Max entered Floor 100, and instead of the harsh landscapes or monstrous enemies he'd come to expect, he found himself in a surreal white expanse. The floor seemed boundless, the walls nonexistent, fading into an endless stretch of nothingness. There was no movement, no sound—just an eerie stillness that seemed to close in on him.
As he cautiously advanced, a figure became visible in the distance: a desk, a chair, and a man sitting with his back turned. Max narrowed his eyes, gripping his sword instinctively, preparing for any confrontation.
The man in the chair, seemingly unbothered by Max's presence, sat casually with his hands folded behind his head, as if he'd been waiting for something, or someone.
Max's cold voice broke the silence. "Who are you?"
The figure didn't turn, though he looked slightly amused. "It's about time someone arrived. I was beginning to think I'd be forgotten here entirely."
"Answer me, or I'll find out myself," Max warned, his voice laced with a cold edge. Without further hesitation, he activated Bone Manipulation, Poison Blood, and Electropoison Blade, channeling his strongest skills and launching a swift strike.
But as his sword neared, it stopped short, shattering into shards mid-air and scattering harmlessly around the figure. The man turned around, finally revealing his face—a face that took Max aback. The man was almost supernaturally handsome, with striking blue eyes, a strong jawline, and a presence that seemed to command the very air around him. Standing at an imposing 6'5", his aura was overwhelming. Just looking at him made Max feel an urge to kneel.
Max's body reacted instinctively, his legs beginning to buckle. Skill Activated: Regeneration. His body fought back, stabilizing itself as he resisted the overwhelming compulsion. Pain surged as he forced his muscles to obey, but he stood firm, defiant.
Achievement Unlocked: Man Who Stands Before God. New Skill Obtained: Last Stand.
Effect: Survive a lethal attack with 1 HP once every week.
Ford, observing Max's resilience, raised an eyebrow, as if impressed. The pressure surrounding him instantly dissipated. "Apologies. Sometimes I forget to turn that off. Now… who are you, child? Introduce yourself."
Max met his gaze with an even stare, his confidence unwavering despite the pain. "Don't you think you should introduce yourself first?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge of cold defiance in his tone.
Ford chuckled, seemingly entertained. "Courtesy, hm?" He looked amused, a hint of respect glimmering in his eyes. "This is the first time someone has spoken to me this way in centuries. I suppose you deserve an answer." A notification appeared in Max's vision:
Achievement Unlocked: Barter with God. New Skill Obtained: Negotiation.
Ford leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "So, let's play a game: 1 truth, no lies. I'll start. What year is it?"
Max, slightly thrown by the unexpected question, answered honestly, "The year is 2517."
Ford's expression grew distant, almost sorrowful. "So much time has passed… yet here you stand."
Max's turn came. "Who are you?"
Ford's expression sharpened, his tone a mixture of pride and sadness. "I am Ford Artellesar, known once as the Great Mage of Eternity, Commander of the Blue Eagles, and slayer of millions in the wars of old. Now, I am merely a fragment left behind, waiting."
Max's face revealed a flicker of surprise. He'd heard legends of ancient heroes and powerful figures, but never this name. "I… I've never heard of you."
Ford nodded, as though he expected as much. "Few would remember. History forgets as time moves forward, and I am but a shadow of what once was."
After a moment of silence, Ford spoke again. "So, you've cleared the Hell tutorial. Tell me, where is your team? Surely you didn't attempt it alone?"
"Team?" Max's confusion was genuine. "The tutorial is solo… it always has been."
Ford's gaze hardened, his tone laced with suspicion. "Hell difficulty allows for teams. How else could one hope to climb a hundred floors in a single day?" His eyes narrowed. "You don't expect me to believe you did this alone."
Max straightened, his own determination matching Ford's disbelief. "I did. I don't cheat, and I don't lie."
Ford sighed, a heavy sadness clouding his gaze. "If only you had been born in my era… perhaps things would be different." His voice trailed off, lost in thought. Then, seeming to remember himself, he continued, "Since you have come this far, you've earned a reward far greater than you realize."
"A reward?" Max asked, his curiosity piqued.
"An awakening," Ford said with a faint smile. "The chance to obtain a new stat, one that will amplify your unique abilities. In my time, it was common among the strongest, but now… now you may be one of the few in existence to wield it."
Max frowned. "A new stat?"
Ford nodded. "Each person's unique stat reflects their spirit, their essence. One might gain Resilience, surviving against odds. Another might awaken Gap, a stat that closes the power difference between them and their opponents, letting them bridge the gap in strength."
He explained that to gain such a stat, Max would need to sacrifice 120 points from each of his existing stats—a heavy price, but one that would unlock potential beyond ordinary reach. Max considered the cost carefully. Yet the allure of such power was undeniable. With a resolute nod, he placed his hand on a crystal Ford presented, feeling his stats drain as he made the sacrifice.
Would you like to awaken a new stat?
"Yes."
The crystal flared, and Max felt an energy beyond description surge through him, filling the void left by his sacrificed stats with something potent and extraordinary.
Max's Status Window
Abyssal Dominion
Name: Max Miller
Race: Human
Class: Shadowrune
Trait: Soul Usurpation (E)
Permanent Stat Increase: Absorbing essence from defeated foes increases Max's stats proportionally to the level and quality of the soul absorbed.
Skill Acquisition: 20% chance to acquire a skill from defeated foes.
Level: 34
HP: 10,800
Defense: 3,400
Strength: 118
Agility: 115
Stamina: 117
Mana: 152
Vitality: 108
Sense: 99
Soul: 1
Ford nodded in approval, a shadow of regret in his gaze. "You have potential, Max. Perhaps, in a different time, we could have fought together…" His voice trailed off. "One last piece of advice—don't reveal your true accomplishments here. Show only part of what you've done."
With a final farewell, Ford vanished, leaving Max alone.
Max emerged from the dungeon moments later, choosing to set his visible floor completion at 69. As he stepped into the light, the ranking board updated with a notification for all to see.
Tutorial Scoreboard Announcement
Max Miller - 2,540,000Points
Sophia Silver - 436,000 Points
Arlen Grace - 181,000 Points
In the observation hall, a collective gasp echoed. The top three scores were displayed publicly for the first time, and the discrepancy was staggering.
Sophia's eyes widened, shock and admiration mingling as she took in the sheer difference in points. She remembered small moments with Max—his quiet resilience, the warmth in his eyes when he'd helped her, once in second grade, by sharing his lunch. And then, years later, his silent but compassionate gesture, draping his jacket over her shoulders during an embarrassing moment. She had always admired his strength, but this—this was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
Arlen, meanwhile, clenched his fists, barely able to contain his frustration. To him, Max was the quiet, unassuming classmate who always flew under the radar. That he could be hiding such strength felt like a personal affront. "It's just luck," Arlen muttered to himself, unable to fully process the magnitude of Max's achievement.
Aden glared at the screen, envy simmering in his gaze. He had always thought he would be the one to shine, the one others would look up to. Seeing Max's success stung, igniting a fierce desire to prove himself worthy of the spotlight.
Around them, students buzzed with excitement, disbelief, and whispers of awe.
"Two million points… How's that even possible?"
"He's probably on a whole different level now."
Max's POV:
Achievement Unlocked: Tutorial Clearer
Reward: 10,000 Coins
Skill Acquired: Breakthrough
Effect: Increases chance of breaking through barriers or restrictions. Mana cost: 20.
With a deep breath, Max closed his interface, his gaze distant as he processed everything he had experienced. He had cleared the tutorial, gained unimaginable strength, and now held a power few could dream of. Yet Ford's words lingered in his mind—a caution to keep his true capabilities hidden.
Max glanced around, his expression resolute. Whatever awaited him beyond the tutorial, he was ready. The world would know his strength when the time was right.