CHAPTER 68: 24 HOUR COOLDOWN - CHARACTER INTRODUCTION

I stared at the ceiling for a moment, gathering my breath, then said,

"Every tenth floor is different. The true boss floors—10, 20, 30, all the way to 100—those aren’t just challenge points. They’re system milestones. Floors where the Labyrinth tests not just individuals, but the entire world. That’s why they give a 24-hour window — for Vassals to prepare, gather parties, strategize... or panic."

Noel’s eyes widened, realization dawning. "So then, floors like 5, 15, 25—those bosses show up in an hour because..."

I nodded.

"Because they’re escalation bosses. Meant to pressure us. But the ones like this—Floor 10? They’re designed to filter us."

He swallowed hard, suddenly more serious. "And the system knows you’ll be there."

I smirked faintly. "Of course. It’s going to scale everything to me anyway."

Noel ran his hands through his hair. "Well... guess we’ve got 24 hours, huh?"

I looked at him, finally relaxing a little.

"Yeah. One full day before the true descent begins."

-

We moved to the kitchen counter, plates filled with food Noel had finished earlier.

My appetite wasn’t completely gone despite the exhaustion — survival fights always left a void that needed filling.

Noel took a bite, then leaned on one elbow, eyeing me with a smirk.

"You think people on the Astral Community are gonna lose their minds again once they realize it’s not one hour but a full day?"

I didn’t even look up from my plate. "They already are. Guaranteed."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I can already imagine the threads—’WHY IS IT 24 HOURS??’, ’SYSTEM BUG???’, ’Did Blank break the Rift?’"

I stood, grabbed the remote, and flicked on the TV.

Right on cue.

Every major Rift coverage station was running the same headline:

BREAKING NEWS: 9TH FLOOR CLEARED – BOSS FLOOR TIMER BAFFLES EXPERTS

"In a record-breaking run, the Vassal known only as Blank has cleared the 9th Floor of the Crimson Labyrinth. What’s causing a global stir, however, is the surprising 24-hour delay before the 10th floor opens."

"This pattern does not align with prior boss floors, which traditionally unlock within an hour. Theories range from internal system recalibrations to a possible manual override caused by Blank’s actions."

"Some experts speculate this could be linked to a hidden mechanic... or that Blank himself may hold the answer."

"As it stands, all eligible Vassals are now scrambling to form raid parties before the countdown ends..."

Noel burst out laughing.

"Oh wow, they’re really trying to make you the reason for everything, huh?"

I let the moment hang, then replied evenly.

"Maybe because I am."

The screen showed a fast scroll of Astral Community reactions flooding in.

@LabyrinthLeaks: "Wait. It’s been 2 hours. Timer still says 22 left. THIS AIN’T NORMAL."

@DeepDiveDruid: "What if Blank triggered a secret flag? A milestone hidden in system code?"

@GuildTactix: "It’s gotta be scaling. System needs time to build something that can fight him."

@NewsVassal_PH: "Do you think Blank will actually join the raid... or is he gonna solo the boss too?"

Noel nudged my side. "You gonna tell them why it’s 24 hours?"

I smiled faintly, eyes locked on the screen.

"Nah. Let ’em squirm a little."

He raised his glass of soda. "To chaos, then."

I clinked mine against his.

"To tomorrow."

-

Scene Transition: Astral Community | Private Lounge - Astraia’s Quarters

Astraia sat cross-legged on a high balcony, overlooking Japan’s cityscape bathed in twilight. Her long silver-white hair blew faintly in the wind, strands catching the flicker of Rift light still visible in the far distance.

The system announcement still echoed in her interface.

[Boss Floor of the Labyrinth – Opening in 24:00:00]

She exhaled slowly, eyes sharp.

"Blank... you really cleared the 9th faster than I expected. I’ll be there on the 10th floor... and I won’t be a spectator this time."

-

Scene Shift: Downtown Davao – Quiet Café, Katherine’s Group

Katherine stirred her tea, her glowing emerald eyes slightly distant.

Her party was gathered around her — the tank Reo, the spell-blade Callen, and the archer-mage hybrid Sylvia.

"So it’s true," Reo muttered, eyes glued to his phone. "He cleared the 9th."

Callen leaned over the screen. "Still no footage though. Everything’s locked behind system security. All we get are cleared timestamps and rewards."

Sylvia shrugged. "He solo’d Floor 8 and 9... if he’s not careful, even Guilds will treat him as a threat."

Katherine was quiet for a long time.

Then she said, barely above a whisper:

"Blank..."

-

Scene Shift: Crimson Rift Guild Hall – Council Table

Three chairs at the head of the massive obsidian table remained occupied.

All eyes turned to them: The Triad Guild Masters, legendary leaders who cleared floors together as a trio, known collectively as the "Fangcircle Alliance."

1. Draeven the Iron Apex

Wears a full-plate battlesuit without magic, known for brute strength and battlefield tactics. Fights with a crushing warhammer and leads Guild Ironsoul.

2. Velian of the Emberglass

A flameweaver who manipulates heat density and battlefield vision. Calm, unreadable. Leads Guild Cindervow.

3. Eras the Chainbreaker

Agile, deadly, and the only known dual-scythe Vassal. Former rogue-turned-savior. Leads Guild Black Veil.

They sat in silence as the system notice hovered in the air above the table.

[Boss Floor Opening: 24 Hours Countdown]

Draeven grunted. "So. Blank cleared it."

Velian nodded. "And once again, before we even finished Floor 7."

Eras twirled a dagger-like chain between his fingers, amused. "He doesn’t belong to any guild... he’s untouchable, unpredictable. Dangerous."

Draeven slammed his fist lightly on the armrest.

"If he joins the Boss Raid, the fight will scale to him. It was even stated on the announcement. This bastard is driving us crazy."

Velian added, "If he doesn’t join... we lose the best chance we have."

Eras grinned.

"So. The big question is... will he fight alone again?"

-

At that moment, somewhere in my apartment, I stood alone by the window, the city stretched out before me.

I didn’t know it yet, but half the world was asking the same question:

Will Blank walk the 10th floor alone... or will he finally choose allies?