Level Up Legacy

"You must understand that levels and stats are everything inside this tower. No matter what kind of a big shot you are outside, everyone starts at the same level inside the tower. I've been here for over half a year now, and you've been here just a day," said Fang with a grin. "I have no idea what trick you used to disable our powers, but with these numbers and stats, don't even dream about getting out of here alive."

"You are the one who needs to understand something," said Arthur as his lightning crackled around his black dagger. Then, he raised it toward them. "I'm not the one who needs to get out of here. You are the prey."

"Are you going to stand around as he mocks us like that?" shouted Fang at his subordinates. "Whoever kills gets ten golds from me!"

The mobsters had a change of expression as their fear turned into greed. Fang's argument about Arthur having too low of a level encouraged them to rush forward, brandishing their weapons at him.

Arthur remained in his place, his dagger aimed at them. It was true that he just arrived yesterday, but his lightning allowed him to make powerful monsters nothing but rewards to be reaped. He has spent most of the day farming inside the forest with Whisker.

Spiders were problematic opponents, but they were great practice for him to sharpen his battle sense. Once he and Whisker killed their mother, the spider queen, a weapon was among its loot. It was a perfect fit for Arthur.

[Black Dagger]

[Rank: B]

[A rare loot obtained from the Queen of Spiders, one of the strongest monsters in the first two floors. A dagger that carried the hardness of her shell and sharpness of her fangs.]

[First Special Effect: + 2 Strength, +2 Agility.]

[Second Special Effect: Amplifier.]

[Killing enemies amplifies power. Can be stacked five times]

These two effects were the only two the weapon had. However, Whisker said that if Arthur sets this as his main weapon, it will evolve alongside his levels, unlocking even more. For that reason, Arthur decided to make this dagger his companion inside the tower.

The dagger was perfect for close combatants. Arthur would disable elements and abilities, bringing the fight close to his enemies and using his dagger.

[Are you certain you want to choose this item as your main weapon?]

A panel appeared in front of him as several mobsters rushed toward him. Arthur did not hesitate anymore and whispered his agreement. The moment he did, red lights exploded from the weapon before entering his ability.

[You have chosen your weapon inside the tower. You are forbidden from using any other. Synergy will now begin.]

Arthur noticed the panel blinking and the world slowing down. After three blinks, the world stopped as if time had been frozen. Arthur watched everything but could not move his body.

[Synergy: 0%]

[Synergy: 1%]

[Synergy: 2%]

…

Arthur watched as this thing reached a hundred before it blinked again, and the red light entered his body. It made him uneasy to have the red tower interfere with his body, but he sensed no malice. Whisker proclaimed that towers needed to be fair.

The red lights entered his body, and Arthur could feel a link appearing between him and the black dagger. It suddenly became a part of his body and turned weightless.

[Black Dagger has evolved.]

[Rank: A]

[A new effect has awakened.]

[Third Special Effect: Instinct]

Arthur stared at the lack of explanation but then understood what it was. He looked at the mobsters and could tell the hidden strength that each one of them had. Most of them had green colors, while Fang had orange. It should be their danger level. The notification kept coming in, reminding him that his first two effects had also evolved.

[First Special Effect: +3 Strength, +3 Agility]

[Second Special Effect: Amplifier]

[Killing enemies amplifies power. Can be stacked seven times]

The world then resumed movement, and everyone came rushing toward him. Arthur moved before his lightning even crackled, rushing toward the nearest assailant.

His speed surprised him because of the instant surge in stats, and Arthur slammed into the man. The poor man was sent flying before he could understand what had happened, and Arthur had to move to his next target.

The next had some time to raise his weapon and block the attack, but the dagger slashed right through his weapon and ended his life. Arthur was amazed at how effortless this fight had turned out to be. He might have underestimated his new weapon.

Whisker said the Queen of Spiders was powerful because of her special poison element. If it even touches a challenger, it would be dead within seconds. Furthermore, she released her poison as mist too.

These factors combined made her a difficult opponent to tackle. Arthur had the unique advantage of disabling all those using his colorless lightning, rendering the queen nothing but a giant spider.

The two had difficulty taking her down, even in her weakened state. Arthur sacrificed his arm to land a killing blow, which rewarded him with a dagger. He would not have been so reckless if not for the regenerative room.

This was the result of his recklessness. Arthur obtained a powerful weapon that amplified his stats. Furthermore, the moment he killed that man, he could feel himself getting stronger.

"He is just a new challenger! Kill him!" shouted Fang, his body still trying to morph but failing. As he was growing impatient, a shadow crept from behind him. Fang turned around in time, waving his hand at the feline. "Damn rat!"

Cling!

Sparks flew between the two foes as Fang unsheathed his sword in time. His face has now lost its smugness as he realizes that the feline has grown stronger. His hand was shaking as it held into the half-drawn sword.

"You found yourself quite the little follower, Whisker," said Fang with half a grin, which he struggled to make. "Have you allied yourself with the demons that killed you before?"

"He is no demon," said Whisker as he glared at Fang from beneath the hood, "but the man who will clear this tower and let us out."

"I see," said Fang as he raised his hand, which had incomplete nails, and slashed toward the feline. Whisker jumped back, dodging in time. "That will not be the case. My lord will clear this tower!"

"Is that so?" muttered a voice from behind Fang, making his eyes widen. Arthur has appeared behind him after having killed several men. His black lightning exploded, striking Fang, who turned around in haste.

Arthur pierced with his dagger, but Fang blocked the attack with his sword. As he received the attack, the werewolf was pushed back several meters, his feet dragging across the ground.

"How can he be so powerful?" muttered Fang with confusion as fear appeared in his eyes. His hand shook as it held into the sword, and he could not help but stare at it. "Is he from the upper floors?"

"You won't have the privilege of knowing," said Arthur as he rushed forward again, striking at the werewolf. Fang was pushed back again as he tried to fend for his life, but his hand was thrown away each time he blocked.

"This doesn't make sense! This makes no fucking sense!" shouted Fang as he was pushed back with each attack, his face contorting in despair. "Stop him, useless bastards!" he shouted toward the remaining men.

The mobsters witnessed Arthur killing them easily and then pushing their leader back. Thus, when their leader called for them, none dared to answer his call. Everyone knew that they would be killed just as easily.

Whisker retreated from the fight, watching it from the sidelines. He seemed to examine Arthur more than he examined the enemy. Then, without another word, he placed his gauntlets in his bag.

"Whisker! Remember the times we fought together! We don't need to kill each other now, do we?" called Fang for his mercy, but the feline remained silent. Arthur then sent a horizontal slash toward him, sending the man flying.

Fang slammed to the walls after having nowhere to run anymore. His sword fell to the ground, and he tried to transform one last time, but one lightning shot disabled it.

"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit! How can you be stronger than I am? Why can't I change form?!" growled Fang as he fell to the ground after his last efforts turned in vain. "…who are you?"

"My identity does not matter," said Arthur as he lowered his black dagger that absorbed every light. "What matters is what I signify."

"…and what is that?"

"Retribution."

"You think some god sent you to punish us?" asked Fang with a sudden smirk. "Your little black lightning is the true injustice to every challenger. The heavens will come down to punish you for this."

"Let them come," said Arthur as he raised his dagger, "I will kill them just the same," he ended his line and the life of the man before him.