Rewards

Looking at the notification in front of me, its almost taunting tone brought a faint laugh to my lips. My body screamed for rest, and I knew that pushing forward in my current state would be reckless. Slowly, I raised my hand with what little energy I had left and selected the option that felt right.

"No."

The word echoed in my mind, bringing an unexpected wave of relief. Content with my decision, I felt my body surrendering to exhaustion. My eyelids grew heavy, and I began to drift into sleep—but just as quickly as that peace settled in, it was replaced by a sudden, revitalizing energy.

The fatigue vanished in an instant, replaced by a sense of vigor as if I had been brought to peak condition. My wounds were gone, my muscles felt strong, and the dull ache that had plagued my limbs was no more. "This must be the tower's doing," I muttered, marveling at the transformation.

Looking down at my weapon, I noticed that my battered sword had been restored as well. Its blade gleamed like new, free of cracks and dull edges. I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude. Without this sword, I wouldn't stand a chance on the later floors of the tower.

After inspecting myself and my weapon thoroughly, another notification materialized before me.

[Calculating rewards...]

[Rewards have been generated.]

As the message faded, two items appeared at my feet: a small glass bottle filled with a glowing liquid and a simple yet elegant necklace. These must have been my rewards. I bent down to examine them closely, curiosity piqued.

Opening the mission tab, I quickly reviewed the details of the quest that had brought me to this point.

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Quest Name: Endless Battles

Floor: 2

Objective: Win as many matches as possible without dying. The quest may be completed after the first round.

Reward: Strength Potion and an E-rank item.

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The description was straightforward, but seeing the words "win as many matches as possible" made me chuckle bitterly. Had I really pushed myself so hard for no reason? Shaking off the thought, I decided to make the most of what I had earned.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the potion, uncorked the bottle, and gulped it down in one swift motion. The idea that it might be poisoned briefly crossed my mind, but I ignored it. I didn't have the luxury to overthink.

The liquid burned slightly as it went down, but almost immediately, I felt its effects. A wave of raw power coursed through me, filling me with newfound strength. My muscles felt denser, my movements sharper. The sensation was exhilarating.

Curious to see just how much I had improved, I opened my status screen, eager to examine the changes brought on by the Strength Potion.

Name: Oran Sinclair

Race: Human

Class: None

Titles: None

Strength: 10

Durability: 7

Agility: 5

Intelligence: 5

Skills: [Stone Skin] [Sword Aura]

Equipment: None

Looking at my updated strength stat, a grin spread across my face. The number had grown considerably, the potion having boosted my strength by a whole 4 points. It might not seem like much to others, but in this tower, every single point could make the difference between victory and death. I couldn't help but feel ecstatic, ready to charge forward to the next floor and take on whatever awaited me.

But then, I remembered the other reward. Turning my attention back to the necklace lying at my feet, I bent down and picked it up. The moment my fingers brushed the cool metal, a status screen appeared before me.

---

Item Name: Saint's Necklace

Item Level: E

Item Effect:

Passively improves the recovery speed of the wearer by 3 times.

When focused on, increases recovery speed by 9 times.

Seeing the effects of the necklace, my initial excitement dimmed to mild disappointment as I mulled over its practicality. The passive threefold recovery boost was decent on paper, but in the unforgiving reality of the tower, I wondered how much of a difference it would actually make. Sure, my stamina might return faster, and minor wounds might heal quicker, but a broken limb could still take over a week to recover—even with the enhancement. That kind of timeline was as good as a death sentence when every second counted.

The ninefold active boost sounded more promising, but new doubts surfaced. How much focus would it require to activate? Could I maintain it while fighting? Would I leave myself too exposed in combat? The questions lingered, gnawing at me, until I resolved to test the necklace's limits right then and there.

I began slowly, shifting my attention to the necklace while staying alert to my surroundings. At first, there was no change. Frustrated but persistent, I increased my focus, pushing away distractions one by one. The process required more effort than I anticipated, narrowing my attention until there was nothing in my mind but the necklace. Finally, a cool sensation swept over me, and I knew the ability had activated.

Relief was quickly followed by disappointment. Achieving that level of concentration left me vulnerable, my awareness of my surroundings completely gone. In a battle where every second mattered, that vulnerability could cost me my life. Letting out a soft sigh, I muttered, "This is why it's only an E-rank item."

Still, I couldn't deny its potential. In moments of relative safety, the necklace's active ability could save me valuable time, accelerating my recovery between fights or after grueling challenges. With my resolve hardened, I slipped it around my neck, feeling its faint warmth as it settled into place.

Equipped with my repaired sword, newly bolstered strength, and the modest advantage of the Saint's Necklace, I felt a renewed sense of determination. The tower wasn't going to make things easier, and I couldn't afford to be careless.

I turned to the now-collapsed pile of stone that had once been my formidable opponent. Its lifeless rubble served as a stark reminder of the battle I'd just endured. Taking a moment to steady my breathing, I allowed myself a fleeting sense of satisfaction before the tower's relentless pace reminded me of its ever-present challenge.

With one final glance at the shattered remains, I uttered the words that would soon become my mantra throughout my journey in the tower.

"Proceed."

The word carried weight, a declaration of defiance against whatever trials the tower had waiting for me next. As soon as the syllables left my lips, the familiar blinding light erupted around me, flooding my vision and enveloping me completely.

The sensation was disorienting but fleeting, and I steeled myself for what was to come. I was moving forward—ascending to the next floor. Whatever lay ahead, I would meet it head-on.