Floor 2 was a forest environment, filled with [Dire Wolves] and [Corrupted Treants].
Ethan cleared it in under an hour, reaching Level 9.
Floor 3 was a cave system with [Rock Golems] and [Crystal Spiders].
Cleared. Level 11.
By the time Ethan reached Floor 5, he was Level 14 and had collected multiple skill books.
[Skills:]
Fireball (Rank F)
Mana Shield (Rank F)
Lightning Bolt (Rank E)
Ice Spear (Rank E)
Wind Blade (Rank E)
He was progressing faster than anyone else in the world.
But then, on Floor 5, something unexpected happened.
DING!
[Hidden Event Triggered]
[A mysterious merchant has appeared]
Ethan froze.
A hidden event? He had never encountered this in his past life.
A figure materialized in the center of the room—a tall man dressed in black robes, his face hidden beneath a hood. His presence radiated dark energy.
"Well, well," the figure said, his voice smooth and amused. "The regressor who rejected Malachar's contract. How fascinating."
Ethan's hand moved instinctively to his weapon.
"Who are you?"
The figure chuckled.
"I am simply a merchant. One who deals in... alternative sources of power."
He gestured, and a translucent shop window appeared.
[SHADOW MERCHANT'S SHOP]
[Item 1: Skill Book - Gravity Manipulation (Rank C) - Cost: 5000 Credits]
[Item 2: Skill Book - Shadow Step (Rank D) - Cost: 2000 Credits]
[Item 3: Cursed Ring of Strength - +10 Strength, -5 Vitality - Cost: 1500 Credits]
[Item 4: ??? - Cost: Your Soul]
Ethan stared at the list.
"What's the catch?"
"No catch," the merchant said. "I simply offer power to those bold enough to seize it. Unlike Malachar, I don't require contracts or servitude. Just payment."
Ethan checked his credits.
He had 847 from clearing the first five floors.
Not nearly enough for Gravity Manipulation, but he could afford Shadow Step.
"Why are you helping me?" Ethan asked suspiciously.
The merchant smiled beneath his hood.
"Because, Ethan Cross, you are far more interesting than Malachar's other pawns. I want to see how far you can go without his leash."
Ethan hesitated.
This felt dangerous. But the skills being offered were legitimate, and he desperately needed stronger abilities.
"Fine," Ethan said. "I'll buy Shadow Step."
DING!
[Purchase Complete]
[You have learned: Shadow Step (Rank D)]
[Shadow Step: Teleport up to 10 meters through shadows. Cooldown: 5 seconds.]
The skill knowledge flooded into his mind.
"Excellent choice," the merchant said. "I look forward to our next meeting."
He vanished before Ethan could ask anything else.
DING!
[Hidden Event Complete]
[Proceed to Floor Boss]
Ethan frowned.
That encounter had been strange. But the skill was real.
He would deal with the mystery later.
For now, he had a boss to kill.
The Floor 5 boss was a [Stone Titan] - a massive golem wielding a great hammer.
[Stone Titan (Level 18 - Boss)]
[HP: 2000/2000]
Ethan was Level 14. Underleveled.
But he had Shadow Step now.
The Titan swung its hammer.
Ethan activated Shadow Step, teleporting through the shadows and appearing behind the boss.
"Lightning Bolt! Ice Spear!"
CRACK! FWOOSH!
Both spells hit the Titan's back.
DING!
[Stone Titan HP: 1700/2000]
The boss roared and spun around.
Ethan teleported again, staying out of range.
The fight continued for ten minutes.
Dodge. Teleport. Cast. Repeat.
Finally, the Titan collapsed.
DING!
[You have slain "Stone Titan (Level 18 - Boss)"]
[+800 Experience Points]
[You have reached Level 15!]
[Floor 5 Cleared!]
[Reward: Rare Skill Book - Meteor Strike (Rank C)]
Ethan's eyes widened.
A Rank C skill. Those were incredibly rare.
He learned it immediately.
DING!
[You have learned: Meteor Strike (Rank C)]
[Meteor Strike: Summon a flaming meteor from the sky to crash down on enemies. Massive area damage.]
Ethan grinned.
With this, he was officially stronger than most Climbers who had been grinding for weeks.
And he had done it in less than two days.
DING!
[Proceed to Floor 6?]
[YES] / [NO]
Ethan selected YES.
The Tower still had 94 more floors.
And this time, he would reach the top on his own terms.