“Congratulations, participant Thor, for conquering the Thirteenth Floor with an SSSS rating, granting all humans in the Tower of Truth the buff [Delicious Mushrooms]!”
“Limited-time buff [Height Advantage]: +50% damage to creatures taller than yourself in the Tower of Truth, lasts 6 hours!”
“Limited-time buff [Height Dominance]: +100% damage to creatures shorter than yourself in the Tower of Truth, lasts 6 hours!”
“Limited-time buff [Brave Mushroom]: Eating mushrooms in the Tower of Truth negates health loss, confusion, and other debuffs, lasts 6 hours!”
“[Delicious Mushrooms]: Mushroom effects +100%, lasts 6 hours!”
…
Tower of Truth, Eighth Floor.
Cain, who was struggling against monsters, lit up with excitement upon hearing the announcement.
“Senior was right!”
Previously, when Thor conquered levels, the Tower of Truth granted buffs to all humans. Based on these buffs, it wasn’t hard to deduce a pattern: SSSS rating buffs were related to the content of the corresponding floor!
For example, the three-element buff Thor received after successfully changing classes led many to speculate that Thor was now proficient in wind, fire, and lightning elements. The dodge-related buff from the previous level was also movement-related.
Following this logic, Anderson had deduced a conclusion and privately shared it with Cain. Cain could clearly recall the scene:
Anderson had a serious expression, which was rare for him to speak at such length in one go.
“Cain, your talent is lacking. Besides working harder than others, you must be smarter. I can afford not to think, but you can’t.”
Cain felt conflicted, as if his senior had insulted him twice. Once for lacking talent, and once for not thinking.
Anderson continued, “You must seize every opportunity to advance, and your opportunity lies on the Thirteenth Floor! Specifically, when Thor conquers the Thirteenth Floor with an SSSS rating, your chance will come! At that moment, open this storage ring.”
Cain instinctively asked, “What if Thor doesn’t conquer it with an SSSS rating?”
Anderson gave Cain a meaningful look and slowly said, “Then you can go home next week.”
Holy fuck, ruthless!
Now, the opportunity Anderson spoke of had arrived! Cain eagerly opened the storage ring, and a pile of items appeared before him. To be precise, a pile of mushrooms! Anderson had labeled each mushroom with its corresponding effect.
“This mushroom makes you bigger, this one makes you smaller, and this one increases Strength…”
The colorful mushrooms dazzled Cain, leaving him momentarily stunned. These mushrooms were rare, mostly obtained by Anderson through dubious means from various university labs. Besides the Mystic Market, no other place would have such a variety of strange mushrooms!
Mushrooms transplanted from the Tower of Truth often had strong side effects and were usually used as poisons on the battlefield. The mushrooms Anderson collected for Cain had significant positive effects. Once their debuffs were ignored, they became the most potent food!
At this moment, Cain finally understood Anderson’s meaning!
“This… is my chance!”
Without hesitation, Cain stuffed the raw mushrooms into his mouth, tasting the earthy flavor.
“Big, big, big!”
Cain’s body grew to more than ten times its original size. The previously troublesome monsters were no match for him now, especially with his 100% extra damage!
As his strength soared, Cain aimed to reach level 60! With tonight’s powerful buffs and the help of mushrooms, he not only aimed to reach level 60 but also to challenge his second class change!
Cain’s heart raced with excitement, “Maybe… I can achieve an S-grade class change!”
Looking around and seeing no one nearby, he took out a second knife from his backpack, held it in his left hand, and took a deep breath.
“Let’s get started!”
…
Tower of Truth, Twenty-Ninth Floor.
Anderson sat on the ground, a small pot simmering over a campfire, the aroma wafting from the pot. He was cooking mushroom soup. The more colorful the mushroom, the more likely it was poisonous, so it had to be thoroughly cooked before eating.
“Big guy, you were right!”
Kaelum and Elena stood on either side, protecting Anderson from the relentless monster attacks. Elena, piloting her mech, fired countless flames from her gun, shouting as she killed monsters,
“With this mushroom soup, we can conquer the Twenty-Ninth Floor!” ?&?∟?М-??Я$
Kaelum nodded. They had just received the announcement.
“Yes, even if Charlotte doesn’t return, we can reach the Thirtieth Floor!”
These mushrooms were prepared in advance by Anderson.
“Big guy, is it ready yet?”
Kaelum shouted, feeling the pressure from the monsters. If this continued, he would have to reveal some trump cards, which he was reluctant to do because he knew his companions also had their own trump cards!
“Pfft—”
Anderson, focused on cooking the mushroom soup, suddenly laughed.
“Anderson, what’s so funny?”
Seeing Anderson smile was a rare sight. Elena and Kaelum both looked at him, waiting for an answer. Anderson looked up at the sky and said softly,
“I bet Cain is eating raw mushrooms.”
It sounded like something Cain would do. They all smiled simultaneously. Cain, that silly kid, would put anything in his mouth.
As they laughed, Elena’s smile suddenly froze, and she asked in a daze,
“Didn’t the announcement say the mushroom debuffs were negated?”
If the debuffs were negated… why were they cooking mushroom soup? Wouldn’t eating them raw save time?
They had been mocking Cain, but now they realized they were the fools! Almost simultaneously, the three of them lunged for the mushrooms!
Seconds later, their bodies grew tenfold, and all the monsters seemed tiny before them.
Thankfully, their equipment resized itself. After all, nobody likes running around naked!
“Charge!”
With Kaelum’s roar, the three of them charged into the monster horde, unstoppable and overwhelming!
…
“Congratulations on conquering the Thirteenth Floor with an SSSS rating, earning the personal reward [Mushroom Forest].”
[Mushroom Forest]: A forest filled with unknowns and dangers. You can send an exploration team to investigate. If they don’t return, don’t be surprised.
Unknown? Dangerous? Since awakening the [Eye of Truth], Mike didn’t know the meaning of the word [unknown]!
The Mushroom Forest expanded Mike’s exclusive space by more than double. Mike needed to achieve more SSSS ratings and had no time to deal with the Mushroom Forest for now. He made a special trip back to instruct Vladimir.
“Keep everyone away from the Mushroom Forest. If I return and find people missing, clean yourself up and let my cloak eat you.”
Mike’s threat was simple and effective. Nightmare’s Breeze could consume any SSS-grade material, even living ones. In a sense, former prince-tier Vladimir was excellent material.
Even if Nightmare’s Breeze was picky, Mike could persuade it to eat Vladimir. Mike believed that being devoured by Nightmare’s Breeze would likely prevent Vladimir from reviving.
Mike was willing to bet; either way, he wouldn’t lose.
If Vladimir died, Nightmare’s Breeze’s repair progress would increase. If Vladimir survived, Mike would win twice!
Would Vladimir dare to bet?
Vladimir’s OS: ‘I bet your cloak will have indigestion and shit me out the same way it swallowed me?’
Ahem, better not risk it.
Receiving Mike’s instructions, Vladimir’s expression turned serious, finally showing a hint of his former vampire prince demeanor.
“Anyone who dares step into the Mushroom Forest, I swear by Thor’s name, will regret ever coming into this world before I die!”
Time was precious, and Mike had no time to waste on trivial matters. Summoning the Core Crystal of Truth, a white light engulfed him.
Fourteenth Floor!
“Wishing you an early conquest of the Tower of Truth!”