throughout the Tower.

He tightened his grip on his sword, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

"The first challenge," he murmured to himself. "Let's see what you've got."

With that, he stepped out of the village, the path to the Guardian stretching out before him.