Deal

"You won't be disappointed with the compensation. We can also adjust the terms if you need something else. How about this? I'm sure it's not a bad deal, even for you."

Val and Rachel were clearly desperate to head to Block B as soon as possible. They would try to help Elliott by any means necessary, and he could quickly move up the ranks and even find an artifact if he joined them.

There were also the advantages of meeting two climbers who would become super rookies once they finished the Tutorial. He could join the team that these two would end up organizing and forming an influential clan within the Tower.

Elliott was about to turn down their offer when an idea suddenly occurred to him.

"It wouldn't hurt to cooperate with them, would it?" He could collect a large amount of points with the raid, and it wouldn't be a bad deal if he would only need to exert a little effort. "All right. I'll help you, but on one condition."

Rachel smiled broadly as if approving of Elliott's decision. "What is it?"

"Aside from the artifact you need, I'd like to take all the other rewards."

"Mmm."

Rachel was a little unsure but put those thoughts down and said to Elliott, "Okay, it's all yours. However, you need to show us what you have."

"To be honest, I know you're going to hire someone else or even abandon me if I don't meet your standards."

Rachel laughed awkwardly as if she had hit the mark. "Hehe, we're not that cruel, you know."

Val moved forward as if she couldn't wait any longer to talk to him. Then she sketched a smile and held out her hand to him. "Haha! Anyway, it's nice to meet you. So, tell me your name."

Elliott could clearly tell what kind of personality Val had. He was a self-centered man who loved to talk; basically, someone really exhausting. But at the moment, he was stuck with this guy, so he bit his lip and grabbed his hand. He realized he hadn't said his name. "Elliott."

Now that he had no reason to stay in the dungeon anymore, Elliott left with Val and Rachel.

***

"Well." Val wore a displeased expression as he looked out over the lake. As did Elliott.

At the same time, Val was curious about how Elliott would pass this test. He had only seen hints of Elliott's abilities inside the dungeon, and this would be the first time he would see his abilities. He would decide if they needed more members of Elliott's ability or potential growth. But suddenly, he said, "Huh?"

Elliott walked toward the lake without any preparation.

"Hey, buddy!"

"What's up?" Elliott looked at Val, wondering what was going on.

"Don't tell me you're thinking of jumping right in. I mean you haven't prepared."

"Mmm~... Yeah, you got a problem with that?"

"Elliott, you're going to get yourself in big trouble."

Elliott jumped into the pond before Val could finish speaking. Val was about to run forward, worried that Elliott was drowning in excruciating pain.

"I guess we didn't have to worry, did we?"

She paused. "Yes."

Elliott swam with complete ease as if he were a fish. Rachel smiled, and Val looked a little embarrassed. She had confirmed in the dungeon that Elliott was quite skilled, but this was another level. She began to think she might have found someone better than she had anticipated.

"This kid has grown a lot before he even got through Block B. Can you imagine how much more he'll grow after he gets through the rest of

Val smiled at Elliott, who was effortlessly making his way through the water. "Maybe," she said. It occurred to her that Elliott might be someone who cared about the Tutorial, as she did. She would always welcome another strong climber.

***

Unconcerned by Val's surprise, Elliott analyzed his new body as he swam in the heavy water. "So, this makes my bloodline woke up," he thought.

An ordinary person would be crushed by the pressure of the water, but with his new body, he felt no pain at all. His bloodline awakening had an enormous amount of vitality throughout his body, and the transformation had hardened his skeleton enough to withstand the pressure of the heavy water lake. It was as if Elliott was taking a normal bath in his old world. Then he began to wonder how Val and Rachel would cross the lake, so he turned to look.

Val, who was in good physical shape, pulled a piece of cloth from her pocket and tied her sword around her waist before jumping into the water. She was a good swimmer.

Rachel, for her part, made a subtle gesture in the air.

"What is that, is that her skill?" Elliott wondered.

A small platform of air suddenly gathered above the lake to form a path. Rachel stepped forward and took a step in the air. It was a peculiar sight.

Elliott, who was amazed by Rachel's skill, took a deep breath and dove into the water. The water was completely black as if he had entered a sea, and he had to reinforce his senses to the maximum.

Splash!

With a powerful kick, Elliott glided through the water. The water felt cool and refreshing against his skin, perhaps because it was the first time he had experienced such speed.

***

[269:36:55_41]

[You have successfully cleared the landscape of Block E. Solitary.]

[You have achieved an achievement that is not easy to accomplish. Additional points will be provided.]

[You have acquired 2000 points.]

[You have acquired 1000 additional points.]

[Your health and mana will be restored.]

[All statuses will be removed.]

-------

[You have successfully completed Block D. Solitary.]

[You have achieved an achievement...]

-------

[You have successfully completed Block C...]

--------

"What am I looking at right now, is it the same guy who was in Block E just a short while ago? How can he grow up so fast?" Val was so flabbergasted that she couldn't help but laugh. She had to admit she had been wrong. She thought that Elliott might one day become one of the strongest climbers, becoming a powerful individual who would threaten the rankers' positions. The reality, however, was very different from what she thought: "He was already strong!"

When they first crossed the lake with Elliott, Val thought she had found someone great. But when they entered Block D, she had to completely update her assessment.

"Metallic sound! Swoosh!"

"Monster! The monster is here... argh."

"Too loud! Boss, I need... urk!"

Elliott cleared Block D with such ease that he seemed to step over the monsters that stood in his way.

Unlike the previous sections that consisted of a straight path, Block D was a large forest with caves that were connected like a spider web. There was only one way out, and the exit was complex. In addition, a Hobgoblin's lair and hordes of Goblins awaited at the end of the forest.

The monsters considered the Block D climbers intruders, so they regularly sent scouts to prevent the climbers from advancing.

The climbers had no choice but to evade the scouts or exterminate them. If they were caught, the worst.

The climbers had no choice but to evade the scouts or exterminate them. If they were caught, the worst-case scenario would be to face the entire Goblin tribe. No matter how skilled the climbers were, it would be impossible to fight such overwhelming numbers.

Most of the climbers got through Block D by playing hide-and-seek with Goblins while exterminating them with ambushes.

Elliott, however, ignored all that. He pushed forward as if he didn't care what he would face.

Naturally, his method caused a great disturbance throughout the lair.

News of the massacre caused the Goblins to flock to Elliott, but he achieved victory by simply killing them all. Shortly after that, he also took a Hobgoblin's life.

The same happened in Block C. Even the Trolls and Ogres guarding the stone chamber were killed with a single blow.

When it came to physical power and endurance, Trolls and Ogres were said to be one of the hardest monsters to defeat, even for climbers in teams of five or more. And yet, Elliott was tearing the Trolls and Ogres apart.

Rachel wasn't sure if she herself could produce such an amazing scene with her skills, so she just looked at Elliott with a serious expression. No words came out of her mouth.

After the bloodbath, Elliott began to absorb the blood of the Trolls and Ogres with his sword.

Val and Rachel couldn't resist asking him what he was doing.

***

[Your Tutorial rating has been updated].

[Tutorial ranking]

1. Aria (57.987 Points)

2. Sasha (56.342 Points)

3. Val (50.475 Points)]

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[177. Elliott (18.900 Points)]

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From 289th place to 177th place, Elliott jumped almost a hundred places in one go.

...