Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 17: A Stranger's Deal and the Secret of the Tower
The sun was beginning to set behind the high walls of the 6th Floor City. Golden rays streaked across the cobblestone streets, painting the city in hues of orange and crimson. Lee Hwan sat quietly at a rooftop edge, overlooking the bustling town below, his mind focused on the remaining tasks. Only 41 players left to defeat. 9 days remaining.
He opened his system window and checked his current stats.
Level: 67
Strength: 202
Speed: 181
Mana: 1127
Unused Attribute Points: 0
Skills:
Dragon Summon (Lv. 3) [2 Dragons – Lvl 66 Each] Flame Burst (Lv. 5) Dragon Aura (Lv. 4) Shadow Step (Lv. 3) Eye of the Dragon (Lv. 6)
He had achieved the Private Quest condition and had received a new notification a few hours ago:
Ding!
[Hidden Skill Unlocked: Monarch's Dominion – Lv. 1]
[Description: As a vessel who has matched the physical prowess of ancient monarchs, you can exert partial control over lesser beings in your aura radius. Effective only on targets lower-leveled than your dragons.]
But before he could test it…
A strange voice called from the shadows behind him.
"You've made quite the mess down there, Dragon Vessel."
Lee Hwan turned his head slowly.
A man in a grey cloak leaned casually against the rooftop railing. His face was partially covered, but his voice was smooth and calm.
Lee narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The man smiled beneath his mask. "Let's just say I'm… someone who doesn't like the rules of this Tower."
[??? – Unknown Level]
[Affiliation: ???]
[Title: Guide of the Forgotten Floor]
Lee's fingers twitched slightly. He didn't like how the system couldn't identify him.
The man continued. "I know why you're here. Why the Tower is pushing you so fast. You're not just a vessel… You're a Catalyst."
"…Catalyst?"
The cloaked man nodded. "The Tower doesn't just test you. It's trying to evolve you. You're being groomed for something much bigger — the collapse of the current monarch system."
Lee stayed quiet, but his gaze sharpened.
"You think I'm supposed to believe you?" he asked.
The man chuckled. "Believe what you want. But I can offer you something real."
He opened a small golden scroll and held it out.
[Secret Side Quest Available – Enter the Forgotten Floor]
[Condition: Defeat 100 Players on 6th Floor within 10 Days]
[Reward: ??? + Access to the Forgotten Floor (??? Difficulty)]
Lee Hwan didn't take the scroll just yet. "What's on the Forgotten Floor?"
The stranger's eyes gleamed. "Truths the monarchs buried. About the Tower. About the vessels. About what happens after the 100th floor."
He stepped back into the shadows.
"You'll get there… if you survive."
And then he was gone. No sound, no trace. Not even the system marked his exit.
Lee Hwan stared at the scroll. For the first time, a path diverged.
One led to power.
The other led to answers.
He smirked and gripped the scroll tightly.
"I'll take both."
Ding!
[Quest Accepted – Forgotten Floor Unlocked Upon Completion]
The next morning, he stood once more at the center of the dueling arena, the crowd louder than ever. Word had spread that he had defeated a ranker.
But now, Lee wasn't just chasing a level.
He was chasing the truth.