The <Sky Tower> contained dungeons.
What was a dungeon?
It was a place where monsters and various valuable resources appeared.
In other words, one of the reasons people wanted to become Ascenders was to obtain the countless resources and by-products found within dungeons.
They could be sold for money.
One might wonder whether the large number of people entering dungeons meant that everyone had to take a number and wait for their turn.
That was not the case.
First, every floor contained more dungeons than anyone could count.
Furthermore, even when people entered the same dungeon simultaneously, they encountered separate spaces.
It was almost like a game.
Therefore, forming a team and repeatedly clearing a dungeon was far more efficient than attempting it alone.
That remained true whether one wanted to gain Experience for leveling up or collect the dungeon’s by-products.
However, I had to clear them alone.
Given how unusual my circumstances were, I had no other choice.
[Your level has increased.]
“Finally!”
After leaving the dungeon, I clenched my fist.
After spending an entire week clearing dungeons, I had finally succeeded in reaching Level 3.
“That was exhausting.”
* You worked hard.
For once, even Aleon indulged my complaints.
That was how difficult the leveling process had been for me.
Why?
It was because of my inadequate mana capacity, just as I had initially feared.
“It would have been easier if the monsters had gathered in groups.”
The first-floor dungeons were considerate toward Ascenders.
The monsters inside them rarely traveled in groups.
They were all scattered throughout the dungeon, appearing only one or two at a time.
Perhaps this was the <Sky Tower>’s way of helping Ascenders grow accustomed to combat during the early stages.
However—
‘It would be far better for me if they traveled in groups!’
Thunderbolt was a Mythic-grade skill.
It possessed the <Chain Effect> normally associated with Chain Lightning, a four-star spell.
That meant a large group of enemies would actually be far easier for someone like me, whose mana capacity was pitifully small.
However, because I had to eliminate only one or two monsters at a time, my dungeon-clearing speed was atrocious.
After using Thunderbolt several times, I had to rest for a long while and wait for my Magic Power to recover.
‘At least I have the Tome of the Sage’s Mana Recovery, and I don’t need to use Sage’s Aura.’
Even without Sage’s Aura, the destructive power of the Mythic-grade Thunderbolt was more than sufficient to kill Level 1 and Level 2 monsters in a single hit.
Then there was the exceptional Mana Recovery granted by the <Tome of the Sage>.
Without the <Tome of the Sage>, reaching Level 3 would have taken at least twice as long.
“You said many Level 3 dungeons contain gnolls, right?”
Gnolls.
They were the monsters I had encountered during the Sacred Ritual.
If they charged at me in a group as they had back then, perhaps leveling up would become easier from this point onward.
With that hope in mind, I entered a dungeon.
However, after clearing several more Level 3 dungeons—
“Damn it!”
I finally lost my temper.
Why?
Because the Level 3 dungeons were exactly the same.
To make matters worse, the amount of Experience required to level up had increased considerably after I reached Level 3.
At this rate, I could not even estimate how long it would take to reach Level 5.
Most people supposedly reached Level 5 rather quickly.
At this rate, it might take me more than a month.
* Hmm. Once you reach Level 5, the situation should improve considerably. It seems that your greatest obstacle lies directly before you.
Aleon appeared to find the situation just as frustrating as I did.
After contemplating the problem for a long time, I finally made a momentous decision.
“There’s no other choice. I’ll find a team.”
Only until I reached Level 5.
To accomplish that—
“I need another magic skill.”
The Mythic-grade Thunderbolt attracted far too much attention.
Furthermore, even with its 40% reduction in mana consumption, it inevitably required more Magic Power than a Common one-star spell.
Since I was already suffering from a severe mana shortage, I needed a skill that consumed even less Magic Power.
‘I can’t believe my Magic Power hasn’t increased by even one point after reaching Level 3.’
I glanced at my Status Window and quietly clicked my tongue.
[Name] Kim Hajun
[Trait] Sage (10-Star ★★★★★★★★★★)
[Level] 3
[Stats]
* Strength: 7
* Agility: 7
* Vitality: 9(+5)
* Magic Power: 1(+5)
* Mental Power: 14(+5)
[Special Skills]
1. Sage’s Aura (10-Star): Special Skill. Amplifies the power of Magic Power by 10(+0.9) times. (Scales with Mental Power)
2. Sage’s Sight (10-Star): Special Skill. Sees through the truth.
*Passive - Sage’s Senses
[General Skills]
1. [Mythic] Thunderbolt (1-Star ★)
Over the course of two level-ups, my Strength had increased by 2, Agility by 2, Vitality by 2, Magic Power by 0, and Mental Power by 4.
‘This is truly absurd.’
How could my Magic Power fail to increase even once?
I had already started with only 1 Magic Power and was struggling with a severe mana shortage.
Should I at least be grateful that my Mental Power had increased by 4?
The amplification provided by Sage’s Aura was already approaching eleven times.
Yes.
Mental Power, you are the only Stat I can trust!
“I’ll have to scrape together everything I own to buy a Common skill.”
Skills were normally learned through Skill Cards obtained from dungeons.
However, Skill Cards were not particularly common.
As a result, they were extremely expensive.
The prices of highly versatile and popular skills could rise to astonishing heights.
Therefore, I decided to sell the by-products I had collected from the dungeons and close the savings account into which I had deposited small amounts of money since I was twenty.
“Ugh.”
I had spent five years building that account.
I had intended to use the money for my honeymoon with Yeonhee!
With tears in my eyes, I closed the account and received the considerable sum of fifteen million won.
Selling the dungeon by-products earned me another three million won.
‘This is astonishing in its own way.’
A newly awakened beginner Ascender had earned three million won in only a few days.
It was no wonder people said that Ascenders and non-Ascenders belonged to completely different social classes.
In any case, I took the considerable sum of money and hurried to the Ascender Marketplace.
There, I managed to purchase a listed ‘[Common] Mana Bolt (1-Star ★)’ Skill Card for eighteen million won.
“This is disgustingly expensive.”
Even that price had only been secured after a lengthy negotiation.
It had originally been listed for nineteen million won.
“Phew.”
My hands trembled after making the largest purchase of my life.
How embarrassing.
A man destined to command the entire world was trembling over such a modest amount!
Realizing that I still lacked discipline, I tore the Skill Card apart.
RRIP!
SHIIIIING!
White light flowed from the card and was immediately absorbed into my body.
* You have acquired [Common] Mana Bolt (1-Star ★).
Excellent!
I immediately manifested Mana Bolt and nodded.
It certainly consumed far less Magic Power.
With this, I should be able to use it at least ten times in succession.
In other words, I would be capable of pulling my weight after joining a team.
This was all thanks to the <Tome of the Sage>, which had increased my Magic Power by 5.
Long live the <Tome of the Sage>!!
* It seems that you are gradually beginning to understand the greatness of my Three Sacred Treasures.
Aleon spoke in a satisfied voice.
* After reaching Level 5, you must also prepare to advance the <Tome of the Sage> to two stars.
“Oh.”
I could already increase the <Tome of the Sage>’s star rating?
I welcomed that news with open arms.
“Excellent.”
This made me want to reach Level 5 even more quickly.
I would obtain another Special Skill and begin preparing to advance the Tome of the Sage.
Filled with high hopes, I entered the tower once again.
‘Let’s try a Goblin Dungeon this time.’
Goblins.
They were monsters that began appearing in Level 3 dungeons.
They were the same goblins everyone knew from stories.
They possessed greater discipline and organization than gnolls, making them some of the strongest enemies found in Level 3 dungeons.
“Let me see……”
When I reached an area densely packed with Goblin Dungeons, I found a large crowd gathered there.
Most of them were preparing to clear the Goblin Dungeons.
“Looking for a Level 3–4 melee fighter for a Goblin Dungeon!”
“We’re entering a standard Level 3 Goblin Dungeon with a five-person team! One position remains. Anyone Level 3 or higher is welcome!”
“Goblin Dungeon party! First come, first served!”
Countless people formed teams on the spot and headed into the dungeons.
‘As expected of a popular dungeon. Finding a team shouldn’t be difficult.’
People could recruit teammates directly in front of a dungeon like this.
Alternatively, they could find parties online through well-known Ascender communities.
‘Which one should I join?’
There were so many options that I could not decide.
As I looked around—
BOOM!!
A heavy sound rang out, and a brilliant cluster of light appeared in the air, forming words.
[Level 3 Goblin Dungeon. Recruiting Combat Types Only. (1/4)]
The spectacular display immediately captured everyone’s attention.
Beneath the glowing letters stood a woman with her arms folded.
‘She must have created it.’
She was tall and slender, dressed in black tights.
A black mask covered the lower half of her face.
* Oh. She is an extraordinary beauty.
‘You can tell even with the mask?’
* Look at her eyes and the shape of her face. Does she not possess the classic features of a beautiful woman?
That was true.
The eyes visible above her black mask were beautiful enough to draw a person in.
However, one could never truly judge a face until seeing it without anything concealed.
During the years when masks were widespread, plenty of people had appeared far more attractive with half their faces hidden.
Still, I was more interested in something other than the woman’s appearance.
“Wow. Isn’t that incredibly expensive?”
“I think so. I heard each use costs more than thirty million won.”
“What? It’s that expensive?”
“I heard maintaining a shape in the air for that long costs around that much.”
The unmistakable scent of immense wealth surrounded her.
‘She spent thirty million won just to recruit party members. She must have more money than she knows what to do with.’
I suddenly became curious.
Who was this woman?
Looking more carefully, I noticed that she was wearing numerous ornaments and accessories.
Even I could recognize that they were expensive Artifacts far beyond anything I could afford.
‘She must be the daughter of a wealthy family.’
I quickly reached a decision.
If she possessed Artifacts like those, the party would probably clear the dungeon far more quickly.
Good.
I would join her team.
However, joining her party was not as straightforward as I expected.
“I would like to join your team.”
“Could you tell me what kind of bracelet you’re wearing?”
“Please show us your face!”
While I had been lost in thought, all kinds of people had gathered around her.
Some genuinely wanted to join the team.
Others had no interest in the dungeon and were only interested in the woman herself.
‘Hmm…. Perhaps I should simply give up.’
It was far too crowded.
I should find another party.
Just as I was about to turn away, she looked in my direction.
Our eyes met.
“Are you going to join the team?”
Her voice was clear and melodious.
What a beautiful voice.
“Ah, yes.”
When I nodded, she accepted me as a party member.
What?
Why?
Why had she chosen me from among all these people?
I did not know the reason.
Nevertheless, I ended up forming a four-person team with her.
“Let’s briefly introduce ourselves before we enter. I’m Park Changwon. I’m Level 4. You see this, right? I’m a spearman.”
The oldest-looking member of the group spoke while lightly waving the long spear in his hand.
He was a middle-aged man whose crown had been thoroughly ravaged by hair loss.
“…My name is Han Suyeon. I’m Level 3, and my primary weapons are daggers.”
The woman serving as our party leader introduced herself next.
Oh.
Daggers.
Her Trait was probably suited to an Agility-based melee fighter.
That explained why she was wearing tights.
“My name is Lee Naksu. I’m also Level 3, and Fire Bolt is my main skill.”
This nerdy-looking young man appeared to be around my age.
He seemed to be a Magic Type like me.
Ah.
Was it my turn now?
“My name is Kim Hajun. I’m also Level 3, and I use Mana Bolt.”
When my introduction ended, Park Changwon smiled and adopted a deliberately sympathetic expression.
“Oh dear! Mana Bolt? Isn’t that considered the weakest one-star skill available to Magic Types? I heard it’s difficult to contribute properly with that skill. Ah! Of course, I’m not saying you won’t be able to pull your weight, Mr. Hajun. I assume you came to a Goblin Dungeon because you’re confident. I’ve simply heard that people whose first skill is Mana Bolt usually spend all their time killing slimes until they obtain another skill. Hahaha.”
This bastard… What was his problem?
He kept chuckling while pretending to be concerned, but it seemed that he was deliberately trying to mock me.
* Look at the way the corner of his mouth is raised. Just as you suspected, it appears deliberate. What an unpleasant fellow!
Aleon was right.
Park Changwon subtly curled the corner of his mouth upward, deliberately attempting to irritate me.
Was he insane?
Why was he behaving like this toward someone he had only just met?
“Let’s enter first.”
Just as I was about to respond, Han Suyeon spoke before me.
Fine.
Let us see how skilled you truly are with that spear.
Surely he would not actually contribute more than I did, would he?
* Do not worry. I shall assist you more actively this time.
Excellent.
With Aleon’s assistance, I should be able to outperform that man even while using only Mana Bolt.
If necessary, I could always demonstrate Thunderbolt once.
I abandoned my original intention of clearing the dungeon casually.
Determined to give it my full effort, I threw myself into the dungeon portal.