11 Tower 69

[: 3rd POV :]

It might seem strange why Daniel gave away a diamond coin.

It's even more surprising, especially since he's the kind that wouldn't lend help towards others unless there's a benefit for him.

To be accurate, he chooses to leave a good impression because of the girl, Bella.

'When her identity was revealed, many questioned why she became a receptionist in a shop nearby the tower, and I too questioned.'

'But the reason behind this is quite simple...still, leaving a good first impression is enough.'

'What will happen in the future, I will leave it up to the future me.'

'It's still too early to make contact with her. When the time comes, surely I'll lend help.'

With a last look at the shop, he entered the tower.

While he walked, there were bustling hunters, but the air crackled with murmurs of contempt.

It was directed towards Daniel, who was daring enough to enter the tower.

But some begrudgingly accepted the new Earthling, while others clung vehemently to their frustration.

Nevertheless, they remained silent, afraid of challenging the Divine beings' decree.

In the midst of all the chaos, Daniel remained calm.

Although they were looking at him with disapproval, he didn't let it bother him.

Their dislike couldn't shake his resolution.

Moreover, he was used to this kind of negativity, and he had more important things to focus on than caring about what these people thought.

Ignoring the hateful looks, he walked towards the entrance of the tower.

[: Which floor would you like to partake in? Able to choose from Stage 1 to Stage 999 :]

"Stage 69," he answered and immediately, his body transferred to the said floor.

Contrasting the dungeon's dimness, the tower's floors gleamed with cleanliness.

Torches flanked the walls, their flames casting a glow that illuminated the path ahead.

Each floor of the tower bore a distinct personality.

However, this floor, in particular, stretched like an endless open field.

Before him, a solitary passage invited him into the unknown.

Stepping into the entrance, his footsteps echoed an eerie rhythm that accompanied him deeper.

As he got closer to the end, he heard a loud and chaotic sound of metal dragging and clashing.

Aware of what caused the sound, he sprinted madly and jumped upon nearing the end of the entrance.

What greeted his sight were mobs of Skeleton Warriors at Level 69 amassed, their hollow sockets and bony forms an eerie assembly.

With a smirk that brimmed with defiance, Daniel taunted, "Good morning, fuckers," his raised middle finger that was a symbol of his hatred.

His anger ignited within him, driving his actions forward.

He leapt, clasping his hands in a fervent grip, channels of radiant energy flowing into his palms.

As he landed, his plans gleamed, and he infused the ground with concentrated light.

*Boom*

A brilliant explosion occurred as it engulfed the area.

It was a cataclysmic burst that obliterated the skeleton horde.

The very air quivered, and the ground trembled beneath the might of his unleashed power.

As the brightness faded, it became clear that Daniel had overwhelmingly won.

[: You have killed 20 F Rank Skeleton Warriors and have obtained 6900 Exp(+400%) :]

[: You have obtained 20 F Rank Monster Cores and 5 Silver Coins :]

Eventually, Daniel's attention turned to a specific spot on the wall.

It didn't look special, but it held the key he needed.

He gently touched the wall, feeling a bit unsure.

"Could this be it?"

He wondered quietly, examining the strong surface that stood in front of him.

This was the entrance he was looking for, hidden within something ordinary.

He stared at the plain wall, and to anyone watching, he might seem strange for focusing on a seemingly regular wall.

However, appearances can be deceiving.

What would amaze anyone who saw the truth was that behind this unassuming wall was the mystery he was seeking. 

With the Scroll Distortion of Illusion in hand, he pressed it against the wall.

The scroll lit up brightly before breaking into a burst of energy, tearing the illusion apart.

He felt incredibly elated.

His excitement was obvious as he looked at the uncovered passage, a spiral staircase leading to the unknown.

Without thinking twice, he went down the stairs and was amazed by what he saw.

It might have been spooky for some people, but Daniel wasn't scared.

He walked with confidence.

"Seeing this for the first time, it's pretty astonishing," he said out loud, surprised.

At first, Daniel only knew the strategy to beat this part of the stage, but he didn't know what the place looked like.

Within this realm of the tower, Daniel found himself encircled by statues, each an embodiment of otherworldly allure.

Figures cast in stone portrayed myriad forms, a convergence of knights' valour, devils' intrigue, and the ghostly grace of the Atlantean race.

Yet, the centrepiece was most captivating.

A statue seated upon a throne.

Covered in robes with a crown on its head.

Shadows traced the outlines of its eyes and lips, lending an air of mystery, while an aura of authority emanated from its form.

Amidst this gallery of artistry, the middle statue stood as a guardian.

'I never thought I would be looking at this book again.'

'This wasn't told by 'him' or didn't he recognize it?'

Daniel thought as he gazed at the book that the statue was holding, and it held a 5-leaf clover as its interior on the front page.

Who wouldn't know about the 5 Leaf Clover Book?

It was one of the items sought by Magicians called the Grimoire, a book that allows magicians to utilize spells that are beyond their handling or understanding as long as one has the mana capacity to execute it.

But each grimoire has its specialty and they were graded by how many clovers it possessed.

While 1 to 3 Leaf Clovers are rare and common, a 4-lead clover isn't as easy as finding a needle in a haystack.

A 5-leaf clover can only be obtained through special means.

However, since the statue only held a replication, Daniel's excitement died out.

'It's quite surprising to see a 5-leaf clover at the hands of a statue'

'And this doesn't make sense at all.'

He scratched his head. S

uddenly, a familiar tablet caught Daniel's eyes near the statue, and oddly, he could read the language as though it was purposely written for him to read.

"The 1st command: One shall not be above the sky."

"The 2nd Command: One shall not defy the laws of heaven."

"The 3rd Command: He or She will sing and praise the name of his God."

"The 4th Command: He who lives for his god is better than those who live for nothing."

"The 5th Command: Happiness is only a moment, but sacrifice is for a lifetime."

Daniel read and his conclusions about these commandments were stupid.

"What a load of crap, and aren't you enjoying this too much?"

Daniel said, and it felt like his words were directed at someone.

Slowly, he lifted his head and directly gazed towards the statue who was holding the clover book.

Now, instead of the statue smiling eerily, it was Daniel who was smiling creepily.