2nd Floor
The moment Orthis entered the 2nd Floor, he was bombarded with new notifications.
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[Welcome to the 2nd Floor, the Free Lands]
[You unlocked the following privileges]
[Inventory: a large storage space without a flow of time, the size depends on the highest floor you climbed]
[Map: a map that maps out places you have been to]
[Missions: You can take and make missions through the system, the rewards need to be equivalent to the task]
[The 2nd Floor is a residential area, you can go to the next floor anytime]
[Quest: Decide your Future]
[Description: You stand before a decision that will follow you for the rest of your life. To climb or not to climb, that is the question. Have a safe life on this floor and be unable to leave the floor or risk your life by continuing climbing.]
[Reward: None]
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"I already knew about the 2nd Floor from reading the basic books about the Tower but it's still surprising. It doesn't force anyone to climb but those who do get rewarded" Orthis thought
"Hello, excuse me?" he was pulled out of his thoughts by a friendly voice behind him.
Turning around, he saw a thin young man a bit younger than him smile at him.
"Yes? Do you need something?"
"What? No, I was going to ask you that." Seeing Orthis' confused expression he continued.
"I just saw you arrive on the Floor and thought you might need help. You see, I'm from the Climber Association, we deal with anything related to climbers. There are always some people stationed in the City of Beginnings because this is where the new arrivals happen" he explained
"Oh, that's very thoughtful. I read about the structure and rules of the Tower on the 1st Floor but I never read anything about an Association."
"That's normal, the Tower never cared too much about factions and groups as long as they abided by its rules. But it's rare for someone to read the book about the Tower, most are too excited and are too busy fantasizing about their future."
"That's unwise, everyone knows that knowledge is power. From your words, I take it you are not a climber." Orthis asked
"No, sir, I was born and raised on this floor." He paused "How rude of me, I never introduced myself. Call me Randel"
"No need to call me sir, call me Orthis. Can't people born in the Tower climb it?"
"We can but it's expensive, since you read the books, you should know that everyone must start on the first floor. If someone born in the Tower wants to go there, they have to pay a lot of money for someone to bring them there and only people who have gone to the 25th Floor have the privilege to return to the previous floors and the higher someone lives, the more they have to pay as the climber has to bring them down more floors."
"Do you want to become a climber?"
"No, I heard stories of the upper floors, too dangerous. Why would I risk my life if I can be happy here?" he shook his head.
"That's a good philosophy you have. You don't need to be powerful and famous to be happy." Orthis nodded
"Anyway, other climbers are coming, so I will have to make this conversation as short as possible. Since climbers don't have any money but need a place to sleep to undergo their race change, the Association provides each new climber with a bed for one night only, the following nights will cost you. If you want to stay longer, you need to take missions or jobs to earn some coins. Take this ticket to that tall building over there and give it to them, they will show you your bed." Randel pointed at a large building down the street and handed him a brown ticket with some strange symbols.
"Thank you, Randel. Have a great day." He said his goodbyes to the helpful Tower citizen.
"Goodbye, I wish you the best of luck no matter what your decision is"
It was still bright, so Orthis decided to walk around the city before getting to bed. It seemed like he wasn't the only climber to have that thought.
This city was called the City of Beginnings, as this was the real place where people started climbing the Tower. The existence of climbers and the Tower was no secret to the public, instead, they used them for their economy.
Since every new climber who didn't happen to complete the Hidden Quest had no money, the climbers were in dire need of some money. The people used this to their advantage and made them do some menial work for a small price. The climbers who decided to stay would be far stronger and more skilled than others and rack in even more money. All in all, the economy of this Floor was very stable.
Thought I could only talk about this floor. There was more than one 2nd Floor, imagine if every human who passed the Tutorial came to this city. The city might be big but not to the point of housing 8 billion people.
There were many 2nd floors parallel to this one, some with other humans from Earth, some with other races.
After exploring the nearby streets and making note of the exceptionally clean streets, no doubt to leave a good impression, he walked to the large building to get the bed he was promised. He might have the money to pay for the bed but why pay when he already got one night for free?
The kind receptionist took his ticket and exchanged it for a key with the number 3.872, meaning third floor, room 872.
After finally lying down on the soft bed, he began inspecting the rewards he got from the Tutorial.
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[Race advancement: Tower Human]
[Description: This race shares most traits with their Human origin. They have adapted to life in the Tower, giving them stronger bodies and longer lifespans. In addition to faster and higher growth, Tower Humans also have the potential to use Mana and other energies.]
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"This is good, although it is very unspecific about the increase in lifespan and potential, even a small increase is welcome"
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[Item: Tutorial Potion]
[Description: A potion only seen by a handful of people. Increases all stats by 1. Can only be obtained on the 1st Floor]
[Insight: The potion effect isn't immediate, it is recommended to take it before going to sleep. There is a chance that the potion will work in synergy with the race advancement if used at the same time]
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"So there are a few others who cleared the Hidden Quest, good to know." He mused
What Orthis didn't know was that everyone who completed the Hidden Quest before him was now a god-like being high up in the Tower.
He still needed to look at one reward before drinking the potion and evolving.
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[Weapon: Hard wooden spear]
[Description: The real version of the training spear you used during the Tutorial. It's the perfect spear, too bad it's made of wood. It can barely be called sharp but it's surprisingly durable]
[Insight: Carved from a seed of Yggdrasil, this spear has amazing potential. You better not throw it away like the others who completed the Hidden Quest. It doesn't have any abilities yet]
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Seeing the description of the familiar wooden spear, he first noticed that this spear was no longer considered just an item but a weapon. The second thing was just how perfect it felt in his hand.
The last thing he noticed was the Insight he got, making him almost drop the spear in shock. How could he not, this was a piece of the mythical World Tree. It was just a myth on Earth but now that he was in the Tower, he actually held a part of it in his hands.
"Basic weapon, my ass. You're telling me the other guys who completed the hidden quest actually threw this thing away?" he thought in shock
"Even if it was just a normal wooden spear, it was also perfection, you could use it to teach blacksmiths to make a perfect weapon." Orthis just couldn't understand how someone could bear to throw away something so perfect.
"Whatever, no reason to try to understand other's stupidity. I'm tired and I want to see the effect of the race advancement and potion"
Orthis put the spear into his inventory and pulled the potion out. He made himself comfortable before downing the potion and starting his evolution.
The next morning he woke up feeling even better than the day before, something that was becoming a common occurrence.
"Status" Orthis said eagerly, wanting to see the changes the night brought him.
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[Name: Orthis]
[Talent: Sage (???-rank)]
[Race: Tower Human]
[Class: none]
[Floor: 2]
[Health: 100%]
[Mana: 160]
[Strength: 5]
[Endurance: 6]
[Agility: 5]
[Mind: 8]
[Skills: Crafting, Spear Mastery]
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"Two points to each Stats?! No wonder I feel so strong" Orthis couldn't believe his eyes.
Eager to test his new strength, he showered to head out. While in the bath, he noticed a slight change in appearance.
"I'm taller than before, maybe around 1,95m? My body is even showing signs of muscles. I never really worked out, is this the magic of the Tower?" he inspected himself before his question was answered by a blue screen.
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[Insight: The Tower doesn't reward without reason. Muscles must be earned, they are the result of the last few days. Your new race has more potential and grows faster, less work is needed to gain muscles. The potion burned some of your fat]
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"That's useful, I wonder what other changes my new race brought me?" he said, hoping for another screen to appear.
It didn't
"Well, looks like I will have to find out myself" he sighed
"Let's get something to eat, I'm starving"
Already knowing of the hunger following a race advancement, the Association gave everyone a small but heavy breakfast before throwing everyone out. They provided everything for free but if climbers wanted to stay longer, they had to pay. There was some complaining but in the end, it was settled peacefully.
Orthis already knew what his decision would be. He would become a climber and read the books on every floor.
He could go to the next Floor at any time but he still needed to find this city's library and look for secrets hidden in sight. After experiencing how fruitful these two things were on the last floor, he swore to do the same on this one.
The entrance fee for the library was expensive, costing a whooping 1 silver, leaving him with only 9.
It hurt his heart, seeing his fortune decrease so fast but ultimately it was worth it, knowledge couldn't be weighed in money.
The library was larger than the one in the Tutorial but its books weren't of the same quality. They were written by humans and weren't nearly as informative and organized as the books provided by the Tower. Despite that, Orthis still managed to find a few good books in between the novels and biographies of famous climbers.
He spent hours reading, and by the time he finished all the books he searched out, there was only one other person here besides him. A middle-aged man with a strong and confident posture, almost desperately flipping through a tower of books.
[Insight: This strong man seems to desperately search for something in the books about herbs, poison, and diseases. Maybe you can help him.]
"What can go wrong?" Orthis thought and approached the man.
"Ahem, excuse me, sir. I saw you looking for something in the books for medicine and herbs. Maybe I can help you." He politely said
"Scram" the man replied grumpily without even looking away from his book.
"Sir, I read all the books in the Tutorial, I might have the answer you are searching for" Orthis replied calmly
"You did?!" the man finally looked at him, almost shouting in surprise and hope
"Ahem, I mean, you do. You may help me" the man acted like nothing happened.
"Sure, what is it you need to know?"
"Not me, my disciple. He suddenly grew very sick and I'm trying to find a way to help him, even if it's just to relieve his pain." Orthis could almost hear the pain in the man's voice. "If you can help him, I promise your help will not be unrewarded"
"I can't promise you anything especially before even seeing the patient. We can talk about a mission after I see him"
He could see some hope appear in the man's eyes.
"He really cares for his disciple" Orthis thought with some emotion
"It's already late and he should be asleep by now. He's sick and needs his rest, you can see him tomorrow. Meet me before the library, I will get you" the man said before he suddenly disappeared with a gust of wind.
However, Orthis was so focused on the screen in front of him right now, he didn't even notice the man leaving.
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[Insight: Namgoong Baek]
[Description: Baek was an elder of the Murim Alliance on the 72nd Floor before he quit to look for a disciple on the lower floors. He found a talented orphan on the 2nd Floor and took him in as his son and disciple. He taught him everything until he suddenly fell ill, Baek has been searching for the cause and a cure ever since. Back in Murim, he was famous for his sword art.]
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"A climber from the 72nd Floor!" this shocked him almost as much as his Yggdrasil Spear.
No one knew how many floors the Tower had, as everything beyond the 100th floor was nothing more than rumors, but 72 was way higher than his current 2.
The few rumors going around about everything about the 100th Floor and above were that the Tower only really started there and that knowledge of it was forbidden.
Whether that was the truth or not didn't matter. The 72nd Floor was many times higher than where Orthis currently at and that meant Namgoong Baek was just as many times stronger.
"Let's set the 100th Floor as a small goal for now."
"Besides, I didn't know that I could have insight on other people, the Tower didn't allow someone to look at someone's identity unless that person allowed it. This could prove to be a significant advantage."
Orthis got a place to sleep for another silver coin, putting his account to 8.
He got up early, eager to see what Namgoong Baek had in store for him. He arrived at the library even before sunset but Baek was already waiting there.
"You're early," Baek said pleased
"So are you. Let's skip the chat and bring me to your disciple, if I can help him, you wouldn't want to wait and if I can't, you wouldn't want to get your hopes up" Orthis said
"You lack manners but you speak the painful truth. You're lucky there are only a few people who read all the books in the Tutorial library and they all are on higher floors. If I could get them without leaving Urman alone, I wouldn't need a brat like you." Baek huffed as he began walking
"Urman, is that his name?" he asked as he followed
"I thought you didn't want to chat, but yes."
They walked in silence until they finally arrived at a pretty plain house.
"Come in, don't bother taking off your shoes."
Upon entering, Orthis was assaulted by a rotting smell.
"You better ignore the smell, its source is why you're here. This way." Baek lead the way to a room in the back. Upon opening its door, the smell grew more intense and Orthis could see a person lying on a bed.
Urman looked like he would be a rather handsome young man a bit older than Orthis himself, at least if it weren't for his greenish-grey skin and black veins. Even from the door, Orthis could hear the whimpers of pain.
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[Insight: a very dangerous and rare poison made to kill someone as slowly and painfully as possible. It is made from boiled Garnish Berry juice, Eltwa fish bones, and dew from a King's Blood flower. Can be cured with fresh Udwin sand, Eltwa fish blood, and Unrish water weed]
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"I have good and bad news," Orthis said after a few seconds.
"Do you know how to cure it? Tell me!" Baek got exited
"Well, the good news is, I do. The bad news is that this is a poison meant to kill slowly and painfully."
The moment Orthis said this, a powerful pressure forced him to his knees.
"I knew it! I swear I will skin whoever is behind this." Baek shouted angrily before taking a deep breath and the pressure disappeared.
"Sorry about that, I let my emotions get the better out of me. Let's talk about the Mission. I don't have any valuable items but I can use a special technique to rebuild your body, making it easier for you to learn body art, I will even throw in some money."
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[Mission: Cure Urman]
[Description: Provide the correct cure to heal Urman. You only need to make a list, Namgoong Baek will get the ingredients himself. You will receive your reward when he is cured]
[Reward: Body Reconstruction, 100 silver coins]
[Do you accept the Mission?]
[Insight: Missions are enforced by the Tower, the mission creator must provide the promised reward]
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"That's fine, I accept," Orthis said
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[Mission accepted]
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Orthis made a list of the ingredients and how to make them into a cure. Baek left immediately after to get them, asking him to keep an eye on his disciple and wait for him.
Baek returned only an hour later with all the items on the list and began processing as instructed.
"I really hope this works," Baek mumbled as he poured the potion down his disciple's throat. The effect was almost immediate as Urman started coughing violently and the black lines on his skin faded.
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[Mission complete]
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The notification confirmed the effectiveness of the cure.
"It should take a while for him to recover, let's handle your reward in the meantime," Baek said and handed Orthis a pouch full of silver coins.
"Sit down and brace yourself, this is going to hurt. Endure it, this technique can only be performed by a master of inner strength and very few people ever get such treatment." He explained as they both sat on the floor.
The moment Baek put his hands on his back, he felt something enter his body, followed by a tearing pain all over his body.
Orthis wasn't a seasoned warrior nor was he a prideful moron, so he didn't even try to act tough and screamed in pain as his bones cracked and repositioned themselves.
The reconstruction ended after roughly twenty minutes, leaving a sweating and panting young man.
"It's done, from now on, your body will have an easier time learning anything related to the body but a fair warning. I adjusted your bone structure but if you keep slouching like before, it won't take long before your bones start changing to a slouchier structure. From now on, keep your back straight, your head high, and walk with confidence." Baek lectured like a mother.
"Thanks for the advice, I will try to remember it"
"If you are still here by the time Urman recovers, you should come by, I'm sure he would like to thank his savior and spar with you"
"We will see, by the way, what weapon does he use?"
"A sword, just like me. I can see from the calluses on both your hands that you use a spear. It might not be my weapon of choice but I'm sure I can give you some tips." Baek offered
"That would be wonderful, I have been kind of stuck since the Tutorial," Orthis admitted
"Of course you have, no one can progress without meeting some barrier at some point, even these prodigies."
The two parted and Orthis went straight for the library again. It was still early and now he didn't have to worry about money for a while. On the way there, he inspected the changes the reconstruction brought him.
"I think I grew again, probably by around 2cm, putting me at a staggering 1,97, but the procedure only reconstructed my insides, not create new mass, so I suddenly got skinny again." He said with a bit of sadness as he could no longer see the small amount of muscles he recently got.
"Since my muscles were stretched to cover my bones, I now look like most other tall guys, a skinny slender man. Like a certain grumpy god once said to his son, muscles must be worked for."
"Let's see what the system got to say"
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[An external force has reconstructed and organized your nerves, veins, muscles, and bones]
[Strength: 6]
[Endurance: 7]
[Agility: 7]
[Mind: 8]
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"So the reconstruction increased my strength and endurance by 1 and agility by 2. No wonder I feel so much lighter and need effort to move my muscles. A pity that it didn't increase my mind but at the same time it's a relief, I wouldn't want someone to rebuild my brain."
Orthis was now one of the strongest newcomers, a normal human's peak stats in strength, endurance, and agility was 5 making him effectively superhuman by Earth's standards, not that it was anything special in the Tower.
Stat points weren't 1 to 1 either, the higher the number, the more power they gave. The increase Orthis got from his endurance going from 6 to 7 was the same as when it went from 2 to 5.
After paying one silver coin as a fee again, Orthis entered the library again, not planning to come out again until it was getting dark and the library closed.
This time he didn't encounter someone powerful who needed urgent help and he spent the entire day reading in peace before going out to eat a big meal and go to bed.
The next morning Orthis didn't go straight to the library like usual but went to visit Baek and Urman. How could he miss a spar with someone his age and get tips from a master of martial arts?
"You're here. Come in, Urman has gotten a lot better and has been asking to meet you" Baek said seeing Orthis at the door.
Urman was a very energetic person who liked to fight. He challenged Orthis just moments after he introduced himself and thanked him. Since he came here with the intention of fighting, he didn't refuse.
Urman had been learning under Baek, a sword master, for years while Orthis never even touched any kind of weapon before the Tutorial, so the fight was very one-sided but they continued regardless.
Baek was giving Orthis tips as they fought and his Spear Mastery was finally improving again, reaching 16% after 2 hours of sparring. That wasn't even the best gain he had during the spar.
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[Talent ability: Fast learner]
[Description: As long as you have someone or something to teach you, you will learn anything they teach you almost instantly. You will never need more than a few tries to learn and master something, no matter how difficult the thing you are learning is. You never make a mistake twice]
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This new talent ability instantly turned him into a prodigy, allowing him to instantly absorb the tips Baek was giving him. Even the one-sided beatdown made him learn about his shortcomings.
After a short break for something to eat and drink, they continued their spar. This scene continued for two more days before Orthis finally decided to head to the next floor.
His proficiency with the spear had increased many times compared to before but the fast growth slowed down significantly and he already read all the books in the library.
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[Weapon skill: Spear Mastery]
[Proficiency: 31%]
[Sub-skill: Cleave, level 25]
[Sub-skill: Pierce, level 22]
[Sub-skill: Throw, level 7]
[Sub-skill: Block, level 29]
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"I think it's time for me to go to the next floor." Orthis suddenly said during their spar, making Urman freeze up for a moment, allowing him to land a hit.
"Hey, not fair, you can't distract me like that and then use it to land a hit." He whined like a kid but then he turned serious. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, I learned a lot from our spar but I have to continue climbing. I'm sure we will meet again" he tried to comfort his new friend
Urman didn't say anything and just looked at his master who just nodded. Taking a deep breath, Urman made a decision.
"I'm sure we will because I'm going with you"
"Eh?"
"Don't be so surprised, I already did the Tutorial to qualify as a climber but I never went past the 2nd Floor I was born on because of my master and because I was a bit afraid. After lying in bed for so long, in the few moments when I wasn't plagued by pain, I thought about my life and the future. If I'm going to die, then it's not on this Floor by some poison but in an epic battle against a powerful enemy." He said determined
"I think it's time for me to go as well. I already learned everything from my master, now I only need to hone them in combat and gain experience. We will surely meet again on higher floors, don't forget to add me to your contact once you go to the 3rd Floor"
"I will, I wish you good luck"
"Luck won't be needed, I'm confident in my skills" Urman boasted
After making sure he had enough provision in his inventory, Orthis was teleported to the next floor.
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[Welcome to the 3rd Floor, the Goblin Forest]
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