[Fiona's POV]
I opened my sleepy eyes to a soft blur of ceiling lights, rubbed them slowly until the haze dissolved, and only then did the peaceful environment around me become clear. Too clear. Too luxurious. Too calm for the kind of life I'd lived so far. I pushed myself upright, body reacting with a sharp jolt, and for a heartbeat I couldn't remember where I was.
Then yesterday returned all at once—and I collapsed back into the bed with a long breath.
So it wasn't a dream.
None of it was.
I really was out of my loop.
I sat there for a while, letting the reality sink into my bones, then inhaled deeply. We cleared two floors in one day. Yesterday felt impossible, but something in my gut insisted today would be the same. Boss Max wasn't normal. Nothing about the man was normal.
I freshened up, changed clothes, and walked toward the door—only to freeze as a sharp, mechanical resonance echoed through the air.
A panel materialized before me, crisp and cold like the Tower itself had spoken.
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━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
[SYSTEM BROADCAST: CODEX PROTOCOL DEPLOYED ]
A new Tab has been successfully integrated into all Player Systems.
Designation: CODEX — Adaptive Arcane Grimoire.
Purpose: To streamline the creation, evolution, and mastery of Arts & Spells.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
---
[CODEX: SYSTEM OVERVIEW]
• Self-evolving grimoire that records all Arts and Spells used by a Player.
• Analyzes mana structure, flow, formation, and weaknesses.
• Generates optimized variations and evolution pathways.
• Stores techniques in protected system-sealed memory (beyond skill slot limitations).
---
[CODEX: SYSTEM ADVANTAGES]
• Accelerated creation of personalized Arts and Spells.
• Automatic optimization and refinement.
• Evolution guidance based on the Player's combat patterns.
---
[CODEX: ACTIVATION REQUIREMENTS]
Activation of Codex requires Myth Points based on Rank Category:
— MORTAL RANKS —
E → B Rank : 100 Myth Points
A Rank : 150 Myth Points
S Rank : 200 Myth Points
SS Rank : 300 Myth Points
SSS Rank : 400 Myth Points
EX Rank : 600 Myth Points
— PLANETARY RANK —
1200 Myth Points
(Requirements continue for higher ranks.)
---
[SUPPLEMENTARY NOTICE]
Codex sharing protocols follow existing Art/Spell sharing rules.
Sharing requires an additional Myth Point fee per recipient.
---
[CODEX TAB WILL BECOME VISIBLE UPON PAYMENT OF ACTIVATION COST]
---
The broadcast faded as abruptly as it appeared—leaving me with a hollowing sensation in my chest.
So this was real.
The entire Tower heard that.
A global update. A new tab for all Players.
I swallowed, trying to steady my heartbeat.
Boss Max… had hinted I would "see it."
But seeing and understanding were different things entirely.
I shook my head. Trying to apply common sense to him was pointless.
I headed out toward breakfast.
Inside the dining hall, Boss Max was already seated at the table—calm, composed as ever—with a woman I hadn't met before. I approached quietly, pulled out a chair, and sat.
"Good morning, Boss," I said.
He nodded. "Good morning, Fiona."
I turned to the woman and offered a polite smile. "Good morning. I'm Fiona Everhart."
The woman returned the smile with a soft bow. "Good morning. I am Lina, the manager of this establishment."
Before I could continue, Boss Max spoke.
"Did you see the Codex Announcement?" he asked. "Do you like it?"
His tone was neutral, but his eyes held a faint, unmistakable interest.
I nodded. "Yes. I read it carefully. It's incredible. Creating spells and arts used to be difficult, with so many requirements, but now… everything feels simplified. Streamlined. I still need to test it to understand the practical benefits, but theoretically it changes everything. And since we're both E Rank, the activation fee is only 100 Myth Points."
I paused.
"You have the Myth Points, right, Boss?"
He shook his head.
Not in confusion.
In dismissal.
"I don't need it."
I blinked. "Is there some problem with the Codex, Boss? Or… do you not have enough Myth Points?" I asked cautiously.
"No," he said calmly. "I don't need the Codex because I created the Tab."
For a moment, my brain simply shut down.
"WHAT!?"
Lina and I said it at the exact same time.
My spoon froze halfway to my mouth. Lina nearly dropped her drink.
We stared at him like he'd said he invented gravity.
"Boss… you don't talk much," I managed weakly, "but you're surprisingly good at making jokes."
Inside, a panicked voice screamed at me: He's not joking.
Lina leaned forward. "Mr. Max… you're not suggesting that the System Broadcast we just heard… exists because you created the Codex Protocol?"
Boss Max didn't answer with words.
He simply tilted a system panel toward us.
A contract.
A SYSTEM CONTRACT.
A royalty contract… tied to the Codex Tab.
My breath hitched.
He hadn't lied.
He hadn't exaggerated.
He had created something that the Tower System itself integrated universally.
"Breakfast is getting cold, ladies," Boss said casually.
My hands trembled under the table. Lina didn't look any better.
We were both staring at a man eating calmly after casually reshaping how magic works for the entire Tower.
Legends described the Tower as absolute.
The System as immutable.
Unchangeable.
And yet here sat someone who'd altered it.
After finishing his meal, Boss looked at us. "Don't tell anyone about this. I don't want unnecessary interruptions in my life."
I nodded immediately. "Boss Max, you don't have to worry. Only suicidal idiots would try to mess with someone who can make a contract with the Tower System."
"Agreed," Lina said firmly. "This stays between us."
He nodded, satisfied.
I finished my meal quickly, but the question burning in my chest refused to stay silent. When Boss and Lina stood up, ready to leave, I looked at him.
"Boss… I wanted to ask you something."
He turned. "Go ahead."
Lina began to step away, but he gestured politely. "You should hear this too, Lina. You also don't know much about me."
She hesitated, then sat again.
I swallowed. "Boss, what is your goal? You're powerful, intelligent, wealthy… and only on the 3rd Floor. You said you made a contract with me to help your sister climb safely and to make sure someone looks after her. I understand that.
But I want to know what your real goal is.
I already decided to follow you regardless. But I want to understand the path I'm walking with you."
He went quiet.
Not cold—just thoughtful.
Then he spoke with a clarity that made the air feel heavier.
"At first, my goal was to dominate the Tower and rise to the top. But something changed."
His gaze drifted slightly.
"After spending two years with my sister before coming here, I realized I don't want to reach the top alone. I still want to dominate the Tower—that hasn't changed. But now I want people who can walk with me. Share the journey."
He pointed at me lightly.
"That's why I offered you a contract."
Silence settled.
Lina and I exchanged a look. His words carried quiet weight—memories, loneliness, strength… and something he rarely showed: desire for connection.
If he had stayed isolated…
If he had remained alone…
The Tower would have birthed a monster.
I spoke next.
"When I began climbing, I only wanted to restore my family name and escape the fear that had taken root in me. But meeting you yesterday… I wasn't even sure if I would survive at all. You saved me. Gave me power. So my goal is the same—but now I want to achieve it while climbing the Tower with you, Boss."
He nodded, holding my gaze.
"Tell me about what happened to your family sometime."
"Definitely, Boss," I said softly.
Lina took a breath. "I want to share my goals too."
We turned toward her.
"At first, I only dreamed of getting my hotel onto the 50th Floor—the Universal Floor. But I lacked the talent and resources. I was stuck for years… until Mr. Max appeared. And after hearing both of you speak… my dream changed.
Now I want my hotel not only on Floor 50, but to become one of the best in the Tower. And I want to climb higher myself. Explore the Tower fully. I hope Mr. Max will help me fulfill that dream. And I promise to give everything I have."
Boss nodded. "I already have ideas for your hotel. I'll tell you once they're ready."
Lina's smile brightened in relief.
Boss stood up.
"Well, it was nice hearing your goals. Fiona, let's go. The monsters on the 4th Floor are waiting."
I stood immediately.
"Be careful," Lina said. "Monsters can be unpredictable."
I smirked. "You should say that for the monsters."
Light swirled beneath our feet—and we vanished into the teleportation circle.
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[AN: Please comment your thoughts about Fiona and how would you like to see this character grow, any suggestions are appreciated.
Vote for Power stones, it's my motivation to write more such chapters.]