-----In the corridor for the 8th floor----
There were lit piles of scarecrows scattered around with fires that don't appear to be dying at all. Amidst the piles of corpses stood what most would call a "God amongst men". A man blessed with a face too handsome to be anything but a divine blessing. A set of lapis lazuli blue eyes that can bewitch and bedazzle any who stood to stare into their depths too long. Atop his sculpted head was jet black hair, the color of the night that draped down to almost shoulder length. If Shiva's rating for his looks was a 7 out of 10 (which is actually quite generous) then this young man would score 11/10. That's just how insanely handsome he was. The only thing that contradicted the whole "Divine Male Beauty Incarnate" was the pair of crimson red horns protruding from his forehead.
He was panting for air, breathing very unsteadily, and his legs were shaking. Despite all that, if anyone gave just one look, they would describe him as graceful and serene.
For some reason, strapped to his back was a turtle shell. The turtle inside decides to come out and talk with its carrier by poking him.
'Pokey!'
"I am fine Pokey, I'm just exhausted."
[The previous record set on the 8th floor has been broken]
[A new record has been set and a new legend begins]
He looked at the undying flames around him and at the screen in front of him, switching between the two a couple of times before he resolutely says, "This Eternal flame is quite something!"
****
Shiva looked at the window in front of him, swallowing his previous words,
"So...can we talk now?" Kasim asked after many moments of silence.
He turned around, still stunned speechless, to face Kasim. After recollecting himself, he spoke with a serious look on his face and said, "Look here, I have neither an intention nor a need to join any guilds or organization, but, in the unlikely event I ever wish to join an organization, I promise I will look for you guys, that's all I can say for now... I will be going first, there are some things that I need to do."
With that said, Shiva turned into a shadow and left, leaving behind Kasim and the young man.
"Senior is it fine to let him leave like that?"
"He is not someone who we can control currently. Let's leave this matter here and contact the higher-ups and report our failure. Let's hurry up and go to the 10th floor, you are participating in the "Colosseum" right?"
"Mhm," He nodded silently.
****
*POV: Shiva*
"Shit! I just set a new record and some b*st*rd already made a new one? Was it really true that there was only one person for hundreds of years that managed to get to the 96th wave? It seems to me like everyone, and their mother can reach that wave as if it was the easiest sh*t to do. Just imagining what reward that bastard might have gotten is making me jealous." Shiva cursed while moving along in the shadows, "Anyway, I have to act fast and reach the 10th floor. The "Colosseum" is waiting for me after all."
.
.
After some time, he arrived back at the 9th-floor challenge room. He saw that there were numerous people in black cloaks blocking the entrance. He didn't think too much about that as he hid in the shadow of some random passerby who was going for the challenge after reaching the 9th floor, but silently escaping was no fun, right?
After all, making the smart choice is rarely ever the fun thing to do. With that in mind, Shiva canceled the skill while standing right before the entrance. He shouted, "Hey, you Bear-b*stard!"
The mad ravings of the necromancer attracted a lot of attention as everyone turned towards him. Sanak and the dark-legion members also noticed him.
"I will be waiting for you at the "Colosseum", wash your as* for your Daddy here because I am going wipe the floor with your ass till it's cherry red! " He said as he made a tactical retreat before anyone could recover.
The people were slow on the uptake. It took them some time to realize what just happened and soon an uproar ensued. "Shit! How did that bastard sneak past us?!", Sanak roared at the shadowy members who were watching the people who were entering the challenge room.
.
.
"That felt so satisfying" Shiva had a shit-eating grin that threatened to tear his face in two after cursing the large man.
[You have entered the 9th-floor challenge room]
[The 9th-floor challenge will now begin]
[All-Rounder:
The Tower is a cruel, unfeeling trial where you must rely on yourself at all times. Being only good at combat is not enough to survive the Tower. As such, learn at least any one of the life-class skills to pass the test.
Reward:- Depends on the skill you obtain]
A blue window with many options appeared before him as he stood there,
[Choose the class skill you want to practice,
1. Blacksmithing
2. cooking
3. mining
4. sewing
5. builder
6. craftsman
...more]
He was relieved that it was not a combat-based trail, his body was completely exhausted, and all his main summons were not available. He just entered the challenge relying on the skellies. But there were so many skills that he was slowly nodding off as he continued to read more of the list, finding it harder and harder to stay awake.
At last, he just decided, in a half-awake stupor to summoned all his skeletons and told them to do whatever, to maybe wake him up with their antics. Then promptly passed out, his body sprawled on the ground and in no shape to make a decision. He was so tired of all the events that have transpired while he was awake that he even forgot to close the choice tab.
After some time...
[The challenger has not chosen any skills]
[Assigning random skill to practice]
['Wood cutter' has been chosen as a skill]
With that, some trees and axes appeared magically on the ground nearby. The dumb skeletons who were wandering all around, turned and looked at the new items curiously. They took the axes and started to do some weird motions. Some actually managed to hit the tree with the axes.
[The hit is irregular]
[The hit missed]
[You have accurately hit the tree, proficiency in wood cutting increases by 1!]
While all this chaotic lumberjacking was happening, a certain man was sleeping soundly, mumbling, "I'll kick your as...s...ah.....hahahah....I am the ki...ng...the de...a…zzz"
*****
(Edited by JokeDagger)