Ascension : the hundred floors

The remnants of the Guardian of Nexus lay in pieces before Aric. His breaths came in ragged gasps as he wiped the sweat from his brow. The battle had been grueling, but it was just the beginning. The Tower loomed in the distance, its towering spire promising only more trials and tribulations.

Aric looked around the crumbled temple grounds, taking in his surroundings. The Nexus Gate was a towering archway, marked with glowing symbols that pulsed faintly. It stood as the entry point to the first true floor of the Tower, where challengers from all over the realm would test their abilities and strength.

The System chimed in his mind as if sensing his thoughts.

[Welcome to the Tower, Aric Valen. You have completed the first trial. The next floor awaits. Proceed with caution.]

Aric felt a wave of anticipation wash over him, but there was no time to linger. He knew that the battles ahead would only become more difficult. His Infinite Creation ability had served him well, but the odds of creating high-quality skills remained low. He couldn't rely on luck forever.

"Time to get stronger," Aric muttered under his breath. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, the Nexus Gate opening in response to his approach.

The Floor of Beginnings

Stepping through the gate, Aric found himself in a bustling, yet chaotic, landscape. The ground was barren, with only a few sparse patches of grass and rocky outcroppings. A few distant buildings could be seen, marking the start of a settlement of some kind. He could sense the presence of many others—players like himself—already beginning their own journeys.

As he walked through the barren fields, Aric's status window appeared.

Aric Valen's Status

Level: 3

HP: 650 / 650

MP: 450 / 450

SP: 550 / 550

ATK: 100

DEF: 70

AGI: 50

LCK: 25

XP Progress: 250 / 300

Aric noted the XP progress bar was almost full. The next level was within his grasp, but he had bigger plans. There were challenges to overcome before he could continue advancing at such a rapid pace.

The System activated once more.

[Warning: Floor 1 is a hub of low-level challenges, housing new players and NPCs. Player interactions will shape your future progress.]

Aric's eyes scanned the area. There were players everywhere, many of them looking just as inexperienced as he had when he first entered the Tower. Some were gathered around a small town to the east, while others were battling the wild monsters of the floor.

He made his way toward the village, his footsteps purposeful.

The Village of Beginnings stood on the edge of the floor, with its humble houses and shops dotting the landscape. NPCs moved in and out of the buildings, offering missions and advice to the new players. The village was a safe zone for now, where players could rest, resupply, and learn.

As Aric walked through the village, he noticed several guilds forming near the center. The guild system was one of the Tower's unique features. Players could form guilds based on their abilities, goals, and teamwork. Aric wasn't ready to join one just yet, but he understood its importance.

The System displayed a prompt on his screen, revealing basic information about guilds:

[Guilds (Trash to Uncommon Rank)]

Guilds are formed to help players collaborate and tackle challenges together. Each guild has its own benefits, structure, and rank. Players can form or join guilds based on their capabilities.

Guild Ranks:

Trash: Basic guilds with no special bonuses. Common: Slight bonuses to basic stats and shared resources.

Uncommon: Enhanced skills and cooperative missions.

Aric noted that these guilds were far from his level, but it would be wise to understand their structure. He could gain useful experience by interacting with the guild members and perhaps even recruit allies in the future.

He approached an NPC near the guilds, a Village Elder who stood tall with a staff. The NPC smiled at Aric, recognizing his newness.

NPC: Village Elder

Mission: Difficulty: Normal

Reward: 100 XP

Description: "A new adventurer, I see. There are a few things you must learn. First, head to the Monster Caves to the south and defeat five Feral Wolves. The beasts have been terrorizing our villagers."

Aric nodded, accepting the mission. It wasn't a difficult task, but it was a good opportunity to test his skills and further develop his abilities.

The Feral Wolves were scattered throughout the caves to the south. Aric could see them from a distance, their yellow eyes glowing in the dark. These creatures weren't particularly strong but posed a challenge due to their numbers.

Aric used his Crimson Slash to take down one of the wolves, feeling the adrenaline rush through his veins. The wolves retaliated, but Aric was quick to dodge and counterattack. His Iron Aegis shield protected him from some of their stronger bites, allowing him to focus on eliminating the rest.

Mid-Battle Status:

HP: 620 / 650

MP: 400 / 450

SP: 500 / 550

Aric's attacks were precise, each strike cutting through the wolves with ease. But the wolves were relentless, and soon, he was surrounded. Using his Phantom Dash, he evaded their attacks and launched a counteroffensive.

After what felt like an eternity, the final Feral Wolf fell. The System chimed.

[Mission Complete: Defeat 5 Feral Wolves.

Reward: 100 XP]

[XP Progress: 350 / 300]

Level Up and Skills Gained

Aric's XP bar reached its limit, and he leveled up to Level 4. The System updated his stats.

Aric Valen's Status

Level: 4

HP: 700 / 700

MP: 470 / 470

SP: 570 / 570

ATK: 110

DEF: 75

AGI: 55

LCK: 27

XP Progress: 50 / 600

Aric felt the increase in power. His MP had increased slightly, as had his stamina, agility, and strength. He didn't yet feel invincible, but the battle had proven one thing: he could fight back against the odds.

He decided to explore the village further, looking for potential mentors. There were Combat Masters, Blacksmiths, and Alchemists, each offering their services to adventurers who wished to improve their skills.

One of the NPCs caught Aric's attention—a Combat Master, a man dressed in simple armor with a calm expression. The Combat Master looked up as Aric approached.

NPC: Combat Master

Mission: Difficulty: Hard

Reward: Combat Skill Upgrade

Description: "You've got talent, boy. But you still need training. I can teach you a few techniques, but first, bring me a Beast Fang from the north and I'll consider. " Training you."

Aric nodded, understanding that these training sessions would be valuable for his growth. He set out for the north, aiming to complete this mission.

As Aric ventured deeper into the village and completed more missions, he found himself faced with a growing web of choices: to join or form a guild, take on the various missions, and seek out NPCs who could help him develop skills or learn new techniques.

He understood that the Tower wasn't just about strength; it was about strategy, alliances, and growth. The next few floors would be more than simple battles—they would test his ability to adapt.

But for now, he needed to prepare for the challenges ahead. The Combat Master, the guilds, and the missions all awaited.

 To be continue.....