A holographic timer flickered in the center of my room, its soft blue light cutting through the dimness.
"[Time Remaining: 43 days 21 hours 38 minutes 14 seconds.]"
There was still a significant window before the 4th Floor opened, and humanity was using every second to prepare for the transition. A few days ago, the Tower had released official data regarding the next challenge. Just like the Floor before it, this was going to be a Merged Floor, but with a twist that sent the markets into a frenzy: an entirely underwater environment. The scale was mind-boggling. This aquatic world was reportedly three times the size of Earth. Even with thousands of Rankers entering at once, the chances of running into someone from another country were slim, though the Tower always found a way to make the impossible happen.
The timeline was moving much faster than the game I remembered from my VR days. Beings were making moves and shadows were shifting well ahead of schedule, yet the nature of the Floors themselves remained a constant. I knew exactly what was coming, which meant I knew exactly what I needed to survive the crushing depths.
While the rest of the world scrambled to buy up every copy of [Water Breathing] and similar utility Skills, I had my own set of problems to solve. Being blacklisted by the RMB meant I was no longer just fighting monsters; I was a target for every S-Rank with a hero complex or a grudge. My current Skills were top-tier, but my physical body and skill levels were still lagging behind the sheer power I was trying to wield.
I pulled up the System Store, watching the coins dwindle as I made a massive investment.
"[Notice: Thank you for your purchase! You have obtained +30 Skill-Scrolls. A total of 165,000 Coins have been deducted!]"
It was a painful amount to spend, but thanks to the mountain of treasure I had liquidated from Melchior's vault, I had the capital to play with. I didn't hesitate, ripping through the scrolls and pouring the raw knowledge directly into my existing abilities.
"[Notice: You have used +3 Skill-Scrolls on the L-Rank, 'Heavenly Demon's Technique'. You have upgraded the Skill 'Heavenly Demon's Technique' to Lvl 4!]"
"[Notice: The Third Form, 'Serpent of the Nine Hells' and the Fourth Form, 'Abyssal Vortex' have been unlocked.]"
New memories flooded my mind. I could feel the phantom weight of the sword tracing a fluid, serpentine path, the [Third Form]. It was a deceptive style where the blade flickered in and out of sight, making it a nightmare for an opponent to predict the angle of the strike. Then came the [Fourth Form], a perfect balance of offense and defense that involved a rapid spin, creating a localized whirlwind of energy to shred anything in range while deflecting incoming attacks.
I didn't stop there. I kept going until the scrolls were nothing but dust on the floor.
"[Notice: You have used +4 Skill-Scrolls on the L-Rank Skill 'Hell Flame'. You have upgraded the Skill 'Hell Flame' to Lvl 5!]"
"[Notice: You have used +4 Skill-Scrolls on the SS-Rank Skill 'Absolute Cancel'. You have upgraded the Skill 'Absolute Cancel' to Lvl 5!]"
"[Notice: You have used +4 Skill-Scrolls on the SS-Rank Skill 'Eyes of Gluttony'. You have upgraded the Skill 'Eyes of Gluttony' to Lvl 5!]"
"[Notice: You have used +5 Skill-Scrolls on the S-Rank Skill 'Glacial Dominion'. You have upgraded the Skill 'Glacial Dominion' to Lvl 7!]"
"[Notice: You have used +3 Skill-Scrolls on the A-Rank Passive Skill 'Longevity'. You have upgraded the Passive Skill 'Longevity' to Lvl 4!]"
"[Notice: You have used +3 Skill-Scrolls on the A-Rank Skill 'Monopoly'. You have upgraded the Skill 'Monopoly' to Lvl 4!]"
"[Notice: You have used +4 Skill-Scrolls on the A-Rank Skill 'Sword Energy'. You have upgraded the Skill 'Sword Energy' to Lvl 5!]"
A surge of raw energy coursed through my veins, hot and demanding. It was a strange sensation, like my very soul was being reinforced. My levels might have looked lower compared to some of the veteran S-Ranks who had been grinding since day one, but the sheer quality of my Skills were making up for that difference.
"[Activating 'Eyes of Gluttony' Lvl 5!]"
I decided to take a long, hard look at my progress. A detailed window expanded in front of me, listing every facet of my current existence.
"[Personal Information]"
- [Name: Arthur Tempest]
- [Age: 24 | Gender: Male | Sex: Virgin]
- [Class: Support - Rune Interpreter | Rank: S-Rank | Level: 25]
- [Constitution: Transcendent]
- [Bond: Mystic Beast 'Cero']
- [Coins Possessed: 2,804,300 Coins]
- [Gap: 0/100 Rift Points]
- [Additional Stat Points: 0 Stat Points]
- [Stats: STR: 44 | AGI: 26 | VIT: 26 | HP: MAX | PER: 21 | Chaos: 46]
- [Title: One who negotiated with {Demons}]
- [Class Exclusive Skills: 'Lost Language', 'Shield', 'Absolute Manipulation' (Passive)]
- [Exclusive Skills: 'Fusion', 'Copy', 'Memories of the World' (Passive), 'Domain of the Undead', 'Crimson Constellation Sovereign']
- [Skills: 'Heavenly Demon's Technique' Lvl 4, 'Hell Flame' Lvl 5, 'Absolute Cancel' Lvl 5, 'Eyes of Gluttony' Lvl 5, 'Moon Imprint' Lvl 1, 'Glacial Dominion' Lvl 7, 'Longevity' (Passive) Lvl 4, 'Brand of Tribulation' Lvl 1, 'Monopoly' Lvl 4, 'Dark Armour' Lvl 1, 'Sword Energy' Lvl 5, 'Aqua Breathing' Lvl 1, 'ThunderShock' Lvl 1, 'Navigation' Lvl 1, 'Shallow Breathing' Lvl 1, 'Taunt' Lvl 1, 'Nymph's Songs' Lvl 1, 'Lethal Venom' Lvl 1, 'Otherworldly Kitchen' Lvl 1]
- [Items possessed: A-Rank Item 'Bharam's Ring', S-Rank Item 'Litch's Robe', L-Rank Named Sword 'Erravoth']
- [Anatomical Stats: 7.5-inch cock, hard and thick-bodied with heavy veining. Extremely Tight, puckered, and bright pink asshole.]
I closed the window with a satisfied exhale. I might not have the high level-numbers that the public associated with power yet, but my body was rapidly becoming durable enough to handle the strain of my L-Rank Skills. I was no longer just a glass cannon; I was becoming a fortress.