CHAPTER 111: CH 111: RISK ON THE SECOND FLOOR- PART 1

The moment Fenrir reclaimed his fragment of power, the ground beneath his feet began to tremble.

The cracked stone, the battered ruins, even the dust itself—all began to waver and blur like fog meeting sunlight.

Within seconds, the entire illusion that had kept the ruined city hidden fell apart.

Where once stood hollow buildings and ancient streets now lay a circular crater—perfectly carved into the land, revealing a hidden subterranean chamber.

At its center pulsed a massive seed-like bulb, throbbing with green and violet light. Vines coiled around the walls, writhing with unnatural life.

The entire place felt alive, breathing, watching.

Fenrir stepped to the edge, peering into the newly revealed chamber just as the bulb twitched—and then burst open.

The creature inside unfurled itself like a blooming nightmare.

Thick vines twisted into limbs, and thorny branches jutted from its back like wings. Its face was nothing but a knot of bark, with glowing emerald eyes fixed on Fenrir.

It rose up with a shuddering roar, dislodging dust and rocks from the walls, and charged toward him in a frenzy.

Fenrir didn’t even flinch.

"So you were hiding underneath all this. Waiting for me to leave? Or were you just afraid to face me?"

He said, stepping down into the chamber.

The monster shrieked in response, a sound full of rage and instinct—no language, no awareness.

It launched itself forward, whipping its thorned limbs through the air with brutal speed.

Fenrir ducked, rolled, and slid past the first assault, noting the erratic pattern of its attacks.

"No thoughts, no tactics. Just pure, animal fury. That’s disappointing."

He muttered.

The boss lashed out again, smashing through walls and tearing chunks from the chamber’s ceiling.

Fenrir moved lightly between the attacks, almost lazily, as if more entertained than threatened.

He had hoped for a challenge. What he got was a rampaging beast with no mind of its own.

But that only made it easier.

"Let’s test this out."

Fenrir said, his eyes flashing.

[Master of Illusions.]

The air shimmered for a moment as the illusion activated.

To the boss, nothing changed—it still saw Fenrir standing directly in front of it, an easy target, vulnerable and still. But in truth, Fenrir had stepped aside long ago.

The creature lunged, blinded by its own rage and the illusion clouding its vision.

Its massive body slammed directly into one of the jagged, broken stone traps embedded in the walls—relics of an older defense system that had long been forgotten.

One spike tore through its arm, another into its side. Still it attacked. But each step was guided not by strategy but by illusion, and each attack led to more injury.

In less than a minute, the boss collapsed, impaled and bleeding sap-like fluid. It writhed for a moment longer, then let out a final groan as it went still.

Fenrir stood above it, expressionless. He exhaled slowly, almost like a sigh.

"That was it? That’s all it took?"

He murmured.

There wasn’t a single scratch on him.

A moment later, the system activated, and a message echoed across the entire first floor. The words rang loud and clear in every ear, from the ruined outskirts to the bustling heart of

the beginner’s city.

System Announcement

[Floor Boss Defeated!]

[ A universal passage to the second floor has now been unlocked.

All tower residents registered before the rebirth of the boss are eligible for travel to the second floor without restriction.

Please prepare for ascension.

Estimated time until gate opening: 24 hours.]

Fenrir tilted his head as the message faded, the echoes still bouncing off the walls.

"Well, that solves the problem. I guess I just cleared the path for more than just myself."

He said with a smirk.

He glanced at the corpse of the boss. The illusion had vanished the moment it died, leaving only its true form—a withered, root-like creature, now slowly crumbling into dust.

Stretching his arms above his head, Fenrir turned away from the carnage.

"Time to head back. Gorgon’s probably choking on disbelief right now."

The path behind him was clear, and the journey back to the beginner’s city would be uneventful.

Now that the floor had been conquered, the first stage of the Tower’s long and brutal climb was finally over.

But for Fenrir, it wasn’t a victory. It was just a checkpoint.

He had only just begun.

______

Fenrir returned to the city just before the second day ended.

The moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the silent streets.

Even with his light steps, the echoes of his boots felt loud against the palace stone as he approached its gates.

Surprisingly, he didn’t find the guards asleep or unaware—instead, he found King Gorgon himself waiting at the top of the palace stairs, arms crossed and a small smile tugging at the edge of his mouth.

"I had a feeling you’d return at this hour. Quiet, hidden, and on your own terms."

The king said, stepping forward to meet him.

Fenrir’s expression didn’t shift, but there was amusement in his voice.

"You could’ve been asleep."

King Gorgon chuckled.

"I doubt anyone in this city could sleep soundly knowing what you were up to out there."

He studied Fenrir carefully, taking in the dust, the torn cloak, the faint scent of scorched earth and magic clinging to him.

"You did it, didn’t you? You found the path. You broke through what none of us could even touch."

The king asked softly.

Fenrir didn’t confirm it with words. He just nodded once.

"I never thought I’d live to see this day. You’re going to change the tower, Fenrir. I can feel it."

Gorgon said, gazing out toward the distance.

Fenrir gave a slight smirk.

"This is just the beginning. The real storm hasn’t even arrived yet."

They stood in silence for a few heartbeats, the night wind tugging gently at their cloaks. Then Fenrir turned and disappeared into the palace, unseen by the world.

The next morning came with no grand farewells. As the sun began to rise, Fenrir quietly stepped through the now-open path to the second floor.

Only King Gorgon saw him off. No speeches, no celebration—just a nod between warriors.

Later that day, the palace bustled with activity.

Advisors and attendants moved frantically through its halls, already missing Fenrir’s presence. Eventually, they cornered the king during his morning council.

"Where has Lord Fenrir gone? Surely you, of all people, would know."

One of them demanded.

King Gorgon looked at them with an unreadable gaze.

"I don’t know. And I didn’t care to ask."

He said simply.

The advisors looked at each other, visibly displeased.

"This man has disrupted our city, fought our elite, and vanished. Should we not keep closer tabs on someone like that?"

Before the conversation could escalate, a system announcement echoed throughout the palace—and the entire floor.

[Tower System Announcement

New residents have entered the Tower.

Classification: Human.

First Floor now open for inter-species interaction protocols.]

The room fell into stunned silence. Whispers broke out. Eyes widened.

King Gorgon smiled faintly, looking out the window.

"The storm’s come sooner than expected."

The advisors scrambled, demanding reports and answers, but King Gorgon remained still, watching the sky.

"Let them come. This is the start of something far greater than any of us."

He murmured.