Three days passed and Kael did nothing related to climbing floors, fighting monsters or chasing power. He just rested for a very long time in these past 3 days because he wanted to after so much of climbing from 11th to 20th with restrictions.
The city stretched endlessly around him tall glass buildings reflecting sunlight, people rushing through streets, cars roaring past in metallic rivers. It was noisy, chaotic… alive.
To most people it was normal life.
But to someone who spent days fighting monsters in a tower of death it felt strangely peaceful.
Beside him walked with him was also his master Shen Yao. He was a spirit form walking besides Kael and no one can see him.
A tall figure dressed in flowing ancient robes, long black hair tied loosely behind his back. His presence was calm yet oppressive like a mountain disguised as a human.
People passed by them constantly and no one noticed him. Only Kael could see him.
"Your world is… strange" Shen Yao said calmly as he observed a massive digital billboard flashing advertisements.
Kael smirked slightly "You say that like your world was normal."
Shen Yao looked toward the sky for a moment. "In my era… power decided everything."
Kael shrugged "There is not much different here."
They walked through crowded markets, quiet parks, luxury malls and even small food stalls.
Kael showed him everything. Shen Yao watched silently. Sometimes curious. Sometimes unimpressed. Sometimes… amused.
At one point Shen Yao stopped in front of a restaurant window where chefs were flipping food dramatically in front of guests.
"What technique is this?" he asked.
Kael blinked "That's… cooking."
Shen Yao stared for a moment longer before calmly saying "Interesting combat cooking discipline" Kael laughed for the first time in days.
But while Kael looked relaxed his mind noticed everything. The footsteps behind him. The eyes watching from corners. The men pretending to talk while glancing toward him.
Yes, the members of the Obsidian Crest Guild. They were everywhere now following him. Watching him. Spying. Sometimes two. Sometimes five. Sometimes switching shifts.
Looks like amateurs. Kael noticed every single one of them.
But he ignored them completely.
On the second day Shen Yao spoke while they sat on a quiet rooftop overlooking the city.
"You are being watched you know that right."
Kael leaned back lazily "I know but it doesn't matter I already who they are and who sent them" Kael was watching them back by using his appraisal talent where he could see all the information required through his eyes.
"Then why do you ignore them?"
Kael closed his eyes "Because they want me to react and they will do something which only they know and they also need to confirm am I the line emperor or not"
Shen Yao nodded slowly "That's Correct."
Silence followed then Shen Yao added "The one called Valor is intelligent huh"
Kael opened one eye "Oh?"
"Like he suspects something not only about you but also about the tower"
Kael chuckled softly.
"Oh, I never thought about it, that's some interesting theory to think about it and I want to see how far he goes"
Shen Yao continued calmly "But suspicion is not proof."
Kael smiled.
On the third day Kael grew bored. Resting had been… nice. But stagnation bored him. Power called to him. The Tower called to him.
So early in the morning he stood up from the couch in his new luxury home.
Shen Yao appeared beside him instantly like he was itching to see the tower once again rather than sitting idle in this city.
"You have decided to climb I've been waiting"
Kael grabbed his coat "Yeah and it's time to move."
A short while late Kael arrived at the massive structure rising into the clouds.
He arrived at the tower where hunters gathered outside as usual. There were groups preparing and guilds organizing. New climbers trembling with fear.
Everything looked normal. Until Kael stepped closer. Then he saw them.
Dozens of hunters wearing identical black armour marked with a silver crest standing in formation blocking the entrance. Yes, these were members of the Obsidian Crest Guild.
And behind them stood one man he was tall he had a very sharp gaze his hands clasped behind his back and his expression was calm like a general observing a battlefield.
Valor the Vice strategist of Obsidian Crest Guild
As Kael approached the guild members parted slightly.
Valor stepped forward his eyes locked onto Kael which was studying him, analyzing, weighing the threat level by just seeing the Kael.
"Kael" Valor said calmly.
Kael stopped a few meters away. Kael thought he was very exited inside. 'Is this the moment which I thought of, Damm how am I supposed to say no or yes as in which style or should I give more aura farming in this type of situations, yes let's start this conversation.
"What do you want?"
Valor smiled slightly.
"I prefer direct people."
Kael didn't respond.
Valor continued.
"You have been interesting lately."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"You have brought some items and loots from the floors of 1 to 20 of different varieties and its some items are not so easy to get and in large quantities and I feel some precious items are still in inventory I feel which is more useful."
Kael shrugged.
"So?"
Valor walked a slow circle around him.
"By this deduction what we I mean I found it is you are clearing the floors more quickly or more in a unique way because of that you get these unique items and sell it in Gateway Exchange Market and the Branch manager who are very close to us also likes you."
"But there is another thing which still interests me that is your aura which is emitting right now. This aura I've seen in guild masters of top 10 guilds but yours completely different which is kind of emperor"
"And because of these deductions and the constant rank updates from the beginner floors and seeing your growth rate and I feel that person is you."
Each word sounded like pieces of a puzzle. Kael thought 'This Valor speaks so much and whatever he brings its right up to the point and accurate, no wonder he is the Vice Strategist of the Obsidian Guild'
Then Valor stopped in front of him.
"There is a rumor."
Kael tilted his head.
"What rumor?"
Valor looked straight into his eyes.
"That the mysterious climber known as…"
He paused.
"…the Line Emperor might be you."
Silence.
Hunters nearby slowly began paying attention.
Kael stared at Valor calmly and then he laughed.
"Do I look like an emperor to you?"
Valor studied his face carefully searching for reactions, but Kael showed none There was no amount of fear and not even a surprise.
Just some calm amusement.
After a moment Valor sighed softly.
"Perhaps I am wrong."
Kael smirked.
"Yeah Probably." Just Kael showed his poker face.
Then Valor's tone shifted slightly.
"But regardless…"
He clasped his hands behind his back again "I came to offer something."
Kael crossed his arms 'Is this it? Is this the thing which I was waiting for, come on spill the beans out hahaha'
"What?"
Valor gestured toward the guild members.
"Join us."
The surrounding hunters gasped quietly.
Joining the Obsidian Crest Guild was considered a dream for most climbers.
There were resources, protection, influence and power.
Valor continued.
"You would receive the best equipment. The best training and protection from… unnecessary enemies."
Kael stared at him but inside he gave a big pose of giving Yesssss 'as expected what I thought it did come true now the finish line with Max Aura Farming, after this I've finished one of bucket list items.
Then answered instantly.
"No."
Valor blinked because the rejection came too fast, there was no hesitation and no thought process its just straight no as if we don't exist at all.
Valor sighed but he must keep his image and he thought he has to say some line, so he maintains his image rather than shocked.
"I expected that." Valor thought 'That was a cool line to maintain the image'
Kael turned toward the tower entrance.
"Then why ask?"
Valor's voice followed him "Because life inside the tower is difficult."
Kael stopped walking.
Valor continued calmly "And when you reach higher floor enemies multiply you know accidents may happen along the way."
Kael slowly looked back.
"Is that a threat?" 'Fuck that's so cool of a threat keep it up Valor'
Valor smiled slightly.
"It's just a advice from a senior."
The two men stared at each other a silent battle of wills.
Then Valor turned around.
"Let him pass."
The guild members stepped aside before leaving, Valor spoke one final time.
"The higher floors are unforgiving Kael and be careful of deceptions on the way."
Then he and the guild members walked away returning to their headquarters.
Leaving Kael alone at the tower entrance.
Kael thought 'That's some legendary exit, he's of more aura farmer than I thought'
A moment later a familiar presence appeared beside him.
Shen Yao.
His expression was slightly serious.
"That man is dangerous."
Kael nodded slightly.
"I know."
Shen Yao continued,
"He is not strong, but his mind is sharp."
Kael smirked "Actually that's the worst kind where he can find weakness from our moves."
Shen Yao looked at the tower entrance.
"You will face obstacles because of him."
Kael shrugged.
"I know let him try."
Then Shen Yao's expression changed it became more serious and more authoritative like how a master acts towards his disciple.
"However, the next floors are different."
Kael glanced at him.
"From the forum which I heard it's the Battle between the kingdoms?"
Shen Yao raised a hand.
"Yes correct you are well informed, the floors from eleven to twenty tested your aura, you learned dominance, pressure, authority."
Then Shen Yao continued.
"But floors twenty-one to thirty as you said it's the battle between kingdoms"
His voice deepened slightly.
"And the main part is you are not only facing monsters but also the humans, the army, the knights of the kingdoms."
"These floors recreate wars between ancient empires."
Kael crossed his arms.
"So I fight soldiers?"
Shen Yao shook his head.
"Not just fight you must command."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Command?"
Shen Yao nodded.
"Yes because starting from the next floor…"
A faint glow surrounded Shen Yao as ancient authority radiated from him.
"All your skills will be sealed."
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"All of them?"
"Yes."
"No system abilities no techniques no enhancements nothing. Same as the restrictions when It was in floor 11th to 20th"
Kael thought for a moment.
Then asked,
"What do I keep?"
Shen Yao answered calmly.
"Three things."
He raised three fingers.
"Aura, raw physical power."
"And…"
His voice carried ancient weight.
"Authority."
Kael's expression slowly changed.
Shen Yao stepped closer.
"On these floors you will lead armies, face generals, conquer battlefields and rule army."
Kael felt something stir inside him.
Excitement a different kind of battle.
Shen Yao's eyes became sharp.
"By the end of the thirtieth floor…"
His voice echoed with ancient pride.
"I want you to stand not as a warrior, not as a hunter and not as a climber but as something greater"
His final words carried immense weight.
"A King."
Then he corrected himself.
"No."
"A true Emperor."
Kael slowly smiled.
And stepped toward the tower entrance.
The war floors awaited.