The moment Joo Hyun stepped forward, the familiar hum of the Tower echoed in his ears, signaling his transition to the next floor. A strange sensation filled his chest, a mix of anticipation and excitement. He had conquered the First and Second Floors with surprising ease, but the weight of what lay ahead was not lost on him. The Tower was no game, and each step upward seemed to come with more questions than answers.
The world around him shifted in a flash, and once again, the environment changed. The light dimmed as he found himself in a darkened, narrow hallway, stone walls looming over him. A thick mist clung to the air, its heavy, stagnant presence making it difficult to see beyond a few feet. His every step echoed as he moved forward, the eerie silence only broken by the occasional rustling sound.
The Third Floor...
The system's familiar voice resounded, its tone more neutral than before.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Welcome to the Third Floor. This floor will test your resolve. Only those with unwavering strength of will will succeed. Beware of illusions.
---
Joo Hyun's brow furrowed. Illusions? He wasn't sure what that meant, but he didn't have the luxury of overthinking. He had learned quickly in the Tower that hesitating could be deadly. He tightened his grip, steadying his breath, and continued moving forward.
As he walked deeper into the misty corridor, a strange pressure settled over him, weighing him down. The air grew colder, and the mist thickened until it began to cloud his vision entirely. His footsteps slowed, every sense on high alert. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not in this unfamiliar place.
The temperature dropped even further. A chill crept under his skin, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around his torso, trying to stave off the discomfort. But then, out of the corner of his eye, something caught his attention. A flicker of movement—too fast for him to track.
Is it an enemy?
He instinctively raised his arm, activating Void Step, vanishing from the spot just as a dark shape lunged at him from the mist. He reappeared several meters ahead, his heart pounding in his chest. The shadowy figure missed him by inches, but he could feel the danger emanating from it.
The creature was no more than a blur in the mist, its form distorted, constantly shifting. One moment, it seemed like a tall, humanoid figure; the next, it was a massive, clawed beast. It was fast, relentless, and disorienting.
"Damn," Joo Hyun muttered under his breath, his senses straining to track the creature's movements. He activated Martial Arts Mastery, his body moving fluidly as he dodged another attack, the creature's claws grazing his shoulder. His wound flared in pain, but he didn't stop moving. The pain reminded him of his mortality—the Tower wasn't pulling any punches.
The creature's movements were erratic, its body continuously shifting. Every time Joo Hyun thought he had it figured out, its form would distort again, making it impossible to land a solid blow.
Illusions...
He realized then that it wasn't the creature itself that was the real enemy—it was the mind games it was playing. The shifting forms were designed to confuse him, to make him doubt his senses, to make him lose track of reality.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, centering his thoughts. Focus. This isn't just about fighting. It's about controlling my mind. He had dealt with uncertainty before, back in his previous life. Working as a salesman had taught him to read people, to understand situations that seemed complicated at first glance.
He couldn't let the creature's illusions overwhelm him.
When he opened his eyes again, the creature had disappeared. His mind had adjusted, allowing him to see through the trickery. The mist was still thick, but now he could sense the creature's presence—just beyond the haze, a faint outline, still shifting but now easier to perceive.
He steadied his breathing, focusing on the creature's movements rather than its shape. It's just an illusion, nothing more.
He waited, still, his mind sharpened. The creature reappeared once more, its claws raised in a final attack. But Joo Hyun was ready. He ducked low, his body flowing into a roll, and then shot up behind it. Before the creature could react, he struck out with a precise, upward punch to its core.
The blow landed with a sickening crack, and the creature shrieked before it collapsed into a cloud of mist, vanishing without a trace.
The silence returned, but this time, it didn't feel as heavy. Joo Hyun breathed a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow. His heart was still racing, but the battle had been won.
---
[SYSTEM ALERT]
You have defeated the Illusion Beast. You have gained 500 EXP.
The Third Floor has been cleared. Proceed to the Fourth Floor when ready.
---
Joo Hyun stood in the stillness of the corridor, his mind clearing as the last remnants of the creature's presence faded. He was starting to understand the Tower's tricks, starting to realize that each floor would bring a new kind of challenge—one that would test not only his strength but his mind, his resolve, and his adaptability.
This was more than just a test of power. This was about survival.
But the satisfaction of clearing the Third Floor was quickly overshadowed by the realization of the cost of this newfound strength. His body ached from the battle, the injuries he'd sustained stinging with every movement. His arm, where the creature's claws had scratched him, burned with a dull, persistent throb. The Elemental Affinity skill had helped him survive the monster's attacks, but the wound was a reminder of the danger he was in. The Tower didn't care about healing or mercy.
The deeper I go, the harder it'll get, Joo Hyun thought, rubbing his shoulder. But I've come this far. I can't stop now.
He approached the next portal, already aware that the Fourth Floor would bring more obstacles. This wasn't a world where mercy existed. The Tower wanted him to grow stronger, but it would also demand everything from him. The cost of power was clear.
With a deep breath, Joo Hyun stepped forward, his resolve hardening. No matter the cost, he would continue. He had a goal—to reach the top of the Tower. To find the answers that awaited him.
He wouldn't stop until he had conquered every floor.