Melissa

I exit the blue portal and see a grandiose structure before me.

It was the Headquarters of my world, Alesky!

Seeing me walk out, the two guards in front of the head quarters look at each other.

They nod to each other and one of them approaches me.

"Tell me which world you are from?" The guard was very respectful.

"I'm a new Climber from Alesky." I reply, while observing the guard closely.

The guard was carrying a iron spear in his hand. He had a well built vine armour on his body, and a metal head gear. His stance was formal and friendly, as if he had been taught how to greet guests.

"I see." The guard nodded. "Do you know any Climbers from Alesky who ascended before you? If not, I will have to ask you a few questions to confirm your identity."

"Is Sister Melissa still around?" I asked. Sister Melissa is my neighbour on Alesky. Before she ascended into the Dungeon, she would regularly cook meals for me and my friends.

The guard thought for a bit, before he nodded.

He then escorted me inside the head quarters, and politely gestured me to take seat in one of the rooms on the ground floor.

"Please wait here. I will confirm your identity with Lady Melissa."

"Can I ask your name?"

"White, Dan the White." I reply.

The guard soon left to confirm my identity, leaving alone in the waiting room.

Seeing that I have some time to kill, I call upon the System Screen.

****

Name: Dan the White

World: Alesky (Grade Zero)

Path: Body

Skills: Sleep lvl 3(0/400), Digest lvl 1(20/200), Enhanced Body lvl 2 (0/300)

Exp: 152

Free skills: 1(choose)

****

I spent 198 Exp I gained from killing goblins to increase the level of my Enhanced Body skill to survive and reach the 10th floor.

So, my Exp decreased from 350 to 152.

On a closer look, I notice that my Digest skill's experience has increased by 5 Exp, even though I haven't eaten anything and haven't used my battle Exp to increase it.

I think a little before coming to a pleasant conclusion.

It appears that increasing the level of my Enhanced Body skill also enhanced my Digest Skill!

I was pleasantly suprised when I found out that using Digest helped my other skill, but now, it's Enhanced Body's time to suprise me!

Enhanced Body really pulled a Uno Reverse Card on Digest!

It's a good thing and I'm happy about it.

I also see that I've got another chance for a free skill.

It was the reward for upgrading my Enhanced body skill!

Feeling curious I check what options I've got.

****

Sleep

Enhanced Body

****

I've alredy chosen Digest for the free skill I've got from leveling up my Sleep skill. So, I've got only two options remaining!

I choose Sleep this time.

With this, I have 2 extra Sleep skills, 2 Digest Skills, and a Enhanced Body skill stored up.

I don't know how to use these duplicate skills, but I can always ask around now that I'm on the tenth floor, with my fellow worldmates.

****

15 minutes of waiting, and a familiar person appears in my vision.

It was sister Melissa who I hadn't seen in 3 years.

Like the guard, Sister Melissa was doned with a vine armour, and a metal headgear, but instead of spear, she was carrying a small book in her hand.

Seeing me got sister Melissa emotional, as she immediately removed her head gear and rushed to hug me.

I am suprised by her reaction, but hug her back without asking.

Though sister Melissa was my neighbour, and even cooked regularly for me, we aren't that close.

Sister Melissa usually cooked for all her neighbour kids, so I never thought we had any distinct attachment to each other.

Moreover due to my cockiness, I never got close to others, including sister Melissa. As far as I remember, she was just someone beautiful and someone who could cook delicious food.

****

Seeing Melissa's actions, the guard confirmed that I'm indeed someone from Alesky.

He left us alone to catch up on old times.

After a few seconds, sister Melissa gradually left my hug. I could see that her eyes had turned watery, as if she wanted to cry, but she held it in.

"Sister Melissa, what is this?" I ask.

"Call me Melissa from now on." She said while giving me a smile.

"You must have many questions right? Like why I chose you as the next Climber from our world? And how to use your skills?"

"You chose the next Climber from our world?" I was confused! Wasn't the selection of Climbers from a world random?!

"You don't even know that?" Melissa looked at me strangely, as if she was a seeing a stranger.

But seeing that I'm truly in the dark about it, she slowly explained!

"The selection criteria for the Infinity Dungeon isn't actually random. It is the job of the previous Climber to select the next Climber! Since I'm the most recent Climber from our world, I chose you as the next Climber."

A guilty look appeared on her face as she explained. She seemed worried that I would be angry at her for her choice.

But I simply nod my head, gesturing her to continue!