The Beginning

As the realization of my second chance settled in, I couldn't help but reflect on my own abilities, the ones that had once made me formidable in this world. With a sense of curiosity, I muttered a single word, "Status."

In an instant, a holographic window appeared before me, displaying my current capabilities, and it was a far cry from the strength I had possessed in my previous journey through the tower.

[Status]

- Strength (E): 23

- Speed (E): 24

- Intelligence (D): 54

- Magic (F): 2

- Charm (D): 51

- [Unique Skill] - Blood Manipulation (S)

The numbers, accompanied by letters denoting their ranks, were a stark reminder of the immense power I had once wielded before my untimely death. My previous stats had been a testament to my former glory, with most of them ranked at A, and two—the almighty magic and charming charisma—had even reached the pinnacle of S rank.

Now, they had all been reduced to mere shadows of their former selves. It was disheartening, to say the least. I had been among the elite, a force to be reckoned with, and now, I was barely more than an average inhabitant of the tower.

But there was one bright spot—a glimmer of hope amidst the dismal statistics. It was my unique skill, [Blood Manipulation (S)]. Even now, it remained a potent force, an S-ranked skill that had set me apart from the rest.

With this skill, I could wield blood as a weapon, control it, and even create deadly spears from the very essence of life. It was a power that had allowed me to overcome countless challenges in my previous journey, and it was a power I would need to harness once more.

As I stared at the system window, a determination burned within me. I might have lost much of my former strength, but I still possessed the potential to rise above these limitations. With [Blood Manipulation (S)] at my disposal, I would carve a path to the pinnacle of the tower, no matter how steep the climb.

* * *

After I checked my stats, I returned my view to the crowd. The crowd before me was a sea of faces, each one wrestling with the uncertainty of our newfound reality. Amid the whispers and anxious glances, a figure emerged—a voice of reason and hope.

A man stepped forward, his demeanor calm and resolute. He spoke with a conviction that caught the attention of those around him, his words weaving a tapestry of unity and collective strength.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice carrying above the murmurings, "I know this is a bewildering situation. We find ourselves in a world unlike any we've ever known, faced with challenges and mysteries beyond our comprehension. But we must not succumb to fear or despair."

His words resonated with many, and a sense of camaraderie began to stir within the crowd. He continued, "We are all in this together. It doesn't matter our race, our past, or our differences. What matters is that we face this journey as one united force. Together, we can overcome any obstacle that the tower throws our way."

As his speech continued, I couldn't help but be impressed by his ability to rally the disparate group of individuals around him. His charisma was undeniable, and it was clear that he possessed the qualities of a natural leader.

I took my eyes off him and scanned the crowd, my gaze momentarily fell upon a face that seemed oddly familiar. She stood there, her expression a mix of curiosity and confusion, much like everyone else in this bewildering moment.

I approached her cautiously, my gaze briefly meeting hers before she looked away. At first, I didn't recognize her, but as I continued to observe her, a flicker of recognition stirred within me.

It was Jihyun.

In my previous journey through the tower, she had been one of the top-ranked humans, known for her formidable power. Her abilities were etched in my memory—the graceful movements of her celestial wings, the radiant energy that surrounded her, and her mastery of celestial magic.

But despite her incredible prowess, I also recalled the tragic end she had met in that life. On one of the higher floors, a relentless dragon race had overwhelmed her, their fiery onslaught consuming her in a blaze of chaos. Her indomitable spirit had been extinguished that day, leaving a void among the ranks of humanity's greatest warriors.

Her brow furrowed in uncertainty as she regarded me, and she didn't press further. The sudden transition to this new reality had left many with fragmented memories and unanswered questions.

As I observed Jihyun, I couldn't help but be aware of her presence. It occurred to me that getting to know her better might be advantageous in the long run. Her strength could prove invaluable as we navigated the challenges of the tower. While I concealed my past knowledge, I couldn't help but entertain the thought of forming a bond with Jihyun, even if it meant keeping my true intentions hidden for now.

The man's speech continued in the background, rallying the crowd with promises of unity and strength. But my focus remained on Jihyun, and the possibilities that lay ahead as we embarked on this second journey into the unknown. The tower's mysteries awaited, and with each passing moment, the weight of our decisions and actions in this world grew heavier.

* * *

I had recognized Jihyun in the crowd, but as I approached her, I maintained the facade of a stranger in this unfamiliar world. My goal was clear—I needed allies, and Jihyun, with her remarkable powers, could prove to be a valuable asset. To achieve that, I had to manipulate her into relying on me, and the most effective way to do so was to make her fall in love with me.

Jihyun was a vision of ethereal beauty. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow softly, a stark contrast to the vibrant, unfamiliar world around us. Her long, obsidian hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of silk, and her celestial wings, resplendent and iridescent, fluttered gently as she spoke.

I started the conversation casually, as though it were any ordinary encounter. "This is quite a perplexing situation we've found ourselves in, isn't it?" I began, my tone carefully neutral.

Jihyun's luminous eyes met mine, reflecting a kaleidoscope of emotions. Her lips, a delicate shade of rose, curved into a small smile. "It's like a dream, but not one I'd ever want to have."

I allowed a faint smile to touch my lips, as if sharing in her sentiments. "Indeed, it's disorienting. But perhaps, in this journey, we can find a way to make sense of it together."

Her gaze met mine, and I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. She was searching for allies, just as I was, and my approach had to be subtle yet compelling. "Together," she echoed softly, as if testing the word on her lips.

"We're all in this together, after all," I replied, casting a glance toward the crowd that was slowly dispersing, each individual forming their own alliances and forging new connections.

Our conversation had drawn to a natural pause, and I decided to share a piece of information that might further pique Jihyun's curiosity. "By the way, Jihyun," I began, "if you ever say the word 'status,' a window will appear, displaying your current stats and unique skill."

Her eyebrows furrowed in mild surprise. "Status?" she repeated, half-expecting the unexpected.

In an instant, a translucent window materialized before her eyes, displaying her stats and a unique skill.

I moved next to her and checked her stats as well.

[Status]

- Strength: 28 (E)

- Speed: 31 (E)

- Intelligence: 57 (D)

- Magic: 19 (E)

- Charm: 42 (D)

Unique Skill - Celestial Light Mastery (S)

Her eyes widened with a mix of astonishment and curiosity as she examined the information presented to her. "I didn't expect that to actually work," she admitted, her fingers hovering over the floating window.

I chuckled softly, a playful glint in my eyes. "It seems this world has its own set of rules and surprises. Knowing your stats and abilities can be quite useful as we face the challenges of the tower."

Jihyun nodded, her fascination with this new discovery evident. Little did she know that I, with my future knowledge, possessed knowledge of not only my own stats but also the hidden potential of others. It was a knowledge I would use strategically in the days and weeks to come as I continued to weave the web of manipulation around her.

* * *

Jihyun's curiosity was piqued by the mention of her unique skill, Celestial Light Mastery. She regarded the translucent status window hovering before her with a mix of wonder and intrigue.

"What do you think Celestial Light Mastery might be?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the screen.

I couldn't help but smile at her curiosity. "Well, there's one way to find out," I replied, gesturing toward the word 'Celestial Light Mastery' displayed on the screen. "Try touching it."

With a tentative touch, Jihyun's finger made contact with the words, and in an instant, the status window updated with additional information about her unique skill.

[Unique Skill - Celestial Light Mastery (S)]

- Celestial Light Manipulation: The ability to harness and control celestial light, allowing the user to create protective barriers, heal injuries, and summon celestial beings for aid.

- Celestial Wings Manifestation: Unlocks the ability to manifest and retract celestial wings at will, granting the user flight and enhanced mobility.

As Jihyun read the description, her eyes widened in surprise. "Celestial wings?" she exclaimed. "I... I didn't even realize I had them."

The translucent window now displayed an image of her with celestial wings gracefully unfurled behind her, their radiant glow casting a gentle luminescence in the dimming light of the tower.

"It seems this world has more surprises in store for us than we can imagine," I remarked, my tone filled with a sense of shared wonder. "Your powers are truly remarkable, Jihyun."

Her gaze shifted from the window back to me, her expression a mixture of fascination and gratitude.

As the first day in this strange new world came to a close, I knew that our partnership, built on trust, manipulation, and shared secrets, would continue to evolve. Together, we would navigate the challenges of the tower, unlocking its mysteries and striving for the power we both sought—each for our own reasons.