[3rd Person POV]
The announcement about the tournament was like a new supply of energy in the old system. All players below the 10th floor stopped momentarily from whatever they were doing and read the announcement again because it's the first event of the tower in which every newcomer had to participate.
Guilds, societies, and leagues would try to recruit players who perform well or have the potential to become a 'Mythforger.' This tournament was even more special because, for the first time, an established Mythforger would be participating in it.
[AN: Mythforger = Players who are on the Myth List of the Tower. There are two ways: earn 1000 Myth Points or perform an exemplary feat that the Tower itself recognizes. Perks for being one will be told as the story progresses.]
A group of 10 players at Floor 8 were trudging their way out of the boss's lair after slaying the boss when they heard the announcement of the tournament.
The leader of the group laughed maniacally for a few long seconds, then exhaled and spoke, "Well...well, I have been waiting for this. I will show these entitled brats of Mythos and its nearby planets that they are just fodder waiting for Nexarions to reap. And that, Max, I hope you can reach finals and not chicken out before."
He then turned to a nearby player and asked, "Is there any news about Max yet?"
"No, Royal One," the nearby player responded meekly.
"Huh... So let's see if this enigma is fun or just a show." He chuckled.
[Reviallis Inn, 19th Floor]
The atmosphere was silent with anticipation after the reveal of the tournament. One player who was bare-chested with only gloves and pants on his body addressed the leader, "Boss, do you know anything about this World Tree Format?"
The Boss, wearing fitting clothes and showcasing his highly muscled body, lost in thoughts, took a deep breath and responded, "No, it's not one of the usual formats, but whatever, I will come out on top of this and make my Gigas Family proud."
One more player from the group cheered up and said, "Of course, Boss, who else would have reached the 19th floor if they started just about three weeks ago? This time Boss will become 'Rising Star,' no matter the format."
"As far as I know, there is only one variable we don't know about. That Mythforger entered the Myth List even before he started climbing. He is the only one we don't know anything about." The leader remarked.
"Yeah, but boss, it hasn't even been a full week since he started climbing. Even if he clears every floor as fast as we did, he would be on the 8th or 9th floor. No way he can compete with Boss. This month we would have one more Mythforger, Andreas Gigas, "The Arcane Fist." One more player said enthusiastically.
"Well, we have a day; let's clear one domain and one labyrinth if possible," Andreas suggested. Everyone nodded and got ready for the raid.
[Outside Drownedscale Expanse, 13th Floor]
Many groups of players were waiting for the domain to reset, but the reset of the domain and the announcement of the tournament occurred almost simultaneously. One group in particular, with pointed ears and regal attire and 9 members in total, stood at the opened entrance.
The leader of the group was a graceful elf with black hair and a beautiful glowing face with signature pointed ears. Her regal attire was covered under the elegant yet durable body armor with runes covering the surface, holding a spear with its tip covered in flames.
She turned to her elven party and spoke, "We have to quickly clear this domain and then the remaining dungeons within 24 hours. We all have to earn a better position in the tournament and show that the Moonshade family is in the top 10 families of Mythos Planet for a reason."
"Yes, Princess." All party members agreed with zeal.
Princess turned towards Domain and muttered with sharpness in her eyes, "Let's see who becomes an obstacle in the rise of Talia Moonshade."
[Floor 50, Hiranyagarbha]
The Ro'nark Villa
A man and woman were seated on opposite chairs when they received the notification about the tournament.
The woman, Maeve Ro'nark, had blonde hair with a shade of white at the tips; freezing air surrounded her like a child hugging a mother. Her gown was a mixture of violet and white color with flowers and stars embroidered on it. Her eyes glowing with a bluish-white hue, the ethereal crown made of ice added to the regal look of the woman.
The man, Matt Ro'nark, with blonde hair, had a ponytail and a long-collared black shirt up to knee length with olive-colored pants. A dual-edged sword with a blackish hilt floated beside him and radiated sharpness. His hazel eyes had a clarity among them.
Maeve spoke first, "What do you think, brother? Does little brother, Nolan, stand any chance to be among the top?"
Matt responded, "Maybe, he has the best equipment, training, and all the other things needed to be among top players. I am more interested in the anomaly this time, Max the Limit Breaker."
"Yeah, it sure will be fun to watch. Speaking of little brother, did we get any news of little brother Maximilian yet?" Maeve asked.
Matt responded by shaking his head negatively. Maeve spoke again, "I really couldn't know why we were separated from him, and please don't tell me this bullshit about low talent or Affinity.
Such things in Tower are available, and even our family had some resources that sure would have helped him. Did you get any new info about this brother?"
He sighed and answered, "Something. Do you remember about the Oracle at the mansion?"
She nodded, "Mm-hmm."
He spoke further, "Well, what I got to know is that when he tried to look into the future of Maximilian, he became permanently blind, and his power level fell down to B-rank.
After that, Grandpa did some tests, but all came back normal. Then at the ceremony, his low potential and no affinity caused even further issues, and Grandpa gave the order to isolate him from family.
Mother tried to protest, but she was shut down by both her family and even the Syndicate. That's all I know." He completed his explanation.
She nodded in understanding and said, "Well, I always wanted a little brother. I have Nolan, but he is a little weird; it would have been fun to have Maximilian too. I also tried to see him or meet him, but Grandpa really created such tight surveillance."
She became silent for a few seconds, then suddenly her face lit up like she just had an impossible thought: "Brother, what if this Max is our Maximilian?"
"Okay, you are stretching it. We have no information on this Max, and Maximilian was discarded by Tower 2 years ago." Matt disagreed.
"But...." She wanted to speak, but he interrupted, "Enough. When you become powerful, you can go personally to search for him. First cross 100 floors and reach the planetary level."
"Yeah, I am working on it; I only need about 50-60 Myth Points to reach the requirement for crossing floor 100. Speaking of Floor, on which floor are you currently, brother?" Maeve inquired.
"Around 150 floors, and we would have doomed ourselves." He responded.
"Huh..." Maeve looked at him with slight confusion.
"The answer to your earlier question is if this Max and our Maximilian are the same. I would only pray that he doesn't hate our family, which he would have every right to do." He answered with seriousness and thoughtful expression.
"Seriously, brother, our family is powerful, aren't we? Our parents, grandpa and other ancestors, and even the founder of our family are here." She questioned.
"And how many of them, you know, had entered the Myth List to become a Mythforger before even they started climbing?" Matt questioned back.
"Well...you are right about that," she nodded in understanding.
"We are just overthinking here, but still I would like to watch the tournament finals this time. I am going back to finish up my work; you should also complete any pending work before finals start." Matt suggested. Maeve nodded positively in response.
Matt stood up and said with a voice full of expectation, "Let's see who becomes 'Rising Star' this month."