The Infinite Tower: The Unstoppable Salesman

Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Bonds in the Tower



Joo Hyun stepped through the portal to the Fifth Floor, his body tense but his mind sharp. Each floor thus far had pushed him to his limits, but the strange encounter with the figure on the Fourth Floor lingered in his thoughts. "Some tests are more dangerous than you could ever imagine." The words felt less like a warning and more like a challenge.

The moment his feet touched solid ground, he felt the atmosphere shift. The mist and shadows of the previous floor were gone, replaced by a bright, expansive plain. The sky above was a soft blue, streaked with vibrant clouds, and the ground was covered with lush grass that swayed gently in the wind. For the first time since entering the Tower, the environment felt peaceful.

But Joo Hyun didn't let his guard down. Peace is a trap here, he reminded himself, scanning the area for any signs of danger.

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Welcome to the Fifth Floor.

Objective: Survive the Beast Horde for 20 minutes.

Reward: Access to the Sixth Floor.

Additional Reward: First clear bonus for eliminating all beasts.

His eyes widened as the notification disappeared. He had read about this kind of challenge in online forums before—waves of monsters, relentless and unyielding. The goal wasn't just to fight but to endure.

Twenty minutes... that's no small feat, Joo Hyun thought, tightening his grip on Nightfall.

A distant rumble pulled his attention toward the horizon. Dark shapes began to appear, their forms growing larger as they approached. At first, they were just specks, but soon he could make out the monstrous creatures. Wolves with glowing red eyes, massive insects with serrated limbs, and even a few hulking ogres were charging toward him, their combined presence like a tidal wave of chaos.

Joo Hyun took a deep breath, his heart steady. "Let's do this."

He activated Martial Arts Mastery and Void Step, his body becoming a blur as he charged toward the first wave of monsters. His sword sliced through the air, each swing precise and deadly. The wolves lunged at him, their jaws snapping, but his movements were too quick. He sidestepped, slashing one across the neck, and spun to deliver a devastating kick to another.

The ground beneath him shook as one of the ogres roared, swinging a massive club in his direction. He vanished with Void Step, reappearing above the creature's head, and drove Nightfall deep into its skull. The ogre let out a final bellow before collapsing.

The fight was relentless. For every monster he defeated, two more seemed to take its place. Sweat dripped down his face as he fought, his body moving on instinct. The minutes stretched on, feeling like hours as the wave of beasts continued.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Time remaining: 10 minutes.

Despite his growing fatigue, Joo Hyun didn't stop. He used every skill at his disposal, chaining together combinations that left the battlefield littered with the bodies of monsters. His sword danced in the sunlight, dark energy trailing behind it with every swing.

But even as he fought, he couldn't ignore the strain. His stamina was running low, and the injuries he'd sustained in previous floors were starting to catch up to him. He gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Warning: Stamina below 30%.

The notification made his heart sink, but before he could act, a sudden burst of movement caught his eye. A massive scorpion, its stinger glowing with venom, lunged at him from his blind spot.

He turned, ready to block, but the creature was too fast. The stinger came down—

And stopped inches from his chest.

A loud crack echoed as an arrow pierced the scorpion's head, pinning it to the ground. Joo Hyun blinked in surprise, his gaze snapping to the source of the shot.

A young woman stood atop a nearby hill, a longbow in her hands. Her dark hair was tied back, and her eyes were sharp and focused. She nocked another arrow with practiced ease, releasing it in one smooth motion. The arrow flew true, striking down another beast that had been charging toward Joo Hyun.

"Looks like you needed some help," she said, a small smirk on her lips as she approached.

Joo Hyun gave her a wary glance, his grip on Nightfall tightening. "Who are you?"

"Relax," she said, slinging her bow over her shoulder. "The name's Naeun. I've been on this floor for a while now, trying to clear it. Figured teaming up might increase our chances of survival."

He hesitated for a moment, but the roar of approaching beasts left him little choice. "Fine," he said, stepping back to let her cover him. "But I'm not slowing down."

"Wouldn't expect you to," Naeun replied with a grin, drawing her bow once more.

The two of them fought side by side, their coordination improving with each passing moment. Naeun's arrows struck down enemies from a distance, giving Joo Hyun the space he needed to focus on close combat. Together, they formed a seamless rhythm, their movements complementing each other's strengths.

The minutes ticked by, and the monster waves began to thin. The ground was littered with corpses, and the air was thick with the scent of blood.

---

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Time remaining: 1 minute.

Joo Hyun and Naeun stood back-to-back, their breaths heavy but their resolve unshaken. The final wave of monsters charged toward them, a chaotic mix of beasts and ogres.

"Ready?" Naeun asked, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes.

"Let's finish this," Joo Hyun replied, raising his sword.

The last wave crashed against them, but they didn't falter. Naeun's arrows flew with unerring accuracy, and Joo Hyun's blade cut through the chaos like a storm. When the final ogre fell, the battlefield grew silent.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

The Fifth Floor has been cleared.

Reward: Access to the Sixth Floor. First Clear Bonus achieved: Skill Scroll and 1,000 EXP.

Joo Hyun let out a deep breath, lowering his sword. Beside him, Naeun wiped the sweat from her brow, a satisfied smile on her face.

"Well, that was fun," she said, stretching her arms.

Joo Hyun gave her a small smile. "Thanks for the help."

"Don't mention it," Naeun replied. "But I expect you to return the favor if we cross paths again."

He nodded, watching as she disappeared into the portal that appeared before her. He stood alone for a moment, the weight of the fight settling over him.

The Tower may test my strength, but it's clear I can't do this alone, he thought.

With renewed determination, he stepped into his own portal, ready to face whatever came next.


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