In the dim, bustling inn on the 51st floor, Shiddharth sat hunched over a massive wooden table. Steam rose from nearly a hundred plates stacked before him—meat, vegetables, and bread, cooked in rustic style yet surprisingly palatable. He devoured each bite with an intensity that made even the most voracious hunters around him gape in astonishment.
Jun Si, sitting quietly beside him, could hardly contain his shock. His master—his revered, almost mythical mentor—was behaving in a way that seemed completely out of place. How was he still alive? How could he eat like this after the horrors of the Reset Floor? The questions swirled in Jun Si's mind, his curiosity eventually overpowering his hesitation.
"Are you really… my master?" Jun Si asked cautiously, eyes narrowing as he watched Shiddharth's steady, purposeful movements.
Shiddharth looked up, a faint smile playing across his lips. "Why… do you doubt my word?" His voice was calm, measured, carrying the confidence of one who had stared death in the face countless times.
Jun Si leaned forward, frustration and skepticism mingling in his voice. "It's not that I don't believe you… but how could I? You died after entering the Tower. And even now… you're… younger than I ever saw you."
Shiddharth's gaze softened, a touch of amusement flickering in his eyes. "I suppose words alone will not convince you. Let me share a small part of my journey—the Reset Floor and what I endured there."
He spoke carefully, omitting the part about meeting the Tower's manager. That knowledge, he knew, would be too much to process all at once. Instead, they talked about the minor happenings, the strange rumors, and the faint hope of Earth's remnants. Jun Si listened intently, hanging on every word, trying to reconcile the image of his youthful, indestructible master with the man he had known to be lost.
After a pause, Jun Si's curiosity pierced through. "Well… how powerful are you, really? To defeat all the bosses up to the 51st floor?"
Shiddharth's lips curved into a slight grin. "Let's see." He pulled up his status screen.
[ Name: Shiddharth Malhotra
Species: Human
Title Equip: One Who Beats the Death
Level: 25
Class: None
Stats:
Strength: 65 (+638)
Stamina: 76 (+612)
Agility: 54 (+688)
Intelligent: 50 (+676)
Mana: 30 (+90)
Class Change Quest: Pending
Skills:
~ As Long As I Hold A Sword (SSS-Class, can grow)
~ The One Who Can Resurrect (SS-Class)
~ Defy The Tower Law (???)
~ Weapon Forging (S-Class)
~ Fist Master (AAA+ Class)
~ Fire Resistant (S-Class)
Achievements Slide ]
Jun Si's jaw dropped. His eyes widened in disbelief, heart pounding. "Wh… what?! All above six hundred?!"
Shiddharth nodded, calm and collected. "Yes. That is why I survived the Reset Floor, defeated the Dragon, and escaped that hell. Even my strength at level twenty-five surpasses what most can only achieve at level ninety-nine."
Jun Si's mind raced, a mix of awe and urgency flooding him. "Then… then you must clear the remaining floors and come help us with the 97th floor boss!" His voice was eager, almost pleading.
Shiddharth held the small, crimson Red Dragon Egg in his hands, inspecting its intricate surface. "It won't be immediate. This Egg must hatch first. And it requires feeding—the essence of boss monsters from all floors I've cleared. It will take approximately three days before I can reach the 97th floor."
Before Jun Si could respond, a soft voice broke through the tense atmosphere. Novia had entered, eyes wide with fascination. "Wow… I have never seen anything like this. The design, the sculpture—it's beyond even the Dead Bone. May I… examine it more closely?"
Shiddharth's ears perked at the mention of Dead Bone, a name tied to secrets and unimaginable power. "Dead Bone?" His tone sharpened. "Did you just mention that?"
"Yes," Novia whispered, entirely entranced by the Egg's surface. "Even here, I see letters and symbols similar to those on the Dead Bone. May I borrow it for a day? I… I must study it carefully."
Shiddharth hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Very well… but handle it carefully. This Egg is fragile, and its power is immense."
Novia carefully lifted the Egg from his hands and left the inn, excitement radiating from her every movement.
"My Egg…" Shiddharth murmured, reaching out instinctively, but Jun Si placed a hand firmly on his shoulder.
"Let her inspect it. She is the only one capable of deciphering these ancient symbols. An archeologist before the Tower, and now the most skilled Blacksmith alive. Trust her." Jun Si's voice carried respect, not authority.
"And the Dead Bone," he added cautiously, "where did you encounter its name?"
Shiddharth's expression grew thoughtful. "After defeating the Reset Floor Boss… I obtained an item. The name 'Dead Bone' was engraved there. It is connected… somehow, to forging the Dragon Sword."
Meanwhile, in the Tower's office, Kaun observed the same events with keen interest.
"He must have defeated the Death Org," Kaun said, speaking to the silent, omnipresent CREATOR.
[ #@#&@# CREATOR asks when he will form a pact with him ]
[ #@#&@# CREATOR fears he will form a pact with another CREATOR ]
Kaun's gaze was steady, confident. "Do not worry. I instructed him not to form a pact until he reaches the 100th floor. This is intentional—I want to test his limits first, see how far he can truly go."
[ #@#&@# CREATOR contemplates what wish he might make ]
Kaun smirked slightly. "He won't make the same mistake I did. He will choose the path of strength, not desire. For that, he will need to form a pact—with you."
The CREATOR paused, intrigued. Kaun's words carried conviction. 'Soon… he will grow so strong that even I will not be able to match him,' the CREATOR thought, observing Shiddharth carefully.
Kaun's attention returned to the scene unfolding in the small hut below. "Ah… he has found the SSS-class Blacksmith. It's only a matter of time before he forges the finest weapon in existence—the sword capable of even challenging a CREATOR."
He leaned back, watching silently as Novia and Shiddharth examined the Red Dragon Egg, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the intricate carvings.
Nearby, Jun Si checked his own status window:
[ Name: Jun Si
Species: Human
Title Equip: Death Knight Slayer
Level: 99
Class: Knight of Light
Stats:
Strength: 86 (+45)
Stamina: 75 (+65)
Agility: 74 (+67)
Intelligence: 83 (+34)
Mana: 80 (+51)
Skills:
-- Heavenly Sword Master (SSS-Class)
-- The Ultimate Vertical Slash (S-Class)
-- The Eye of Weakness (S-Class)
-- One Who Brings Justice of Light (SS-Class)
Achievements Slide ]
His eyes drifted from the screen to Shiddharth. The sheer disparity of power and potential filled him with awe. Yet, amidst the wonder, Jun Si felt a spark of relief. With his master back, with such allies at his side, the 97th floor—and every floor after—now seemed conquerable.