In the plaza, a signboard displayed rewards for each grade:
- Bronze reward: Minor consumables or discarded potions.
- Silver reward: Weapons or armor labeled "sturdy" and the lowest grade potion.
- Gold reward: Weapons and armor labeled "well-made" and a low-grade potion.
- By the time you get to the Platinum reward, there was a clearly powerful set named "Flash", and there was also a hearty elixir that seemed beneficial no matter when or where you consumed it.
Ignoring the system's inherent unreasonableness, it's undeniable that, from a player's perspective, the second floor is quite a generous stage. Virtually no risk, and rewards are guaranteed regardless of their size. Compared to the tutorial stage filled with blood and death, it's almost heavenly.
No life-threatening bull-headed monsters, no food restrictions. Initially, players can stay on the second floor indefinitely if they wish, and if they want to proceed, they can do so in an instant. If one simply aimed for the silver reward, clearing wouldn't be a problem at all.
Despite such an easy clear at hand, there's the diamond reward that I've worked hard to obtain.
It's hard not to have expectations.
Will there be another elixir this time? Or maybe an insanely powerful item? I remember seeing a 'Mana' stat in other players' status... Perhaps there's a lightning magic spell as a reward? Could I emit lightning like the city's owner?
I unintentionally swallowed, then checked the message that appeared before me.
[Please select the Diamond reward.]
- Heart of Lightning [Trait]
- Flash Step [Trait]
- Lowest-grade Elixir [Consumable]
"... Hmm."
If it's an elixir, what does "lowest-grade elixir" even mean?
I thought of these trivial things and decided to read the detailed descriptions.
- Heart of Lightning [S]
"When the knight of lightning uses this technique, it means he's prepared to die."
Upon activation, all possessed mana is consumed and replaced with lightning attribute mana. All physical abilities, including reflexes, increase dramatically, and all attacks inflict additional lightning damage. During its duration, the user continually takes damage, and 'Heart of Lightning' continues until all lightning mana is consumed.
- Flash Step [S]
"By the time you see it, it's already too late."
A movement technique using extreme speed regulation. It consumes a large amount of mana to enable instantaneous high-speed movement. However, the distance traveled depends on proficiency.
- Lowest-grade Elixir [S]
"While immortality might be impossible, a long, disease-free life seems achievable."
Consuming a full bottle will heal all physical injuries. Unlike the original, it has limited effects on curses.
"Wow..."
The Heart of Lightning. Just by looking at it, it seems to have amazing capabilities, and the trait itself oozes style.
The protagonist cornered, loved ones to protect, an overwhelmingly powerful enemy. After much contemplation, the protagonist activates the 'Heart of Lightning'. Kiya, so cool.
Moreover, my regression ability itself fits very well with a short-term decisive combat trait. Like when I powered up with a hero trait and defeated the Minotaur, I can momentarily amplify my combat abilities, secure the rewards, and then regress.
However, as it's written "the user continually takes damage during its duration," it's all pie in the sky. The moment I activate the trait, I'll regress.
In the first place, if I get hurt, I regress. So, traits like 'Endure, my body!' are of no use.
Similarly, the lowest-grade elixir is a consumable. If I were to sell it in reality, I could make a fortune... but I can't take it with me when I regress.
It might be fine to drink it right now, but my body is currently in perfect condition. There's no merit in choosing the elixir.
In the end, the only remaining choice is Flash Step.
It's a diamond reward, and I should probably be grateful that there's at least one usable option.
"... How do I use this?"
I've never had a skill like Flash Step that I activate directly.
With a bit of curiosity, the moment I tapped 'Flash Step' with my fingertip,
"Uh, ugh..." A pain so intense it felt like my head was about to shatter washed over me. It felt like every neuron in my brain was burning, but I didn't regress since it didn't seem to count as damage.
Information forcibly flowed into my mind. How to maintain balance from the tip of my toes. When and where to channel the mana. How to step so as not to strain my feet.
"Phew... Phew..."
After about a minute, the pain gradually subsided, and I could barely lift my head.
It was as if the entire content of a book was hammered into my brain - I now had all the information about the Flash Step.
The movement technique used by the knights of lightning: Flash Step.
Knowledge is power, as they say.
The bizarre movement demonstrated by the city's owner, the reason he could suddenly appear with a blink of an eye, I now understood it was due to the unparalleled movement technique called 'Flash Step'.
And then, a vital realization dawned on me.
"... I need to know how to use mana to utilize this."
The description on various items, 'consumes mana', doesn't mean mana gets consumed automatically like in a game. I have to consciously move the mana for it to activate. And I don't know how to use mana.
I've received an S-grade reward... but have no immediate way to use it.
"Status window."
[Name: Kim Junho] [LV: 16]
[Traits]
- Regression [EX] - Flash Step [S] - Curiosity [A]
- Reverence [B]
- Hero [C]
- Swordsmanship [F]
My achievement level had risen from 13 to 16.
And a reliable S-grade trait was added. One I couldn't use.
"Well, that aside..."
Originally, I intended to experiment with the S-grade reward I received this time... but there's no need now. I already know I can't use it immediately.
So, I should move on to the next step right away.
I first opened the portal leading to reality and transported myself to my familiar room.
Currently, I've cleared the second floor and haven't entered the third. Therefore, if I take damage, I would regress to the point right after entering the second floor...
What's noteworthy is that I've cleared the second floor.
What does this mean? The embargo on the second floor has been lifted. This means I can freely view reviews from others who have cleared the second floor.
By hearing others' stories, I might learn something I missed.
Someone else might have tried to replace the aristocrat, meaning I wasn't the only one trying to change the tower's structure.
I immediately turned on my computer and scoured various community forums. I had experience in trawling through online communities, so finding the information I wanted wasn't hard, but...
- Is this silver reward good?
- What happens if we fight on the second floor? Too scared to try.
- Want to kill those blocking the way, seriously.
- Why is there a bronze reward? Don't get it.
"...What a waste."
The problem was, there was not a single piece of new, useful information. I already knew it all.
I've been regressing and have a good grasp of the second floor's circumstances, while these people had only completed it once.
Furthermore, not much time had passed since the US President disclosed the tower's existence.
At this point, only a handful of people had cleared the second floor. Whether they're training or slacking off on the first floor, most were hesitant to ascend.
"...Was it a wild goose chase?"
After about two hours of web surfing, I concluded that searching for information online was pointless.
The climber's community wasn't active yet, and almost no one had ascended to the second floor. Most of them probably chose the silver reward.
On reflection, I might be the person who knows the most about the second floor on Earth.
"Damn it."
Just as I turned off my computer and was about to lay down on my bed to plan my next move,
"...Huh?"
I remembered the large banner about Michael Jeter that had been posted in one corner of the plaza.
And I remembered the chatter of the American men in front of it. They had said there's an unofficial player community in the US. "... American community?"
What I had looked at was limited to Korean communities. Why hadn't I thought to check foreign communities?
I immediately got to work, skimming through major American online communities.
The chatter of the American guy wasn't baseless; I could confirm that several player communities were already formed.
I accessed the largest community and quickly scrolled through.
It didn't take long to find what I was looking for, especially since the post had an overwhelming number of upvotes.
"... Found it."
A familiar username. The exact content I was searching for.
< My experience on the 2nd floor was very unpleasant. I almost died at the hands of the city's owner. >