Sharpening the Claws
Jin barely had time to catch his breath when the air around him trembled, and the system window appeared once more.
As usual… translucent black, surrounded by a steady golden frame. But this time, its glow was calmer, as if the system were observing him closely.
[System]
Initiating the Second Trial.
The scenery vanished, and Jin felt his body being violently dragged downward.
Second Trial
Giant Earthworm
He slammed into sandy ground, rolling several meters before steadying himself.
The place was a barren plain—cracked earth, suffocating air.
Then…
The ground shook.
Jin stepped back, his eyes narrowing.
Jin:
"…Don't tell me—"
The earth exploded in front of him, and a colossal creature emerged.
Its cylindrical body stretched for dozens of meters, its hide hard as rock, and its circular mouth was filled with endlessly rotating teeth.
A giant earthworm.
Jin charged without hesitation, his sword flashing as he struck.
Clang!
The blow rebounded as if it had hit a steel shield.
Jin:
"…No effect?"
He leapt away just as the worm's body slammed into the spot where he had been standing.
Physical attacks did nothing. Even his aura dissipated upon contact.
He began to understand.
Jin (calmly):
"It's not resistance… it's absorption."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Instead of concentrating power into his blade, he began circulating his inner energy within his body—more precisely… deeper.
The aura was no longer an external layer, but a fine current he could manipulate at will.
He charged again—but this time, he didn't strike.
Sliding alongside the worm's massive body, he placed his hand against the ground.
Jin:
"If brute force doesn't work… then I'll disrupt its balance."
He released his aura directly into the ground itself.
The worm's body convulsed, its balance breaking for a brief instant—
the exact moment Jin had been waiting for.
He leapt high, focusing all his energy into a single point—not into the entire strike.
A thrust—
aimed not at the body, but at the neural core inside its mouth.
The worm let out a scream that shook the entire area, before its enormous body collapsed.
Jin stood there, breathing heavily.
Jin:
"…Now I get it.
Aura isn't just power… it's a tool."
[System]
Second Trial Cleared.
Third Trial
Orc Tribe
Jin wasn't given time to rest.
The scenery shifted into a dense forest. Smoke rose from crude huts.
Roars, screams, and frantic movement filled the area.
[System]
Third Trial:
Exterminate the Orc Tribe.
Number: 100
Warning: Shaman Leader detected.
Jin tightened his grip around his sword.
Jin:
"…A hundred?
Fine."
He charged.
The sword danced through bodies—every movement precise, every strike fatal.
His physical power was noticeably stronger now. Every leap, every dash, carried more force than before.
But—
A fireball!
Jin had to dash aside as flames exploded where he had been standing.
The Orc Shaman appeared.
His body was covered in symbols, his staff burning with fire.
Jin (grim):
"A mage…"
Waves of flames rained down one after another.
He couldn't approach easily. Burns spread across his body, and his breathing grew heavy.
But he didn't retreat.
He began using the environment—rapid movement, leaps, slides, swift cuts that eliminated the ordinary orcs one by one—until only the shaman remained.
Jin gathered his aura around his body, not as armor… but as propulsion.
He charged straight through the wave of fire.
Pain burned across his skin—but he made it through.
A horizontal slash!
The staff shattered.
The shaman screamed, but the following thrust ended everything.
Jin dropped to one knee, breathing roughly.
Jin:
"…Fire… really is annoying."
[System]
Third Trial Cleared.
Fourth and Fifth Trials
[System]
Fourth Trial Cleared.
Fifth Trial Cleared.
Tower City
Jin finished his day and stepped forward, finding himself in a massive city.
Buildings in medieval style, paved roads, banners, and bustling markets filled with people.
It was the city of the First Floor.
He was covered in blood, his wounds clearly visible.
He entered the nearest tavern.
Inside the Tavern
He sat at a wooden table and placed a cup in front of him.
Tavern Owner:
"Looks like you entered the Tower recently."
Jin (taking a sip):
"Is it that obvious?"
The man laughed.
Tavern Owner:
"Veterans don't come out of trials looking like that."
Jin gestured toward a corner of the tavern.
Jin:
"…A television?"
A crystal screen was displaying Tower news.
Tavern Owner:
"The Tower System.
It has its own society, laws, economy…
Once you enter, you're part of it."
Jin slowly nodded.
Inn Room – Night
Jin sat on the bed and opened his rewards.
100 Mana Stones (slightly above lowest grade)
10 Low-grade Stones
1 Medium-grade Stone
20,000 Tower Credits
Jin:
"Excellent."
Status Window
The translucent black window appeared, its golden frame more stable than before.
Name: Kim Suho
Age: 17
Class: Magic Swordsman
Lv: 20
Mana: 85
Strength: 23
Endurance: 50
Agility: 55
Intelligence: 25
Remaining Points: 0
He began circulating his mana. The sensation of heat returned—
but this time, it was under control.
Time passed.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Jin:
"…I'll sleep now.
Tomorrow…
I'll sell the mana stones and learn more about this world."
He turned off the lamp.