Limitless Ascension:The System Chosen-Chapter 20: Into the Depths

The soft glow of morning light spilled through the windows of the abandoned church Hestia and Ethan now called home. The quiet rustling of equipment echoed through the room as Ethan tightened the straps on his new armor. Ira's gear felt perfect—light yet durable, balanced and sharp. He gave the dagger a few experimental swings and nodded to himself.

Today was different.

Today, he wasn't just going to fight a few goblins or kobolds and leave.

Today, he was diving deeper.

Hestia stirred from the small pile of blankets she called a bed, rubbing her eyes sleepily. "You're up early..."

Ethan gave her a glance and a soft smile. "Gotta get to it. The deeper floors won't explore themselves."

She sat up, brushing her hair aside. "Just... don't go past the fifth floor yet. You've gotten stronger, but the monsters change after that. They're faster. Meaner."

He nodded. "I know. I'll be careful."

She frowned. "Promise?"

Ethan chuckled. "I promise."

He left shortly after, heading straight for the Tower of Babel and down the spiral path that led into the dungeon's depths. The cold stone walls seemed to greet him with their ever-present silence.

Once inside, his pace was calm and deliberate. He cleared the first few floors without much trouble—kobolds and goblins fell easily beneath his blade, their movements predictable now. With each kill, he collected magic stones and dropped loot into his pouch, already calculating how much valis he'd earn at the guild.

It wasn't until the fourth floor that the monsters started getting tougher.

A pair of needle rabbits rushed him in a blur of white fur and speed, their red eyes glowing with hunger. Ethan ducked beneath the first one's leap and sliced cleanly across its belly. It shrieked and vanished in a cloud of light.

The second struck from behind. He twisted just in time, its fangs grazing the side of his neck. His armor caught most of it, but the impact sent him stumbling.

He slammed his dagger into the rabbit's head, pinning it to the ground. It twitched once, then turned to ash.

"Close one," he muttered, catching his breath. "They're faster than the ones up top."

Deeper still.

By the fifth floor, he began to see new monsters—war shadows, their vague black forms slithering along the stone, almost humanoid in shape but lacking any features. They didn't growl or hiss. They didn't make a sound.

They just attacked.

Ethan dodged the first strike—a long, bladed arm slicing through the air where his neck had been. He countered, sweeping low and cutting through its leg. It stumbled, and he finished it off with a thrust through its chest.

But then two more emerged from the shadows.

"Let's go," he muttered, flipping the dagger into a reverse grip. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

This time, he didn't rely on just dodging. He used the environment—ducking behind rocks, using broken pillars for cover. The gear Ira gave him was holding up well, but the fights were draining.

He was starting to feel it—fatigue in his arms, in his legs. Even his breathing was heavier.

Still, his eyes gleamed with fire.

This is what he wanted. Real combat. Real growth.

Hours passed as he continued to explore, collecting magic stones and occasionally checking the system menu in his head. His stats weren't visible to others, but he could see the experience bar slowly crawling upward, and his skills were improving.

After clearing a small chamber of monsters, he found a relatively safe alcove and sat down to rest, drinking water from his pouch.

The system chimed in his mind.[System Message: You have defeated 68 monsters today.]

[Daily Quest Complete. Bonus Experience Added.]

[Proficiency with Dagger Skill has increased to Rank D+]

[Stamina stat slightly increased.]He leaned back against the stone wall and exhaled slowly.

"Not bad for a day's work..."

The sound of soft footsteps in the distance put him on alert. He froze, listening. But the steps faded quickly. Probably another adventurer, deeper in.

After a short break, he stood up, stretched, and checked his loot pouch—it was full. His legs were sore. His gear had a few scratches now, but nothing serious.

It was time to head back.

By the time he returned to the surface, the sun was starting to dip behind the city skyline. The Tower of Babel glowed in the orange twilight.

Ethan made his way straight to the guild.

Inside, a clerk greeted him with a practiced smile. "Welcome back. Got loot today?"

"Yeah," Ethan said, placing the pouch on the counter.

She opened it, her eyes widening slightly at the amount.

"You've been busy..."

After weighing the loot and checking the quality of the stones, she tallied the total.

"That'll be 24,000 valis. Good haul."

Ethan whistled softly. "Nice."

As he accepted the payment and left the guild, he felt the weight of the day catch up to him. But despite his aching limbs and slight bruises, there was a faint grin on his face.

He was getting stronger.

Not just in level, but in skill. In control. In experience.

As he made his way back to the old church, the stars began to twinkle above Orario.

And Ethan knew—

Tomorrow, he'd dive even deeper.

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