Volume 2: Rise of the Vessel
Chapter 21: The Floor of No Return
Lee Hwan stood at the edge of the 6th Floor's portal, staring into the swirling vortex that would lead him to the next level.
The 7th Floor.
His fingers trembled slightly, a rare sign of hesitation in someone who had already defeated countless enemies, evolved his flame into Azure Wrath, and awakened the true strength of his dragons. But this fear wasn't without reason.
The rumors were too many. Too consistent.
"Every time someone steps into the 7th Floor… 100 players go in. Only one ever comes out."
It wasn't a trial. It was a massacre.
Lee clenched his jaw. He remembered the words of a top-tier ranker he'd once encountered.
"The 7th Floor was built to eliminate the weak and awaken monsters."
His current level was 75. His strength was above the 90-level range due to his Vessel status and Dragon Monarch lineage—but he wasn't arrogant enough to think it was enough. Not yet.
"Not like this," Lee muttered. "I've come too far to die like some rookie in a bloodbath."
He took a deep breath and stepped back from the portal.
Ding!
[You have delayed progression to the 7th Floor]
[You may remain on the 6th Floor to train and level up freely]
[Hidden Message: 'The patient Vessel sharpens his fangs before the real hunt.']
Lee looked up at the artificial sky above the 6th Floor city.
"I'll stay here," he whispered. "Train. Prepare. When I reach level 100... then I'll enter."
He began walking toward the open training fields near the city. Players watched him in awe—some had seen his battle with the 100 challengers, some had only heard the stories—but now, they all saw the determination in his eyes.
He summoned his dragons, who flew behind him silently.
This wasn't fear of the enemy. It was respect for the challenge.
The 7th Floor wasn't just a new stage.
It was a battlefield where only the strongest monster survived.
And Lee Hwan wasn't ready to die.
He was ready to become that monster.
End of Volume 2
Volume 3: The Tower of Blood – Coming Next