Sitting in the luxurious chair of a grand office, I felt as if I were in the private quarters of a president or a royal advisor.
The entire room was adorned in gold, lavishly decorated with ornaments that looked like relics from 18th-century Europe—chandeliers, oil paintings, and elaborate moldings. The air was heavy with elegance and unnecessary indulgence.
Had life in the Tower become so comfortable for humans that they could afford to focus on aesthetics rather than survival? Maybe it was time I increased the difficulty of the lower floors…
Suddenly, the thick wooden door creaked open.
A tall Black man stepped into the room. He appeared to be in his early forties, but his sculpted, muscular frame radiated the energy of someone in their prime.
No wonder they called him the Black Bear.
His silver armor gleamed under the warm lights, reminiscent of an ancient Roman gladiator—commanding, powerful, and steeped in presence.
[Name: Alfred]
[Age: 42
Level: 9
Race: Human
Affiliation: Arm Hearts Guild (Leader)
Titles: Black Bear, First to Clear the First Floor (E++)
Technique: Historical European Martial Arts (90%)
Skills: Energy Explosion (E+)
Traits: Calm Demeanor, Brave, Noble]
[First to Clear the First Floor (E++)]
[Effect: Passively emits an aura that increases morale and boosts all stats of nearby allies by 3%.
Maximum Targets: 5 allies.
Limited to players under level 12]
[Energy Explosion (E+)]
[Type: Active Skill
Cooldown: 60 seconds
Cost: 15% of current energy
Description: The user channels dormant energy into a controlled eruption, revitalizing their body and spirit.
Increases user's stats by 20% when fighting standard monsters.
Boost rises to 40% against bosses or elite enemies.
Side Effect: Reduces energy regeneration by 30% for 100 seconds.
Passive: Emits faint energy traces, which may attract aggressive monsters or intimidate intelligent ones.
Limited to players under level 15]
A monster in human form…
Alfred was the epitome of everything I'd hoped humans could become after entering the Tower. He was the embodiment of potential, strength, and discipline—my proudest creation.
"I salute the Guild Leader."
I cupped my hands in front of my chest—a customary sign of respect and goodwill among players.
Alfred said nothing at first, eyes scanning my every movement, every twitch. His presence was so intense that even Zaine had insisted I wear clothes to avoid meeting the Guild Leader in an indecent state.
The pressure from his aura alone would make a low-tier player like Brent collapse. That's the side effect of his title.
"You're quite well-mannered for someone who's lived his whole life in the mountains… Arthur, was it?"
Even though he tried to suppress his aura, I could still feel it seeping into the room. There was no ignoring the passive power he emitted.
"Yes, sir. I picked it up from the streets."
"Let's cut to the chase. The hidden quest—how reliable is your intel?"
"I'm completely certain, sir. I've seen it with my own eyes not long ago. I can provide every detail you need."
Alfred stared deep into my eyes. His experience as a former military agent had honed his instincts to a razor's edge. He could smell deception better than most. His past life fighting off Darkseekers had trained him to spot danger before it struck.
For a regular human, the Tower's trials would be overwhelming—but for a trained soldier, they were manageable.
"But of course," I added, "nothing comes for free, as I'm sure you expected. I do have a few conditions."
Alfred leaned back slightly, his expression calm but focused.
He knew the value of a hidden quest. A successful clearance would widen the gap between his guild and their competitors. If he declined my offer, I'd simply take it to another group. And if he thought about silencing me… well, I knew enough about his noble nature to gamble on his integrity.
"I'm listening," he said.
"I want to be part of the team that clears the hidden quest—and I want to be trained in the Historical European Martial Art practiced by your guild."
Simple, fair requests.
Being part of the raid would allow me to witness elite players in action. Learning the first martial art ever developed inside the Tower would give me a deeper understanding of this world's combat system.
Of course, I could simply implant the technique directly into my memory and reach mastery within seconds—but that would defeat the purpose.
I need real battle experience. I can't rely on the system forever.
"Mmm…" Alfred murmured. "I can't just hand you a spot on my elite team. Here's the deal: if you can reach 20% proficiency in HEMA within two weeks, I'll seriously consider you for a permanent position."
"Deal."
I didn't hesitate. Earning my place would only serve to strengthen my cover and my understanding of this world.
"Now then, Sir Arthur… give me your full report on the hidden quest."