The room returned to silence, now littered with blood.
Yulo's infected body melted into black sludge, steaming into the floor, leaving no bones behind — just a level-up sound ringing softly in several minds.
> [Level Up: +1]
[Stat Points Gained: +5]
A light shimmered on Newton's interface — seen only by him.
> [Level 3 Reached]
[Available Stat Points: 10]
[New Passive Skill: Ghostwalk I — 5% Movement Noise Reduction]
Visible Class: Phantom Edge
Hidden Class: [Class concealed]
Visible Abilities:
Silence Burst (2 Uses Remaining)
Phase Dash Lv1 (Unlocked)
Hidden Abilities: [Locked / Concealed]
He tapped no buttons.
Not yet.
Stats could be adjusted later.
Eyes were watching now.
---
Beth spoke first, breaking the silence.
"Well. That was... efficient."
She stepped over Yulo's evaporating corpse like stepping over spilled wine.
"I suppose we all owe our survival to you, Newton."
Some murmured agreement, others stayed quiet. A few stared with fear — not of the trial, but of him.
Newton didn't care.
His arms were wrapped tightly around Lilly again. She didn't need to see more blood.
Fisher leaned against the wall nearby. "So, what's the plan now, Commander?"
The sarcasm wasn't lost on anyone.
Newton simply stood.
"We wait."
---
🛑 SYSTEM INTERLUDE
> [All Survivors: Please prepare for Transfer.]
[Access Granted: Rest Chamber Floor – Tier One Dorm Zone.]
[Warning: Trust-based interactions enabled.]
[New Features Unlocked: Private Rooms, Stat Training Rooms, Deal-making Room]
The red chamber dissolved into light.
---
🌆 TOWER FLOOR 1 – DORM ZONE
The next moment, Newton stood in what looked like a glowing train station: futuristic walls, shimmering signs, and a digital sky of artificial starlight.
> Population: 44
Safe Zone Active
"Looks... cozy," Fisher muttered.
At the far end were rooms marked with player names, randomly assigned.
A side hallway showed:
> [Stat Upgrade Room – 2 Hours Max per Entry]
Another room flickered:
> [Request Duel / Show Power (Visible Only)]
And at the top floor:
> [Deal-Making Hub – Propose or Accept Group Pacts]
The Tower wanted them to form alliances now.
Or betray each other.
---
People scattered.
Beth walked toward her room, heels clicking.
Juno limped with Li'la toward the infirmary wing.
Tera and Vey stuck close, whispering.
Newton's room blinked:
> [NEWTON] – Room 16
Fisher's was beside it:
> [FISHER] – Room 17
And Lilly's room… wasn't glowing.
Newton's jaw tensed.
He turned to a hovering interface near the side wall.
> [Assign Dependent: Confirm Under Primary]
He selected her name.
Her room blinked into life beside his.
> [LILLY – Room 15 (Locked to Newton)]
---
As they settled in, a chime echoed through the floor.
> [Top 5 Players This Round:]
1. Newton – 2 Eliminations
2. Beth – 1 Support Kill
3. Kramel – 1 Heavy Damage
4. Li'la – 2 Heals, 1 Revive
5. Juno – 1 Spot Assist
Now everyone knew.
Newton was first.
---
🧪 Stat Room – Later That Night
The room was empty when Newton entered.
Pure white walls.
Floating crystals.
A voice whispered:
> "Distribute your stat points. Observe system growth."
He focused inward.
Newton's Base Stats (before distribution):
Strength: 6
Agility: 8
Intelligence: 5
Endurance: 5
Willpower: 7
Charisma: 2
He spread the 10 new points:
+3 to Strength (total 9)
+2 to Agility (total 10)
+3 to Endurance (total 8)
+2 to Willpower (total 9)
> [Stats Updated.]
> New Effect: Passive Health Regen (Minor)
New Skill Progress: Phase Dash is now Phase Blink (Lv2)
Then the system flickered.
A second voice whispered into his ear.
> [Hidden Class Path Recognized… Ghostborne? Confirm Skill Tree Unlock?]
Newton didn't flinch.
> [Decline.]
(Not yet. Not in public.)
He'd show only enough to be dangerous.
Never everything.
---
🌃 Outside – Common Area
Beth was waiting.
She was leaning against a pillar, tossing a glowing dagger between her hands.
When she saw Newton, she smirked.
"I've been thinking. Why don't we train together?"
"No."
"Oh? That quick?"
"Too quick," said another voice — Juno. Bandages wrapped around his chest. "Come on, Newton. Can't isolate forever."
Newton didn't answer.
Beth stepped forward.
"You're strong. Strongest of us, even. But even you can't solo this whole Tower."
Her eyes flashed.
"And besides, if you're as powerful as you seem... why hide your real level?"
That made Newton pause.
Because she was right.
They couldn't see each other's levels — but the system let them show it voluntarily.
Beth smiled.
"I'm Level 3."
She sent the display out.
Kramel, passing nearby, did too: Level 2.
Even Li'la showed hers: Level 2.
Fisher? Level 2.
Then all eyes turned to Newton.
Waiting.
Challenging.
He didn't blink.
> [Revealing Public Level: Level 3]
That was all.
No extra stat numbers.
Just a number.
He walked past them without another word.
Beth's voice trailed after him.
"You're hiding a lot more than just your level…"
---
🌀 DORM ROOM 16 – MIDNIGHT
Newton sat beside Lilly's bed as she slept.
The system screen flickered again.
> [Your progress has exceeded 98% of current survivors.]
[Would you like to receive early access to Tier 1 Power Trial? Y/N]
(Warning: Early access trials are irreversible. Risk of death high.)
He stared.
Then clicked:
> [Y – Accept]
---
🔒 Hidden System Message
> [Welcome to the First Layer of Ghostborne Trial.]
[Location: Sealed Dream – Floor Below Floor One.]
[Enemies: Echo-Walkers. Time Limit: 30 Minutes.]
Newton stood as light wrapped around him.
No one saw him vanish.
Not even the Tower.
________________________________________
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