A week had passed, and in that time, more than half of the remaining 3 million people had perished. Now, only about 1 million remained. The relentless pace of the tower's challenges had taken its toll, and Rivyn could see the exhaustion and despair on many of their faces. The survivors were no longer the bright-eyed adventurers they had been when they started. They were worn down by the battles, haunted by the losses they had witnessed, and increasingly aware of the grim reality they were living through.
Despite his isolation, Rivyn had drawn attention. More and more people had come to him in recent days, seeking his guidance or hoping for some insight into the later floors. They asked for details about what lay ahead, desperate for anything that might help them survive. Rivyn didn't mind sharing basic information, but his answers were often vague. He had no real strategy to offer. He'd simply overpowered the monsters and cleared the floors on his own.
