Chapter 44: D rank
Thud!
"Damn it, Tower!!"
Ethan groaned as he hit the floor, rubbing his sore backside. Not even a warning this time? Seriously?
Before he could properly curse, the system's notification chimed in.
{Giver, brace yourself. You are about to rank up.}
Wait—what? At least let me prepare my mind—
"ARGHHH!!"
A deep, guttural groan tore from his throat as the process began.
Mana flooded his surroundings, swirling in thick waves before slamming into his body like an unstoppable tide. His muscles tensed as they absorbed the raw energy, growing denser, stronger. His heart pounded furiously, each beat reverberating in his skull.
"This better be worth the pain—ARGH! DAMN IT!!"
He gritted his teeth as the mana drilled into his very being, strengthening not just his body, but his mind. His thoughts became sharper, his memory clearer—an undeniable boon, if not for the excruciating agony that came with it.
The torment continued.
Meanwhile, Somewhere in the Tower…
Far above, in a place untouched by any climber, a silver-haired woman sat gracefully, a delicate cup of tea resting in her hands.
Her luminous white eyes were fixed on Ethan, a small, intrigued smile curling on her lips.
"Fascinating," she mused, her voice a soft melody in the silence.
"I have never seen such an ability before… A power that grants talent? Bloodlines? How absurdly overpowered."
Vaelith, the Tower's Will, sipped her tea, her interest in the boy growing with each passing second.
She had witnessed countless climbers—warriors, mages, prodigies, even beings blessed by gods. Yet none of them wielded an ability like Ethan's.
Unlike her, who could bestow titles, skills, and rewards only when climbers earned them, Ethan's power seemed… unrestricted. No conditions, no prerequisites. He granted abilities as if reality itself bent to his whims.
And that was dangerous.
"I thought you were just another pawn in Their game," she murmured, referring to the meddlesome old monsters who treated her Tower like their playground.
"But no… You are far too unpredictable for that."
Vaelith chuckled, an unfamiliar warmth filling her chest.
For as long as she could remember, she had been alone. Bound to the Tower, watching over its trials, rewarding those who passed, punishing those who failed. A ceaseless cycle of duty.
Even her name—Vaelith—was something she gave herself, a desperate attempt to be more than just the Tower's Will.
Yet, despite all her power, she was a prisoner. Trapped in a space no one could step foot in—not because they were forbidden, but because they simply weren't worthy.
Not a single being had reached her floor.
Not one.
But now… Ethan.
His power was unlike anything she had ever encountered. If there was anyone in existence who could reach her, it was him.
Hope flickered in her usually indifferent gaze.
And for the first time in an eternity, Vaelith made a choice.
"I will protect you."
With a wave of her hand, unseen forces twisted around Ethan's presence, veiling his existence from prying eyes. No god, no demon, no entity would sense his potential until he was ready.
"Grow stronger," she whispered. "Come to me, Ethan. I will be waiting."
A soft breeze stirred the air, and for the first time in centuries, Vaelith felt anticipation.
…
Back to Ethan…
"Huff… Huff…"
Ethan lay flat on his back, his chest rising and falling in exhaustion, staring at the sky while mentally cursing the Tower to hell and back.
His body felt different. Stronger.
He was now officially a D-rank being.
Nothing too grand in the bigger picture, but—it was progress.
Groaning, he sat up—
And immediately gagged.
"What the fuck is that smell?!"
A rotten stench filled the air, like a thousand-year-old corpse mixed with sulfur.
Looking down, he saw a thick black substance coating his body—Impurities.
A byproduct of every rank-up. The body purging what was weak and unnecessary, making mana flow smoother, breathing easier, thoughts clearer.
With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a ball of water, washing himself clean before donning a new robe—white, adorned with elegant green patterns resembling a forest.
Satisfied, he took a deep breath.
"Alright. Time to check my profile."
'System, show me my profile.'
[Profile: Ethan Yagami]
• Age: 15
• Rank: D-
• Talent: Heart of Benevolence (B-Grade)
• Titles: The Mortal Worshipped by Gods, The Absolute Tycoon, Savior of the People, The One Protected by the Tower, The One Whose Mysteries Elude the Tower
• Affinity: Water (S-Grade), Sound (S-Grade)
• Trait: Eye of Judgment
• Attributes:
• Strength: D
• Agility: D-
• Constitution: D
• Perception: D
• Mana: D+
• Intelligence: C
• Inventory:
• Platinum Coins (x99,999,999)
• Cinderheart of the Eternal Dragon (Stage-3 God)
• Eye of Sagacity (Legendary)
• Hand of Midas (Legendary)
• Key of Soul Realm
• Blood of the Eternal Phoenix of Red (Stage-3 God)
• Supreme Talents: Monarch of Kings, World Tree's Blessing
• Supreme+ Talent: Death's Friend
• Mythical Bloodline: Lover of the Queen of Nature Spirits
• S-Grade Cards: Armor & Weapons
• S-Grade Question Vouchers (x?)
• Skills:
• Talent Skills:
• Aura of Devotion (Passive) – Your presence commands peace, trust, and respect.
• Gift of Benevolence (Active) – When you give something, you may create a duplicate for yourself.
• Divine Sanctuary (Active) – Your barrier can now protect multiple people.
• Acquired Skills:
• Eye of Discernment (Passive - B Grade)
• Mind Prison (Passive - S Grade)
• Lord's Voice (S Grade-Mastery: Beginner)
• Water Maker (S grade- Mastery: Beginner)
Ethan grinned.
Only on the 5th floor, and he had already gained so much.
"At this rate… who knows what I'll have by the 10th?"
And that's when I awaken my Class.
He clenched his fist, excitement coursing through him.
I have to prepare.
I need to awaken a powerful class.
"I can't wait."
Then, he remembered something.
His last two trials had granted him "the loyalty of those he saved." But weren't the people in trials just fabrications?
"Tower, I have a question."
{Yes.}
"The additional rewards from my last trials—what do they mean?"
{An S-rank Question Voucher is required for this information.}
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Tsk. Fine, take it."
A moment of silence. Then—
{The people you saved were real. They were once citizens of the Tower.}
Ethan froze.
{Long before the Tower connected to other realms, it already had inhabitants. My people. And when they died, they were given a choice—to remain gone, or become part of a climber's trial. When a climber saves them, they return to life.}
Ethan's mind reeled.
So those people… that kingdom… the city… they weren't just illusions?
They were real.
And now, because of him, they were alive again.
A slow, genuine smile crept onto his face.
"…I see."
"But it's my first time hearing this information. Why ? I don't think a S grade question voucher is that hard to acquire."
{The Tower reveals its secrets whoever it wants. You are one of the few dozens who know this information.}
"Oh okay…"
What a sassy tower.
A thought then flickered in his mind.
He was going to find them.
Or perhaps, they would find him first.
—End of Chapter 44—