I dragged myself forward, legs barely cooperating, and managed a few steps before collapsing again. The Apostle's body was already starting to fade. I wanted to activate Predation—to consume what remained—but its corpse dissolved faster than I could move.
What was left behind dropped to the floor with a faint metallic clatter.
Veyren scooped it up, padded over, and dropped it into my hand.
[Item Acquired: Apostle's Mala (Legendary)]
Description: The prayer beads of the Apostle of Terravahn. When worn, grants the title [Apostle of Terravahn], reducing the mana cost of all Earth-based spells by 20%.
Also grants the skills:
• [Stone Skin]
• [Earth's Wraith]
• [Anima Summoning]
Requirement: Must possess an Earth affinity.
The item was impressive—borderline priceless—but I was too exhausted to care. I couldn't use it anyway.
[You have completed the 30th Ordeal (+)]
[You have exceeded expectations]
Title [True Challenger] has evolved to [Unyielding Challenger].
An Unyielding Challenger never backs down. Enemies stronger than you will feel fear toward you.
[+10 Vitality | +5 Agility | +5 Constitution]
[Additional Reward: Exemption from the 31st Ordeal — +5000 Essence]
[Title Acquired: Valley Survivor]
• +10% damage to Spirits and Spirit Beasts
• +5% physical boost to allied spirits
[Proceed to the 31st Ordeal or Enter the 0th Floor?]
I didn't hesitate.
[Enter the 0th Floor]
[Exemption from the 31st Ordeal forfeited]
[Beginning the Award Ceremony]
[Assessing Ascent…]
[Achievements being calculated…]
• Feral Conqueror — +500 Essence
• Fang of the Hunt — +1000 Essence
• Valley Survivor — +2000 Essence
• Taming a Variant ×2 — +3000 Essence
An extremely rare achievement. Taming even a single variant is uncommon enough. You did it twice. Gaia acknowledges your effort.
• Evolution into ??? — +5000 Essence
You are the first non-human to enter the tower and reach completion of the Ordeals. Gaia is amused. ??? is excited for your growth.
• Unyielding Challenger & Exemption Forfeit — Ascent Re-Entry Ticket + unique stat Will
You are recognized as a true challenger. You may re-enter the Ordeals of Ascent to challenge the tower again.
Your unique stat Will grants the skill Indomitable Will, enhancing resistance to status effects and mental attacks based on the stat's level.
When everything finished tallying, I had 18,553 Essence remaining.
[You Have Been Granted 2 Minutes to Purchase Any Desired Item From the Trial Store]
[You Will Never See Some Items Here Again. Choose Wisely.]
A column of items unfolded before me:
[Pocket Sanctuary] – 18,000 Essence
Creates a controllable pocket dimension. Enter it, store items, bring allies, hide from threats.
[Astral Guard] – 3,000 Essence
A mana-forged shield that negates one lethal strike per day.
[Sensory Bind] – 3,000 Essence
Share senses with bonded allies within a limited radius.
Elixir of Transcendence – 25,000 Essence
Permanently increases growth potential; may awaken dormant affinities.
Skill Fusion Token – 1,500 Essence
Fuse any two compatible skills, regardless of rank, into a stronger hybrid skill.
Class Sphere – 20,000 Essence
Unlocks a unique, soul-bound class that cannot be replicated or changed.
Echo Codex – 5,500 Essence
Record and learn a weakened but permanent version of any skill or technique used against you. (5 uses)
Dimension Core – 8,500 Essence
A seed that forms a personal realm—expandable, inhabitable, and fully under your control. Accessible only to you and those you grant permission.
These were the ones that caught my eye.
I only had 18,553 Essence, so I made my choices quickly:
Dimension Core
Sensory Bind
Echo Codex
A total of 17,000 Essence spent.
I thought about grabbing a Skill Fusion Token, but fusing skills on the 0th Floor could cost more than the token itself—depending on rank combinations—so patience would pay off.
That left me with 1,553 Essence as the platform shifted and the world dissolved around me.
I stepped into the 0th Floor.
As one chapter ends, another begins—and I step forward into a new stage of my life as an awakened.