The third floor had become a joke.
After reconstructing his body, Reece felt as though he was wielding power on an entirely different scale. He was faster, stronger, and could wield a more concentrated form of primal mana—an energy so rare it was usually restricted to climbers who had ascended to much higher floors.
His senses had heightened beyond anything he'd experienced before, enabling him to perceive things in striking detail. Though he'd completed body reconstruction in past lives, this was the first time he'd done so while still young. With his early regression, he now had the benefit of both youth and enhanced power, which unlocked additional abilities he hadn't previously imagined.
"Seriously… what was I thinking, not doing this as soon as I woke you up?" he mused aloud, a grin spreading across his face as he cast [Elemental Destruction], letting the spell spread through the swampy, shadowed landscape around him. The spell reached a full hundred-mile radius, the limit of his expanded soul sense. His range now made it effortless to find and obliterate any monsters needed for leveling up, sweeping the floor clean of mud-goblins, wargs, and other lurking threats.
"Honestly, you were just desperate enough to gamble," Prima teased with a sigh. "Though, let's face it, body reconstruction is practically a cheat. It's unfair for anyone to have that much power so early in the climb! I almost pity anyone who crosses you… unless they're a Prime Original."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Reece replied, laughing.
Prima brought up his status screen for review, her tone half-amused as she teased, "I think you're going to like what you see."
[Race: Primal Human]
[Evolution Stage: Prime Scion]
[HP: 100%]
[PM (Primal Mana): Mana Heart: 75%, Mana Brain: 98%, Mana Lungs]
[Core Rank: Prime Artisan]
[Gifts:]
RegressionUnknown…
[Stats:]
Strength: SS+
Vitality: SS+
Agility: SS+
Intelligence: EX
Wisdom: EX
[Passive Skills + Techniques + Spells:]
Technique: Soul sense - active
[Active Skills + Techniques + Spells:]
[Elemental Destruction] * 5
[Comments:] its kinda unfair you're a low leveled demigod now ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reece whistled in awe, scanning over the stats. Every stat above SS, with both intelligence and wisdom at EX—this was power beyond what climbers would expect until floor 95 or higher. Even the prodigies of humanity and the humanoid races across the Milky Way struggled to reach EX in a single stat. With his current state, Reece realized he had become the de facto number one in terms of raw stats, even if he kept a low profile.
"Looks like Camila's going to owe me an explanation once she remembers everything," he chuckled, while also noticing the barrage of notifications from the Tower's system interface.
Prima seemed entertained. "And now you've got notifications, too!" she announced, pleased by his progress.
Reece clicked on the flashing tabs, scrolling through the updates and achievements, impressed by the sheer number of them. Each achievement opened up new opportunities, both for power and influence, critical assets he would need.
[Notifications]
[Congratulations! You are the first mortal to initiate body reconstruction and create a mana body of Mythical Grade and EX rank!]
[Congratulations! You have cleared the third floor in record time. Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes. Awarding: 1 Gold Mana Coin, 1000 Silver Mana Coins.]
[Congratulations! Your primary Mana Core has advanced to the Adept stage while still under floor 10! Awarding: 5 Silver Mysterious Gifts.]
[Congratulations! Your secondary Mana Core has advanced to the Adept stage while still under floor 10! Awarding 10 Silver Mysterious Gifts.]
[Congratulations! Your primary Mana Core has advanced to the Artisan stage while still under floor 10! Awarding 5 Gold Mysterious Gifts.]
[Congratulations! Your secondary Mana Core has advanced to the Artisan stage while still under floor 10! Awarding 10 Gold Mysterious Gifts.]
…
…
…
The notifications continued, each one confirming rewards of coins, rare gifts, and substantial achievements. The mysterious gifts would be invaluable for expanding his influence; the coins, meanwhile, were essential for resources and freedom to operate. With the fortune he now amassed, he'd be close to a billionaire back on Earth.
"Well, looks like for now I'm in decent financial shape," Reece chuckled to himself. Since he was done with his grind on the third floor, he decided to return to the Adventurer's Association to cash in some monster parts and create a legitimate cover for his sudden wealth.
As he entered the bustling association building, he felt a noticeable change. When he'd joined the Association two days ago, few had paid attention to him, but now, the entire floor fell silent. Conversations halted, eyes followed him, and he recognized several faces that had been present the first time he registered.
"Hello there, Mr. Prime," said Melvina, the elven receptionist who had first assisted him, her voice laced with intrigue.
"Good day, Ms…?" he replied, hoping she'd offer her name.
"Melvina. A pleasure," she responded, a knowing look in her eyes as she assessed him.
"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Melvina," he replied smoothly, though he felt the tension in the room. "Though, might we drop the formalities? After all, we're coworkers of a sort."
She tilted her head coyly. "Perhaps, if you'd allow me the privilege of seeing the face behind that mask?"
"A shame then, Ms. Melvina," he said with a resolute smile.
"I'm here to sell some loot from my time on floors two and three. Mostly goblins, wargs, vine snakes, and a few mirelings and wisp lurkers," he listed, keen to move past the awkward silence that had descended around him.
Her eyebrow arched slightly as she eyed him with skepticism. "Are you certain you have drops from all those creatures? And even if you do, I'm not sure it would amount to much unless you've gathered quite a substantial number."
Reece shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I covered a lot of ground on those floors. My spatial bags are full, and that's after discarding the poor-quality parts."
Melvina looked uncertain, clearly taken aback. Clearing two floors in such a short span was unheard of for a newcomer. And then, to claim he had multiple spatial bags? Her gaze flickered with suspicion. "Forgive my caution, but I'll need proof of your claims. We've had… instances of exaggeration in the past."
"I understand completely," Reece replied, nodding. "If you'd like, I can accompany you to a deposit room where I can empty my bags for verification."
After a brief pause, she summoned an attendant to prepare a secure room, then gestured for Reece to follow. As they walked past the reception desk, heads turned, and whispers erupted among those left behind. Many of the adventurers had heard the rumors of the "monster" who'd recently joined. Now, seeing him escorted personally by Melvina only added fuel to the fire.
Inside the deposit room, Reece placed his spatial bags on the table. With a simple gesture, he began emptying them, piles upon piles of monster parts spilling onto the floor in organized heaps. Grub-goblins, mud-goblins, vine snakes, wargs, and mirelings soon formed mountains before them. Each part was meticulously preserved and stacked, a testament to his efficiency in harvesting the drops.
Melvina stared, her eyes wide with disbelief. She'd asked for proof, and now she stood before what could only be described as an avalanche of evidence.
"Three full spatial bags of loot…" she muttered, momentarily speechless. "You cleared two floors in just two days. I… I don't even know what to say."
Reece smiled, amused by her reaction. "I'm hoping that's enough for verification?"
Melvina nodded, clearly impressed, though still processing the implications. "Yes, this is… more than enough. Most climbers would need weeks to gather this much, even with teams. You truly are something else."
He chuckled, enjoying her astonishment. "Just doing my job, Ms. Melvina."
She met his gaze, her expression softening. "Please, feel free to call me Melvina. I think you've more than earned it."
The room buzzed with tension as Melvina quickly recorded the loot. She processed each item's value, calculating the total with practiced efficiency. "Well, Mr. Prime… I mean, Reece, your total comes to quite a hefty sum. I'll transfer the funds to your climber's card."
As she completed the transaction, she hesitated, glancing at him with a trace of curiosity. "I have to ask… is it true, what they say about you being the first to clear the tutorial? And in under three hours, no less?"
Reece nodded, his expression calm. "Seems the rumors spread fast."
Melvina's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's more than just a rumor—it's legendary. I've heard of prodigies, but this is beyond anything I've encountered."
He shrugged, a trace of amusement in his tone. "Let's just say it took a few tries."
As they finished, Reece prepared to leave, but Melvina's voice stopped him. "If you need anything further, Reece… I'm here. And welcome to the Association. You're going to make waves here, I think."
"Thank you, Melvina," he replied, appreciating the respect in her gaze. As he turned to leave, he felt the faintest hint of satisfaction. Each step he took within the Association brought him closer to his goals—power, influence, and the means to control his fate.