The bronze door was engraved with mysterious and arcane patterns that seemed to hold some hidden secrets. Mike scrutinized the design, memorizing the entire pattern in his mind.
[This is a trace left by an indescribable entity of terror, proof of its existence]
[Continue observing for 10 seconds, and you will be mentally contaminated by an entity from the void]
[10,9,8.....]
The Eye of Truth provided a countdown warning.
Just as the countdown reached the last second, Mike shifted his gaze to ensure his safety. The surrounding sulfur smell was choking, and the temperature was terrifyingly high, nearly at the human limit.
[Place your hand on the bronze door, and you've completed the hidden level. Easy parkour, right?]
"That easy?" Mike frowned, feeling something might be off.
The designer of the hidden level had placed a powerful boss like Cerberus at the beginning. Yet, at the end, there were no monsters?
Where's the boss? Where's the reward?
Mike was all geared up for Charge Up, but nothing happened. What a letdown!
"Triggering the hidden level, a total of about 6 miles of underground passage, and this hidden level is just too easy?"
Mike quickly figured out where the problem lay. "It's Cerberus!"
A light bulb went off in his head, connecting all the dots.
"The content of the hidden level was actually to run 5.6 miles under the pursuit of Cerberus, reaching the final bronze door!"
"In other words, this was a life-and-death escape route, not some easy parkour!"
However, for Mike, the most difficult task had been dealt with first!
Cerberus was barely released when Mike mercilessly obliterated it, turning it into a pile of ash.
Even its skull now lay quietly in Mike's backpack!
Cerberus, meant to be the hunter, was taken down by Mike like a mere slime.
How do you even explain that?
Mike's method of clearing the level was truly unprecedented.
"If it were anyone else, even if they triggered the hidden level, their chances would be slim to none of surviving Cerberus's pursuit!"
After understanding the true nature of the hidden level, Mike felt much of his confusion dissipate. He looked around to make sure there was nothing worth taking before he could rest easy.
Following the prompt, Mike placed his palm on the bronze door. A blue light emanated slowly from his palm, spreading throughout his body.
The Core of Truth crystal he had seen before now hovered in front of him. A notification sounded in Mike's ear:
"Newbie Instance·hidden level, cleared!"
"Calculating clearance score...."
"Score calculation complete!"
"...."
Almost simultaneously, the same notification echoed in the ears of everyone in the Tower of Truth!
"Congratulations to participant [Thor] for achieving an SSS rating in the Newbie Instance!"
The moment the announcement was received, people's hearts jolted.
Before they could even express their shock,
A new Tower of Truth announcement swept across the screens again!
"Congratulations to participant [Thor] for achieving an SSS rating in the Newbie Instance·hidden level!"
"....."
All public channels fell into a deathly silence!
Not even a single word was spoken in the channels!
The entire Tower of Truth, even the whole world, fell into silence.
Only silence, only speechlessness, could express their feelings at this moment!
Hidden level?
What hidden level?
The Tower of Truth had been studied by humanity for three hundred years since its arrival, even during the hardest times, the research never stopped!
How come no one ever mentioned a hidden level?!
Countless questions surged in people's minds.
These questions exploded with immense energy, becoming the focal point of discussion on all social platforms!
"What is a hidden level?"
"What are the hidden rewards?!"
All questions eventually converged into one: "Who the heck is Thor?!"
Right now, the world's eyes are on Thor!
Two Tower of Truth announcements have sent shockwaves through humanity, Earth, and even the Abyssal Plane.
"SSS-level talent has emerged, initiating the Dawn Plan..."
"Issuing a call to arms for Battle Lords, all registered Battle Lords must report to the designated location immediately!"
"The Abyssal Plane is entering a level two combat readiness state..."
...
Thor, by merely achieving an SSS rating in the Newbie Instance, has stirred up a storm like a butterfly flapping its wings!
Of course, all this is temporarily irrelevant to Mike.
He just cleared the Newbie Instance.
After the Tower of Truth's announcement, a generous reward lay before Mike!
"SSS-level clearance of the Newbie Instance, reward: All attributes +50, Luck +1, gold coins +100,000, Trade Secret Realm Pass!"
"SSS-level clearance of the Newbie Instance, reward: One special job change opportunity!"
"SSS-level clearance of the hidden level, reward: [Blessing of Truth]!"
From the dazzling announcements, Mike found the real benefits that were implemented.
"100,000 gold coins?! That's like a hundred million dollars?"
Seeing such a large sum of money, Mike was also somewhat shocked.
A hundred million! What's that mean? You could buy 2 million deluxe $50 burgers!
This vast wealth was beyond ordinary comprehension, even Mike took a few seconds to calm his emotions.
Before today, he only had two thousand dollars in his bank account, a six-digit password protecting a four-digit savings.
Wealth skyrocketing by fifty thousand times, enough for a normal person to spend for ten lifetimes, seemed somewhat surreal.
But!
100,000 gold coins were just the least impressive part of this reward!
"All attributes +50, Luck +1... The rewards for an SSS-level clearance are really generous, no wonder supreme beings rise so quickly."
Mike mused.
The current supreme beings of humanity were all SSS-level clearers of the Newbie Instance.
Their growth was like cheating in a game, shooting up like a rocket!
Now, having achieved an SSS-level clearance himself, Mike somewhat understood the journey of his predecessors.
High base attributes, increased Luck, 100,000 starting gold coins, and one special job change opportunity!
Their starting points were not on the same level as ordinary participants!
A golden light descended, appearing before Mike, occasionally flashing with lightning.
[Stormweaver (Lightning)·One job change opportunity]
[Upon use, change to the hidden class Stormweaver, automatically gain Lightning Specialization, all Lightning spell effects +100%, mana consumption -50%!]
[Stormweaver Class template rating: SSS. ]
[Man, what are you hesitating for, go for it!]