After Marcus woke up, the party exited the Tower.
Marcus didn't remember what happened. His last memory was entering the Trial chamber.
Ethan didn't tell him the full truth. Not yet.
"You passed the Trial," Ethan said simply. "That's all that matters."
Marcus nodded slowly, but his expression was troubled.
Outside the Tower, the city had changed.
More Towers. More Climbers. And now... a new structure.
[Tower Market - Now Open]
A massive bazaar had appeared near Tower #237, filled with merchants selling equipment, potions, skill books, and services.
DING!
[System Announcement: The Tower Markets are now open worldwide]
[Climbers can buy and sell items using Credits]
[Markets are accessible near all Towers]
Ethan's eyes lit up.
'Perfect timing.'
He had 4,847 credits total.
"Everyone," Ethan said. "We're going shopping."
The Tower Market was chaotic.
Hundreds of Climbers browsed stalls, haggled prices, and compared equipment.
"Selling Rare Sword! 2,000 Credits!"
"Buying health potions! Paying 50 Credits each!"
"Anyone need a tank? Level 18 shield user looking for party!"
Ethan ignored the noise and headed straight for the skill book section.
DING!
[Skill Book: Fire Lance (Rank D) - 800 Credits]
[Skill Book: Earth Wall (Rank D) - 750 Credits]
[Skill Book: Chain Lightning (Rank C) - 2,500 Credits]
Ethan purchased Chain Lightning without hesitation.
DING!
[You have learned: Chain Lightning (Rank C)]
[Chain Lightning: Strike an enemy with lightning that bounces to nearby targets. Max 5 bounces. Damage decreases per bounce.]
'Good. Area damage will help with waves.'
Next, he browsed the equipment section.
[Shadow Cloak (Rare): +40 Agility, +20 Intelligence, Stealth ability - 3,000 Credits]
'Too expensive. I'll pass for now.'
But then he saw something else.
[Storage Expansion Scroll - 500 Credits]
[Effect: Increases storage space by 50 slots]
Ethan bought it immediately.
DING!
[Storage Space: 100/100 → 150/150]
'Much better.'
As he browsed, a familiar voice called out.
"Ethan Cross?"
He turned.
Sarah Kane was standing at a weapon stall, examining a new bow.
But this Sarah was different.
Her equipment was better. Her level higher.
[Sarah Kane]
[Level: 18]
[Combat Power: 620]
She grinned. "Fancy meeting you here. Still climbing solo?"
"Mostly," Ethan said.
"I heard you saved your party on Floor 10," Sarah said. "Impressive."
'How does she know that?'
Sarah seemed to read his expression.
"Word travels fast among Climbers," she explained. "Especially when someone purifies demonic corruption. That's rare."
Ethan said nothing.
Sarah stepped closer.
"I want to make you an offer."
"I'm not joining a guild," Ethan said immediately.
Sarah laughed. "Not a guild. An alliance. No strings attached. We help each other when needed. Share information. Nothing more."
Ethan considered it.
In his past life, Sarah had eventually betrayed him.
But in THIS life, she had already rejected Malachar's offer once.
'Maybe... maybe she can be saved.'
"Fine," Ethan said. "But on one condition."
"Name it."
"If you ever hear Malachar's voice again, you tell me immediately."
Sarah's expression darkened.
"You know about him?"
"More than you realize."
Sarah studied Ethan for a long moment, then nodded.
"Deal."
DING!
[Alliance formed with Sarah Kane]
[You can now share quest information and coordinate strategies]
Ethan felt slightly relieved.
'One potential traitor neutralized. Four more to watch.'
After finishing at the market, Ethan returned to the Tower.
He was about to enter Floor 11 when—
DING!
[System Announcement: Level Leaderboard Unlocked]
[Climbers who reach Level 25 will be displayed on the global ranking]
Ethan's eyes widened.
The leaderboard. He remembered this from his past life.
It ranked the top 100 Climbers worldwide, updating in real-time.
'I'm Level 22. Three more levels.'
He checked the current rankings.
[Global Level Leaderboard - Top 10]
??? - Level 28??? - Level 27??? - Level 26??? - Level 25??? - Level 25 6-10: Level 24
[Note: Names hidden until you reach Level 25]
'Someone's already Level 28?!'
Ethan's competitive instinct flared.
In his past life, he had been in the top 50 at this stage.
But this time...
'I'll reach the top 10. No matter what.'
He entered Floor 11.
DING!
[Floor 11: The Burning Wasteland]
[Objective: Defeat 100 Fire Elementals]
[Recommended Level: 23-25]
The environment was harsh. Rivers of lava. Scorching heat. Ash falling from the sky.
Fire Elementals materialized everywhere.
[Fire Elemental (Level 24)]
[HP: 1,200/1,200]
[Weakness: Ice attacks]
Ethan grinned.
'Perfect. I have Ice Spear.'
"Ice Spear!"
FWOOSH!
The frozen projectile pierced through the Elemental's core.
DING!
[Critical Hit! Fire Elemental takes 300% damage]
[Fire Elemental defeated]
The weakness exploitation was massive.
Ethan moved through the wasteland systematically, casting Ice Spear repeatedly.
FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH!
Elementals fell one after another.
DING!
[50/100 Fire Elementals defeated]
[You have reached Level 23!]
Ethan allocated all points to Intelligence.
His mana pool expanded.
[MP: 295/295 → 345/345]
'Good. I can cast more now.'
He continued the grind.
DING!
[100/100 Fire Elementals defeated]
[Floor 11 Cleared!]
[Calculating Rewards...]
[Reward 1: Fire Resistance Cloak (Rare)]
[Reward 2: Elemental Core x10]
[Reward 3: Skill Book - Flame Burst (Rank C)]
[Reward 4: 2,000 Credits]
Ethan consumed all 10 Elemental Cores immediately.
DING!
[Intelligence increased by 30!]
[Vitality increased by 20!]
His stats surged.
[Name: Ethan Cross]
[Level: 23]
[HP: 550/550]
[MP: 445/445]
[Strength: 150]
[Agility: 97]
[Intelligence: 198]
[Vitality: 142]
[Combat Power: 1,087]
'Over 1,000 combat power. Finally.'
Ethan learned Flame Burst and moved to Floor 12.
DING!
[Floor 12: The Shadow Maze]
[Objective: Find the exit while avoiding Shadow Assassins]
[Recommended Level: 24-26]
The maze was dark. Twisting corridors. Dead ends everywhere.
And lurking in the shadows...
[Shadow Assassin (Level 26)]
[HP: 1,500/1,500]
[Ability: Stealth, Instant Kill on unaware targets]
'Dangerous.'
Ethan activated Void Step constantly, teleporting through the maze.
Every time an Assassin tried to ambush him, he was already gone.
FWOOSH! FWOOSH!
His afterimages confused them.
When they revealed themselves, Ethan struck.
"Chain Lightning!"
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!
The lightning bounced between three Assassins, frying them instantly.
DING!
[Shadow Assassin defeated x3]
[You have reached Level 24!]
After 30 minutes of maze navigation, Ethan found the exit.
DING!
[Floor 12 Cleared!]
[Reward: Assassin's Dagger (Epic)]
[Assassin's Dagger (Epic): +100 Attack, +70 Agility, Backstab deals 500% damage]
'An Epic weapon!'
Ethan equipped it immediately, even though he was primarily a mage.
Having a strong melee option was always useful.
[Combat Power: 1,087 → 1,254]
'One more level until the leaderboard.'