Ascension: Shackles of Eternity

The massive structure loomed before Jin-Seok, its black surface gleaming faintly in the dim light of the forest. It was impossibly tall, vanishing into the clouds above. The closer he got, the more he felt its presence—a cold, oppressive energy radiating outward like an invisible storm.

The Tower of Eternity wasn't just a structure; it was alive.

Jin-Seok's body still ached from his earlier battle with the Shadow Wolves, but the faint glow of the status window flickering before his eyes gave him a strange sense of reassurance.

[Status Window]

Name: Jin-Seok

Level: 2

Class: Undefined

Attributes:

Strength: 11 Agility: 8 Intelligence: 6 Luck: 5

Skills: Improvised Weapon (Level 1)

He had no idea how the System worked, but one thing was clear—it was tied to his survival. Every fight, every kill brought him closer to something. What that was, he didn't know yet, but the answers had to lie within the Tower.

Taking a deep breath, Jin-Seok stepped forward.

[System Notification: Tutorial Phase Complete.]

The Tower of Eternity is open. Enter at your own risk.

The words hung in the air as he approached the base of the Tower. A massive archway, framed by intricate carvings of runes and symbols, stood before him. The doorway shimmered, the space within filled with an unnatural darkness that seemed to pull at him, beckoning him forward.

Jin-Seok hesitated. Every instinct in his body screamed at him to turn back, to run. But where would he go? The forest was just as dangerous, if not more so.

"You've come this far," he muttered to himself, clenching his fists. "No turning back now."

He stepped through the archway.

Inside, the world shifted.

The oppressive cold of the forest was replaced by a suffocating heat. Jin-Seok found himself standing in a circular chamber, the walls made of black stone that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. The air was thick and heavy, filled with the faint scent of sulfur.

Torches lined the walls, their flames flickering with an unnatural blue hue. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, and atop it was a glowing orb of light.

[System Notification: First Floor Initiated.]

Objective: Retrieve the Orb of Binding.

Warning: Enemies present.

"Enemies…" Jin-Seok whispered, his eyes darting around the chamber.

The ground beneath his feet began to tremble, and cracks formed in the stone floor. From the fissures emerged twisted, humanoid creatures, their bodies made of molten rock and their eyes glowing like embers.

The creatures let out guttural snarls, their movements jerky and unnatural as they advanced toward him. Jin-Seok's heart raced. There were three of them, and he had no weapon.

Desperation set in as he searched the room for anything he could use. His gaze landed on a rusted sword lying near one of the walls. Without thinking, he sprinted toward it, narrowly dodging a swipe from one of the creatures.

He grabbed the sword, its weight unfamiliar in his hands, and turned to face the monsters. The blade was chipped and corroded, but it was better than nothing.

The first creature lunged at him, its molten claws slashing through the air. Jin-Seok swung the sword with all his strength, the blade cutting through the creature's arm. It let out a shriek, molten blood spilling onto the floor and hissing as it hit the stone.

[System Alert: Combat Engaged.]

New Skill Unlocked: Basic Swordsmanship (Level 1).

Once again, the strange warmth coursed through his body, and his grip on the sword steadied. His movements became more fluid, as though the knowledge of how to fight had been etched into his very being.

The second creature charged, and Jin-Seok sidestepped its attack, bringing the sword down onto its back. The blade cut deep, and the creature collapsed to the ground, its body disintegrating into ash.

[System Alert: Molten Spawn defeated. (1/3)]

Reward: +3 Strength, +1 Intelligence.

The remaining two creatures circled him, their molten forms radiating heat that made Jin-Seok's skin prickle. He tightened his grip on the sword, his eyes narrowing as he prepared for their next move.

"Come on," he muttered, his voice filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

The creatures attacked simultaneously, their claws aiming for his chest. Jin-Seok ducked, rolling to the side and swinging his sword in a wide arc. The blade sliced through one creature's legs, sending it toppling to the ground.

With a roar, he drove the sword into its chest, its body erupting into ash.

[System Alert: Molten Spawn defeated. (2/3)]

Reward: +2 Agility, +1 Strength.

The final creature let out a guttural growl, its body glowing brighter as it prepared to attack. Jin-Seok could feel the heat intensify, and he realized with horror that the creature was about to explode.

"Not today!" he shouted, charging forward.

He swung the sword with all his might, severing the creature's head. The molten glow faded, and its body crumbled into ash.

[System Alert: Molten Spawn defeated. (3/3)]

Reward: +4 Strength, +2 Intelligence.

Jin-Seok collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His body was drenched in sweat, and his arms ached from the battle.

The room grew silent once more, and the oppressive heat began to fade. Jin-Seok forced himself to stand, his gaze shifting to the pedestal in the center of the room.

The glowing orb pulsed with a soft light, almost as if it were alive. Jin-Seok approached it cautiously, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch it.

The moment his fingers brushed the surface of the orb, a surge of energy shot through him. His vision blurred, and a new window appeared before his eyes.

[System Notification: Orb of Binding retrieved.]

Floor Cleared!

Reward: +1 Skill Point, +5 Attribute Points, Basic Inventory Unlocked.

Jin-Seok stumbled back, his body tingling with newfound energy. He could feel the strength coursing through him, and for the first time, a small spark of hope ignited within him.

The ground beneath him began to tremble again, and the walls of the chamber dissolved into darkness. Jin-Seok felt a strange pulling sensation, and before he could react, he was engulfed in light.

When the light faded, he found himself standing in a new room, larger and brighter than the one before. A staircase spiraled upward in the center, leading to the next floor.

[System Notification: Second Floor Unlocked.]

Continue your ascent, Challenger.

Jin-Seok tightened his grip on the sword, his gaze fixed on the staircase. The Tower was far from finished with him, and he was far from finished with it.

"Bring it on," he muttered, determination burning in his eyes.