NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: Crushing the First Floor
[Date: March 12, 2025 | Time: 2:25 PM | Location: S+ Rank Tower Dungeon – 1st Floor]
Ankush stepped through the glimmering gateway, his vision momentarily blurred by a surge of mana. A heartbeat later, clarity returned, and he found himself standing within an expansive, radiant hall of polished obsidian stone. The sheer size of the chamber startled him—it was massive, with a ceiling that soared high overhead, etched with glowing runes that shimmered and danced like liquid starlight.
The air was thick with mana, tangible yet gentle, brushing against his skin like a comforting breeze. Ankush's heart settled into a steady, unhurried rhythm; this was only the first floor of the tower, and despite the S+ rank, he knew the monsters here would still be mere ants compared to his immense attributes.
He advanced slowly, calmly observing his surroundings. Almost immediately, the room trembled slightly, signaling the imminent arrival of his opponents. Bright violet runes illuminated along the floor, forming concentric circles from which massive figures slowly emerged, appearing like dark specters solidifying into physical form.
The creatures were Obsidian Golems—towering humanoid beings carved from glittering black crystal, their forms imposing and powerful despite being merely level one. Deep violet eyes flared from featureless faces, filled with primordial hostility.
Ankush assessed them quickly, his superior perception instantly dissecting their stats clearly before him:
Obsidian Golem (S+ Rank, Level 1)
Strength: 10,240
Agility: 10,240
Defense: 20,480
Magic: 10,240
The golems radiated menacing auras, their obsidian fists clenched tightly, ready to strike. But Ankush remained unfazed, fully aware of the massive disparity between their stats and his own.
He flexed his fingers lightly, feeling the overwhelming force he wielded even without a single skill. With casual precision, Ankush raised his hand, gathering mana into a simple sphere at his palm.
The first golem lunged forward, roaring fiercely as it charged. Yet, even before it took two steps, Ankush released a single pulse of concentrated mana. It expanded instantaneously, a wave of brilliant energy effortlessly slicing through the golems like a hot blade through paper.
The creatures shattered, scattering into harmless obsidian shards across the polished chamber floor, the sounds of destruction fading quickly into silence.
A small notification flashed in Ankush's interface, confirming his effortless victory.
[Floor Cleared: S+ Rank Floor 1]
Monsters Defeated: Obsidian Golem (S+ Level 1) × 100
Ankush reviewed the detailed battle results carefully:
Experience Gained:
- 100 S+ Rank Level 1 monsters defeated.
- EXP per monster: (Level 1) × (100,000 for S+ rank) = 100,000
- Total EXP gained: 10,000,000 EXP
His eyebrows rose slightly in astonishment at the sheer amount of experience from such simple opponents. This was the incredible advantage of hunting monsters at the highest ranks—even the weakest could provide enormous benefits.
But what interested him most now were the drops.
Immediately, another notification followed:
Mana Stone Drops:
- S+ Rank Mana Stone (Level 1): 100 stones (Drop rate 100%, standard for high-tier monsters in dungeon environments.)
Ankush smiled, feeling deeply satisfied. These mana stones were the true treasure he needed most urgently. With just these first-floor rewards, he could greatly accelerate Ashvattha's guild growth. The universal system clearly rewarded those willing to take calculated risks.
Additionally, several special drops appeared:
- Blueprint Acquired: Obsidian Armor Set (S+ Tier, Level 1)
(Set Bonus: High physical defense, minor magic resistance, slight mana reflection ability.)
- Blueprint: Obsidian Golem Core (S+ Tier, Level 1)
(A critical material useful for future magic engineering experiments and crafting powerful weapons and armor.)
Ankush noted these rewards carefully, already planning how they could be utilized effectively in guild development. The armor blueprint, in particular, would soon equip his future guild members with significant protective advantages.
Gazing momentarily around the chamber, now scattered with obsidian fragments glittering gently in the ambient mana glow, Ankush contemplated his next steps. The second floor promised more rewards, and the monsters would undoubtedly remain manageable with his current stats. Still, he remained cautious, understanding the exponential difficulty scaling inherent in tower dungeons.
Yet the allure of continued advancement drew his attention upward, eyes drifting toward the softly glowing staircase leading to higher floors. The real challenge and ultimate treasures awaited above, floors where monsters would swiftly grow in strength, rewarding him proportionally.
However, he paused momentarily, reining in his eagerness. His ultimate goal was clear—swiftly acquiring mana stones to rapidly upgrade Ashvattha. Clearing the first several floors repeatedly would yield significant resources quickly, efficiently, and with minimal risk, maximizing long-term guild growth.
With this decision firm, he mentally noted this efficient strategy—regularly farming lower floors of high-tier dungeons would rapidly accumulate the resources he needed most urgently, ensuring steady guild advancement.
Satisfied, Ankush approached the stairwell, cautiously ascending toward the second floor. His pace remained measured, mind alert yet confident. This early victory had barely challenged him, but he remained cautious, knowing each higher floor would eventually test even him.
At the second floor's threshold, he paused briefly, considering carefully before continuing upward. The tower was infinite; he would certainly return often, systematically harvesting resources and strengthening Ashvattha's position until his guild stood unmatched worldwide.
Finally, deciding he had tested the waters sufficiently for now, Ankush turned back toward the lobby entrance. Today's priority was not merely to clear as many floors as possible but strategically gather resources efficiently. A single floor's rewards already offered immense benefits—imagine dozens, hundreds, cleared repeatedly over time.
Descending carefully back toward the first-floor lobby, he felt deeply confident. The path he'd chosen—the S+ tower—would soon prove invaluable, providing resources others could barely imagine. The Tower Dungeon had already exceeded his highest expectations; its potential felt limitless, promising a boundless supply of mana stones and artifacts to strengthen Ashvattha.
He exited the tower smoothly, emerging back into gentle sunlight streaming upon Ashvattha Guild's expansive plaza. Ankush's gaze lifted toward the towering dungeon once more, quietly reflecting on the incredible opportunity he now possessed.
For a long moment, he stood silently beneath the sunlit sky, feeling immense gratitude. Today marked a beginning—not just of personal strength or guild expansion, but of unprecedented possibilities stretching infinitely before him.
A gentle smile crossed his face as he turned toward the guild hall once more. Now was no time for complacency—the path to greatness lay clearly ahead, waiting patiently for him to walk it boldly.
His future was finally clear, fully under his control, no longer dictated by corporate or military interference. Each step he now took would matter profoundly, shaping not only his guild's destiny but his own future.
"Ashvattha..." Ankush whispered the guild's name, savoring its profound resonance. "This is only the start."
With renewed determination, he strode purposefully toward the exit portal, mana stones safely stored away, knowing exactly where he would head next—toward the Guild Altar, to convert these precious rewards into Ashvattha's first significant progress.
Today marked a quiet yet monumental step forward—a clear victory and promising beginning on an endless journey of growth, strength, and freedom.
And with Ashvattha's destiny firmly in his grasp, Ankush Halder was finally ready to embrace everything awaiting him on the road ahead.