Chapter 20 - Continuous Blood Battles (2)
“They must be in the thick of it right now, huh?”
“There are breaks in between, but how can anyone fight nonstop for days? Those monsters are something else.”
Events like the recurring Continuous Blood Battles were a blazing hot topic across the entire Tower. Whether people had given up and slumped in defeat or were striving to climb higher, everyone couldn't help but fixate on the fierce bloodbaths raging among the top challengers above. It was the perfect subject to enjoy and chat about—while also serving as a vital milestone to follow.
“First elimination! They failed at stage 89!”
“Someone not even in the top 100 reached stage 89 already? Does that mean the rankers are past stage 100 by now?”
It wasn't just those inside the Tower who were hooked. People from the worlds connected to the Tower pricked up their ears at every limited scrap of news filtering out. If the Tower conquest ultimately failed or the defense battle collapsed, hordes of Tower monsters would pour back out in massive waves. Each reversal turned worlds into wastelands and claimed countless lives, so even the residents outside had no choice but to care.
“Citizens, we must all believe in them and cheer them on. Our proud challengers from the Republic of Korea—number one ranker Jeong Chan-su and his comrades!”
“Did you properly relay it to Diolla?! Tell them that if they rack up achievements in the Tower and bring glory to our empire, we'll grant that bloodline vast lands and a title!”
In their respective worlds, they cheered in their own ways. Whether those cheers reached the fighters or not, it was the only thing they could do.
Reina.
On the 30th floor, in a gathering spot for Reina's supporters.
“They say Reina's pushing so hard she's even dropping by the 30th floor to shake things up.”
“Last cycle she hit 115, right? She'll probably climb a few more stages at least.”
Shadis, who had been frantically climbing the Tower herself, had carved out a moment to come here and wait obsessively for news alongside the others. She gripped the dagger in her hand tighter.
No famous rankers had been eliminated yet.
···And those lurking in the shadows of that world as well.
Continuous Blood Battle - Stage 95 Cleared
“Haa... huu...”
Ragged breaths escaped her lips, her limbs trembling uncontrollably. In the end, she slammed her sword into the ground and gasped for air.
She'd only gotten one break to reach this point—and even that, she'd skipped to claim the rewards. The first 50 stages had been mere nuisances at best, but facing hundreds of enemies solo was never easy, no matter what.
And now, she was fighting in a completely different style than before.
Stage 95 Reward Issued: Random Potion, Stat Fragment, Random Temporary Buff (Senses +100)
Rewards danced before her eyes. The modest prizes that compelled challengers to join these periodic events anyway.
Damn it. I need a mana potion right now.
She chugged the potion and grimaced at the taste. Her stamina recovered a bit, but what Reina needed more was mana.
Mana: 2050 → 2150
The stat fragments handed out every five stages after 50 were sweet nectar for rankers stuck at 150. In truth, people participated in these Continuous Blood Battles for exactly that.
Mana breached 2,000 as planned.
Once she'd caught her breath, she wiped potion residue from her lips and lifted her head. Feeling her body grow stronger in real time turned that sense of accomplishment into fuel for the next fight.
The road ahead was still long. But her ironclad mentality held firm, rooted in certainty about her actions and path forward.
Continuous Blood Battle - Stage 96
Her red eyes flashed through strands of disheveled hair as she glared ahead. A horde of specter warriors had appeared—bodies of black mist clad in dark armor, foes from floors 80 and up.
Enemies she could no longer dispatch with a mere burst of radiance.
···Reina's gallery users watched her every move, riding highs and lows with her. They especially went wild whenever she followed their guide tips to the letter.
No cap, feels like she finally found her fit. Worth watching
Newbies won't get it, but last cycle stage 95 was way harder than this—she's cruising rn
lmao coping at 95 like it's easy, she looks wrecked
Upper guy gtfo to your main
One post amid the frenzy garnered tons of likes and replies. It praised Reina's growth while admitting her potential was undeniable. A few trolls popped up, but veteran sword realm users couldn't deny it.
Such pure curiosity mixed with awe at her feats. Tower rewards were truly miraculous: forced stat boosts, traits and abilities mastered instantly upon acquisition. Ironically, conquering the Tower made those rewards forever out of reach. No wonder "what if regress?" was an eternal debate.
Realms designable from the Tower's start enabled peaks unattainable through personal training alone.
One comment nailed it. Among Fate Road's specters, many wandered seeking proxies to realize unrealized dream theories.
Continuous Blood Battle - Stage 100 Cleared
Rest Area Unlocked
“Haa...”
Her breaths came so rough she tasted blood. Just then, the rest area's door shimmered into view.
No time for other thoughts. She shed her armor and dragged her sodden, heavy body inside.
Cozy beds, steaming hot springs, abundant food—rest as long as desired before resuming. Shorter stays boosted rewards; longer ones meant more isolation from the world.
“Huu... haaa...”
Nearly 100 hours of nonstop fighting without sleep. Forgetting even her fan gallery, Reina stripped and slipped serpent-like into the hot water, sighing in unwitting bliss—a melted expression she never showed anyone from shyness.
The healing waters rapidly restored her submerged body.
Come to think of it, they're probably watching this too. Can't share to the gallery per rules, but...
Regaining her wits after a while, she quietly drew in her splayed limbs.
“Ahem.”
Truth be told, Serpina seeing it was no big deal. The manager wrote weird posts pairing her with Kim Ji-eun sometimes, but her cool-headed admin vibe shone brighter. Perbas creeped her out since learning his cringy gallery antics, but suddenly changing attitudes would be weirder.
Recording Mode
Just in case.
She flicked on recording mode within rule limits and bit her lip seeing her flushed, pale skin in the steam.
Viewing it as the price for quality info from the community, she hit record.
“What are the others up to...”
Disconnected from the world upon entry. Submerging to her neck, head back, she finally relaxed and turned her thoughts elsewhere: rivals like Sylvia, Jeong Chan-su, Kim Ji-eun and her guildmates.
Fate Road - Connected
She gently closed her eyes. In the past, mere curiosity would end it there—but now, she could access info anytime she wanted.
“Ugh, seriously.”
The first thing she saw was the list of users banned by Serpina for posting rule-breaking photos or videos.