Leon and Roselia arrived at the town gate, showing their Ascender cards to the guards before being allowed inside. Leon stretched as they walked through. "Let's go, eat, and rest," he mumbled, clearly exhausted from their recent ordeal.
Roselia nodded in agreent, and the two continued down the familiar streets, making their way back to their inn.
"Oh, you're back!" Lina, the innkeeper, greeted them warmly as they stepped inside.
"We're back, Lina," Leon replied with a small nod.
Roselia smiled at her. "Do you have sothing tasty you can cook today?"
Lina nodded enthusiastically.
Lina was a tall, strikingly beautiful woman with dark, silky hair and amber eyes. A native of the Tower, she had inherited this small, cozy inn from her family, who had run it for generations. Though modest, the inn was charming, with just ten spacious double-bed rooms.
Leon had already rented out the entire inn, ensuring privacy and comfort for himself and Roselia. While he could easily afford to buy the place outright—given the wealth he'd accumulated—he preferred to let Lina continue managing it as it was her family's legacy. Recently, Lina had even started cooking for Leon and Roselia, becoming their unofficial chef.
"Give a little while, and I'll whip up sothing special," Lina said with a warm smile before heading toward the kitchen.
Leon and Roselia headed to their room, eager to rest and recharge while they waited for Lina's al.
Leon leaned back on the plush sofa in their room, letting out a tired sigh. Roselia sat across from him, her legs crossed elegantly as she began polishing her blades. Despite the exhaustion, there was a comfortable silence between them, a testant to how well they worked together.
"You've been quiet," Roselia finally said, glancing up at Leon.
Leon smirked slightly, resting his head against the back of the sofa. "Just thinking. That Rift was a lot easier than I expected, but I can't help feeling like the real challenge is waiting for us further up the mountain."
Roselia nodded, her violet eyes sharp. "You're not wrong. Lower-level Rifts are just the beginning. If we're not prepared, those upper-level creatures will tear us apart."
Leon chuckled. "Always the optimist, huh?"
Roselia smirked faintly but didn't reply. Instead, she focused on her blade, the rhythmic sound of the sharpening stone filling the room.
A gentle knock on the door interrupted them.
"Co in," Leon called out.
Lina entered, carrying a tray laden with steaming dishes. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the room, making Leon's stomach growl audibly. Roselia raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Here you go," Lina said cheerfully, setting the tray down on the table. "A special stew, fresh bread, and so roasted at. It's not fancy, but it'll keep you strong for whatever you're planning next."
"It slls amazing," Roselia said, her eyes briefly softening as she looked at the al.
Leon sat up, eagerly reaching for a bowl. "You're a lifesaver, Lina."
Lina laughed lightly. "Just doing my job. Let know if you need anything else." With that, she left the room, leaving them to their al.
As they ate, Leon began outlining their next steps.
"Tomorrow, we'll head back to the Rift and start clearing the mid-levels. The lower levels were manageable, but we need to test ourselves against tougher monsters. I'll also check if we can find any hidden resources or treasures inside."
Roselia nodded, finishing her bite of stew. "Agreed. The more we push now, the better prepared we'll be when we ascend further in the Tower."
Leon grinned. "That's the plan. For now, though, let's eat and rest. We've earned it."
They continued their al, savoring the food and the rare mont of peace before the challenges awaiting them tomorrow.
But the peace was shattered when soone else suddenly entered the room, leaving both Leon and Roselia stunned as they froze in their actions.
I didn't sense her approach, they both thought in horror, their eyes darting to the side where a beautiful woman now sat. Calmly, she poured herself a cup of tea and helped herself to a bowl of stew, taking a delicate bite before opening her mouth to speak.
"You broke my heart, Leon," she said, her voice smooth yet tinged with a playful sadness.
Leon stared at her, recognizing the voice instantly. How could he not? It was the sa voice he had heard at the auction house—the sa voice filled with passion and longing from that unforgettable night.
"At least you rember my voice," Angelica said, smiling as she t his gaze, her violet eyes shimring mischievously. She took another bite of stew, entirely at ease.
"What are you doing here?" Leon asked, exhaling sharply as his initial tension ebbed away. His racing heart finally began to calm. God, I thought I was about to et my dead mom and dad, Leon thought inwardly, shaking off the sudden shock.
Angelica leaned back in her chair, swirling the tea in her cup lazily. "What, no warm welco for your 'dear companion' who has been longing for you?" she teased, pouting slightly before letting her expression soften. "I ca to see you, of course. It's been far too long, hasn't it?"
Roselia remained silent, her sharp eyes never leaving Angelica. Though she was relaxed on the surface, her hand subtly rested on her blade, ready to draw it at a mont's notice.
Leon sighed, rubbing his temple. "Angelica, you're as dramatic as ever. Did you really have to scare us like that? Roselia almost attacked you."
Angelica laughed lightly, waving her hand dismissively. "Oh, please. Like she could actually land a hit on ." Her gaze flicked to Roselia, her smile widening. "Though I must admit, I'm impressed. You've got good instincts, darling. It's no wonder Leon keeps you close."
Roselia's expression didn't change, but her grip on her blade tightened slightly. "I'm not here for your complints," she said coolly. "Why are you really here?"
Angelica smirked, her eyes glinting with amusent. "Straight to the point. I like that." She set her teacup down and leaned forward slightly. "I've co to bid my goodbye. After all, I can't leave my dear Leon without informing him, can I?"
"You're leaving, huh?" Leon nodded, his expression neutral. Then, glancing at her, he hesitated before speaking. "But… can you take back this mark? I thought that night was just a one-night stand." His voice lowered at the end as he felt Roselia's intense glare burning into him.
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"My love mark?" Angelica's smile widened, a playful glint in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but it's not sothing I can remove." Then, with a teasing tone, she added, "Though even if I could, I wouldn't. I'm in love with you, after all." Her eyes glead for a mont, and Leon could swear they turned into heart shapes.
"So the rumors were true," Roselia remarked, her voice calm but laced with curiosity.
"What rumors?" Leon asked, frowning.
Roselia crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on Angelica. "In the Daemon Continent, there's a tale from a grand gala where all 72 Demon Lords were present. They spoke about how the Angel King was betrayed by his own wife, and in his fury, he cursed the entire angel race. The curse is said to bind each angel to a single partner for their entire life. If either partner betrays this bond, both are punished by Heavenly Thunder—a powerful lightning punishnt said to co directly from the Tower itself. Apparently, the curse was cast using a powerful artifact classified as 'Limit Grade,' sothing so rare and potent it affects all floors of the Tower."
Leon turned to Angelica, his brows raised. "Is that true?"
Angelica sighed, setting her cup down as she nodded. "It's not just a rumor—it's the truth. The Angel King's third wife cheated on him with a servant. When he discovered the betrayal, he was consud by rage and used a Limit Grade treasure of the angel race to curse his entire kind. That single incident caused the angel race to fall from their position among the top ten races, as the artifact used to cast the curse was lost in the process."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle before continuing. "And before you ask, yes, the Limit Grade treasures are extraordinary. They're artifacts of unparalleled power that can influence the entire Tower, regardless of its many floors. That's why they're called 'Limit Grade'—because their power is said to touch the very limits of the Tower's laws."
Leon's eyes widened in awe. "Damn, such a powerful artifact…" he muttered, his thoughts already racing with the possibilities of obtaining sothing so incredible.
Angelica chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Forget about it, Leon. There are less than five Limit Grade treasures known to exist in the entire Tower. Not only that, but using one requires an enormous sacrifice. For example, when the Angel King used it, he sacrificed the power of an entire Tier 10 realm to activate it."
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