[TUTORIAL FLOOR NINE: GLASS TRIAL SANCTUM]
Objective: Survive all mimic phases.
• You will face versions of yourself crafted from your combat style, thoughts, and essence.
• Each version grows stronger with every victory.
• You cannot skip this floor.
"The Tower does not forget its predators."
Wang Ling stepped into a vast chamber of glass, the floor clear and reflecting endless layers beneath him — hundreds of levels down, each floor filled with flickering movements.
It wasn't light.
It was versions of him.
Yue stood outside the glass barrier. She wasn't allowed in.
"Don't trust anything that looks like me," Wang Ling said before he entered.
She nodded. Her hands trembled.
Then the doors sealed behind him.
🧬 Phase One – "Ling [Early Floor Variant]"
A version of himself materialized ahead — weaker, younger, confused.
No aura. No threat.
It rushed forward sloppily, blade wide.
He ended it in one strike.
Neck crushed. Body shattered like crystal.
[Phase Cleared]
"That was the version who hesitated on Floor 1," he thought.
🧬 Phase Two – "Ling [Calculated Variant]"
This one was smarter.
It waited.
Used environment.
Countered cleanly.
Still predictable.
Wang Ling disabled its knees and strangled it bare-handed.
It died in silence.
[Phase Cleared]
"Floor 3. The one who still believed people would climb with him."
🧬 Phase Three – "Ling [Vengeful Variant]"
Now it smiled.
Cold. Cruel. Efficient.
They clashed for minutes. Blood sprayed. Every movement mirrored. Every trick predicted.
This one was fast.
This one was angry.
Still, Wang Ling broke its arm at the elbow and caved its head in with a stomp.
[Phase Cleared]
"That one was born right after they betrayed me."
His breathing was steady.
The air in the sanctum pulsed.
The next version descended without warning.
🧬 Phase Four – "Ling [Unknown Variant]"
This one didn't look like him at all.
It was taller.
Eyes empty. Not angry — hollow.
It didn't run. Didn't charge.
It waited.
And when he moved...
It countered with moves Wang Ling hadn't even used yet.
"This one's not mimicking…"
"It's not copying me—"
"It's showing me what I'll become."
They fought without pause.
Every strike broke the walls. Shattered the glass.
Wang Ling's blood sprayed against the chamber.
But he smiled.
He wasn't afraid of what he'd become.
He was excited.
The final strike came as a feint into a knee.
Wang Ling locked the variant's leg and spun behind it—grabbing its throat.
And whispered:
"You're not me yet."
Crack.
It shattered like ice under steel.
[Final Phase Cleared – Tutorial Floor 9 Complete]
Time: 23 Minutes
Damage Taken: High
+3 Levels
+70 AP
+1 Trait Fusion Node
Unique Title Gained: "Mirror's End"
Immune to clone/mirror-type abilities
Counterattack strength increased when facing copycats
Variants of you suffer permanent stat reduction when encountered
Yue rushed in when the barrier lifted.
She froze.
Blood on his hands. His jaw bruised. Bones visible along his shoulder.
But his eyes were… brighter.
"They made you fight yourself again?"
He looked at her.
"No."
"They let me fight the version I haven't killed yet."
[Tutorial Floor 10 Begins in: 23:59:59]
Theme: Grave of the Ascenders
• Face the corpses of all failed tower gods.
• Each one once reached the final floor.
• Each one lost before becoming the key.
He stood.
There were only two more climbs.
Then came the Gate.
And whatever waited beyond.