Ramen Ecstasy and the 1st Floor Record
"To think I can taste something this stimulating every day! How enviable, you humans living on Earth."
The goddess was utterly enraptured by plain ramen topped with just a bit of kimchi. Min-su was certain even the foreigners booked for those nationalist TV shows couldn't fake a reaction this genuine.
With one bowl of ramen getting this response, I wonder how much she'd love spicier varieties or something more exotic.
I've received so much in return—I should summon her again next time and treat her to more goodies.
"Is there no food like this where you goddesses live?"
"None. To be precise... there is no food."
"......Pardon?"
"I don't know what you all think we are, but we're transcendent beings beyond the mortal world—constellations ascended to the heavens. In exchange, we can't leave the skies, so even if we crave something, we can't eat it."
"But then how do you...?"
"Of course, lacking food doesn't hinder our existence. We're already perfect, needing neither sustenance nor drink. That's what transcendence means."
Unable to eat what she craves, confined to the Tower forever? That's horrifying.
Min-su felt he might've lost his mind in her shoes. It suddenly made sense why the [Dark Lord] went wild over a single bowl of ramen. Her reaction seemed downright restrained by comparison. He couldn't help pitying her elegance.
It also explained why this stunning, graceful goddess kept getting food smeared on her face—she probably hadn't eaten a thing since becoming divine.
Better not mention the gochujang stuck to her lip.
Min-su resolved to treat her to plenty more delicious eats next time.
"Alright! Now let's head to the Tower, Min-su!"
The goddess slammed down her empty bowl after slurping every last drop of broth.
"Oh, almost forgot."
She approached him, patting him down here and there.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
Min-su startled back, putting distance between them.
"Hmm... This should match your size."
The [Dark Lord] wiggled her fingers in the air, pondering calculations.
"Done."
Snap!
Black energy surged from her, enveloping Min-su.
"Whoa!"
It solidified into...
"......Armor?"
Full-body gear armed him head to toe.
"[Dark Armor] forged from my divinity."
......Gulp.
Min-su swallowed hard at the equipment now cladding him, without even realizing it.
Player gear fetched astronomical prices in general. Even low-tier stuff cost as much as a used compact car, while top-grade pieces rivaled Gangnam apartments.
This, though? It looked leagues beyond.
Gleaming black sheen, hefty silhouette—yet light as wearing nothing. Tougher than steel, by the feel. Even Min-su, no gear expert, knew this was no ordinary kit.
"Goddess, this is...?"
"Gear to commemorate your first Tower dive. Consider it thanks for that ramen-kimchi combo you whipped up."
She patted his armor firmly.
"Built on my divinity with an adamantium structure, it'll nullify magic up to 6th circle completely. Physical hits below a certain threshold won't faze it either. Even in the Tower, you're safe from anything short of the upper floors."
Adamantium? 6th circle? No clue what that meant—but it screamed overpowered.
"Thank you so much, Goddess!"
Just for boiling ramen and grabbing kimchi? What a gift! Next time, gotta add green onions and an egg.
Enter the Tower?
(Yes) (No)
The moment he selected (Yes), Min-su felt his body float weightlessly. Like slipping through a rift where space was sliced and spliced back together.
Before he knew it, he'd crossed dimensions to the Tower's 1st floor amid the Pacific.
Players could enter once daily from anywhere on Earth—thanks to their unique ability.
"So this is the Tower..."
Min-su gawked around blankly. Each floor was a vast world, the plain stretching endlessly.
"Looks like she counts as a summon."
The [Dark Lord] stood beside him, transported too.
"Was worried you might not come along. Glad that worked."
"Ah, Goddess."
"First time here? As your constellation, I'll brief you. Floor 1: Enemies are lowly goblins, perfect for newbies. Watch closely—this is how to wield that power you hold."
The [Dark Lord] stepped forward. Her signature black divinity swirled around her, air growing oppressively heavy—an aura anything but ordinary.
And then...
"......What? Why aren't they coming?"
Nothing happened.
"Uh... Goddess. I haven't started the 1st floor challenge yet."
They were in the safe prep area (Floor 0), not the actual 1st floor. No challenge initiated, no enemies.
"......"
Her face flushed crimson, the [Dark Lord] turned away, arms trembling.
"R-right, yeah? Oh, challenge... forgot about that... haha."
She scratched her head with an awkward chuckle. After a decade-plus ignoring climbers to scroll communities, it was an understandable slip for her.
Min-su wanted to crawl into a hole. The cringe lingered until they ascended.
Begin 1st Floor Challenge?
(Yes)
Selecting (Yes) teleported them to a dense forest.
"Ahem... Anyway, Floor 1 spawns goblins. Entry-level for rookies, only about 10 scattered across this huge area."
The [Dark Lord] launched into explanation, but Min-su was distracted.
Ten goblins...
Tower clears were timed for records and rewards. Top ranks went public, granting extra loot and constellation attention to rankers—who often rechallenged cleared floors.
Oddly, Floor 1's top time was American player Jamie Cotton's 7:03—longer than some 2nd or 3rd floor minutes. Goblins spawned randomly, spread for newbies; even speedsters like Jamie barely hit 7 after endless tries.
"Goddess."
"Yeah?"
"Could you take out every goblin here in under 7 minutes?"
"Obviously."
She grinned, raising one hand.
"Watch. This is the [Darkness] power you wield too."
Jet-black energy vortexed, coiling like a serpent to her palm.
"Bit embarrassing against goblins, but..."
[Dark Lightning]
BOOMCRACKLE!
A deafening roar like the sky ripping apart echoed. Colors inverted in a flash—then the lush forest was gone, replaced by smoking wasteland.
Ding!
Clear Time: 1 minute 33 seconds
Rewards being calculated.
"......Insane."
What did I just witness? His first glimpse of divine might was utterly terrifying.
......But why's everything got 'dark' in the name? The armor too.
Unbeknownst to Min-su and the [Dark Lord], pandemonium was erupting in the Tower's heavens.