Kaelen stood in front of the colossal gate that marked the entrance to the Tower. Its surface shimmered with ancient runes, humming with a pressure that made even him feel small. He let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly.
The thought of grinding for days, maybe even months, weighed heavily on him. "This is going to be such a pain…" He scratched the back of his neck, feeling that creeping laziness every human feels before a long ordeal. Still, this was the path he had to walk.
He stepped forward.
As soon as his hand brushed the gate, a window popped up in front of him.
[Notice: Rewards will only be handed out after a phase has been finished.][Each phase consists of 10 floors, each with the same theme but stronger monsters as one goes higher.][The host will receive 3 options as rewards. Only one can be chosen.][Rewards may include items, materials, skills, etc.]
Kaelen tilted his head. "Ohh… I get the phase part, but the whole one-out-of-three thing… Well, as long as the selections are good, I won't complain."
With that, he pushed through and entered the Tower.
Phase One – Goblins (Floors 1–10)
The first phase was goblins. But unlike the goblins he had read about in the Tensura novel, these ones came from a patchwork of different fictions, each more grotesque and savage than the last.
Floor 1: Goblins
Floor 2: Elite Goblins
Floor 3: Goblin Warriors
Floor 4: Hobgoblins
Floor 5: Elite Hobgoblins
Floor 6: Hobgoblin Warriors
Floor 7: Hobgoblin Knights
Floor 8: Elite Hobgoblin Knights
Floor 9: Goblin King
Floor 10: Goblin Lord
To Kaelen, this phase was trivial. Photon Bullets and a few quick blade strikes with his magic-infused hand were enough to mow them down. Even the Goblin Lord crumbled without fanfare.
[Rewards:
• Goblin Shaman's Totem Fragment – Used in enchanting, boosts affinity with spiritual-type magic.
• Skill: Iron Skin – Temporarily hardens the user's body like metal, mid defense boost.
• Goblin Slayer's Dagger – A sharp dagger that deals bonus damage to goblin-type monsters.]
Kaelen rubbed his chin. "Well, it's not that bad… but the dagger and skill are useless for me. So—" He raised his voice, "I choose Goblin Shaman's Totem Fragment."
[Reward has been transferred into inventory.]
Phase Two – Beasts (Floors 11–20)
The next ten floors opened into wild terrains—dense forests, rocky highlands, and shadowed valleys. Wolves howled from the treeline, boars charged through brush, and big cats prowled.
Dire Wolves, Giant Boars, Shadow Panthers, and Flamehorn Rhinos tested his reflexes. Midway, he faced a Chimera—an artificial beast stitched together with serpent tails and leonine claws.
At the 20th floor, the boss descended from the skies: the Sky-Talon Chimera Beast, a monstrous hybrid of eagle, wolf, and serpent. Its screech shook the ground.
Kaelen's Photon Bullet tore straight through its chest after a quick dance of dodges and slashes.
[Rewards:
• Skill: Beast Tamer's Bond – Temporary control over a lesser beast-type monster.
• Beastfang Bow – A bow strung with beast sinew; arrows fired gain minor homing and penetrating properties.
• Alpha Beast Horn – Material with natural magical conductivity; used in weapons or staves.]
Kaelen didn't hesitate. "Skill—Beast Tamer's Bond!"
[Unique Skill: Beast Tamer's Bond acquired.]
Phase Three – Undead (Floors 21–30)
The air grew cold. Fog blanketed ruined graveyards and rotting crypts.
Skeleton Warriors clattered forward with rusty blades, Zombie Soldiers moaned with relentless hunger, Wraiths drifted through walls, and Banshees shrieked until Kaelen's head rang. Ghoul Raiders and Death Knights led hordes with grim efficiency.
The boss awaited on the 30th floor: a towering Bone Colossus, its skeletal frame bound with black flames.
It was more troublesome than strong. Kaelen blasted it apart with Holy enhanced Photon Bullet Barrages, then finished it by striking its core with a Holy enhanced radiant light burst.
[Rewards:
• Deathveil Cloak – A shadowy cloak that reduces presence and grants minor resistance against spirit attacks.
• Soul Core Shard – A condensed essence of fallen undead. Used in forging death-attribute weapons or evolving skills.
• Soul Echo (Extra Skill) – Create a temporary afterimage that absorbs one attack for the user.]
Kaelen smirked. "Now this is a bit difficult… but I'll choose the Soul Core Shard."
[Reward has been transferred into the inventory.]
Phase Four – Orcs (Floors 31–40)
The scenery shifted to crude villages, smoky camps, and war-torn plains. Orcs roared in packs: High Orcs, Warriors, Archers, and Shamans. Kaelen cut through them with daggers and spells, though he found the Shamans' curses mildly irritating.
The boss was none other than Orc Disaster, bloated with endless hunger and destructive magic. It took a few minutes longer, but Kaelen's dragon-enhanced speed and Photon Bullet ended it decisively.
[Rewards:
• Battle Instinct (Extra Skill) – Increases reaction speed against ambushes or sudden attacks.
• Orc Lord's Fang – Sharp material, excellent for spear or dagger crafting.
• Twin Fang Daggers – Dual daggers coated with paralytic venom.]
Kaelen grinned. "Well, I'll take an official weapon now then… Twin Fang Daggers."
[Reward has been transferred.]
He pulled the dual daggers from his inventory, testing their weight. He wasn't fully proficient, but his adaptability carried him, and the venom sheen pleased him.
Phase Five – Insectoid Hive (Floors 41–50)
A claustrophobic hive stretched in all directions. Carapace Beetles skittered, Venomspitters hissed venom clouds, Tunnel Crawlers burst from the earth, and Ironclad Scorpions clashed their armored pincers. Hive Drones swarmed endlessly.
The Hive Tyrant appeared on the 50th floor: a mantis-like queen with draconic traits, hardened carapace, and faint vestigial wings. It took him a couple of hours, but dragon flames melted its shell eventually.
[Rewards:
• Venomous Strike (Extra Skill) – Allows coating a weapon with conjured poison for one attack.
• Chitin Thread – Strong silk-like material, useful for flexible armor or magical accessories.
• Stinger Bow – A bone-like bow that fires arrows tipped with venom; chance to paralyze on hit.]
Kaelen tapped his daggers. "Got weapons and skills already… guess I'll take stuff for armor. I'll take Chitin Thread."
[Reward has been transferred into inventory.]
He peeked into his dimensional storage. The amount was plentiful-every item gained till now—enough for real crafting. Satisfied, he smiled.
Phase Six – Lizardmen (Floors 51–60)
The environment shifted to swamps and marshes. Murky waters hid Croc Warriors that lunged with axes, Poison Frogs leapt with venomous tongues, and Dragon Newts roared with scales hardened like steel.
On the 60th floor awaited the Corrupted Dragon Newt King, its scales oozing poison and fire.
The fight dragged nearly ten hours. Kaelen kept his distance, using Photon Bullets and ice magic, wearing it down before finishing it with a concentrated Photon Cannon.
[Rewards:
• Drakefang Blade – Sword forged from the Dragon Newt King's fangs; adds poison and fire damage with chance to inflict continuous burn.
• Croc Warrior Teeth – Rare crafting material for daggers, throwing weapons, or traps.
• Amphibian Agility – Passive skill granting enhanced swimming, jumping, and stealth in watery or marshy environments.]
Kaelen groaned. "Well this sucks… Guess I'll take Amphibian Agility."
[Reward granted. Extra Skill: Amphibian Agility acquired.]
Phase Seven – Skyborne Statues (Floors 61–70)
Crumbled ruins in the clouds, gargoyle statues littered the grounds. Harpies swooped with shrill cries, Thunderbirds summoned lightning storms, and the statues themselves cracked open to reveal gargoyle warriors.
The boss, Gargoyle Titan, stood like a fortress—a living statue, nearly impervious to physical attacks. Kaelen focused Photon Cannons on its joints, using ice chains to slow it down until it shattered.
Time: five hours.
[Rewards:
• Harpie Talon – Used to create high-speed melee weapons or enhanced agility-based gear.
• Harpie Wing Chakrams – Dual throwable blades; fast, mid-range, can curve in mid-air attacks.
• Gale Strike – Active: unleashes a wind-bladed slash that pushes enemies back and deals air damage.]
Kaelen yawned. "Harpie Talon, I guess."
[Reward transferred into inventory.]
Exhausted, he sat down for a while. His body wasn't drained, but mentally he was fried, and his mana reserves were running low. Activating [Primordial Ingestion], he slowly refilled about three-quarters of his energy.
Phase Eight – Labyrinth of Stone (Floors 71–80)
A labyrinth stretched for floors on end, filled with Minotaurs and lumbering Golems.
At the 80th floor, the Adamantite Golem awaited—a towering monster of living metal. Its skin gleamed like unbreakable steel, hurling beams of fire and light magic.
Kaelen gritted his teeth. Isn't this material from Marvel ??
Using Eyes of the Eternal Dragon, he located its core. Activating Dragon Form V1, his speed surged, dodging its blasts. After a fifteen-hour slugfest of magic and steel, he finally crushed the core.
[Rewards:
• Adamantite Core – Can be used in forging near-indestructible weapons or armor.
• Aegis Coreblade – A sword forged with fragments of Adamantite and a sealed golem core.
• Stoneforge Authority (Unique Skill) – Grants control over stone and earth constructs, enabling user to reshape terrain or summon small golems.]
Kaelen wiped sweat off his brow. "I'll take Adamantite Core."
[Reward has been sent to inventory.]
Phase Nine – Demonic War (Floors 81–90)
Dark flames licked every wall. Lesser Demons, Greater Demons, and Shadow Assassins ambushed at every step. By the 90th floor, Kaelen was facing the Archdemon Warlord—Baelgor.
A named Archdemon, Baelgor wielded a flaming greatsword with strength rivaling a lesser Demon Lord.
Their battle raged for five hours. Kaelen's magicule reserves drained completely, yet Baelgor still had power left. Gritting his teeth, Kaelen fueled his body with life force itself, maintaining Dragon Form V1 and pushing his speed to the brink.
For another hour, they clashed—fire against light, claws against blade—until finally Kaelen pierced Baelgor's chest with Photon Cannon at point-blank range.
He collapsed instantly. "Founder… activate Aether Rejuvenation…"
Three hours of healing passed, his body slowly restoring lost life force. Another hour refilled his magicules. Only then did he rise, staring at the reward screen.
[Rewards:
• Soul Crystal (Greater Demon) – Condensed souls of multiple powerful demons.
• Hellfire Dominion (Extra Skill) – Creates a zone of burning demonic flames that damage all enemies inside it, reducing regeneration.
• Doomfang Twinblades – Pair of short swords made from Baelgor's claws. Effect: Naturally absorb magicules on contact and release them as explosive slashes.]
Kaelen smirked. "Ohh… the best options are the Soul Crystal and Doomfang Twinblades…" He paused, then nodded. "Soul Crystal."
[Reward has been transferred to the inventory.]
[Additional reward. Unique skill: Limit Breaker acquired.]
Kaelen stretched his sore arms. "An additional reward huh… one more phase. Just ten more floors until this is over. Let's get this done."
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