When that man exploded, everyone understood that Tartarus was not joking. A heavy silence filled the space.
The Angel of Death (Tartarus) began to explain the floors with a decisive voice:
"On every floor, there is one BOSS. These bosses are the generals of the Top Floor King."
Then he continued:
"Our king, Hades, is one of the strongest beings in this world. Even the gods cannot oppose him. So become as strong as you can, because Lord Hades hates the weak. We are watching your every move, and there is no escape except by defeating Lord Hades himself. Now go and prove your worth!"
After Tartarus left the scene with that terrifying presence and his warning words, suddenly every participant felt an electric shock run through their body. A moment later, a glowing window appeared in front of everyone; a transparent list with a metallic, robotic voice that announced:
"System activated. Player information loading…"
On the screen appeared information such as:
Level (current level)
HP (health points)
XP (experience)
Special skills
Rewards received
But the main part was the skills, whose categories promised a real battle:
Main Skills:
Magic Skills (upgradable with practice and items):
Fire Magic: for destructive attacks
Healing Magic: restores health for self and others
Plant Control Magic: creates barriers, traps, or suffocates enemies
Swordsmanship Skills
Single-Sword Style: high precision and speed
Dual-Sword Style: greater power and attack range
Marksmanship Skills
Only one style, but divided into Accurate, Rapid-Fire, or Explosive types depending on talent
Level Appraisal Skill
Only a very small number of people had this skill. It allowed them to see the levels of monsters…
Special (Hidden) Skills:
Only those with innate talent or extreme luck could unlock one of these skills.
Special skills are activated only by defeating the floor boss.
In the heavy silence of the crowd, only the trembling of the virtual windows and frightened whispers could be heard…
And a voice echoed again in everyone's mind:
"The choice is yours… Survive, or become a stepping stone for others!"
With the appearance of the list, a murmur rose among the crowd. Some shouted with excitement, some panicked at their low HP, and some just stared at the "Level Appraisal" skill…
And at that moment, Tartarus's voice rang in everyone's mind once more:
"Do not underestimate the floor bosses… Each of them is at least S-rank or A-rank… This is not just a game. This is a fight for survival!"
When the leveling system activated, everyone waited for the results. A few seconds later, a glowing letter appeared above each participant's head, showing their power rank.
Power Rank Categories:
S-Rank (Special):
Only 15% of participants. Geniuses with legendary skills, capable of fighting high-floor bosses and even changing the course of the game.
Level: 1 HP: 150 XP: 100
A-Rank (Advanced):
About 25% of participants. Powerful and skilled warriors capable of heavy combat and team coordination.
Level: 1 HP: 120 XP: 100
C-Rank (Average):
49% of players. Average fighters with basic skills; survival for them depends heavily on luck, teamwork, and opportunity.
Level: 1 HP: 100 XP: 100
E-Rank (Defective):
Only 1% of players. Completely powerless individuals.
They have no combat or magic skills; only one incomplete skill: "Level Appraisal," which is barely usable in real battles.
These people are essentially dead weight in the game…
Most likely the first to die.
Level: 1 HP: 50 XP: 100
And a bitter sentence echoed in every player's mind:
"If you are E-rank… just run!"
All the teams had already formed. The only ones left alone were the E-ranks. Everyone said they had no place here and should become stepping stones so the rest could escape.
As I was leaving the area, someone grabbed my arm and said, "Where are you rushing off to?"
I looked at him with eyes full of rage. He let go of my arm involuntarily out of fear, and I walked away.
Everyone was busy forming teams, but no one approached the E-rank individuals. No team wanted a weak, skill-less member. Being E-rank was a mark of shame, a symbol of uselessness. The only reason someone might accept one of them was to use them as a pack mule or a sacrificial pawn.
Amid all the contemptuous and indifferent stares, only one person was not afraid of being E-rank and didn't care at all; the one who had spent his entire life preparing for this game.
Everyone saw him as a "glitch" in the system, but his devilish smile said something else.
He was happy, because he was the only one who knew how an E-rank truly levels up.
The displayed list gave no explanation for how E-rank could advance. Only C, A, and S ranks were told that defeating a boss higher than their own level would allow them to rank up.
But E-rank? No explanation, no guidance, no hope. There wasn't even a single E-rank among the floor bosses or their minions.
And that was exactly where he was different…
He knew the dark secret hidden deep within the game.
The secret to leveling up from E-rank…
All teams had been formed. Weapons were chosen, strategies planned, and only the E-rank individuals remained outside the circle.
The crowd looked at them with contempt. One of the A-rank players shouted:
"They don't belong here! They should just become stepping stones so we can get out of this hell!"
Everyone agreed with him and said we should use them to escape this place.
Amid all the noise, I was looking for my friend Yuji, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I wanted to slip quietly along the wall and leave. I wanted to get away… from the stares… from the insults…
But just as I was about to pass through the crowd, a hand grabbed me.
A cold voice full of contempt whispered in my ear:
"Where are you running to so fast, trash?"
I turned around. I locked eyes with the man. Silent rage burned in my gaze. Before I could say a word, his fingers let go on their own, and I walked out.
Once outside, I was so happy I couldn't hold back my laughter.
I was counting the seconds until revenge…
But even in that joy, I was worried about Yuji. I kept asking myself: Where did Yuji go? He had been right beside me just a moment ago…