The higher-ups asked Zelina to give the participants an almost impossible task for the participants, and the reason was simple: the tower’s rankers were bored.
Beyond clearing floors and asserting dominance over each other, the forr entities had little to occupy their ti. They wanted sothing or soone to challenge them, not people they could trample over even after giving up their immortality.
This was why Zelina found herself intrigued by Adrian. Here was a newcor with the potential to stir things up, to challenge the status quo. A rookie capable of shaking the very foundations of the tower—what more could they desire?
’Although he’d have to be nurtured first,’ Zelina thought, looking over her shoulder as Adrian followed him.
Zelina led Adrian through a series of winding corridors deep within the tower. They ca to a stop in front of a large, ornate door. It had the sa ancient runes covering its surface as the walls he had seen before.
She stepped forward and chanted softly in a forgotten language. As she chanted, the runes glowed faintly, and the door humd. With Zelina’s last word, the door swung open silently, revealing a massive hidden room.
Adrian followed her inside, his eyes widening at the sight. The room was pristine, every surface gleaming without a speck of dust. It felt as if ti itself had paused within those walls.
In the centre of the room, a massive holographic screen stood, displaying a list of nas. Adrian’s attention imdiately went to the screen as he walked up to it.
His surprise grew as he scanned the list and found his na in ninety-ninth place. Adrian read the nas above him: Zeus, Hades, Sun Wukong, Artemis, Lilith, and others, so of which appeared blurred out.
But one thing was obvious. Everyone on the list was a legend from one of the various mythologies, gods, and demigods. He was the first mortal to make it onto the list.
The realisation of the gap between him and the gods tempered Adrian’s surprise. His gaze imdiately landed on Zeus’s record: nine seconds.
It had taken Adrian over an hour to complete the tutorial. The difference was staggering, but it only fuelled his determination. After all, it revealed to him a clear picture of the vast difference in strength between him and Zeus.
’Killing him now isn’t any easier than it was before.’
Saying so, he took in the rest of the room and saw countless artefacts displayed on pedestals and within cases. From one look, he could tell that each artefact there was one legendary item he had only read about in mythologies.
The Aegis shield, Angry Buddha’s gauntlets, and more. Every artefact was an S rank, a grade untouched by humans.
However, Zelina paid little attention to the list, because she was the one who had updated it while opening the doors. Instead, she wanted to give Adrian his reward and send him to climb the tower ASAP.
"Welco to the Hall of Achievers," Zelina said, gesturing towards the screen. "This is where we honour those who have accomplished incredible feats."
"I’m here because I made it to the list?" Adrian asked.
"Yes," Zelina replied, moving her wings. "And you are the first mortal to do so. An incredible achievent on top of another."
She continued, "As one of the rankers on the chart, you may choose one artefact as your reward."
Adrian’s eyes widened in surprise. "I can have anything?"
"Of course you can," Zelina responded with a smirk, conjuring a chair out of thin air and settling into it. "Take all the ti you need. The other candidates are still occupied with their trials, so I’m not in a hurry."
Having received permission to look around, Adrian walked around the room. He carefully considered each item before finally stopping in front of a beautifully crafted sword.
The blade was a shimring silver, inscribed with ancient runes that glowed faintly. Fine leather wrapped the hilt, with a gem embedded at its centre that pulsed with a soft, blue light.
Although he didn’t know what the sword was, sothing attracted to him as he picked it up. It felt perfectly balanced in his hand, light yet exuding a sense of imnse power.
"This one," Adrian said, lifting the sword.
"An excellent choice," Zelina nodded approvingly. "This sword is known as ’Luminara.’ Many great heroes have wielded it throughout history. But never by a mortal. Take good care of it."
Adrian felt a strange power course through him as Zelina confird the transaction. But all was not good.
Just as he was about to admire his new weapon, there was a sudden movent in his inventory. The ???’s egg, which he had nearly forgotten about, leapt out of his bag and swallowed the sword whole in a single gulp.
Both Adrian and Zelina stared in shock as the egg wobbled and gave a satisfied burp, before jumping back into his inventory. Adrian was too stunned to react at first, his mouth hanging open in disbelief. When he finally gathered his wits, he looked at Zelina with wide, pleading eyes.
"Can I get another reward?"
"I’m sorry, but we have already completed the transaction. I cannot allow you another pick unless you achieve another legendary feat."
Adrian sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He had been so excited about the sword, and now it was gone. Zelina watched him for a mont before letting out a sigh of her own.
"Look, I know this isn’t exactly fair," she whispered. "So here, take this."
She waved her hand, and a prompt appeared before Adrian.
[You have obtained 100,000 points.]
Before Adrian could ask what it was, Zelina answered him, "The points are like a currency between the administrators and a few rankers. As long as you have points, you can ask a floor admin for help or purchase unique items in their shop."
"Won’t you get in trouble for telling all that?"
"Maybe, but who cares?" Zelina shrugged. "The others have dirt on their nas. It’s about ti I got one too. Also, not giving you sothing after what just happened would be wrong. Just be careful with how you spend it."
"...Thanks," Adrian mumbled and was grateful. After all, Zelina was the complete opposite of how he thought the admins would be.
"You’re welco," Zelina gave him a small, sympathetic smile. "Now, go on and make good use of those points. And next ti, maybe keep a closer eye on that egg of yours. Not all admins are as kind and beautiful as ."
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