After arriving at the 4th Floor's main hall and donning the Fool's Mask, Kale didn't linger. The curious glances of the adventurers surrounding him were enough to remind him that despite his disguise, he still attracted too much attention. He needed a place to lay low, gather his thoughts, and process all that had happened.
He made his way through the bustling streets of the 4th Floor settlement, a city-like hub filled with adventurers, traders, and countless shops. Among the chaotic flow of people and noise, Kale spotted a small, unassuming tavern tucked between larger, more prominent buildings. Its faded wooden sign creaked in the wind—The Rusted Coin.
Pushing open the door, he was greeted by the warm, dim glow of lanterns and the murmur of low conversations. The tavern was modest and quiet, perfect for someone trying to avoid attention. Kale approached the barkeep, a grizzled older man with tired eyes and a gruff voice.
"I need a room for the night," Kale said, keeping his voice low.
The barkeep glanced at him, his eyes lingering on the mask for a moment but said nothing. "We've got a few left. Five coins a night, no breakfast," the man replied, handing Kale a small brass key. "Upstairs, third door on the left."
Kale nodded, paid the fee, and headed upstairs. The room was small and plain—a single bed, a wooden chair, and a narrow window that looked out over the darkening streets. It was perfect.
After securing the door, Kale sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling a deep breath. The weight of the recent events hit him all at once. But before he could rest, there was something more important to address—his new titles. He opened his system menu, and a cascade of information flooded his vision.
[Title List]
[Trap Master (Common)]
Description: You've demonstrated remarkable ability to outmaneuver and disable traps. Provides minor bonuses to trap detection and disarming.
[The Super Rookie (Epic)]
Description: You've broken past the rookie phase faster than anyone thought possible. Grants bonus experience points when defeating higher-level opponents.
[The Fastest Lv50 (Epic)]
Description: You reached Level 50 at an unprecedented speed. Increases movement speed and agility in combat.
[The Path of God (Epic)]
Description: You've begun to walk a path toward godhood. Grants a small increase in divine resistance and affinity with holy items.
[The One Who Surpassed His Limits (Legendary)]
Description: You have pushed beyond the boundaries of what was thought possible, breaking through limits that even the Tower set upon you. This title is bestowed upon those who defy expectations and unlock their true potential. It grants a significant boost to all attributes and provides the ability Limit Break, which allows the user to tap into their latent abilities and unlock powers that were previously inaccessible or dormant. Each use of this ability further evolves the user's power, drawing closer to their ultimate form.
Passive Effect: All base stats increase by 150%. Combat adaptability and reaction speed are heightened, allowing for faster learning and enhanced performance during extreme battles.
Active Skill: Limit Break – Once activated, Limit Break unlocks the user's dormant potential, temporarily granting access to a hidden or latent ability based on the user's innate talents. This power surge lasts for 30 seconds, during which time the user experiences heightened awareness, physical prowess, and mastery over their abilities. Limit Break has a profound, permanent effect: after each use, the user retains a portion of the unlocked latent power, gradually increasing their strength over time.
Cooldown: None (But immense strain on the body and mind).
Special Trait: After each use of Limit Break, there is a small chance of the permanent latent ability being fully unlocked, granting the user new skills or enhanced versions of their current powers
[Fool's Legacy Candidate (Legendary)]
Description: You have been chosen as a potential heir to the Fool's legacy, one of the most powerful and tragic figures in the Tower's history. As a candidate, you possess a unique connection to the Fool's scattered essence, and your journey is intertwined with the discovery of his lost artifacts. The more of the Fool's artifacts you acquire, the closer you draw to his ultimate power. Each artifact grants you access to one of the Fool's ancient abilities, tailored to the item's nature.
Passive Effect: With every Fool's artifact you acquire, your synchronization with the Fool's legacy deepens, granting increased affinity with the Fool's powers and unlocking higher-tier abilities over time. Additionally, the user gains increased resistance to status effects, deception, and mental manipulation, as befitting the Fool's mastery of unpredictability.
Artifact-Specific Ability:
Depending on the Fool's artifact in possession, you will gain one of the Fool's legendary abilities, reflecting the essence of the artifact itself. Each skill grows stronger as your affinity with the Fool's Legacy increases.
Passive Bonus: Increases movement speed and grants partial invisibility when standing still.
Special Trait: With each Fool's artifact you collect, the abilities of the previous artifacts strengthen, and new synergies between the artifacts may unlock hidden powers. The ultimate ability of the Fool remains sealed until all of his lost artifacts are reclaimed.
[Over Heaven (Mythical)]
Description: You have been acknowledged as one who can transcend the heavens themselves. This title is reserved for those who have the potential to challenge the gods and ascend beyond mortality. Grants a colossal boost to all attack and defensive capabilities when facing divine or celestial beings. Additionally, your presence alone weakens heavenly entities within a certain radius, causing their powers to falter and their divine protection to wane. You gain access to the ability Heaven's Dominion, which allows you to briefly command the laws of the divine realm, bending reality in your favor for a short period.
Passive Effect: All attacks against celestial beings or deities deal 300% increased damage.
Active Skill: Heaven's Dominion - For 10 seconds, you can control and manipulate the divine energy around you, nullifying divine defenses and amplifying your power to godlike levels. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Special Trait: Divine entities within a 100-meter radius suffer a 50% reduction in power and are unable to heal while in your presence.
[Over Hell (Mythical)]
Description: Recognized as one who can descend into the deepest pits of hell and emerge unscathed, you have the potential to command the forces of the underworld itself. Grants an overwhelming boost to all combat capabilities when facing demonic or infernal beings. Your aura disrupts and corrupts hellish energies within a radius, diminishing the power of demons and creatures of the abyss. You also gain the ability Infernal Command, allowing you to summon and control infernal flames and hellish creatures at will, bending their chaotic essence to your will.
Passive Effect: All attacks against infernal or demonic beings deal 400% increased damage.
Active Skill: Infernal Command - For 15 seconds, you gain control over the forces of hell, summoning powerful infernal flames and binding demonic entities to serve you. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Special Trait: Infernal entities within a 100-meter radius are 70% weaker in your presence and are vulnerable to your commands, forcing lower-level demons to obey your will for a brief time.
Kale's eyes lingered on the last two titles, Over Heaven and Over Hell. Mythical titles were unheard of, even among the most elite adventurers in the Tower. Yet, here he was, not just possessing one but two of them. The power they promised was immense—enough to challenge gods and demons alike.
But it was the Fool's Legacy Candidate that intrigued him the most. The title hinted at something deeper, something beyond the normal progression of power in the Tower. He was now tied to the Fool's legend, and the mask he wore was no ordinary piece of equipment. The hidden power it held was still a mystery, but Kale knew he would have to uncover it soon. The Tower's balance was shifting, and he had become one of the catalysts.
His mind raced as he tried to process everything, but exhaustion soon caught up to him. With a final glance at his titles, Kale closed the system window. He would need his strength for what came next. For now, he would rest. The 4th Floor awaited, and he would need every advantage if he was going to continue surviving in the Tower.