Chapter 47: The Allholder
Ethan lay sprawled on the ground, breathing heavily. The taste of mana lingered on his tongue as the S-grade potion worked its magic, restoring his energy. His muscles ached, but there was a sense of satisfaction buried beneath the exhaustion.
His first real fight. And without being arrogant—he nailed it.
Fighting wasn't something he enjoyed, but talent coursed through his veins, inherited like a birthright. Yet, he had squandered it for years, choosing laziness over discipline.
But now, battle was unavoidable. And like a blade finally drawn, his talent had begun to shine.
"Ah… that was good," Ethan muttered, staring up at the endless ceiling. "But let's avoid fights if we can. Too exhausting."
He sighed. Combat was nerve-racking, annoying. Not his thing.
Still, rewards awaited.
'System, show me my rewards.'
[Silent Steps (B-grade): A footwork technique that utilizes the sound element to mask yourself. Your steps become silent, your presence fades. You move as if you are part of the world itself.]
[Great Swordsman Academy's Token (A-grade): Grants instant admission to the 10th floor's finest academy—no tests required.]
Ethan sat up, rolling the token between his fingers. "An academy, huh?" He shook his head. "Not interested."
What would he even do there? Waste time? He tossed the token into his inventory like trash. An item any swordsman would die for, but to him, meaningless.
His eyes narrowed. "Now that I think about it… I got a trait in the third trial. Eye of Judgment, right?"
'System, show me its details.'
[Eye of Judgment (Trait): You can see if a person is good or bad based on your moral compass.]
Ethan frowned. "That's the skill you asked for my sight in exchange for…"
"And the Tower gives it to me just like that. System you should take exemple of that."
"And what is a trait ?"
[A trait is something one is born with or earns through actions. It requires no mana, but activating it may drain stamina or mental power.]
[Your trait, Eye of Judgment, is activated through mental power.]
[It is bound to your soul. It will follow you through death and rebirth.]
[Some traits are unique, existing only once in all time. They are rare, powerful.]
[Your trait is not unique. Many possess it.]
"Oh? So there are truly multiple ways to gain power in fact…" Ethan's lips curled into a smirk. "We can have multiple traits, right?"
[Yes.]
"And I can create or purchase traits?"
[Yes, Host.]
Ethan grinned. Perfect.
With that, he shut his eyes and drifted into a deep, well-earned sleep.
Two more trials. Then, the 10th floor. Then, he would reunite with his loved ones.
He smiled.
⸻
After a good rest, Ethan awoke, refreshed and ready. He ate a nutritious meal, stretching his limbs before issuing his command.
"Tower, start the eighth trial."
{You are being transported.}
The world around him dissolved.
When it reformed, Ethan found himself in a vast white space, filled with mirrors.
The ground. The walls. The ceiling. Everything was reflective.
His own image stared back at him—hundreds, thousands of reflections. The sight sent a strange shiver down his spine.
{Eighth Trial: The Trial of the Mirrored Self.}
{Description: Battle the perfect copy of yourself. But this version never gives. He takes everything. His hunger for all things between heaven and earth is endless.}
{Victory is the only option.}
{Failure means the mirrored version of you will take your place.}
{Rewards: SS-grade Question Voucher, Fire Affinity (B-Grade).}
{Good luck, O Giver.}
Ethan clicked his tongue. "Troublesome."
Then, the presence appeared.
A young man—his perfect copy.
His mirrored self.
But there was one difference. The eyes.
Not green.
Black. Bottomless. A void that devoured everything.
"Oh? Finally." The mirrored Ethan grinned, stretching his arms like a prisoner tasting freedom. "I've been waiting."
Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?"
His copy didn't answer.
He attacked.
Dozens of concentrated water spheres shot forward at terrifying speed.
Ethan reacted instantly—dodging what he could, forming a water barrier with his left hand to absorb the rest. With his right, he counterattacked, sending a tidal surge forward.
Then—
His own attack was absorbed.
And thrown back at him.
"Wha—?"
BOOM!
Pain exploded in his chest as he was sent crashing into the mirrored wall, coughing blood.
"Are you seriously asking how?" His copy laughed, stepping forward, his aura decaying the space itself. "Did the Tower not warn you?"
Ethan gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright.
"You take everything… even skills?"
His mirrored self smirked. "Think, my dear other self." He spread his arms. "You give. So why wouldn't I take?"
"We are the same."
"Everything you give, I take."
Ethan's breath came short. His heart pounded.
How do you beat an opponent like this?
"KNEEL."
BOOM.
Ethan's knees slammed into the mirrored ground.
Damn it. He had been too distracted. Too injured.
His copy conjured a water sword, his black eyes gleaming with dark joy.
This was it.
The mirror self would take his place.
Would live his life.
Would have everything he had built.
No.
Not today. And certainly not tomorrow.
A sound barrier. A water barrier. Both conjured simultaneously.
CLANG!
The strike met resistance, reverberating through the space. His copy was forced back a step—just enough.
Ethan reached into his inventory, chugging an SS-grade healing potion. His wounds closed. He drank an SS-grade mana potion, energy flooding back.
Across from him, his mirror self trembled with fury.
"Fuck. I was so close."
Meanwhile, Ethan's mind was racing.
This was never about just winning a fight.
It was about understanding himself.
The Tower was forcing him to face the truth.
He had always called himself The Giver.
Yet, deep down, he knew—he wanted everything.
Power. People. Things he had no need for. Things that were forbidden.
He lusted for it all.
He had told himself he accepted this part of him.
But he had never truly lived it.
He only gave. He never took.
Because he had feared himself.
Feared that once he started taking, he would never stop.
But…
Why was he afraid?
Give. Take.
They were two sides of the same truth.
He gave everything.
So why wouldn't he take?
Everything belonged to him.
Everything he desired.
His heart steadied. His mind clear as a crystal.
A realization settled into his bones.
He was not just The Giver.
He was also The Taker.
He was the balance.
He was Sovereign.
DING!
DING!
[You have awakened your Intent: The Grand Accord.]
The Tower's voice resonated.
{You have passed your trial.}
{You have understood your true self.}
{You have been granted a main title—one that will be known throughout the Tower and beyond.}
{You are now: The Allholder.}
[Your talent has evolved to: The Infinite Claimant (SSS-grade).]
{You are being transported to the rest zone.}
Ethan vanished.
Behind him, his mirrored self began to fade.
Erased.
Because Ethan was whole — and only one could remain.
—End of Chapter 47—