Chapter 23: The Divine Tower's Forbidden Floor
The battlefield had settled, but Jin's heart still thundered in his chest. He stood amidst the ruins of the Divine Realm, his body aching from the battle against Zephyros, the Sky Breaker. His fists were still tingling from the clash.
The system chimed.
> [NEW NOTIFICATION]
Title Unlocked: The Godslayer
You have accomplished the impossible. You are no longer bound by mortal limits.
Jin exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Godslayer, huh? Has a nice ring to it."
But he had no time to revel in his victory. The ground beneath him trembled.
Ahead, a massive golden gate materialized out of thin air, inscribed with countless ancient runes. A divine energy surged from within, far greater than anything he had encountered before.
Aerin, who had been spectating from a distance, rushed toward him. "Jin, are you seriously planning to continue? You just fought a being that could erase kingdoms with a flick of his hand."
Jin smirked. "And I won."
Aerin sighed, crossing her arms. "That doesn't mean you should throw yourself into the next death trap."
Before Jin could respond, the system chimed again.
> [The Divine Tower's Forbidden Floor has been unlocked.]
Warning: This floor has been sealed for millennia. The one who enters may never return.
Aerin's eyes widened. "Wait… this floor was sealed?"
Jin's fingers twitched in anticipation. "Which means whatever's inside… must be something worth hiding."
A new voice suddenly echoed through the air, deep and ancient.
"The Godslayer has arrived… but is he prepared for what awaits beyond the veil?"
Jin turned sharply. From the shadows of the golden gate, a figure emerged.
---
The Keeper of the Forbidden Floor
The man—if he could be called that—stood at least ten feet tall, his body composed of pure white celestial energy. His face was obscured beneath a silver mask, his robes flowing like liquid starlight.
His presence alone made the air heavier.
> [??? – The Keeper of the Forbidden Floor]
A being older than gods. A guardian of forgotten knowledge and the ultimate trial.
Aerin staggered back. Even without fighting, the sheer weight of his existence was suffocating.
Jin clenched his fists. "Are you my next opponent?"
The Keeper's glowing eyes studied him. "That depends. Do you seek power, or do you seek truth?"
Jin furrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"
The Keeper raised his hand. The golden gate behind him shifted, splitting into two distinct paths.
The Left Path: A road bathed in divine light, pulsating with boundless power.
The Right Path: A dark abyss, swirling with unknown horrors.
"One path will grant you the strength to shatter fate itself," the Keeper said, "The other will reveal the truth of this world, of the gods, and of your very existence."
Jin's eyes narrowed.
Aerin gritted her teeth. "This feels like a trap."
Jin smirked. "Maybe. But every risk comes with a reward."
The Keeper extended his hand. "Choose, Jin Seol. Will you become an entity of absolute power… or will you uncover the truths that even the gods fear?"
---
Jin's Decision: Power or Truth?
[1] The Path of Power – Unlocks the next stage of divine strength, evolving Jin's abilities to godlike levels but at an unknown cost.
[2] The Path of Truth – Grants knowledge about the gods, the system, and hidden secrets of the Divine Tower, but may come with irreversible consequences.
Jin gritted his teeth.
This was it—a turning point.
And whatever choice he made… there would be no going back.
> [A Decision Must Be Made.]