The sky split open with a thunderous roar as the Obelisk of Eternity descended from the heavens, its obsidian surface swallowing the sunlight. It stood taller than mountains, its peak vanishing into the clouds, an impossible structure that defied the laws of nature.
And today, it called for challengers.
Ray Aldric stood among the crowd of hopefuls, his hands tucked into his pockets, his expression carefully blank. Around him, burly warriors flexed their muscles, mages muttered incantations under their breath, and rogue-types flicked daggers between their fingers.
And then there was him—a skinny young man in plain clothes, no visible weapons, no aura of power.
Perfect.
A floating screen materialized before every participant:
[Welcome, Challengers.
The First Floor awaits.
Survive. Ascend. Or die.]
A swirling portal opened at the tower's base, and the crowd surged forward. Ray let himself be pushed along, his steps deliberately clumsy, his breathing slightly too quick—the perfect act of a nervous amateur.
The moment Ray stepped through, the air changed. The scent of damp earth and rust filled his nostrils. **Blood.**
The forest was a death trap. Vines with needle-like thorns slithered across the ground, and in the distance, screams already echoed as unprepared climbers were impaled, their bodies drained in seconds.
A burly axeman from earlier glanced at Ray and scoffed. "Tch. A healer? Useless."
Ray ducked his head, forcing a nervous smile. "I-I can patch up wounds… if we make it through."
The man snorted and stomped ahead, not noticing the way Ray's fingers twitched, a faint blue shimmer dancing across his fingertips before vanishing.
[Omni-System Activated.]
[Analyzing Environment: Bloodthorn Vines – Weak to Frost.]
Ray exhaled. Good. No one's paying attention to me.
The axeman didn't last long.
A vine lashed out from the shadows, spearing through his leg. He roared, swinging his weapon wildly, but more vines coiled around his arms, dragging him down.
"HEALER! HELP ME, DAMN IT!" he screamed, blood bubbling from his lips.
Ray hesitated—just long enough to make it convincing—before rushing forward. He placed a hand on the man's chest, letting golden light glow from his palm.
[Skill: Minor Heal – Activated.]
The bleeding slowed, but the vines tightened, thorns digging deeper.
"Y-You're not strong enough…!" the man choked.
Ray leaned in, his voice a whisper.
"I know."
Then—he let go.
The vines ripped the man apart in seconds.
Ray stepped back, watching dispassionately as the vines feasted.
[Bloodthorn Essence Detected.]
[Absorb? Y/N]
A smirk tugged at his lips. Yes.
His veins darkened for a split second as the Omni-System devoured the monster's essence.
[New Trait Acquired: Bloodthorn Resistance.]
[Minor Regeneration Boosted.]
A rustle in the bushes.
Ray immediately hunched his shoulders, his face twisting into fake panic as another group of climbers stumbled into the clearing.
"Shit! More vines—!" one yelled.
Ray raised his hands, voice trembling. "P-Please, I'm just a healer! I can't fight!"
The leader, a swordswoman with a scar across her eye, assessed him. Then she jerked her chin. "Stick close. We'll protect you—if you heal us in return."
Ray nodded eagerly. "O-Of course!"
Perfect.
As they moved forward, the system's words flickered in his vision:
[Floor Boss Ahead.]
[Recommended Strategy: Let Them Weaken It First.]
Ray's smile deepened.
This was going to be fun.