Episode 18: Floor 50 (1)
《Clear Time Ranking rewards granted.》
《Received Advanced Summon Voucher x100.》
《Received Rare Summon Voucher x50.》
…
The rewards were pouring in.
Floors 5 and 10 gave plenty, but Floor 15, with the Mad Moon gimmick triggered, was a jackpot.
I even got 20 Rare Armor Option Random Vouchers.
Plus, another Skill Unlock Scroll.
《Received Special Skill Unlock Scroll.》
Perfect timing to unlock Caligo’s next skill.
But the real highlight was—
《Clear Rank rewards granted.》
The item from the clear rank reward.
《Received Special Skill Enhancement Scroll.》
A Special Skill Enhancement Scroll!
“Whoa!”
I couldn’t help but exclaim after reading the item’s description, catching Hertia and Caligo’s attention.
“Master! Are you alright?”
“Sage! What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
“That didn’t sound like nothing,” Caligo said, eyeing me sharply.
Why’s this guy so perceptive?
“I was just reflecting. Your growth feels slower than expected. Maybe I miscalculated.”
“We’re sorry for failing your expectations, Sage…”
“I have no face to show Master…”
“No need to feel bad. Even if growth lags, we adjust the strategy.”
“Master…”
“Ugh, Sage!”
A bit of whip and carrot to shift their focus.
“We’ll strive harder!”
“I’ll dedicate myself to research to not shame you, Sage!”
“Good.”
That should cover my outburst.
I checked the scroll again.
‘Can it really enhance a skill?’
【Special Skill Enhancement Scroll】
Description: A scroll imbued with powerful energy to forcibly enhance one of a summon’s unique skills.
A grin spread across my face.
In Legend Seven, every summon has three unique skills, whether Apocalypse-grade like Hertia or Hero-grade like Temina.
This scroll enhances one of those skills.
Skill enhancement is far harder and costlier than unlocking—probably ten times the price of a Skill Unlock Scroll.
My main summons are Apocalypse-grade, not Legendary or Mythic.
Even in the game, enhancing villains was endgame content.
This changes everything.
‘And I’ve got a specific skill in mind.’
Hertia’s first skill, ‘Hertia’s Law’.
【Hertia’s Law】
Description: Upon battle start, all summons’ speed, except Hertia’s, is fixed 20% lower than hers.
This skill guarantees absolute initiative.
But even with Hertia holding first turn, there’s no guarantee the second turn goes to my team.
Enhancing this skill could control that variable.
“Hertia, come here.”
“Yes, Master.”
“I’ll grant you this power.”
“…I humbly receive your grace.”
《Using Special Skill Enhancement Scroll.》
《Witch of the Apocalypse Hertia’s unique skill ‘Hertia’s Law’ is enhanced.》
The updated skill description had new additions.
【Hertia’s Law】
Description: Upon battle start, all non-ally summons’ speed is fixed 50% lower than Hertia’s, allies 5% lower, and Hertia can dictate attack order.
‘Perfect!’
With this, as long as Hertia’s present, my summons all have absolute initiative.
It’s like having four summons with Hertia’s Law!
‘This is the dignity of the Seven Sins’ leader.’
Next up, Caligo’s skill unlock?
“Caligo.”
“Yes, Sage!”
“Come here.”
“Yessir!”
“I’ll grant you new power too.”
“WOW! To receive your miracle in person?! I could die happy now!”
Caligo knelt before me, eyes sparkling with excitement.
He’s thrilled at the idea of receiving power.
I should be used to his theatrics by now, but it’s still jarring.
《Use Special Skill Unlock Scroll on Liberator of Death Caligo?》
《YES》
《Unlocked Liberator of Death Caligo’s unique skill ‘Bloom of Death’.》
I checked the skill description immediately.
【Bloom of Death】
Description: Plants seeds of poison in all enemies, causing paralysis for a set time. After planting, if allies take or deal 10 hits, the seeds bloom, triggering ‘Full Bloom of Poison’.
Full Bloom of Poison: The seeds fully bloom, dealing 50% of enemies’ max health as damage and permanently reducing max health by 20% for the battle.
Classic non-literary party style.
In simple terms: use the skill, enemies get paralyzed!
Hit them 10 times, and their health drops to half, with potions only restoring up to 80%!
A true debuffer’s skill.
Caligo’s technically a priest but functions as a debuffer and sub-dealer.
His abilities are the kind you set and forget—enemies just drop on their own.
“Can you feel the power?”
“Yes! I’m dying to test it!”
You’d want to keep fighting, right?
But it’s best to stop here for today.
Not just Caligo—I plan to unlock Temina and Iron’s skills too.
That means strategizing skill synergies for each floor, so I need to rest and plan anew.
“Temina, Iron, I’ll grant you power too.”
“An honor!”
“M-Me? I can have it? T-Thank you!”
《Using Hero Skill Unlock Scroll.》
《Temina and Iron’s second skills have been unlocked.》
First, Temina’s second skill.
【Skill 2: My Skin Is Precious, You Know】
Description: When allies have initiative, creates a Flame Veil that deflects one non-Water attribute skill attack. After deflecting, evasion increases by 20% for a set time.
A self-protective skill.
This boosts Temina’s stability even further.
Now, Iron.
【Skill 2: If I’m a Knight, I’ll Do It!】
Description: When placed in the frontline, covers eyes and charges straight, pushing enemies back with a ‘Shock’ effect. When in the backline, detaches part of its body to throw, with a 30% chance to stun one enemy.
‘Alright, I’ll figure out how to use these later…’
I unlocked skills and cleared the Floor 15 gimmick dungeon quickly, so that’s enough for today.
“That’s it for now. Everyone, return.”
“Yes!”
***
A few days passed since clearing Floor 15.
I’ve been busy.
I pushed through to Floor 40.
I can feel the Tower of Records narrowing their search…
‘Doesn’t matter anymore.’
When interest in the ‘unidentified adventurer’ peaks, I’ll reveal myself.
That’s why I’ve been laying groundwork, keeping my schedule tight.
No one would believe me if I just claimed to be the mysterious unknown adventurer.
But I don’t want to be found by the Tower of Records and dragged around on their terms.
So, I bought a camera and recorded clears from Floors 1 to 10.
Hertia and Caligo aren’t in these videos.
They’re to prove my skill, not to mark myself as a target for elimination.
‘Floor 10 clear video… edited and done!’
I stretched, glancing at the desert where combat raged.
What am I doing?
‘Auto-hunting.’
Enter the Tower, brief Hertia and Caligo on strategies, and let them handle the clears.
Meanwhile, I edit videos at the entrance.
Two tasks, one location.
Good summons make life so easy.
Soon, a message popped up.
《You have cleared Floor 40 of the Tower of Strife: Blazing Silent Dunes.》
《Unbelievable record!》
《Clear time: 19:22》
《You have broken the Clear Time Ranking #1.》
《Clear rank: SSS》
《You have broken the Clear Rank record.》
《Level up! Adventurer level is now 39.》
‘Time to prepare.’
Floors 16 to 30 are Episode 2, and 31 onward are Episode 3, set in desert terrain with scorpions and giant worms.
Unlike other floors, these enemies hide in the sand, slowing clears.
But slow doesn’t mean difficult—not with Hertia.
Still, Caligo’s new skill hasn’t had its moment, and he’s getting antsy.
Look at him, fuming.
“Hertia! I said I’d attack!”
“Why blame me for your sluggishness?”
“What? Wanna shower in my slow-acting chemicals?”
“Can you even hit me?”
“Oh? Not uninterested—are you scared and running?”
“…Childish. Temina, follow me.”
“Y-Yes…”
“Hey! Don’t just say your piece and leave! I’m not done!”
Caligo’s jealous.
It’s no exaggeration to say we’re climbing the Tower on Hertia’s strength alone.
Her upgraded Hertia’s Law makes these floors a breeze.
But past Floor 45, starting at 46, we need serious prep.
Episode 4 begins there—vampire territory.
Vampires and their minions have insane survivability, so Caligo’s skills will shine.
Still, I can’t rely solely on him.
‘It’s been a week since the update notice.’
About 20 days remain until the main episode update.
If I push hard, I could hit Floor 90.
I’d love to sprint to 100, but it’s not that easy.
Without allies, reaching 100 in a month might be impossible.
I need to level up as an adventurer, balance my summons’ levels, and fine-tune skills and gear.
I’ve been using cost-effective equipment so far, but moving forward, there’s more to consider.
I’m glued to the marketplace daily, eyes practically falling out.
‘Ugh, I just want to give orders and have someone fetch gear for me to approve.’
That’d cost money, though.
‘Where’s a loyal workhorse when you need one?’
…Guess I’ll climb more today to buy time.
That way, I might snag some good gear from the marketplace.
No time to slack.
“Hertia, Caligo.”
“Yes, Master!”
“You called, Sage?!”
“Enough bickering. We’re climbing to Floor 45 today.”
“…Understood.”
“Oh! I’m ready for Floor 100 today!”
“Good. Wrap it up. We’re moving to the next floor.”
“Yes!”
《Entering Floor 41 of the Tower of Strife: Desert Where the Sun Lingers.》
《Entering Floor 42 of the Tower of Strife…》
《Entering…》