I Became a Ranker Before Rankers

Have I Woken Up?

When I finally woke up, I found myself back in that familiar white room, but this time it marked the beginning of Floor 15. The blinding whiteness of the room was a stark contrast to the darkness of the cavern where I had last been. The events before I had fainted felt like a hazy dream now—my mind struggled to grasp the fleeting memories of the boy who had been Shijian, the kiss we shared, and the momentary warmth of his embrace. I turned away from the emptiness of the room, my cheeks flushed with the remnants of shame from my boldness. What had I done?

Trying to shake off the awkwardness of that moment, I began to browse the Waiting Room's store. I had a small amount of Leava saved up from my previous conquests, and I used it to buy a few minor skills and, oddly enough, some soap. The soap seemed almost a frivolous purchase in the grand scheme of things, but it was a small comfort, a reminder of simpler times. I had hoped to see something more substantial for sale, but the system did not grant me any Leava for completing the floor, leaving me to wonder why my reward had been so minimal.

With a sigh, I began to heal my injured lip and focus on restoring my mana. My MP had fallen to a mere 1000, a stark contrast to the vast reserves I once commanded. The decrease was disheartening, but there was no time to dwell on it. I had a new floor to conquer and many more challenges ahead. I left the white room behind, stepping into the new unknown of Floor 15 with a resolve tempered by the trials I had already endured.

The climb began, and with it, a relentless series of challenges that would come to define my journey. I faced fierce monsters and treacherous traps, each floor presenting new and increasingly difficult obstacles. As I ascended through the Tower, I found solace in the grind of battle and the acquisition of Leava and experience. The endless cycle of challenge and reward became my refuge from the empty void of the dreamscape that awaited me between floors.

Weeks turned into months, and months into years. The time I spent between each floor became a blur of combat and conquest. I tackled challenges with a single-minded determination, pushing through exhaustion and pain. My appearance transformed over this period, a testament to the trials I endured. My hands, once smooth and delicate, were now marred by scratches and calluses. My hair, unkempt and matted, fell in tangled strands over my shoulders. My face, lined with fatigue and the grime of countless battles, bore little resemblance to the girl who had first entered the Tower.

Despite the physical changes, my mind remained sharp, focused on the climb. I sought distractions in the Tower's many secrets and enigmas, trying to summon Shijian as a companion. Each attempt ended in failure, the system's notifications a constant reminder of my limitations—my level was not high enough, my mana insufficient. These failures were a bitter reminder of the distance between us, but they also fueled my determination. 

I became a relentless force as I ascended through Floor after Floor. I faced giant beasts and cunning adversaries, each battle a test of my resolve and skill. I discovered hidden pathways and secret chambers, collecting artifacts and treasures along the way. Leava poured in, and my experience grew, but there was always a new floor, a new challenge, just beyond the horizon.

Eventually, I reached Floor 50. The climb had been arduous, and the scars on my body a testament to the countless trials I had faced. My hands, covered in scratches and cuts, bore the marks of the battles I had fought. My hair was a tangled mess of knots, a reflection of the chaotic journey I had been on. My face, once youthful and vibrant, was now a mask of exhaustion and grit. The girl who had first entered the Tower was long gone, replaced by a seasoned warrior forged by time and struggle.

And so, I pressed on, the weight of my past and the promise of the future driving me ever upwards through the endless expanse of the Tower. I found inner peace in my achievements and began to accept my situation. I was fine now.