"[Activating 'Nymph's Songs' Lvl 1!]"
A soft, melodic hum resonated from my throat, vibrating through the air like a harp string. A gentle, pale green light enveloped my body, knitting my shattered shoulder back together and soothing the jagged tears in my muscles. The relief was instantaneous.
"[Congratulations on clearing the 1st Floor of the 'Tower of Trials'!]"
"[The 2nd Floor will open in: 7 days 23 hours 58 minutes 40 seconds.]"
Humanity had earned another week of survival. Beside us, a massive exit portal shimmered into existence. We stepped through, leaving behind the blood-soaked obsidian of the Hall.
The three days I'd spent inside the Tower felt like a lifetime. Outside, the world was in a frenzy. The White Tiger Guild members were confused, unable to explain how a C-Rank jungle had transformed into an A-Rank slaughterhouse. Officials from the RMB interrogated us for hours. The "Hidden Region" expansion was an anomaly that had never happened in the VR days, it had caused deaths across multiple regions as the floors merged.
I kept my mouth shut. I played the part of the lucky survivor, claiming I had no clue how the Boss was defeated. Giving them the truth would only put a target on my back before I was ready.
Once I finally reached the sanctuary of my home, I locked the door and took a deep breath. It had been a long, worthwhile day. I had skills, coins, and the most dangerous ally in the world.
I sat on my bed and focused my mana into the Bharam's Ring on my left index finger.
Whoosh.
A swirl of dark mana bled from the ring, coalescing into a physical form. However, because my Mana Lvl 9 was still insufficient to manifest a full-powered Patriarch, the laws of conservation took over. The tall, imposing aristocratic vampire was gone. In his place stood a boy of about 13 or 14, dressed in miniature gothic formal wear.
"Arthur Tempest..." Melchior grumbled, staring down at his small, pale hands. His voice was higher, though still retaining that cold, sharp edge. "It is truly offensive how my dignified self has been reduced to... this."
I shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish. "Sorry, man. That's all the mana I've got for now. I'll find you a better vessel later. I won't break the contract."
"...Hmph." Melchior didn't argue. He turned and walked to my balcony, staring out at the neon lights and the crescent moon with an unreadable expression. I left him to his brooding and turned to the System Shop.
"[Thank you for purchasing +5 Skill-Scrolls! 10,000 Coins have been consumed!]"
Skill-Scrolls were a massive rip-off, but time was a luxury I didn't have. I crushed them one by one.
"[The Skill 'Ice Element' has leveled up!]"
"[The Skill 'Fire Element' has leveled up!]"
"[The Skill 'Sword Demon's Technique' has leveled up!]"
"[The Skill 'Ice Element' has leveled up!]"
"[The Skill 'Fire Element' has leveled up!]"
"[Congratulations! The Second Form 'Moon Waves' of the 'Sword Demon's Technique' has been unlocked!]"
"Sweet." The Skill [Sword Demon's Technique] has a total of 12 forms so I still had a long way to go. Next, I looked at the cluttered library in my [Memories of the World]. It was time to clean house.
"[Activating the Exclusive Skill: 'Fusion'!]"
"[Fusing: 'Accelerate', 'Sacred Ground', 'Restraint', and 'Levitate'...]"
The skills dissolved into a singular, gravity-defying pulse of energy.
"[Congratulations! You have obtained the A-Rank Skill 'Telekinesis' Lvl 1!]"
"[Usage: You are able to control your surroundings without physical contact. Mana consumption is proportional to the target's mass.]"
This was the core utility skill I had used in every one of my 104 VR accounts. With it, my tactical options had just tripled. Finally, I opened my updated data to see the monster I was becoming.
"[Activating 'Red Demon's Eye' Lvl 2!]"
"[Personal Information]"
- [Name: Arthur Tempest]
- [Age: 24 | Gender: Male | Sex: Virgin]
- [Class: None | Rank: Unranked | Level: 1]
- [Stats: STR: 10 | AGI: 6 | VIT: 6 | HP: MAX | PER: 6 | Essence: Mana Lvl. 9]
- [Available Stat Points: 0]
- [Gap: 27.13 / 100 Rift Points]
- [Coins Possessed: 20,500 Coins]
- [Exclusive Skills: 'Fusion', 'Copy', 'Memories of the World' (Passive), 'Blood Authority' (Passive)]
- [Skills: 'Red Demon's Eye' Lvl 2, 'Sword Demon's Technique' Lvl 2, 'Ice Element' Lvl 2, 'Fire Element' Lvl 2, 'Telekinesis' Lvl 1, 'Mark' Lvl 1, 'Navigation' Lvl 1, 'Mind and Body' Lvl 1, 'Magic Novice' Lvl 1, 'Shallow Breathing' Lvl 1, 'Nymph's Song' Lvl 1, 'Thundershock' Lvl 1, 'Mental Fortitude' Lvl 1, 'Track' Lvl 1, 'Pact' Lvl 1, 'Taunt' Lvl 1.]
- [Anatomical Stats: 7.5-inch cock, hard and thick-bodied with heavy veining. And a Tight, puckered, bright pink asshole.]
I hadn't gained a single experience point, yet my stats rivaled a Level 15 elite. I had a week before the 2nd Floor opened. Plenty of time to hit the other hidden spots on the 1st Floor and finally, finally, start leveling up.