The First Floor of the Tower was a hub of activity, serving as a critical starting point for all climbers. Its vast expanse combined practicality with grandeur, creating a place where adventurers from every corner of the world could find their footing.

    The first place Leon found himself in was the Market area.

    The Market Area was a vibrant and sprawling center of trade, buzzing with life as climbers from all walks of life bartered, browsed, and haggled. Colorful banners and canopies stretched across the open streets, casting shifting shadows over the bustling crowd. Vendors, each more animated than the next, shouted out to advertise their unique wares, their voices blending into a harmonious cacophony that spoke of opportunity and ambition.@@@@

    The wide cobblestone streets were flanked by rows of stalls, each offering an array of items tailored to meet the needs of Tower climbers. Basic provision vendors sold dried meats, bread, and water skins, all essential for survival in the Tower''s unpredictable environments. A few stalls specialized in restorative potions, their liquids glowing faintly in the sunlight, boasting benefits like increased strength, quicker reflexes, and rapid healing. The potions were neatly arranged in rows, their bright colors catching the eyes of passing adventurers.

    Blacksmiths were hard at work, their hammers ringing against anvils as they shaped glowing metal into swords, axes, and shields. Some had weapons displayed on racks—gleaming swords adorned with runes, bows reinforced with monster sinew, and armor imbued with defensive enchantments. Each piece seemed tailored to a specific race or fighting style, catering to the diverse needs of climbers. The rhythmic clang of metal blended seamlessly with the hum of conversation, making the air hum with purpose and potential.

    Further into the market, a few stalls stood out with their exotic offerings. Enchanted accessories, like rings that boosted mana regeneration or necklaces that increased resistance to poison, sparkled under the sunlight, their allure undeniable. Vendors selling magical scrolls proudly displayed parchment imbued with elemental spells, offering instant power to those who could afford it. Monster hunters had set up shop as well, showcasing rare materials from the Tower''s higher floors—fangs, claws, and hides that pulsed faintly with residual energy. Adventurers crowded these stalls, debating the value of a monster''s venom sac or the utility of a basilisk''s petrified eye.

    The air was thick with the enticing aroma of food, luring climbers to pause and indulge. Roasted meats, spiced skewers, and sizzling sausages were grilled on open flames, their juices dripping into the fire and releasing mouthwatering scents. Sweet pastries glazed with honey and dusted with powdered sugar tempted passersby with their golden sheen. A few vendors offered regional delicacies, such as fermented drinks, spiced soups, and fruits preserved in syrup. For the more adventurous, some stalls specialized in dishes made from Tower-specific ingredients, like the tender meat of Floor 5 Flame Boars or broths brewed with Moonlit Mushrooms from Floor 7.

    Musicians dotted the market, their lively tunes adding to the energetic atmosphere. Drummers, lute players, and flutists entertained climbers, often earning a few coins for their efforts. Street performers showcased their skills: an elemental mage conjuring miniature firework displays, a rogue performing acrobatic stunts, and a beast tamer showing off their trained pets to the delight of onlookers. The crowd surged with excitement, and laughter filled the air, giving the market an almost festival-like ambiance.

    Leon moved through the bustling hub, his eyes scanning the stalls and the crowd, taking in the sights, sounds, and scents. Each step brought a new temptation—a dazzling weapon, a glimmering trinket, or the promise of a meal unlike any he had tasted before.

    Leon casually bought a meat stick as he continued his tour to next area which was the inn section. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

    Creak!!

    The sudden opening of the door silenced the entire room. All eyes turned toward the newcomers as Leon and Roselia also shifted their attention.

    The figures who entered were adorned in oversized robes, the hoods drawn low to obscure their faces, leaving only glimpses visible through the shadows.

    "They''re from the Saint Race... from the 130th floor," someone whispered, though the hushed words carried enough weight to be heard across the silent room, including by Leon and Roselia.

    "But what are they doing here?"

    "Don''t you know? There''s a human with an Ex-Rating in the trial right now," another person whispered urgently. "He''s being courted by all the major races!"

    "I heard some races are even offering to change his race entirely using the Chalice of Transformation," added another, their tone laced with awe and envy.

    Leon''s sharp eyes scanned the room as he took in the murmurs, watching as the Saint Race figures gracefully took their seats without sparing a glance at the attention they were drawing.

    Roselia, observing them closely, frowned as a faint smirk played at her lips. "They reek," she thought to herself, her disdain sharp. She knew all too well—these so-called ''saints'' weren''t heroes as others might believe. To her, they were beings full of quiet ambition and veiled conviction, far from the purity their name implied.

    Leon said nothing, his gaze lingering on the cloaked figures before returning to his meal, his mind already piecing together the implications of their presence.