Chapter 140 Fifth Floor
The group set off, ready to take the next steps in their journey. They made their way back to the Imperial City, their base of operations, to finalize preparations. From there, they headed to the Teleportation Hub, an advanced facility capable of transporting challengers directly to specific tower floors.
Leon stepped forward, presenting his Ascension Badge. The guards at the hub inspected it, their stern expressions softening as they nodded in acknowledgment. "Floor 5, authorized," one of them said, gesturing toward the platform.
The group stepped onto the teleportation array, a large circular structure pulsing with radiant blue energy. The operator entered the coordinates for Floor 5 into the control console. With a hum of power and a blinding flash of light, the teleportation array activated.
"Good luck on the Fifth Floor," the operator said, his voice barely audible over the sound of the energy surging around them.
With a loud whoosh, the group vanished from sight, their journey continuing as they were transported to the next stage of the tower.
When the group arrived on Tower Floor 5, they were immediately greeted by a landscape that bore some similarities to the first floor but with noticeable differences. The sprawling plains, dense forests, and scattered ruins remained, but the air here was heavier, charged with a sense of foreboding.
The monsters and creatures lurking in the wilderness were far stronger, their very presence exuding an aura that sent chills down the spine. Level 160 was the limit for this floor, meaning that the weakest foes were already stronger than any encountered on Floor 1. The skies above were a perpetual dusk, painted in hues of crimson and orange, casting long shadows over the land.
Massive stone pillars jutted out of the ground, their surfaces etched with glowing runes that pulsed in rhythm with the tower's mana. These pillars acted as beacons, guiding challengers toward key areas such as dungeons, safe zones, and teleportation hubs. Small settlements, known as Adventurer Havens, were scattered across the floor, providing resting spots for weary explorers.@@novelbin@@
The Tower Association maintained its presence here as well, but their outposts were heavily fortified, surrounded by magical barriers and guarded by high-level adventurers. The stakes were higher now—failure on this floor meant not just defeat but potential death, as the monsters were far more ruthless and cunning.
The group took a moment to orient themselves, glancing around the bustling central hub where they had been teleported. Adventurers of varying strengths mingled, preparing for their expeditions, trading equipment, or seeking party members. The tension in the air was palpable, as everyone here was fully aware of the dangers lurking just beyond the hub's protective barriers.
Leon turned to his companions, his voice calm but firm. "This floor is no joke. We'll need to work together and stay sharp. Our goal is to hit the level cap and prepare for Floor 10. No distractions."
Millim cracked her knuckles, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Finally, some real action! Let's see what this floor has to offer."
Roselia nodded, already preparing her potions and equipment. Roman, ever the silent guardian, adjusted his sword on his back and scanned the surroundings for potential threats. Naval and Liliana, Millim's maids, remained composed, but their keen eyes took in every detail of the hub.
The group moved toward the exit of the hub, where the wild expanse of Floor 5 awaited, ready to face the challenges ahead.
Coming out of the hub, they found themselves in the middle of a vast wilderness. The teleportation zones on each floor were designed to be random, preventing adventurers from being immediately targeted by high-level Ascenders from upper floors.
However, for Leon and his group, this randomness didn't pose much of a threat—unless they encountered someone with an SSS rank or higher.
"Well, I guess we can farm some levels here before heading to any nearby settlements. At least until I reach Tier II," Leon said, glancing at the landscape around them. Roman and Roselia nodded in agreement.
Leon, now at Level 89 after defeating the True Skeleton King and absorbing the dropped Sources from him, was just 11 levels away from advancing to Tier II. The group had no intention of rushing into more populated areas until they were better prepared, knowing that the wilderness was both a training ground and a place to sharpen their skills.
As Leon and his group ventured deeper into the wilderness, the dense trees and tall grasses opened into a vast, slightly hilly clearing. The atmosphere grew heavy with a faint stench of sweat and earth.
The first sign of trouble came when Roman raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop. His sharp eyes scanned the area ahead, his instincts honed from years of combat.
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"They're here," he said, gripping the hilt of his sword.
Emerging from the shadows of the trees and over the hilltop, a horde of Hobgoblins began to appear. These creatures were towering brutes, larger and bulkier than regular goblins, with leathery green skin and wicked grins that revealed jagged, yellowed teeth. Each one carried crude but deadly weapons—spiked clubs, rusty axes, and jagged swords. Their armor was a mishmash of scavenged metal and leather, offering basic protection.
At the center of the group stood what appeared to be the Hobgoblin Captain, its aura noticeably more oppressive. Its armor was a step above the rest, adorned with bones and trinkets, likely trophies from past victims. Unlike the others, it wielded a massive, spiked battle-axe with ease.
Leon quickly used Analyze to confirm their threat level.
Hobgoblins: Level 120, Tier I.
Hobgoblin Captain: Level 135, Tier I Elite.
"Well, it looks like we found our farming spot," Leon said with a calm smirk, drawing his weapon. Roselia stepped up beside him, her staff glowing faintly as she prepared her magic. Roman unsheathed his sword, its blade glinting ominously, while Millim cracked her knuckles, clearly eager for battle.
Her two maids joined the fray with unwavering determination. Naval drew her elegant rapier, its blade gleaming under the dim light, while Lilian's gauntlets ignited with black flames, radiating a menacing heat. Roselia unsheathed her twin swords, their polished edges reflecting her confidence and skill. Together, they moved to engage the horde of Hobgoblins, their presence bolstering the group's already formidable strength.
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