[You are the first player to enter the 8th floor!] [Welcome to 8-1F, Field of Trials.] [You have gained the first entrance rewards.] Your bones have become sturdier. Your muscles have become thicker. Your spirit power capacity has increased.

[The news of your advancement will be announced to all players in 12-36 hours.] [You have reached the tower’s middle stage.] [You may advance to 8-2F when you reach the end of the Field of Trials.] [Be careful! The end of the Field of Trials contains those who despise outsiders. They will attempt to hinder your advancement and will only acknowledge you when you reach the end through every obstacle.]

I arrived at the 8th floor, or more precisely, floor 8-1. Strictly speaking, I had climbed about 40% of the tower now. However, it could also be considered 60-70% since one would climb much faster after the 9th floor. In the original story, the 9th-14th floors ended in about 7 chapters. About half of those chapters had to do with the 9th floor’s calamities.

“Huu…”

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes to the beautiful scenery. A vast grass field, a clear blue sky, and sunlight streaming down through the clouds. Then I examined aether fused with my body.

[Aether Enhanced with Neurotech Chip – Awakened, Fused] [Mystic – Formless] [Evolving] A corporeal, but formless weapon. Will adhere to its master or their weapon, reinforcing their strength. A mystical elemental’s power has partially awakened its potential.

— Master Selection: Will not adhere to another being after it gains a master. — Physical Body Reinforcement: Will increase its owner’s variable stats by 0.7 points. — Weapon Reinforcement: Will adhere to its master’s weapon and strengthen the weapon’s attack power. Aether itself can also form a weapon. (Current weapon rank – high rank) — Detail Materialization: Aether can manifest color and texture (cannot be too complex). — Evolving Weapon: All of the above functions will evolve along with the owner. Other functions may develop depending on aether’s state of awakening.

▷Mysteries of Science: Aether has become connected to your veins and internal organs after fusing with the neurotech chip. — Internal Strengthening: Will increase physical stats by 1.4 points. — Battle Sense: Aether can support you in battle. — Mechanical Movement: You may concentrate kinetic energy to parts of your body.

I experienced aether’s new benefits as I tracked Jin Sahyuk.

“It feels amazing.”

The new aether completely changed my body. I felt it when I sniped Jin Sahyuk. Humans couldn’t possibly shoot from 3 kilometers away. The same applied to superhumans in this world. That’s why archers used magic arrows with almost no air resistance.

However, I could hit such a target with a physical arrow. This couldn’t be explained with just a gift. Seeing the target was one thing, but one’s bowstring also had to be strong enough. The strength needed to pull the arrow also drastically increased. Such a shot would be impossible without aether.

My body moved like a machine after it fused with the neurotech chip. I easily surpassed my previous power with the new mechanical movement skill and could feel an invisible force helping me move.

“By the way, can I take this with me when I return to Earth?” I asked the system.

[Yes. A few special items acquired from the tower may be brought to the outside world.] [TIP! The same applies to the mysterious pouch in your inventory.]

“Thanks. That’s good to know.”

My strength greatly increased with this. Let’s worry about the outside world later and focus on clearing the 8th floor. I surveyed my surroundings and muttered.

“Summon.”

A black clump of light descended from the sky and transformed into a black horse.

— Prrr.

Sannuri snorted unhappily and seemed drenched in warm water.

“Were you taking a bath?”

— Prr.

She narrowed her eyes and nodded.

“Sorry, but I need you right now.”

I took out the special armor I made for her from dark ores. Each piece easily reached Lv.5. Click, click. Chest, back, head… Soon, the armor covered most of her body. I also fed her a body strengthening medicine.

“All done. How is it?”

— Prrr, prrr.

Her eyes smiled at me.

“Nuri, this field stretches for about 200 kilometers.”

We just had to travel to the end of this field. Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. The world looked beautiful at the starting line, but the earth would turn black, the sky would turn red, and powerful magic blasts would rain on us as we proceeded forward. However, I believed in Sannuri.

“You think you can do it?”

— Prrrrr.

As expected, Sannuri confidently replied. I had to do one last thing and took out the [Special Skill Acquisition Book – Lv.4 Algorithm] from my inventory.

“Use.”

I learned it without hesitation. With this skill, aether would reach a new level of power.

[You have acquired Lv.4 Algorithm.]

[Lv.4 Algorithm] [Your equipment will become stronger and more precise.] [You may now set or change your body’s physical response algorithm.]

“Algorithm set, aether, automatic defense.”

[Aether has connected to your body.] [Aether will now automatically defend against hostile attacks.]

“Algorithm set, aether, skill delegation, [Extraction and Permanent Materialization].”

[Aether has been delegated a skill.]

Aether should protect me from any attacks now. I looked forward to testing its power and jumped on Sannuri.

“Nuri, run to the end of this world!”

— Prrrr!

She responded enthusiastically and I didn’t worry at all as I pulled on her reins.

— Hiiing!

Sannuri shot forward like the wind as the scenery changed and arrows rained on us. However, she masterfully zigzagged and aether blocked any attacks that she couldn’t avoid.

“Hiyaa!”

She reacted to my spirited shout as magic cannon shells hurled towards us from the horizon. They wanted to blow up the ground to stop us.

Aether reacted first this time. It crystallized the magic cannon shells with [Extraction and Permanent Materialization] before they touched the ground. The explosives no longer posed a threat and Sannuri continued forward without any hindrance.

Meanwhile, I stared into the horizon at the ones firing arrows and magic.

“Wait a minute.” I suddenly felt weak and drowsy as the world spun.

Why is there an illusion circle there? My mind fell into chaos the moment I saw it.

“Urgh…”

I wouldn’t have normally fallen for such a thing, but my thousand-mile eyes could see it clearer than anyone else. My body began to shut down. I had to quickly drink a potion, but I couldn’t remember which one. My head turned blank as I leaned against Sannuri’s back. Thankfully, aether’s automatic defense continued and Sannuri remained unhurt. I could only trust them until I woke up…

***

[Lv.8 Chameleon Troupe’s Hideout]

Players in Prestige thought this building belonged to a rich NPC. It looked the most beautiful besides Medea’s palace. The Chameleon Troupe members talked about the rest day suggested by the main guilds.

“Are you also returning?” Boss asked Jain.

“Yep. Ah, take a look at this, Boss.” Jain grinned and took out a small box filled with shiny jewels.

“What are those?”

“Jewels I can take out of the tower.”

Players called such items effective goods. They could be sold for high prices and most were either ores or gemstones. Jain bought the gemstones from the auction house and turned them into jewels.

“What are they good for?”

“I’m going to keep a few for viewing and turn the rest into necklaces and other accessories.”

“Ask Hajin to do that for you.”

Hajin’s craftsmanship surpassed most artisans.

“Ah, good idea.”

“Where’s Gyeong and Jin Yohan?”

“Cheok Jungyeong is training his special skill right now. I think it was called Special March? Jin Yohan’s been having fun training a basic skill too, so I don’t think either plan on leaving.”

Boss nodded and briefly pondered before looking at her messenger.

Extra7: Boss, don’t skimp out and make sure to buy the 5000 TP chip on the 7th floor. You can visit the bank there and tell them my name. I left a currency called cash for you, so you can immediately buy an 8th floor ticket.

Tap, tap. Spartan’s eyes suddenly shot open as Boss typed a response with her inexperienced fingers.

“PIEEEEEK!”

“Kyaak!”

Jain jumped at Spartan’s sudden shriek and fell on her butt. However, Spartan didn’t stop.

“PIEEEK! PIEEEK!”

“W-What’s going on? What’s wrong with him?”

“PIEEEEEEK!”

Jain blocked her ears and tried to drown out the sound as Boss calmly examined him. PIEEEK— PIEEEK— Spartan shrieked and pulled on her clothes. He wanted to take her somewhere.

“What’s…”

A bad feeling suddenly struck her. She quickly opened her friend list and checked Extra7’s location.

[Current location – ???F]

The question marks meant he was at least on the 7th floor. Spartan must be going crazy because he lost connection with his master.

“Don’t tell me…”

The small ripple in Boss’ heart quickly grew bigger.

“Jain, wait for me here.”

“What? Why? What happened?”

Boss didn’t reply. She hadn’t looked so serious in 3 years as she tore up the ticket to the 7th floor.

***

[6F, Splendor]

Woong. Magic power undulated like falling cherry blossom petals. A longsword transformed into several blades and stabbed a black bear. Neck, stomach, arm, leg… every body part that touched the longsword immediately froze. The bear’s injury would’ve been critical for a human.

KUOOO!

However, the [Lv.6 Gem Black Bear] continued to move and brandished its claw against the opponent. Clang! The longsword clashed with its claw and magic power exploded on impact. KWANG! The explosion erupted in front of the black bear’s face and ended the fight.

“Hua.”

Chae Nayun wiped her sweat with a sigh as the mountain-sized bear fell next to her. She had chased that monster for 2 days before finally killing it. Her growth speed had undoubtedly increased inside the tower.

Chae Nayun turned away without much thought when a system window popped up.

[Please pick up the items?]

“Hm?”

She turned back after hearing the system message. Indeed, an item list appeared above the bear’s corpse.

“Oh right, thanks.”

She thanked the system and placed the items inside her inventory.

[Lv.5 Invitation Letter to the Love Room] Summoning: You may summon a chosen player to your location. Note: You cannot be on a battlefield when using this item.

[Lv.3 Infinitely Multiplying Origami Letter] Lv.3 Delivery of Feelings: You may send a letter to a player whenever you wish.

[Lv.6 Black Bear’s Gall Bladder Gem] Lv.5 Medicine: Will increase your stats upon consumption.

Consumable items that randomly dropped from monsters like the [Heart-Piercing Magnifying Glass] and [Card of Fate] often had amazing effects.

“Are these any good?”

The items this time didn’t seem all that useful to her. She didn’t want to summon anyone or send any letters.

“Guess I’ll sell everything other than the gall bladder…”

A flash of insight struck her as she prepared to leave. She recalled why she had entered the Tower of Wish.

“…”

Chae Nayun looked at the [Invitation Letter to the Love Room].

You may summon a chosen player to your location.

She thought of only one person and clenched her teeth after staring at the item with trembling eyes.

“I don’t even know his nickname.”

Chae Nayun blamed her stupidity and walked back to her companions. She left the Dark King Mountain Range and headed towards the Hot Spring of Peace.

Soon, she discovered Yi Jiyoon and Kim Suho busily chatting. She almost called out when she overheard their conversation and quickly hid.

— Really?

Kim Suho looked surprised as Yi Jiyoon made a mischievous face.

— Yeah, really.

— Wow, haha.

Kim Suho laughed in astonishment.

What are they talking about? Chae Nayun wondered. However, the words that followed made her speechless.

— Hajin actually came to see Chae Nayun?

— Ah, quiet! Keep your voice down. It’s still a secret.

***

I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. Why was there a ceiling on floor 8-1?

“…?”

And why was I lying on such a comfortable surface? A blanket even covered me in bed.

Where am I? I couldn’t have died since the system didn’t alert me.

“You’re awake?”

A low, scary voice rang out. I glanced at a muscular man standing by the door.

“Who are you?”

“If it were up to me, I would’ve let an outsider like you die, but…”

The man mumbled something that had nothing to do with my question. This guy… acted like a true NPC.

“Consider yourself lucky. The Ironblood Duchess wished to keep you alive.”

“Ironblood Duchess?” I asked with genuine curiosity. Who the hell was that?

“Right.”

“Er, who’s… or rather, where am I?”

“This is the Crevon Frontier.”

“…?”

I fell into greater confusion. Crevon was the second residential area, a civilized world with magic and science. Furthermore, I needed to protect the World’s End Bridge located at the eastern end of this residential area.

“How’s your body?”

The NPC suddenly asked. I checked his information before replying.

[Lv.8 Royal Guard]

“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

“Then get up. The Ironblood Duchess wishes to see you.”

“… Yes, sir.”

I got up without much thought. I should find out about this Ironblood Duchess and how I arrived here.

“Oh right.”

I suddenly recalled Bucephalus as we came out into the hallway. I most likely survived because of her.

“Where’s my horse?”

“In the stables.”

“Is she getting along?”

“No, she’s quite the violent one and kicked out all the other horses. She’s galloping around the front lawn right now.”

“Cough, sorry.”

I wouldn’t have believed him if he said she got along with common horses. Only a horse on a similar level like Red Hare could meet her eyes. I continued following the NPC.

However, we kept walking for several minutes and opened door after door. Was this a maze or some sort of a prison? We finally arrived at a giant door.

“It is my honor!”

The NPC greeted the two knights guarding the door.

[Lv.12 Moonlight Knight]

The two knights in full armor lightly nodded.

“You may leave.”

“Yes!”

The NPC respectfully left as the knights grabbed the doorknob.

“The Ironblood Duchess wishes to…”

— Geez, just let him in already.

An annoyed voice rang out from the other side before the knights could finish. They awkwardly coughed and opened the door.

“You may enter.”

I walked through to a rather informal and empty reception room despite the flamboyant decorations on my way here. A person sat at the head of a long table in the center.

“Hiya.”

My mind turned blank when she spoke.

“… Eh?”

I couldn’t think of anything as though my brain had malfunctioned.

“Where’s your reply?”

“Eh?”

Slightly brown skin, an athletic figure, and a beautiful foreign look. The woman in front of me looked unfamiliar, yet I knew her all too well.

“Heh, I’m… hehe, the Ironblood… hehe, Ironblood Duchess.”

I stood dumbstruck as she introduced herself as the Ironblood Duchess. How was she here? She shouldn’t be here! My head spun with countless questions.

“Don’t tell me you don’t remember me?”

I didn’t reply. I couldn’t understand what was happening.

“We went to school together.”

A single question filled my head. How was she here?