I awoke after hearing a ding.
[Hidden Objective Complete]
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
Level Up!
[Reward Received]
Key Piece - Epic (1/7)
Used to open ???
I smiled at my reward and the gained levels.
I checked my status, expecting a significant increase.
[Status]
Zeon Cross - Super Rookie
Dragon Fist
Level 45
Strength 58
Speed 50 (+19)
Endurance 31 (+20)
Magic 52
21 Available stat points
I made significant gains from my earlier rampage.
I poured everything into strength.
[New Skill Unlocked!]
'Oh?'
I was pleasantly surprised.
[Dragon Dive - Epic - Active Skill]
Form 1 - When midair, use the skill to land instantly without taking any damage. Deal massive damage when landing in a large area.
Form 2 - Leap into the air and drop down, dealing large damage in a medium area.
It was a great skill, giving me superior crowd control.
If I were to use it from high up as a sneak attack, it would be a surefire kill.
The second form, although dealing less damage, could be used more liberally.
[For your accomplishments, your name has been engraved into the history of the tower.]
[Calculating Score...]
I thoughtlessly swiped the screen away, I had already seen it enough.
I didn't need to stroke my ego by seeing a big number.
[3rd floor is closing...]
A teleportation circle appeared before me and i found myself back in the main teleportation square of the 2nd floor.
[Credits - 8520]
I had accumulated a reasonable amount of money as a byproduct of my achievements.
Thoughts about using it to purchase some better armor appeared, but with enough luck, I'd get something better later on regardless, so I left it.
I walked around the various shops of the city of beginnings, taking glances at various goods.
Luckily, my appearance was refreshed after the floor closed, otherwise I'd be covered in blood... which could be a little awkward.
The feeling was natural for me, but I doubt others would be too receptive to my appearance.
I still felt exhausted from today's work, and thus I went back to the inn without much delay.
The desk girl greeted me with a smile and I lazily waved back before entering my room.
--------------------
"I'm telling you! I've never seen anything like it!"
"Peh. Drinking has made you gone mad, a rookie player taking out an entire battalion?"
"Yeah, if you're gonna lie, at least making convincing!"
"No, no, he's right! My tutorial batch all saw the power of that bastard! He's the real deal!"
"Well.. if both of you are saying it, maybe it could be possible.... But anyway, how is he that strong?"
A man wearing a cloak listened to the drunkards speak of a prodigious new player.
He gave a near delirious smile.
He was a hunter, and this time round, he had found some new prey.
There were many ways to earn experience within the tower without just killing monsters.
One method, although heavily looked down upon, was by killing other players.
"Heh."
This man, Zodiac, was one who had profited greatly from such a method.
He was already more than strong enough to clear the beginner floors, but cruelly decided to not challenge further floors, instead, he indulged in killing talented newbie players.
"I suppose... It'll be easier if I meet you... in a floor... I suppose by now.. it should be the fourth one?"
He got up and left the tavern.
It was about time he started climbing the floors again.
A strange gas permeated through the tavern as he left.
Slowly, the customers and employees fell into an eternal sleep.
-----------------
I decided I would leave the 4th floor for tomorrow as some preparations needed to be made.
I was also feeling a little lazy.
The city of beginnings naturally had many places to explore.
Several dojos existed for the various class archetypes, to learn new skills and improve.
They wouldn't be particularly useful for me, so I ignored them.
But beneath the places such as the dojos, existed the underground of the 2nd city.
"Honestly, these bastards are pathetic."
Some players would never go past the beginner section of the tower.
Instead, they stagnated in the second city, growing powerful by beginner standards and forming gangs.
They reigned like kings, but in my eyes they were worse than shit stains.
But the thing that I needed could only be purchased in the underground.
After taking several winding turns throughout the back alleys, I found myself in a bustling market.
There were several security guards keeping watch, and many questionable items were sold.
Drugs, aphrodisiacs, weapons stolen from dead players, and more.
I walked into a store found far back in the market.
An old man missing his teeth stood before me.
"Say, boyo! How much do ya need? Yeh must know what we sell 'ere, right?"
I nodded my head and responded.
"I'll need a few kilograms... I think five should be alright."
"Gareth! 5 Kilograms he says!"
I heard scurrying in another room and waited for a few seconds.
Another dirty man appeared, holding a sketchy bag.
I grabbed it from him and looked inside.
It was something I didn't want to have, but it was necessary for the 4th floor's hidden objective.
I paid the grimy old man his due and made out the store.
I did not want to be in such a pathetic place.
Several brothels passed by me whilst I walked.
Some women called out to me, but my stance was made clear after I glared at them whilst instilling fear.
Many people were not cut out for the violence the tower demanded, and thus had to find... questionable careers.
My thoughts returned to that of the 4th floor.
It was a labyrinth filled with several monsters, players were randomly scattered through the area and had to find the exit.
Several monsters traps and monsters also lingered within the maze.
But I was not interested in them.
The hidden boss of the dungeon was known as the Minotaur, a mythical beast.
But the way to summon it was absurd, questionable, and disgusting.
That was why it took a real freak to find out the method.
One had to offer human flesh to summon the minotaur.
I placed the bag of meat I had purchased in my inventory, wincing at the thought of such a thing.
Blood and guts never phased me, no, in fact I thrived in such conditions.
But this kind of thing would never interest me.
'Ah well..'
It was necessary.
If it meant become stronger, I'd do it without question.
Whilst exiting the underground, I saw something slightly interesting.
It was a mask..
Although I didn't like masks, it seemed that my identity was already generating notoriety.
For some things, having a mask could be of use.
I had a tendency to be hardheaded and less logical, but even despite my dislike, I could see the use in having a mask.
I looked at the shopkeeper and asked him.
"....How much."
"5000."
"That's insane. It's a mask."
"It's a rare mask that morphs to fit your face, it won't fall off in the heat of combat."
I was not thrilled by the price, but it did seem to be of high quality, and the cheaper options did not look as visually appealing to me.
I hesitantly bought the mask. It was pitch black with several glowing orange cracks, as if it were ready to burst and explode.
After the purchase, no time was wasted in leaving back to the main part of the city.
I had recuperated and bought the necessary supplies for the 4th floor.
I opened the system window and continued on to the labyrinth.