The massive gate ahead pulsed faintly, as if breathing. Its runes shimmered with energy that seemed almost alive, and beyond it, the faint echoes of distant struggles—climbers attempting the next floor's trials—reached his ears. Every instinct in Zero's body screamed caution, but his mind remained steady, cold, and calculating.
Before stepping forward, he paused, gray eyes scanning the surroundings. Something—or someone—was not as it should be. A presence: deliberate, deliberate enough to be noticed even by Zero's hyper-calculated senses.
First Rival Emerges
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward—a young climber with striking features, tall and athletic, eyes sharp and calculating, like a predator sizing him up. He moved with precision, sword drawn, and a confident smirk spread across his face.
"You must be the new guy they've been talking about," the climber said. His voice carried authority and challenge in equal measure. "I'm Arven. Don't think I'll let you just walk through this Tower untested."
Zero's gray eyes met his, unblinking, cold. "I do not seek conflict. I seek survival… and advancement. If you interfere, I will remove the obstacle."
Arven's smirk widened. "Good. I like that. Cold, calculated… no wasted words. But words don't win floors, kid. Actions do."
Zero remained silent. No hesitation, no flinch. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, ready to strike or defend depending on the first move.
The Challenge Begins
The energy from the gate pulsed in resonance with the presence of the two climbers. It was as if the Tower itself was testing them, observing how they would handle each other.
Arven lunged first, fast and precise. Zero pivoted, analyzing the attack angle, speed, and trajectory. The clash of swords sent sparks flying as steel met steel. Arven pressed the attack, trying to force a reaction, but Zero's movements were fluid, calculated, and entirely devoid of unnecessary motion.
Gray eyes cold, Zero countered at the precise moment, redirecting Arven's momentum and forcing him back several steps.
"You're fast… calculated," Arven muttered under his breath, circling, reassessing. "Not bad… but speed and reflex alone won't win everything."
Zero's lips barely moved. "I do not rely on speed alone. I rely on observation and prediction."
Test of Strategy
The duel continued—not a reckless battle, but a test of wit, timing, and resourcefulness. Zero's strikes were precise, cutting off angles, reading Arven's intentions. Each clash of steel revealed patterns, and Zero cataloged them with cold efficiency.
Other Regulars watched from a distance. Some murmured, impressed by his poise; others whispered nervously about his deadly precision.
"You're… different," one climber whispered. "That's not fear—it's calculation. He doesn't react. He predicts."
Zero noticed the observation. He didn't care about fear or admiration. Both were irrelevant. Survival, advantage, and dominance were all that mattered.
Breaking the Rival
After several tense exchanges, Zero saw the opening: a slight hesitation in Arven's footwork, a predictable angle in his strike. Without a word, he struck. The black steel of his sword met Arven's weapon, redirecting it violently. Arven stumbled, momentarily off balance, and Zero pressed the attack—not to kill, but to assert control.
Arven regained his footing, stepping back with a faint grin. "Impressive. Cold. Precise. I see why they talk about you already. But this isn't over."
Zero's gray eyes scanned the room, noting the positions of all climbers, the pulse of the Tower, and the next trial beyond the gate. "It will be over when I say it is," he replied evenly.
Consolidating Reputation
Word of Zero's duel spread quickly among the Regulars. His cold efficiency, calm under pressure, and ruthlessly strategic approach had not only passed the Guardian and puzzle tests but had also dominated the first rival encounter.
Kalen approached once more, a faint smile on his face. "You've made your mark. That's rare, even for experienced climbers. People will watch you now—some with respect, some with envy, some with hatred. Be ready."
Zero's expression remained impassive. "Observation and calculation are my shields. Emotion is irrelevant."
Kalen nodded. "Then keep your mind as sharp as your blade. The Tower won't forgive mistakes."
Zero's gray eyes shifted toward the massive gate, sensing the next floor's trials beyond. The Tower is alive. It tests, observes, and punishes. I will not merely survive—I will master it. Every floor, every trial, every climber… a variable to be solved.