The air was thick with tension as Joo Hyun stood face-to-face with the goblin. Its sharp, yellow eyes gleamed with malice as it gripped the jagged stone spear in its hands. It wasn't the largest or most menacing creature he'd ever seen, but the strange and overwhelming feeling of being pulled into this otherworldly realm made his heart race. He was no longer in the mundane world he had known for 26 years. Now, he was in the Infinite Tower.
His body hummed with the power he had just gained from the system. His muscles felt stronger, lighter. His mind was sharper. And for the first time, Joo Hyun could sense the subtle but undeniable shift in his very being. His choices had transformed him into someone different—someone capable of facing the dangers that lay ahead.
The goblin let out a guttural growl and lunged forward with surprising speed, its spear aimed directly for Joo Hyun's chest.
This is it. Time to test everything.
Joo Hyun's instincts kicked in. His eyes narrowed, his body already in motion before he had consciously processed the danger. His agility attribute boosted his reflexes, and with the Void Step skill, he vanished from his spot, reappearing just behind the goblin. The creature's spear swished through the air, missing him by mere inches.
The goblin spun around with a snarl, but Joo Hyun was already ready. His martial arts mastery kicked in as he ducked low, spinning his body into a precise low kick that struck the goblin's legs. The creature stumbled backward, its spear flying out of its hands.
"Not bad, human," the goblin hissed, its eyes flashing with anger. It scrambled to its feet, fury radiating off it.
Joo Hyun didn't wait for the goblin to recover. He stepped forward, his movements smooth and fluid, a result of his newly acquired martial arts mastery. His right fist shot out, connecting with the goblin's midsection in a punch that sent it flying backward. The goblin's body slammed into the rocky wall with a painful crunch.
The system immediately chimed in.
---
[SYSTEM ALERT]
You have defeated your first enemy—Goblin. You have gained 50 EXP.
---
Joo Hyun paused for a moment, staring at the creature on the ground. It wasn't dead, but it was clearly knocked out. His body was still buzzing with energy, but he wasn't sure what came next. Would more monsters show up? Or was the goblin just the beginning?
Suddenly, the voice returned, calm as ever.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Congratulations. You have completed the tutorial stage of the Infinite Tower. You will now proceed to the first floor.
---
A bright light enveloped him once again, and within seconds, Joo Hyun was no longer standing in the rocky arena. Instead, he found himself in a new, vast space—an open field under a dark sky filled with swirling clouds. The ground was covered in soft grass, and distant, towering trees stretched upward, their twisted branches seeming to reach for the sky.
"This is... the first floor?" Joo Hyun murmured, his voice echoing in the open expanse.
The voice of the system answered him once more.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have entered the First Floor. The challenge will now begin. Defeat the monsters, grow stronger, and ascend to the next level. The floor will test your abilities.
---
Joo Hyun looked around. He could already feel the change in the air. The calmness of the field was deceiving, and the subtle hum of danger was inescapable. This wasn't going to be easy.
As if on cue, movement caught his eye. Several creatures emerged from the trees, their figures emerging from the shadows. They were larger than goblins, with rough, scaly skin and sharp claws. Their eyes glowed an eerie green in the darkness, and they hissed as they approached.
More monsters...
Joo Hyun's heart rate quickened, but he didn't feel fear. Instead, there was a sense of excitement. He had power now. He had skills, talents, and attributes that made him a force to be reckoned with.
The monsters lunged forward, and Joo Hyun quickly assessed the situation. He wasn't about to let them get the better of him. He activated Void Step, disappearing once again and reappearing behind the first monster. In a single, fluid motion, he delivered a precise kick to the creature's spine, sending it crashing to the ground.
The others seemed to take notice of his speed. They roared in fury and charged toward him in unison.
Joo Hyun didn't hesitate. His Martial Arts Mastery allowed him to read their movements almost instinctively. One of the monsters swiped at him with its claws, but Joo Hyun ducked under the attack and struck upward, landing a powerful blow to its jaw. The creature howled in pain, stumbling back.
With a quick flick of his wrist, Joo Hyun activated Elemental Affinity, calling forth a blast of fire that enveloped the second monster. The flames surged around it, and the creature screeched in agony, its body writhing as it fell to the ground, motionless.
Two down...
But the remaining creatures weren't giving up that easily. They circled around him, their movements synchronized as they prepared for a coordinated attack. Joo Hyun's mind raced.
I need to end this quickly.
He activated Void Step again, disappearing and reappearing directly behind the largest monster. It turned just in time to meet his fist, which was charged with the power of his attributes. His punch hit with the force of a battering ram, and the creature was sent flying through the air, crashing into the trees with a sickening crack.
The last monster hesitated, fear flashing in its eyes as it saw its companions fall one by one. But Joo Hyun didn't give it a chance to retreat. With a simple movement, he lunged forward, grabbing the creature by the throat and lifting it off the ground. His eyes burned with determination as he held it in the air, his power overwhelming.
"You're finished," he said softly, before throwing the creature to the ground and ending its life with a swift, crushing blow.
---
[SYSTEM ALERT]
You have defeated all enemies on the First Floor. You have gained 150 EXP.
The First Floor has been cleared. Proceed to the Second Floor when ready.
---
Joo Hyun stood amidst the wreckage, his breath steady but his heart still racing. His body ached slightly from the fight, but it was a satisfying kind of pain—a reminder that he was alive, that he had overcome the challenge.
He looked up at the sky, taking a deep breath. His journey had only just begun, and he knew the challenges ahead would only grow more difficult. But for the first time in his life, Joo Hyun felt like he had the power to face whatever came his way.
With a quiet determination, he stepped forward, ready to continue his ascent.