The sun was still rising when Ethan woke up.
The light entered softly through the inn's window, painting the room in gentle shades of gold. Nothing flashy. Nothing grand. Just the beginning of another day on the Fourth Floor.
He got up slowly, feeling his body heavy, but functional. The rest had helped. Not enough to erase the exhaustion, but enough not to make mistakes early.
Outside, the city was slowly waking up. Some players were already moving through the streets, others remained seated near the walls, adjusting equipment or simply observing the movement.
Ethan left in silence.
He found Elenya sitting on a stone bench, watching the sky brighten between the pale buildings of the city.
– You woke up early – she commented, without turning her face.
– Habit – Ethan replied, sitting beside her.
They stayed silent for a few seconds. It wasn't uncomfortable. It was simple.
– Sienna is still sleeping – Elenya said. – Actually… I think she completely passed out.
Ethan smiled slightly.
– Yesterday was heavy.
– I tried to wake her – Elenya continued. – She didn't react.
– Let her rest a bit longer.
They watched the sun rise slowly. The light reflected on the stone walls and spread a tone almost too beautiful for that place.
– We understood the floor – Elenya said.
– Yes – Ethan replied. – But understanding doesn't make it easy.
– It only makes it possible.
He nodded.
After a short walk through the city, they stopped at a stall that was already open and ate something simple. Nothing special. Just enough to get through the day.
They returned to the inn shortly after.
– I'll wake Sienna – Elenya said.
– Good luck – Ethan replied.
In the room, Sienna was sprawled across the bed, lying sideways, hair scattered, one arm hanging off the edge.
Elenya approached.
– Sienna…
No response.
She tried again.
– Sienna?
Nothing.
That's when she noticed.
Sienna was drooling on the pillow, completely knocked out.
– …that's not possible – Elenya murmured.
She touched her friend's shoulder.
– Wake up.
Sienna mumbled something incomprehensible and turned her face, spreading even more drool.
Elenya sighed.
– Ethan…
He appeared at the door, holding back a laugh.
– I think she deserves a little more time.
– A little? – Elenya crossed her arms. – She deserves a coma.
When they finally managed to wake her, Sienna stood up disoriented.
– Did we die? – she asked, blinking.
– Not yet – Jay replied.
– Damn.
After getting ready, the group left the city.
The Fourth Floor's field looked the same as the day before. But now there was focus. It wasn't exploration. It was objective.
– Three large monsters left – Ethan said. – That's all.
– "That's all" – Sienna repeated, without humor.
The first appeared near an elevation. A large goblin, armed, alert.
The fight was hard. Slow. Controlled.
Jay held firm. Marcus attacked carefully. Elenya fired with precision. Sienna summoned without exaggeration. Emanueru sustained when needed.
When it fell, the interface appeared.
Class Sigils obtained: 12Automatic distribution: +2 to each member
– One – Marcus said, breathing deeply.
The second came shortly after. Another large goblin. More aggressive.
It almost went wrong.
Jay got close to the limit. Sienna lost a summon too early. Marcus had to retreat once.
But it fell.
Class Sigils obtained: 12Automatic distribution: +2 to each member
– Two – Sienna murmured. – I'm already tired.
The third appeared when their bodies were already starting to complain.
The fight was tense. Every mistake felt bigger. Every strike cost more.
When the goblin fell, no one celebrated.
The interface appeared for the last time.
Class Sigils obtained: 12Automatic distribution: +2 to each member
Ethan opened the menu.
– It's done.
The transfers happened in silence. Sigils passing from one to another.
Final number.
Marcus took a deep breath.
– So it's now.
The interface opened on its own.
Ability available for learning
The name appeared clearly.
Rupture Slash — Rank E
Before Marcus could touch it, a figure appeared in front of him.
It wasn't physical.
It was like a projection made of light and simple lines. The image of the Master of Skills.
– You have reached the right point – the voice said.
The projection showed the movement. A direct, precise cut. No exaggeration. No wasted force.
Marcus touched the interface.
ABILITY ACQUIRED
Nothing exploded.
Nothing trembled.
But something changed.
Marcus closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the weight of the sword in his hands. The runes engraved on the blade began to react, emitting a faint and constant glow, as if they were awakening.
– …are you seeing this? – Sienna commented.
Marcus planted his feet firmly on the ground.
Took a deep breath.
Raised the sword.
The runes fully lit up, tracing lines of light along the metal. A low sound vibrated in the air, as if the blade was being adjusted.
He didn't attack.
He simply executed the movement.
A clean cut through the air.
The blade passed… and the space ahead responded. A luminous line appeared for an instant, cutting through the air with silent precision, before disappearing.
Marcus stood still.
The glow of the runes faded slowly.
– …okay – Jay murmured. – That is definitely not normal.
Elenya watched in silence.
– The sword responded before the movement finished.
Sienna tilted her head, evaluating.
– Well… at least now, when you miss, it'll be by choice, not by lack of options.
Marcus let out a short laugh, still looking at the blade.
– It feels like it understands what I want to do… before I do it.
The Master's projection began to fade.
– Growth has a cost – the voice said, distant. – But now you know where to invest.
The image disappeared.
The group remained silent for a few seconds.
Ethan took a deep breath.
– This was just the first step.
Marcus nodded.
– But now… it's a step that was worth the entire day.
They were still tired.
Still far from being strong.
But, for the first time on the Fourth Floor, something had truly changed.
And it wasn't the world.
It was them.