The three days following the collapse of the Hall of Deprived were a frantic blur of progression for me. While the rest of the world scrambled to decipher the cryptic nature of the upcoming 2nd Floor, I focused entirely on the grind. Every news channel was saturated with interviews from pro-gamers and legendary "Nexus" veterans, all desperate to pool their collective intelligence to ensure humanity was prepared for the next trial. The atmosphere was thick with a mixture of academic curiosity and raw, existential dread.
The news cycles weren't just speculation; they were carrying reports of horrific anomalies from across the globe. The most devastating blow had landed in England, a Level-Break that shook the foundations of the country. Just like the major guilds here, the English authorities had arrogantly judged the 1st Floor as a standard rainforest-type raid that could be handled with minimal casualties.
It was a fatal miscalculation.
The Tower had hidden depths that the VR game never fully prepared them for. Just as I had discovered the vampires, England was plagued by a "Scorching Lair." B-Rank Salamanders began pouring into the streets of London and beyond. While a single Salamander was manageable for a coordinated team, their relentless "Regeneration" made them a nightmare in numbers. Hordes swarmed the cities, leaving high casualty counts and charred ruins in their wake. It was only through the desperate intervention of newly awakened humans and veteran pro-players that the breach was finally contained, narrowly saving the nation from total collapse.
Meanwhile, back in our region, the 1st Floor remained an open gold mine. Guilds and independent Rankers flooded the Labyrinthine Forest to harvest rare barks, monster parts, and the precious Magic Crystals that fueled the new world's economy.
I took advantage of the chaos to explore three specific "Hidden Regions" that I remembered from my past accounts. Accompanied by the miniature, grumbling version of Melchior housed in my ring, I conquered the 'Hive of the Red Ants', the 'Lair of the Green Snakes', and the treacherous 'Marshland of the Lizard'.
Melchior himself remained stubbornly inside the Bharam's Ring for most of the trek. "To soil my hands with such primitive insects and reptiles is beneath my dignity," he would sneer from the shadows of the soul-vessel. I didn't mind his elitism; since we were bound by a "Contract" rather than a "Party," I wouldn't have received a single drop of Experience Points for anything he killed anyway.
The farm was grueling but highly successful. In the "Hive," I faced swarms of D-Rank Ants protected by a C-Rank Queen with an impenetrable exoskeleton. In the "Lair," I wove through D-Rank serpents to reach a C-Rank Naga whose venom could melt steel. Finally, in the "Marshland," I engaged in a grueling tactical battle against C-Rank Lizardmen led by a B-Rank Lizard King who fought with the mind of a seasoned general.
By the end of the third day, the golden notifications of my [Copy] skill filled my vision.
"[Notice: You have successfully copied the C-Rank Skill 'Hive Mind' Lvl 1!]"
"[Usage: You are able to command a large number of minions.]"
"[Notice: You do not possess the attributes to create minions.]"
I looked at the screen and chuckled. Without a skill like [Taming], [Summoning], or [Golem Creation], the skill [Hive Mind] was a dormant seed. But I knew how it use it well.
"[Notice: You have successfully copied the C-Rank Skill: 'Lethal Venom' Lvl 1!]"
"[Usage: You are able to create venom from your body. Lethality depends on your 'Vitality' stat.]"
This was a major defensive and offensive win. As long as I kept my 'VIT' stat high, I would become naturally resistant to most toxins while being able to coat my blades in a lethal cocktail.
"[Notice: You have successfully copied the B-Rank Skill, 'Aqua Breathing' Lvl 1!]"
"[Usage: You are able to breathe underwater. No mana required.]"
With these utility skills safely recorded in my [Memories of the World], I felt my versatility skyrocketing. My level followed suit.
"[You Level Up!]"
"[You Level Up!]"
The notifications popped up repeatedly until I reached Level 9. It was a solid jump, though the monsters of the 1st Floor offered diminishing returns compared to the Tutorial Phase. I knew some elites in the Major Guilds had already pushed past Level 10 by grinding the main forest, but they lacked the specific items I had secured.
"[Notice: You have obtained the C-Rank Item: 'Ant Queen's Blood' (Consumable)!]"
"[Usage: Consuming this item will instantly recover HP and MP.]"
"[Notice: You have obtained the B-Rank Item: 'Lizard King's Polearm'!]"
I pulled the polearm from my inventory, feeling its balanced weight. My C-Rank 'Nolan's Steel Sword' had finally shattered during the duel with Melchior, and while this spear was powerful, I still needed to find a high-quality blade to truly unleash the [Sword Demon's Technique].
By the time I stepped back into the city, my pockets were heavier by a staggering +20,000 Coins, and my [Gap] stat had climbed to 47.89/100 Rift Points. It was an incredible haul for seventy-two hours of work.
"[Time Remaining: 4 days 17 hours 47 minutes 30 seconds]"
With the 2nd Floor still days away, I realized I couldn't keep operating as a "ghost." To access certain restricted areas and resources, I needed an official standing. I straightened my clothes, checked the ring on my finger, and set my sights on the regional branch of the Ranker Management Bureau. It was time to have my rank officially measured.