The Infinite Tower: The Unstoppable Salesman

Joo Hyun stood at the base of the towering spire that marked the entrance to the Thirteenth Floor. His muscles were sore from the last few battles, but his mind was sharp, a product of his new Constellation powers. Agni's flames burned bright within him, Tsukuyomi's clarity gave him a sense of focus he hadn't known before, and Odin's wisdom provided him the insight needed to face whatever challenges awaited.

Beside him, Dain looked nervous but determined. They had grown stronger together, the bond of their friendship growing with every trial they faced.

"I'm ready," Dain muttered, clenching his fists. "But this floor… something's off about it."

Joo Hyun nodded, feeling the strange pressure in the air. The sky above them seemed to darken, and the atmosphere was thick with a heavy, almost oppressive force. The air itself felt alive with potential danger.

"Let's stay cautious," Joo Hyun said, his voice calm but firm. "We don't know what's coming, but we'll handle it together."

As the pair stepped forward, the ground beneath them suddenly trembled, and a booming voice echoed through the vast expanse.

"You have reached the Thirteenth Floor. The Tower shall now test your resolve."

The earth split open before them, and from the cracks emerged massive, shadowy figures—monsters of unimaginable size and power. These were not the regular beasts of the Tower. These creatures exuded a terrifying aura, as if the very darkness of the Tower itself had taken form. Their eyes glowed with an eerie crimson light, and their forms shifted, ever-changing.

Joo Hyun narrowed his eyes. "They're not just monsters. These are manifestations of the Tower's will."

As the creatures advanced, Joo Hyun's instincts kicked in. He raised his hand, feeling Agni's flames surge within him. He could hear the whispers of the fire god urging him forward. With a swift motion, he conjured a massive fireball, hurling it at the first creature. The fireball exploded on impact, sending a shockwave through the battlefield.

The creature screeched, its body writhing as the flames burned away its dark form, revealing more of its monstrous structure. Yet, it was not defeated.

"Careful, the more we attack, the stronger they get!" Dain shouted, his face pale. He swung his dagger, creating a burst of energy to deflect one of the beasts' claw strikes.

"Then we hit them all at once," Joo Hyun said with a grin, activating Void Step. In an instant, he appeared behind the largest creature. With a slash of Nightfall, he tore into its back, carving deep into its dark flesh.

The creature roared, its massive body thrashing. But it wasn't enough to stop the monster—it was regenerating faster than they could damage it.

"I can't hold them back forever!" Dain yelled, narrowly dodging a swipe from another beast.

"Then we need to finish this quickly," Joo Hyun said, his eyes sharp. "Dain, take the smaller ones. I'll deal with the big one."

Dain nodded, his face set in determination. He rushed forward, moving with the agility that had saved him countless times. Meanwhile, Joo Hyun called upon Odin's wisdom. He had been able to decipher patterns before, but now it felt as though the world itself was revealing the next move in this battle.

With a deep breath, Joo Hyun stepped forward. He could see the creatures' weaknesses now, the flaws in their regenerating forms. He dashed forward, slicing at the shadows with Nightfall, carving his way through the darkness with ruthless precision. The more he cut, the more the creatures seemed to recoil, as if they could feel the power of the Constellations behind his attacks.

Suddenly, the largest beast lunged at him, its massive jaws snapping shut just inches from his face. Joo Hyun activated Void Step again, appearing behind the creature in a blur. With a single, decisive slash, he severed the monster's core.

The creature let out one final, guttural cry before disintegrating into dark mist. The remaining monsters faltered, their strength waning as their leader fell.

Dain, having dispatched the smaller ones with swift strikes, glanced over. "Is it over?"

Joo Hyun nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "For now, but I have a feeling the Tower isn't done with us yet."

The ground rumbled again, this time in a different way. A portal of shimmering light opened before them, and from it emerged a figure—one unlike any they had seen before. It was a man, cloaked in a long robe that shimmered with stardust. His eyes were hidden by a mask, but his presence was undeniable. This was no ordinary opponent.

"Congratulations," the man said, his voice like a distant echo. "You've passed the test. But now, the real challenge begins."

---

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Boss Encounter: The Guardian of the Thirteenth Floor

The Guardian has the ability to manipulate time and space. Use caution.

Joo Hyun's heart raced. "A boss?" He had thought the monsters earlier were the final test. But now, this new figure was presenting itself as an even greater challenge.

The Guardian raised a hand, and the space around them began to twist. Time itself seemed to bend and stretch. Joo Hyun blinked and found that Dain had disappeared. Panic surged through him for a moment, but then he felt the influence of Tsukuyomi's power. The ability to see through illusions, to understand the truth in the chaos—he focused, letting the clarity flow through him.

"Dain!" Joo Hyun called, his voice steady. "Where are you?"

From the twisting air, Dain's voice emerged, disoriented but alive. "I'm here! I can't see anything, but I can still feel your presence. What's happening?"

"It's an illusion," Joo Hyun said, his mind whirling with Odin's wisdom. "The Guardian is manipulating space. Stay focused. It's not real."

As the world around them continued to shift, Joo Hyun concentrated, using Agni's flames to push through the illusions. The air grew hotter, the flames burning away the false reality that the Guardian was creating. The sky returned to normal, and Dain appeared beside him, breathless but unharmed.

"You're right," Dain said, grinning. "I knew you had it under control."

Joo Hyun nodded, his gaze hardening. "This isn't over yet."

The Guardian stepped forward, his mask shifting as though it had a life of its own. "You have passed the first trial of the Thirteenth Floor. But do you have the strength to face what comes next?"

Joo Hyun clenched his fists. "We'll find out."