Results of Effort
I still had the habit of checking the open community first thing upon waking.
Tower of Trials #2661 (1/1)
But I no longer bothered checking reactions to posts I'd thrown up at dawn like I used to. I'd just glance at the chat room headcount and close it right away. Today was no different—total members: one, me. I'd given up hoping for more ages ago, but it still struck me as utterly ridiculous every time.
Exactly half a year since Mom's death anniversary. It had been well over a year since I'd entered this tower. Other servers considered a week without new inflows rare, but here? No one for over a year.
"Hup!"
I leaped out of bed with vigor and stretched long and wide. Bathed in morning sunlight, I went through a light routine of stretches. The very first thing I'd done after resolving to conquer the Tower of Trials on my own was fix my sleep schedule. The classic unemployed slacker pattern—lolling around till dawn, crawling out of bed in the afternoon—was the enemy of growth in itself.
Now, I was a perfect morning person, eyes snapping open at 7 a.m. sharp.
"Let's go."
After finishing my stretches, I stepped out of the inn and broke into a run. Thanks to stat bonuses, I could sprint at speeds that would make Usain Bolt weep, all day long. Starting the morning with this light workout woke up my muscles, noticeably improving my combat condition later.
I circled the village outskirts once, then stopped at the Labyrinth entrance.
Challenger, the Tower of Trials calls to you.
Before entering the Labyrinth, I meticulously checked my inventory items—potions, of course, and even food like white rolls. I had potions stacked to the brim, more than I could ever buy, but inventory space wasn't infinite. Use them without restocking, and they'd run dry eventually. I rarely needed potions in the Floor 1 Labyrinth anymore, but today, I prepared for every contingency.
Half a year of hunting monsters without a single day off, steadily raising levels and skill proficiencies.
Lv.39 (Warrior)
My growth had long surpassed the limits of Floor 1. Today, I'd take down the Floor 1 boss and move on to the next floor.
Excluding ranker buses, the smallest party to clear the Floor 1 boss was a seven-man group averaging Lv.18: four warriors like me, two archers, one thief.
No matter my high level and gear, soloing the roles of all seven was impossible. Despite my superior specs built up over time, this wouldn't be easy.
But to ensure victory anyway, I'd prepared relentlessly. I was confident.
"Hoo."
Deep breath in front of the Boss Room. One last gear check.
Defense +85
Agility +3
Weight: 5 | Durability: 500/500
Reinforcement Attempts Left: 0
Armor first: mobility-focused leather, lower defense than my old plate but with an agility option. On Floor 1, no item could tank a direct boss hit anyway. The difference might be collapsing after one hit versus two, but solo, it didn't matter—no party to cover me meant no time for potions, just beatdown to death.
Attack +77 (Pierce)
Critical Damage: x1.5
Durability: 350/350
Reinforcement Attempts Left: 0
Weapon: new Kingdom Knight's Straight Sword from treasure chest farming, reinforced to +7 with heaps of materials. Unlike pure attack power dumps, I balanced with 3 durability and 4 sharpness. Old-school first-gen hunters did the same per open community info—broken weapon mid-fight spelled doom, especially solo.
"Let's do this."
Gear check done—weapon, armor, shield last—I slowly pushed open the Boss Room door.
System messages heralded the boss fight. I immediately pulled a stone from inventory and took position.
"Grraaaaaah—!!"
As the Goblin Lord revealed itself with a mighty roar, I hurled the stone at perfect timing.
-Bang!
Aimed not at the boss, but its summoning Goblin Guard squad. Perfect prediction shot downed one instantly—a crossbowman? Ranged threat eliminated fast.
I charged full speed at another guard goblin, smashing its skull with the shield edge. A spinning back kick floored the last one lunging at me.
My strength stat was 47 now. For impacts, plenty to ignore its heavy armor and deliver massive shock.
Before, I'd failed to clear guards quick, giving the boss a free first strike. Not anymore. My strength and agility could wipe the summoned guards without a breath.
Stabbed the surviving one for the kill confirm, then battle ready stance.
-Thud! Thud! Thud!
The lone Goblin Lord charged with speed belying its bulk. Bone greatsword swung with charge momentum—vicious. But my 40+ agility matched reactions, just like strength.
-Whoosh!
Dodged right with a roll. Big move, but agility gave time to recover stance.
The Goblin Lord, undeterred by the miss, swung again.
-Clang!
Greatsword halted by my left shield. Maybe my imagination, but its face twisted.
"Surprised?"
My Medium Round Shield from a large treasure chest wasn't leagues above my old World Rabbit Encyclopedia performance-wise. But shields aren't just defense. Blocking depends more on the challenger's strength than raw defense.
I didn't know if mine topped this hulking goblin brute, but non-charged attacks? Frontal block fine. Block successful? Counter time.
The Tower of Trials was game-like in many ways—challengers wielded diverse skills. Normal class Warrior got just one on job change: Sword Mastery. But that mastery spawned multiple actives, plenty of variety.
Stance toward the wide-open Goblin Lord. Light gathered on my sword, body moving on instinct. Basic Warrior attack: Brandish.
-Slash!
Basic, but potent. Deep gash in its thigh, blood spurting.
It screamed "Graaak!" and swung wildly. But like before, no-charge swing? Shield ate it easy.
-Clang!
Blocked the brute swing, then thrust deep into its shoulder. Aimed high on purpose—muscle parted with a shunk, blade sinking.
Tight muscles gripped the blade. I gripped the hilt like climbing a tree, vaulted onto its shoulder. Yanked free, skill-activated chop to the nape.
"Gaaaaah—!!"
Thick neck muscles prevented instant kill, but the scream satisfied.
Hanging on its back, I drew my backup from inventory.
Attack +45 (Pierce)
Critical Damage: x2.5
Durability: 100/100
Reinforcement Attempts Left: 0
Unlike main weapon, pure 4 sharpness no durability—short dagger, reverse grip, stab into its back.
-Stabstabbitystabstabstabstabstab!!
Max strength hanging on, max agility for rapid stabs. It thrashed "Graaak!" trying to shake me, but I clung like a leech, stabbing relentlessly.
Now certain: size and raw power gaps aside, pure physical strength? Mine was superior.
-Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Realizing it couldn't buck me off, it bolted full power. Toward the sturdy Boss Room wall—gonna smash if I didn't let go.
"Fine, off you go."
-Boom!
Leaped just before impact. It just moronically faceplanted the wall. I widened distance, checked time. Second summon incoming.
As predicted, three more Goblin Guards dropped from wall battlements.
-Thud.
Goblin Lord ditched its bone greatsword, drew belt axe. Heavier-looking bone axe out, muscles bulged massively.
"Phase 2, huh."
Phase 2 hit fast as per guides. Bone axe jacked attack power. Bulked muscles meant more strength too—sloppy shield blocks now fatal. And unluckily, all three guards? Crossbowmen. Pinned by range, shitty spot. But fine.
"Come at me, you little shit."
All my built-up effort wouldn't betray me. I'd win.