Dawn broke over the edge of the jungle, casting a soft, golden light across the charred gates of the city. The smoke had finally cleared, carried away by the morning breeze.
Near the city wall, Nahla slowly pushed herself upright. Luna's Ashen Veil had knitted her flesh and eased her burns, but exhaustion still clouded her eyes.
On the far side of the entrance, Jack and Waver stepped back from the unconscious survivor who had collapsed in the ash-the man whose final, trembling words about a "demon dressed in black with a rapier of fire" still rang in the air.
Gun turned his attention back to Nahla. He remembered his promise to let her rest until dawn, but the survivor's words had made the situation far more urgent.
"Who was he?" Gun asked softly, stepping closer. "The man that survivor talked about... the pyre demon."
Nahla dragged a slow breath into her lungs. She looked toward the blackened remains of the skyline, her eyes distant as she relived the terror.
"He wasn't a demon," Nahla whispered, her voice still rough from the smoke.
Gun's expression immediately hardened. He already suspected what she was going to say.
"A climber," Nahla continued.
The word hung heavily in the air. Gun slowly stood. "A climber did this?"
"One person."
Jack walked over, his jaw dropping in disbelief. "Against an entire city?"
"The citizens of Radience stood no chance against him."
"He was swift... wielding a blade," Nahla said, her hands trembling slightly as she rubbed her healed arm. "He cut Radience like meat simply because he was strong enough."
Gun turned to stare at the glowing embers scattered across the street. That answer bothered him deeply. "One person..."
Nahla swallowed hard. "He came for the Orb of the Sun."
Waver's brow furrowed in confusion. "The Orb of the Sun?" That term was completely foreign to the divers.
"So he slaughtered everyone in his way just to reach it?" Gun asked, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword until his knuckles turned white.
"I don't know if he killed everyone," Nahla said softly. "I only know he didn't care who stood between him and the orb."
Gun gritted his teeth. That was the kind of answer he hated most. In games, Gun had been as toxic and ruthless as they came-skipping dialogue, treating NPCs like dynamic obstacles, and taking the absolute fastest route through a quest line regardless of collateral damage. Back then, it was just code, pixels, and simulated suffering designed to be bypassed for efficiency. He understood why someone would play that way. But this wasn't a game anymore. The people here bled real blood, felt real grief, and left behind real ash. Seeing that same speedrunner mindset applied to living, breathing human beings was a completely different kind of rot.
Nahla took a slow, steadying breath. "Let me explain what this floor actually is."
The Divers gathered closer around her. Waver crossed his arms, his icy gaze fixed on her. "I've been wondering that myself."
"Floor 11 is divided between three Great Countries," Nahla explained, lifting a finger. "The first is Nika-the Country of the Sun." She pointed toward the ruined city behind them. She raised a second finger. "To the far north lies Zushi, the Country of Space." Finally, a third finger. "And far to the south is Yami, the Country of the Moon."
Gun looked between the directions she indicated. "Three countries for one floor?"
"Three powers. Three rulers. Three Orbs of Existence," Nahla nodded. "Each country possesses one."
Gun immediately realized the implication. "And we need all three."
"Exactly," Nahla said. "The Orb of the Sun is held by Nika, Space belongs to Zushi, and the Moon belongs to Yami. Between all three countries is the neutral territory where the Altar of Eclipse is."
"The Altar of Eclipse..." Gun repeated quietly.
"To clear Floor 11, a climber must bring all three Orbs of Existence to the Altar of Eclipse," Nahla continued. "When the three are placed together, the altar activates the passage to Floor 12."
Jack raised a hand slightly. "Wait. You said a climber has to obtain them. So how are we supposed to do that?"
Nahla gave a tired, faint smile. "That part is up to you."
Gun frowned. "What does that mean?"
"You can get them however you want," she said, glancing toward the destruction around them. "You can defeat the country's army and take the orb by force. You can steal it. You can make a deal with the ruler. Or you can complete whatever task they ask of you."
Luna nodded slowly, her expression grim. "So the Tower doesn't care about the method."
"No," Nahla shook her head. "It only cares about the result."
"That explains why someone took the Sun Orb by force," Gun said, his voice dropping.
Nahla's expression darkened. "Yes."
Gun stared back at Radiance. "And what happens if one of the Orbs is already gone?"
For the first time, a small smile touched Nahla's lips. "They respawn."
Gun blinked. "They what?"
"They return after being used at the Altar of Eclipse," she explained. "By the time Radiance is repaired, whoever took the Sun Orb will probably already be long gone, and the orb will be back in place."
Gun stared at her, then turned to look over his shoulder at the burning city. His eyes were cold. "So that guy did all of this..."
"Gun?" Nahla asked softly.
"He didn't even need to," Gun gritted his teeth. "He could've made a deal."
"He could have."
"He could have waited."
"Yes."
"He could have helped the country."
"Yes."
Gun slowly clenched his fist. "But killing people was easier."
Nahla didn't answer. She didn't need to. Gun understood completely. This wasn't a floor boss destroying a city because the system forced it to. This was a human being who looked at thousands of lives and decided they were worth less than the time it would take to talk to them.
Gun exhaled a sharp breath. "That's disgusting."
Jack looked at the shattered horizon. "Then we should help them."
Luna nodded immediately. Waver looked toward Gun, awaiting his call.
Gun didn't hesitate. "Yeah." He turned toward Radiance. "We rebuild this place."
The next week passed in a blur of endless effort. The Divers stayed. They didn't have to-they could have pushed ahead, gone north or south, or chased the climber who took the Sun Orb. Instead, they anchored themselves to the ruins.
Gun helped move enormous pieces of masonry through the streets, single-handedly carrying pillars that would have required heavy machinery. Jack used lightning manipulation to weld supports and transport resources across damaged districts. Luna spent hours using Ashen Veil to heal civilians, treat severe burn victims, and rescue people trapped under collapsed buildings. Even Waver contributed-his ice froze crumbling structures into temporary supports, holding up foundations while repairs were made.
Nahla spent the week recovering and coordinating what remained of the city's leadership. Slowly, Radiance returned to life. Walls rose, buildings were restored, and markets reopened.
One week later, Gun stood in the central square where he had first seen the city burning. The destruction was gone. Radiance was alive again-different than before, but standing proud.
A group of citizens gathered nearby, some cheering while others bowed their heads in gratitude. Gun scratched the back of his neck nervously. "This feels weird."
Jack laughed. "You hate attention?"
"I hate being thanked for doing stuff that should've been done anyway," Gun grunted.
Luna smiled warmly. "That's probably why people like you."
Gun immediately looked away. "Whatever."
A man in formal golden robes approached them, and Nahla straightened her posture. "President Yfful."
Yfful stopped before the four Divers. "On behalf of Nika and everyone in Radiance... thank you."
Gun gave a short nod. "We're glad we could help."
"I've heard you came here seeking the Orb of the Sun," Yfful said gently.
Waver's eyes sharpened. Yfful reached into his robes, and a radiant golden orb floated into the air, illuminating the entire square with a warm glow.
"The orb is yours."
Gun stared at it. "Just like that?"
"You earned it," Yfful smiled. "You restored Radiance and protected our people. I would rather reward you willingly than force you through an unnecessary trial."
Gun reached forward, and the Orb of the Sun floated into his palm, radiating a comforting warmth. One down, two to go.
Yfful wasn't finished. "You will also have access to our royal teleportation paths."
Gun raised an eyebrow. "To the other countries?"
"The fastest route to Yami and Zushi."
Gun grinned. "Now that's convenient."
Their first destination was Yami. The teleportation was instantaneous; one moment they were in sunlit Radiance, and the next they stood under a silver moon hanging over a massive city of dark stone and pale architecture.
Yami, the Country of the Moon.
At the center of the capital stood President Kagenou, who measured the Divers with a cold, calculating gaze. "You want the Orb of the Moon."
Gun nodded. "Yeah."
Kagenou smiled slightly. "Then earn it."
Jack sighed. "Of course there's a catch."
Kagenou gestured toward a large tactical projection showing a jagged valley outside the capital. "A massive horde is approaching. Two thousand giant snakes."
Luna blinked. "Two thousand?"
"Each is approximately the size of a bus," Kagenou added.
Gun cracked his knuckles. "That's a lot of snakes. Alright."
Kagenou raised an eyebrow. "You accept without hesitation?"
Gun looked at the rest of the team. They all gave confident nods. "Yeah. We're in."
The battlefield was colossal, and when the Divers arrived, the valley floor was a crawling mass of scales. Two thousand giant snakes moved across the landscape, crushing stone beneath their massive bodies.
Gun smiled, drawing his blade. "Alright. Let's go."
He activated [Flash Step] and disappeared, reappearing instantly in the middle of the horde. Two giant serpents lunged at once.
CLANG!
Gun parried the first strike, the force snapping the snake's head sideways. His weapon, Devourer, cut deep into its flesh. Another attacked from his flank—Gun turned, parrying and countering in a seamless rhythm. The snakes were massive, but their attacks were predictable and slow compared to the opponents Gun had faced before. He moved through them effortlessly, every successful parry feeding the power of his weapon.
Meanwhile, Jack stood further back, protected inside Luna's [Ashen Veil]. The healing smoke spread across the battlefield, and the [Graceful Flame] orb floated beside him to boost his magic.
"My turn," Jack grinned, lightning crackling around his blades. He activated [Thundering Aura] and vanished into a flash of electricity, tearing through the giant creatures while Luna instantly healed any stray scratches he took.
At the same time, Waver drove his new weapon, the Spear of Fear, deep into the bedrock. An invisible wave of pressure rippled across the battlefield, causing the snakes to slow down and recoil in chaotic panic as psychological dread overtook them.
"The longer they stay near the spear, the worse it gets," Waver noted calmly.
"Good," Gun grinned, parrying another attack and slicing through a giant neck.
The horde didn't stand a chance. Disoriented by the Spear of Fear, electrocuted by Jack, and sliced apart by Gun, the giant snakes were systematically wiped out. Hours passed until silence returned to the valley and the last serpent collapsed.
Gun lowered his sword and exhaled. "...That was way easier than I expected."
Jack sat down on a rock, catching his breath. "I need a nap."
Luna chuckled softly while Waver pulled the Spear of Fear from the ground. "This thing is pretty damn op."
When they returned to Yami's capital, President Kagenou was waiting. When he saw them walk in, his eyes widened in genuine disbelief. "You're alive."
Gun frowned. "Yeah?"
"You aren't poisoned?" Kagenou asked, inspecting them closely.
Luna blinked. "Poisoned?"
"The venom of those serpents is instantly lethal," Kagenou said, his voice dropping.
Silence filled the room. Gun looked at Jack, Jack looked at Luna, Luna looked at Waver, and then all four looked back at Kagenou.
Gun scratched his head. "I mean... I didn't get hit."
Waver nodded. "Neither did I."
Luna pointed at Jack. "Jack and I took a few hits, but I just healed us right away, so the poison didn't matter."
Kagenou stared at them. The task was meant to be a lethal trial, yet these four had carved through two thousand massive beasts and walked back like it was a routine workout. Two had avoided every hit through pure movement, and the other two had completely nullified deadly poison through instant restoration.
Kagenou slowly exhaled. "I see. So this is what the Royal Families are starting to fear."
Gun raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Nothing," Kagenou shook his head. He gestured to a hidden vault in the wall, which slid open to reveal a glowing indigo sphere. "Your reward."
The Orb of the Moon floated gently toward Gun, who accepted it carefully. Two Orbs secured; only one remained.
Kagenou pointed toward an adjacent room containing a swirling silver portal. "A direct teleportation path to Zushi."
Gun looked at his team. Jack smirked, Luna gave a firm nod, and Waver adjusted his spear. Somewhere far to the north lay the Country of Space, the final Orb, and beyond that, the Altar of Eclipse.
Gun smiled, stepping toward the teleporter. "Alright. Let's go get the last one."
Light surrounded the Divers as the teleporter activated. Looking at his team one last time before they vanished, Gun knew Slax hadn't chosen them by accident. They were growing stronger-much stronger.