"The Mysterious Tower is tied to the future of every single job changer."
Lucas spoke slowly, his fingers lightly tapping the rim of his teacup. He paused, then nodded. "I don't know much about it yet. I haven't even seen it in person. But I understand how important it is."
He leaned back in his chair slightly. "They say it connects to the level cap, right? That once you hit Level 100, your fourth advancement, you're forced to face it."
He didn't hesitate to admit his intention. "When I get there, I plan to challenge it. That's something every job changer should be prepared for."
Jade Walker sipped her tea with elegance, then placed the cup gently down. "Some people don't see it that way."
Lucas glanced up. His tone was calm, but his eyes held curiosity. "Oh?"
Though he was playing dumb, he knew what she was referring to. In his last meeting with Logan Barrett, the guild master had completely avoided the topic of the Mysterious Tower. He'd deflected every time it came up. It was clear he didn't want to talk about it.
Now, Jade was poking right at that wound. Did she know what Logan had said—or rather, what he didn't?
"The Mysterious Tower's importance goes far beyond just unlocking the next level," she said, her voice a little sharper now. "It's more than some bottleneck you overcome at 100."
Lucas caught the shift in her tone. "More than that?"
Jade didn't answer directly. She just looked out the window, speaking as if to herself.
"They know," she said softly. "Every one of them knows how important it is. But they pretend it isn't. They close their eyes and look away. They don't want to face it."
Lucas listened intently.
"They tell everyone, 'Only SSS-levels have a shot past Floor 100,'" she continued, her expression tightening. "But that's a lie. A cover-up. They're not being cautious—they're just scared."
She turned back to him, her eyes flashing.
"Logan Barrett is no exception."
Lucas stayed silent.
"He's SS-level, sure. Respected. Strong. Polished. But when it comes to the Mysterious Tower—he won't go near it. He won't even talk about it." Her voice turned cold. "He's afraid to die."
"People say he's brave?" She let out a short, humorless laugh. "Maybe in other things. But not this. Not where it really matters."
"The Shengshi Guild?" she added, raising her eyebrows. "That's not leadership. It's retirement. They've stopped climbing, stopped fighting. They're content. They're comfortable."
Her words came faster now, emotions rising.
"They're relics. Bones in graves pretending to be kings. And they don't deserve to be called the strongest anymore."
She raised her cup and drained it in a single drink. The soft clink as she set it down again was oddly final—like a statement in itself.
Then she looked up, straight at Lucas.
"That's why I built the Tower Demolition Team Guild."
"To break the so-called impossible ceiling."
"To challenge what they fear."
"To reach the top, even if it kills me."
Her voice didn't tremble. She meant every word.
"I want to show the world that even if you're just SS-level, you can still fight your way to the 100th floor."
She leaned forward, her tone quieter now but sharper than ever.
"This is what my guild stands for."
"And I'm asking you... do you want to be a hero?"
"Or a coward?"
Lucas stared at her, unmoving.
In that moment, Jade didn't care about Amelia Su, or about recruiting flashy talents. She wasn't trying to impress anyone. She wasn't strategizing or manipulating.
She was being real. Bold. Raw.
All she wanted was a team of people who believed like she did—even if they weren't the most powerful, even if they weren't famous.
Even if they were only S-level.
Because what mattered wasn't their rank.
What mattered was their will.
Lucas didn't answer right away.
Her words had struck something deep.
He thought of his past life.
Of the day he ran into the street without thinking.
A little girl had been about to be hit by a car. He reacted on instinct, not courage. There had been no time to weigh options. No dramatic decision. He just happened to be there. He just moved.
And then... he died.
The next thing he knew, he had awakened in this world, reborn as someone else—starting over.
Was that heroic? he often wondered.
No fame, no medals, no dramatic music. Just an impulsive act—and a permanent cost.
Did it matter?
Maybe not to others. But it mattered to him.
"I've done something heroic before," he said finally. "Once."
Jade's smile faded a little.
"But the price was high," he added. "I lost everything."
He wasn't trying to sound dramatic. Just honest.
"So, do I want to be a hero?" He paused, then shrugged. "Not really."
Jade's eyes dropped slightly. There was disappointment there—just for a moment. She didn't push. She wouldn't beg.
But Lucas wasn't finished.
"But... I definitely don't want to be a coward."
Her eyes lifted.
Lucas smirked. "I'm not the type to sit on the sidelines while others do the real work."
He glanced at her teacup, then back to her eyes.
"I don't care if your guild is weaker. I like the name. It has guts."
"And I like what it stands for."
"As a gamer, as a fighter... I want to challenge the highest boss, beat the hardest dungeon, and earn the best rewards."
"What's the point of this life if you're not going to push yourself?"
Jade's heart pounded—but she remained composed.
Then Lucas grinned.
"So yeah. Let's go crush that Tower."
Jade couldn't hide it anymore—her entire face lit up.
She stood quickly, extended her hand across the table. "Then, Mr. Lucas—welcome to the Tower Demolition Team Guild!"
Lucas laughed and stood as well, shaking her hand. "Does this mean I'm stuck now? On a pirate ship I can't leave?"
She gave him a mischievous smile. "You're the vice president now. If we're pirates, then you're the first mate."
They shook hands, sealing the deal not just as allies—but as partners in a larger dream.
"Oh, one more thing," Lucas said as he let go. "Does your guild still accept new members?"
Jade tilted her head. "Friends of yours?"
He nodded. "Three of them. We live in the same dorm. They've been waiting for me to choose."
She grinned. "You're vice president now. That means you get a say. But you need to make sure they understand what they're walking into."
Her tone became serious.
"Our mission isn't about comfort. We aim for the Mysterious Tower. That means blood, sweat, and maybe... no return."
Lucas nodded solemnly. "I'll explain it to them clearly."
"If they're not afraid to die," Jade said, "then tell them they're welcome."
He smiled again.
These were his brothers. Danny, Chris, Zhao—they had his back. Now he needed to be sure they were ready to face something far beyond simple grinding or guild rankings.
This isn't a game anymore.
This is real.
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