The First Floor

I sipped my tea as I sat at my table in the restaurant of the inn. Yesterday's rest was refreshing and much needed. I had slept for almost eight hours.

On waking, I freshened up and headed down to the restaurant. My dagger was attached to my waist, and my chest armour was invisible from underneath my tracksuit. The 'assassin's cloak' was hung on the chair beside me.

As usual, the restaurant was brimming with people coming in and going out. A group of ten people gathered together were drinking at the bar, even though it was early morning. Instead of Sarroth, another bartender was tending to them.

I sank into my chair, thinking of all the things I had to do today. Today would be the first time I challenged the Tower.

Wait. Now that I think about it, I still have some stat points left over that I haven't used yet. So I might as well use them now.

Stat points!

[Stat points: 12]

I may need to depend on 'skills' more, so alluding all of my stat points into arcane would be the best choice.

[Arcane's stat points have been increased by 12]

[Arcane: 26]

I guess that's pretty good. From now on, let's focus more on increasing my arcane.

"Will you be going to the first floor today?" asked a voice behind me.

I turned around and was faced with a group of familiar elves. All of them wore the same coloured green overcoats with hoods.

"Yes, you too?" I inquired.

"Not yet. I still need to purchase some weapons for the team," Zelphar replied.

"But boy, you just entered the Tower two days ago. What's the rush?" asked Elrid, the eldest among the group of elves.

"It's personal," I replied. Why was he suddenly so interested in what I did?

"Anyway, I would like to apologise for my behaviour the night before. I lose control when I drink alcohol," apologised Zelphar, bowing his head.

Why was he apologising to me, of all people?

"Don't be sorry. Because of you, all of us got to hear the inn's owner sing," I said, consoling the elf.

Zelphar turned his face away, slightly blushing. Why was he acting so weird?

"S-So… Are we friends, then?" He asked, looking at my feet.

"Sure," I replied. This guy really had zero social skills.

A huge smile appeared on the elf's face. The elf's companions also rejoiced, whispering among themselves.

Did this guy really not have a friend until now? He made me remember how I was during my teen years.

"Would you like to take a seat?" I said, gesturing to the chair in front of me.

"Yup!" The elf exclaimed, jumping on the chair in front of me. His companions sat at the table beside us and began their own chat.

"So, you are a prince," I said, teasing the elf.

"Well, I was. After coming to the Tower, no one is who they once used to be," Zelphar replied, with a hint of melancholy in his voice.

Did I ask the wrong thing? I really need to work more on my social skills and small talk.

"Anyway, tell me more about yourself and where you come from," Zelphar suggested, excitation prominent in his tone.

"I come from Earth, as I have already told you before. As for who I am, it's not important. Just think of me as a nobody, as a side character in your story," I replied. I can't disclose my information to a stranger like him yet.

"Oh, I see... By the way, did you have many friends back on Earth?" the elf inquired, leaning closer to hear my reply. Now, this was a weird thing to ask.

"Not really," I answered.

I still don't plan on getting close to anybody, even if it's a person like Zelphar. But, still, I need to keep a proper relationship with as many people as possible.

Making as many allies as possible would be the best in this place, where anything can happen.

Still, my only goal right now was to meet my parents, whatever the cost. Even if it means I have to lead a solitary life. Although some people may call me a coward for not getting close to anybody, after what happened to Master, I don't really care. I think it's better this way.

"An-anyway. I assume you have better things to do. I shall take my leave," the elf said before offering me a slight bow and exiting the inn.

That elf was weird in more than one way. It would be better to keep my distance until I learn more about him. But still, I have a feeling that having an ally like him would bring me great opportunities in the future.

"Was it good?" Margaret inquired as she took the empty plate kept on my table.

"It was really good. The croissant melted as soon as it touched my mouth," I replied, thinking back to the delicious taste of my French breakfast. Even back on Earth, I rarely got to taste delicacies like these.

"That's good. We can leave as soon as you are ready," the waitress informed me.

It would be best to not delay the first floor's challenge any longer.

"Then let's leave right now," I replied, as I got up and wore my cloak, which was kept on the chair.

"Very well," the red-haired waitress replied, ushering another waitress to clear the table instead.

She led the way as we departed the inn. Effortlessly, she weaved her way through the thick crowd that could be seen everywhere.

I like people like Margaret. She was assigned to assist me and had been doing that perfectly. She doesn't ask unnecessary questions and briefly answers each of my questions in as much detail as possible. Even yesterday, when we purchased the items, she did not inquire how or where I obtained the gold.

I wish everyone was like her, Doing their jobs without interfering too much in other people's lives.

After walking around the town for around twenty minutes, we arrived somewhere I hadn't been to yesterday. No shops or buildings could be seen anywhere around a hundred metres.

In front of me, a giant circular stone platform was on the floor. Its diameter would be around fifty metres. Weird engravings could be seen on its grey-coloured surface.

Almost a hundred people were gathered around the stone slab. Five guards who wore white, pristine full-body armour roamed the ground around the huge platform.

Most of the people looked like me, newbies. But, most of them had donned full body armour and carried swords and spears, unlike me.

One of the guards hastily made their way toward me with a notebook.

"ID," ordered the guard as he put his open palm forward.

After taking a look at my ID, the guard noted down my registration number before heading off to check someone else's ID.

"Is checking the ID normal?" I asked Margaret.

"Only on this floor. Since, after clearing the first floor, the Tower itself keeps track of everyone," replied the waitress.

I see. Recording the information of everyone before they went to challenge the first floor was a great way to see who all returned safely. This way, they could keep track of the deceased and the wounded with much more ease.

"Do I have to stand on that to go to the next floor?" I inquired, pointing towards the stone platform.

"Yup! All the best!" Margaret excitedly said as she waved her hand, seeing me off.

Through the crowd, I made my way towards the platform, only two feet above the ground, and climbed on it.

[Would you like to challenge the first floor?]

Yes!

Without warning, my stomach twirled inside my body, and my eye sockets felt as if they were being compressed. It felt as if my entire being was rearranging itself over and over again. I could never get used to the feeling of being teleported.

Finally, the pain ended, and a giant hall surrounded me when I opened my eyes.

**********

[The First Floor's Main Challenge]

[Clear conditions: Survive the First Floor for eight hours. A minimum number of monsters should be defeated within that time.

Time limit: Eight hours

Rewards: Gaining a Class, Permission to Ascend to the Next Floor

Failure: Death ]

**********

Surviving for eight hours? This seemed simple enough.

I looked around but was unable to find anybody else. It looked like every player needed to complete this challenge individually.

Around me was a gigantic hall. Strong-looking pillars supported the grey opaque ceiling, which was around five metres high. The floor was made of marble-like stone, and a few piles of rubble were scattered around the room.

The only light sources were the torches hung on the pillars and kept on stands throughout the hall. But, thanks to my 'night vision' skill, I was able to see clearly even in the dim light.

I stood at one end of the hall, and even with my better vision, the other side of the hall was enveloped in darkness. This room must be at least a hundred metres long and wide.

[A strange energy has been detected from the player!]

[The player is a part of an 'Eternal Region'!]

[The difficulty of the challenge is being considerably increased!]

Wha-?