The night air was heavy after the third trial ended. Survivors sat scattered outside the Tower of Maggie, some crying, some silent, and some staring into nothing. The weight of loss pressed down on everyone.
Anos stood apart from the crowd, his stick sword resting casually on his shoulder. Molar clung to his sleeve like always, her eyes watching him with childlike faith.
Then, the system's voice pierced the silence:
[Ding! Notice to Host: Upon reaching the 10th Flower, access to the real other dimension will be unlocked. Unlike the tower's program trials, this will be the true battlefield.]
Anos blinked, confused. "Wait, wait, wait… 10th Flower? What kind of gardening quest is this? Do I look like a florist?"
Molar tilted her head. "Master, maybe it's like… levels or floors?"
"…Oh." Anos slapped his forehead. "System, you mean floors, right? Not flowers."
[Error. Translation module unstable. Current word output: Flower.]
"Pffft—" A hunter sitting nearby overheard and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! So you're telling me we're climbing flowers now? Hey guys, get your watering cans ready!"
The other exhausted hunters chuckled weakly.
Anos' eyebrow twitched. "Laugh while you can, peasants. When I bloom the 10th flower, I'll stomp you like weeds."
Molar giggled softly. "Master, you're more dramatic than the goblin chief you beat."
Before Anos could retort, the system spoke again:
[Host has obtained High-Grade Loot Box. Would you like to open it now?]
Anos smirked, his fatigue fading instantly. "Finally. Something good better come out of this one. Last time you gave me a stick and called it legendary."
[Correction: Legendary Super Stick Sword.]
"Shut up, system."
He raised his hand. "Open the box."
A glowing cube materialized before him, shimmering with blue and golden runes. The air grew heavier, as if reality itself bent toward the treasure.
The cube cracked open—
SHIIIIING!
A dark fragment floated out, spinning slowly. Strange symbols ran across its surface like rivers of light. Anos' eyes widened.
"Woah… this… feels different."
The system's voice carried unusual weight this time:
[Congratulations. Host has obtained a Ruin of Command.]
[Ability: Authority of Telekinesis.]
[Effect: You may exert control over physical matter and enemies by sheer willpower. Similar to the concept of "Ruler's Authority."]
Anos blinked, then gave a long whistle. "So basically… I can yeet things with my mind?"
[Simplified explanation: Yes.]
"HAHAHA! Finally! A skill worthy of my greatness!" He raised both hands dramatically, glaring at a nearby rock. "Behold! Rise, pebble, before your new god!"
The rock trembled slightly.
Then it lifted off the ground and floated awkwardly.
The nearby hunters, still battered from the trial, stared at him blankly. One muttered, "This… this dude is playing with rocks after killing a goblin chief?"
Another groaned. "I want to die."
But Anos was already laughing maniacally. "MWAHAHAHA! Look at this! With just a thought, I can dominate the world! The sky, the earth, even your shoelaces—none shall escape my command!"
Molar clapped happily. "Master, you're amazing! You can play fetch with yourself now!"
"…Not the point, Molar."
He flung the rock across the field—straight into the back of an arrogant hunter's head.
BONK!
The hunter collapsed face-first.
Anos coughed into his fist. "Ahem… that was intentional. A demonstration."
The hunters glared. "This guy's insane…"
But before Anos could flex further, the system gave another notification.
[Reminder: You have 25 hours before the Tower reopens. Prepare accordingly.]
Anos scratched his chin. "So basically… one day of rest, then back to hell?"
[Affirmative.]
He sighed. "Figures. No vacation days for protagonists."
Molar tugged his sleeve. "Master, what should we do now?"
Anos thought for a moment, then grinned. "First, we eat. Second, we train. Third… we make everyone else jealous."
---
Later That Night
Anos and Molar returned to his small, plain house. Molar immediately raided the kitchen again, stuffing bread into her mouth like a squirrel.
"Oi! Not again!" Anos shouted, chasing after her. "That was my midnight snack!"
Molar puffed her cheeks, clutching the bread. "You told me to grow strong, Master. Strong girls need food!"
The system chimed in mockingly:
[Host should note: Nutrition is vital for growth. Molar is correct.]
Anos threw his hands up. "Et tu, system?!"
The next few hours turned into chaos—Molar bouncing on his couch, Anos using telekinesis to snatch stolen food from her hands, Molar countering by hiding it under her shirt, and Anos nearly crying when she devoured his favorite spicy jerky.
At one point, Molar teased, "Master, your legendary stick sword is shorter than this breadstick!"
"…System," Anos whispered coldly. "Mark her for betrayal."
[Error. That would be considered child abuse.]
"…Fine."
Eventually, after the chaos settled, Anos collapsed on his bed. His stick sword leaned against the wall, glowing faintly as if it approved of today's victory.
Molar snored softly on the floor, crumbs scattered around her.
Anos stared at the ceiling, his mind turning serious for once. "The 10th Flower… the real dimension… the system wasn't joking this time. If the tower trials are already killing so many, then what will that place be like?"
The system responded in a softer tone:
[Host must prepare. Power gained here is merely the beginning. Beyond the 10th Flower lies truths this world has forgotten.]
Anos smirked faintly. "Truths, huh? Fine. If the world wants me to climb, I'll climb. And when I reach the top… I'll make this stick into the most feared weapon in history."
The system was silent for a moment. Then:
[Acknowledged. Legendary Super Stick Sword synchronization is increasing.]
"…You really won't let that go, will you?"
[Negative.]
Anos groaned and buried his face into his pillow. "Whatever. Wake me up when it's time. Tomorrow… the real training begins."
---
And so, as the city struggled to recover from the chaos of the trial, Anos drifted to sleep with a ruin of incredible power in his possession. Somewhere deep within the tower, unknown forces stirred—watching, waiting for him to take the next step toward the truth.
But for now, the great hero of the Legendary Super Stick Sword snored loudly, dreaming of breadsticks flying through the sky with telekinesis.