Chapter 5: Welcome Adventurer

Audi pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the Adventurer's Guild, stepping inside alone. The scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air, mingling with the lively chatter of adventurers swapping tales of their latest exploits. He ignored the noise. He had a mission to complete.

Striding toward the receptionist's counter, he placed a completed quest form down with a firm hand. "The goblins are dealt with."

The receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman in her middle years, arched an eyebrow as she took the paper. "Alone?" Her gaze flickered around the guild hall. "Your siblings didn't return with you?"

"They stayed behind to assist with the larger extermination," Audi replied, his voice steady. "I completed my part."

She gave a small nod of approval and stamped the quest with an official seal. "Well then, congratulations. You've qualified for Tower access."

Audi's fingers curled slightly. "Tell me about the Tower."

The receptionist's expression grew serious. "The Tower is the foundation of our world's advancement. It stretches far beyond what we can comprehend, and each floor presents trials meant to test an adventurer's strength. The deeper you go, the greater the rewards—but also the greater the dangers."

She gestured to a massive board behind her, covered in pinned maps and records of past expeditions. "Every city has a Tower Gate, but climbing is strictly regulated. The first few floors are for beginners, but beyond Gate 5, everything changes. Only those who prove themselves in the trials may continue."

Audi absorbed the information, his mind already racing. "What happens beyond Gate 5?"

She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "Beyond Gate 5 lies the City of Graves—a place where only the worthy may step. There, adventurers must complete another set of trials before being allowed to ascend. This pattern continues every five gates. A new city. A new test. The Adventurer's Guild has only ever reached Gate 50. No one knows what lies beyond."

Her gaze shifted toward the ceiling as if seeing something far beyond the wooden beams. "But we do know this—every floor is its own ecosystem, connected in a way that forms an entire world within the Tower. And the Tower itself…" She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "It wasn't always a tower. Before it took this form, it was known as the Greatest Tree, a colossal being that once stretched into the heavens. Its roots still anchor it to the earth, and its branches hold the mysteries that call adventurers ever upward."

Audi let the words settle before exhaling through his nose. "So... what about the job?"

The receptionist leaned back slightly, folding her arms. "If you're looking for simple work, there are jobs like fisher, farmer, and laborer. Those don't require quests. But for adventurers like you, things work differently."

She glanced at the records before continuing. "Your siblings are already ahead. One has advanced to Priest, the other to Knight—both second-tier jobs. They've made it past Gate 20."

Her gaze sharpened as she met his eyes. "But you... you're still at the starting line. If you want to be an adventurer, you need to pass Gate 5 first. Once you do, you'll unlock the quest Adventure First Job. That quest is only available in the City of Graves, and completing it will allow you to choose your first job."

She slid a parchment toward him, listing the available jobs. "Your options will be swordsman, thief, archer, acolyte, mage, merchant, gunner, or fighter. Choose wisely—your path in the Tower depends on it."

She tapped the desk. "Your siblings are moving fast. If you want to catch up, you'd better get started."

Audi absorbed the information, but one detail lingered in his mind. "The City of Graves… Why is it called that?"

The receptionist's expression darkened slightly. "Because it reminds us of the past. The first great zombie extermination happened there—an event that nearly wiped out everything. That battle turned the city into a graveyard, and though we reclaimed it, the name remains… as a reminder of what was lost."

A chill settled over Audi, but it only strengthened his resolve. A challenge. An opportunity.

And he was ready.

The receptionist gives him a document that contains:

The Tower

A massive, mysterious structure that extends far beyond human comprehension.

Originally known as the Greatest Tree, it transformed into the Tower over time.

Each floor contains a unique ecosystem, creating a world within a world.

The deeper one ventures, the stronger the monsters, the greater the trials, and the better the rewards.

Adventurers can only climb if they pass through Gates, which serve as checkpoints.

Floors & Gates

Every 5 Floors contains a Gate that must be cleared to continue.

Beyond each Gate, there is a City where adventurers can rest, trade, and receive new

quests.

The first major milestone is Gate 5, which allows adventurers to choose their First Job.

The City of Graves (Gate 5) is the first checkpoint and a reminder of the first zombie extermination.

Higher Gates (like Gate 20 and Gate 50) allow adventurers to upgrade or change their job.

Known Floor Milestones:

Floor 1-4: Beginner zone, meant to prepare adventurers for their first challenge.

Gate 5 – City of Graves: Unlocks First Job after completing the Adventure First Job quest.

Floor 6-19: Stronger trials, preparing for the next big challenge.

Gate 20: Unlocks Second Job Advancement.

Gate 50: Unlocks Third Job Advancement.

Beyond Gate 50: No one knows what lies ahead…

The Job System

Before Gate 5: No official job, only training, and basic combat.

After Gate 5: Adventurers must complete the Adventure First Job quest in the City of Graves to select their job.

Available First Jobs:

Swordsman – Balanced melee fighter, master of blades.

Thief – Agile and stealthy, excels in speed and quick attacks.

Archer – Long-range specialist, precise and deadly from afar.

Acolyte – Healer and support role, crucial for team survival.

Mage – Master of elemental magic, high power but fragile.

Merchant – Specializes in trade, resource management, and item crafting.

Gunner – Wields firearms, offering powerful ranged attacks.

Fighter – Uses raw strength, hand-to-hand combat, and endurance.

After Gate 20: Job advancement unlocks stronger, specialized versions of the first job.

After Gate 50: The final known job evolution, but what comes next is unknown.

The Ultimate Question

Audi stood in silence for a moment, processing everything. Then, he looked up and asked, "Why are we climbing the floors?"

The receptionist's expression remained unreadable. "If you have unanswered questions, just climb. Most of the answers lie on the highest floor."

A chill ran through him. The Tower wasn't just a challenge—it was a mystery.

And he intended to reach the top.

Because in the Tower, the higher the floor, the stronger the monsters… and the tastier the rewards.