CHAPTER 171: LADY SERAPHINA, LORD MAGNUS

Standing atop the body of the Luminary, Ethan stopped for a second.

He had been relentlessly killing beasts for the past hours, ascending floor after floor like a robot. The constant combat, the devouring, the endless pursuit of advancement—he had nearly lost himself in the rhythm of destruction and consumption.

All he wanted was to reach the next floor, then the next, then the one after that. The tower had become an addiction, each challenge feeding his hunger for greater power until everything else faded into background noise.

He checked the reward for floor twenty-four completion, and it made him raise an eyebrow.

[Stone Heart]

[Advanced]

[Details: Stops illusion spells, makes the person less empathetic toward others who aren’t close to him. And more lenient with those who are.]

The skill’s description carried implications that extended beyond simple mental protection. Advanced rank meant the highest classification of skills while the emotional dampening effects would provide clarity in situations where emotions could prove disadvantageous.

Ethan learned the skill immediately, knowledge downloading into his consciousness. But instead of immediately ascending to floor twenty-five, something made him pause.

"I need to take a short break," he said aloud, his voice carrying echoes of exhaustion despite his powerful constitution. "The tower will preserve my progress."

He decided to take a deep breath and leave the tower for a while. Rambo by his side had also reached Low-Saint rank through his eating and drinking the blood of the monsters they killer. Dragon’s SSS-rank potential manifesting through potential that complemented Ethan’s own.

In this first sanctuary, Ethan was almost certain he was the strongest individual present. His capabilities exceeded theoretical Low-Saint limitations while approaching Mid or perhapse High-Saint territory.

His speed had reached levels that challenged comprehension. He believed he could reach his territory within less than ten minutes compared to the full day such travel had required before his tower ascension began.

"Nesrly six hundred total agility," he calculated while preparing for departure.

[TOWER EXIT CONFIRMED]

[PROGRESS PRESERVED: FLOOR 25 ACCESS MAINTAINED]

[RETURN AUTHORIZED AT ANY TIME]

Stepping outside the tower’s dimensional boundaries, he immediately recognized that the area was no longer the same peaceful marketplace he’d left hours ago.

The crowd had changed. Instead of merchants and curious observers, figures with obvious power radiated authority while maintaining careful distances from each other.

As he emerged from the tower’s entrance, several figures immediately turned their attention toward him. His senses detected Saint-rank power signatures that marked these individuals as pinnacle awakeners rather than merely skilled.

A woman with silver hair that seemed to capture starlight stood near the tower’s base, her posture radiating confidence backed by what Ethan perceived as Low-Saint rank.

Beside her, a man with obsidian armor maintained alert positioning while his eyes were calm and composed.

A few others lingered at respectful distances, their individual power creating overlapping zones of influence that made the air itself thick with tension.

Ethan immediately recognized who they were. The power signatures, the positioning, the obvious authority—these were the previous record holders. The legends who had achieved what most considered impossible before his own ascension began.

’This is Seraphina’ he thought while studying the silver-haired woman. ’And this man...’

Lord Magnus. The previous floor twenty record holder whose achievements had defined the pinnacle of individual power until recent hours had rendered his accomplishments obsolete.

They approached him with movement that suggested prior discussion about optimal approach strategies. They were filled courtesy rather than hostile intent, but obviously calculated interaction.

Seraphina moved with grace that spoke of Saint-rank while maintaining expression that mixed curiosity with respect and cautiousness. Her silver eyes studied him from foot to head.

"You’re him,"

"Him?" He asked despite having a hunch.

"The record breaker. Twenty-four floors conquered in timeframes that challenge our understanding of power."

Magnus remained silent but positioned himself for observation while his senses gathered information about Ethan’s power levels that exceeded his own considerable abilities.

"Ethan Brandon," Magnus finally spoke. "Your achievements have been... unprecedented. We felt conversation was warranted."

Their approach carried mysterious undertones that suggested knowledge beyond simple record observation.

Ethan studied them with expression that had grown cold through Stone Heart’s emotional dampening effects. His enhanced mental state provided clarity while eliminating sentiment that might cloud rational assessment.

"Seraphina. Magnus," he acknowledged with voice that carried no particular warmth or hostility. "Your previous record benchmarks are commendable. I’ve learnt alot from them."

The statement was factual rather than boastful, delivered with tone that suggested their achievements had been educational rather than inspirational.

"Benchmarks," Seraphina repeated with slight smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "An interesting perspective on accomplishments that required years to achieve."

Ethan did not respond to her, feeling that there was no need to.

Magnus stepped closer while maintaining non-threatening posture.

"Your companion, i’ve never seen anything like it. Even in the tower, it looks like a dragon too," he noted while observing Rambo’s obvious Saint-rank.

"My companion is the closest person to me, naturally he wouldn’t be something you can find just anywhere," Ethan confirmed without elaboration.

The other figures maintained respectful distances while obviously listening to conversation that would reshape their understanding of advancement possibilities.

For decades the ranking had been the same, same people stuck in the same spot. Yet in a single day, this had changed and a third person had entered the equation.

"The tower’s deeper floors," Seraphina said with careful tone that suggested classified knowledge. "From floor twenty-five onwards, I believe that they become impossible to deal with. I suppose you felt that too, hence why you left before tackling it?"

"Information that might prove valuable," Magnus added with expression that mixed warning with opportunity. "For someone whose capabilities appear suited to unprecedented exploration."

Ethan turned towards Serpahina who said floor twenty five was impossible before saying.

"No. I didn’t leave because it was impossible. I simply left because I got bored and needed some fresh air. I will drop by soon, and head to the next floor." Ethan said, in a neutral tone.

Serpahina’s eyes widened before she forced them to relax. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to believe that. Who didn’t want to continue climbing the tower?

As for getting bored? Who would get bored with continuously getting stronger and gaining rewards? It was simply... bizarre.