HBWnovel Chapter 147 Second Path
Chapter 147 Second Path
"Now, that's some interesting choices I got," Leon mumbled as Cherry sat on his shoulder.
[Host should remember that taking other paths means not accepting the next class skills you get at Tier II,] she reminded him.
Leon turned to her, frowning. "Huh? It wasn't like that last time," he asked.
[Last time, Host's realm progression was also artificial,] Cherry explained.
Leon nodded in understanding. After all, in the Trial World, his progress had been pseudo-progress—temporary and not truly connected to his real body.
"So, this applies every time?" Leon asked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Cherry nodded. [Yes, Host. The class Paradox Mage allows you to walk the path of all the mages present in the world and can even grant you access to new ones. But it also has its limitations. You can't just learn all the skills from those class skill sets freely.]
[However, Host continues to get one skill from each class every time you ascend to a new Tier,] she added.
Leon fell into deep thought. "So, that means I can choose one skill to retain from the Sage of Destruction class," he mused.
Cherry nodded in confirmation.
"Hm, I'll decide after selecting the next path, which is this," Leon said, pointing at one of the many choices laid out before him.
[Sloth Demon Shaman]
[Sloth Demon Shaman]
A path that embodies the power of the Sloth Demon, a being of immense magical prowess that manipulates time, lethargy, and curses. This class specializes in controlling the battlefield by slowing enemies, weakening their will to fight, and unleashing devastating delayed magic. Despite its name, the Sloth Demon's power is anything but weak—it thrives in patience, ensuring victory by sapping its foes' strength over time.
Skills Gained:@@@@
Eternal Lethargy (Active – Area of Effect)
Description: Releases a cursed wave of demonic energy, drastically slowing all enemies within a large radius. Affected targets experience sluggish movement, delayed reactions, and dulled senses, making them easy prey.
Mana Cost: 500 MP
Cooldown: 30 seconds
Duration: 10 seconds
Slumbering Wrath (Passive – Stacking Effect)
Description: The longer Leon stays idle or does not attack, the more power he accumulates. Every 10 seconds of inactivity increases his next attack's damage by 20%, stacking up to 500%. When he finally strikes, all accumulated energy is unleashed in a single devastating blow.
Leon smirked. "First, we gather information. Then, we find the strongest prey."
Leon adjusted his stance as they walked through the bustling streets of Blackridge City, heading toward the Tower Association building in the city's center. Unlike the first floor, where most Ascenders were still finding their footing, the people here were stronger, more refined in both aura and combat experience.
The city itself was nearly identical to the one on Floor 1—same towering black stone structures, same organized districts—but the difference was in the details. The marketplaces were filled with higher-grade materials, weapon shops displayed enchanted gear far superior to what could be found below, and the overall tension in the air was heavier. Everyone here was stronger.
"The structure of these cities really doesn't change much, huh?" Roselia noted, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
Leon nodded. "It's designed that way so Ascenders can adapt quickly to each new floor. The only real difference is the difficulty curve."
Naval and Liliana followed behind, quietly observing, while Roman remained calm, his gaze sharp as he analyzed the flow of mana in the air. Milim, on the other hand, was stretching lazily, unfazed by their surroundings.
"So, what's first?" Milim asked. "Finding an inn or checking out the Tower Association?"
Leon smirked. "The Tower Association. We need to know what kind of trials and dungeons are available on this floor."
Without wasting time, they moved through the city, heading toward the massive, fortress-like structure that served as the Tower Association's headquarters.
As they approached the Tower Association building, the atmosphere shifted. The structure was far more intimidating than any of the other buildings they'd seen so far, standing tall with sharp, angular architecture. Blackstone and iron-reinforced gates decorated the exterior, hinting at the level of seriousness the Ascenders on this floor had.
At the entrance, two guardians, towering figures clad in full armor, stood watch. Their eyes flickered with a faint glow, an indication of the immense mana and power flowing through them. They didn't need to say anything; their mere presence was enough to let anyone know that this floor was different.
Leon stepped forward confidently, his group following closely behind. He didn't flinch at the guardians' stare; they were just a formality.
One of the guardians spoke in a deep, resonant voice. "State your purpose."
"We're here to check in with the Tower Association," Leon answered smoothly, offering a brief nod. "We need to know what challenges and dungeons await us on this floor."
The guardian considered him for a moment, his eyes scanning each of them. Roselia met his gaze with a calm expression, while Milim seemed almost too relaxed for the tense atmosphere. After a brief silence, the guardian nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
"Go on. The Director is waiting for you."
They passed through the massive doors, entering the main hall of the Tower Association. Inside was a large, open space filled with Ascenders, each of them immersed in their own business—some preparing for trials, others engaged in discussions. The room buzzed with a constant flow of energy, the aura of each Ascender palpable in the air.
At the far end of the hall stood a tall podium, behind which stood the Director of the Tower Association. Unlike the others, he wore a long ceremonial cloak, adorned with intricate symbols representing each floor. His presence alone gave off a profound aura of wisdom and power.
The Director spoke as they approached, his voice echoing through the hall. "Ah, new faces on Floor 5. Welcome. I trust you're all prepared for what lies ahead?"
Leon nodded, stepping forward. "We're ready. We need information about the trials and dungeons available here, as well as any rewards or repercussions we should be aware of."
The Director gave a subtle smile, as though expecting this. "Very well. For those of you ascending beyond Floor 4, you'll find that the challenges here are far more difficult. It's no longer just about combat skills, but strategic thinking and adaptability. The dungeons on this floor are multi-layered, and the monsters are not only stronger, but more intelligent. They adapt to your tactics as well."
"Sounds like we'll be busy," Roman said, his voice flat, but a slight hint of amusement in his tone.
The Director continued, "You'll also find that Ascenders no longer outnumber the monsters. The stakes are higher, and only those who prove their strength can proceed to the next level. But be warned—failure to clear a dungeon means penalties. Losing here can set you back, sometimes even severing your contract with the Tower itself."