Absolute Cheater

Asher made his way to the administration wing, his footsteps echoing in the quiet halls. When he arrived at Yulia's office, he was greeted by the sharp-eyed Director herself. She gestured for him to take a seat.

"Good to see you punctual as always," Yulia remarked, folding her hands on her desk.

"What do you need from me?" Asher asked directly.

Yulia leaned back in her chair, observing him for a moment. "I wanted to formally inform you of your clearance and discuss your plans moving forward. While you're free to use the Academy's facilities, there are still eyes on you. The situation with Catherine wasn't something we could entirely ignore."

"I understand," Asher said. "I'll tread carefully."

"I'm sure you will," Yulia said with a faint smile. "Just remember, the Tower isn't a playground. Many have gone in with confidence and come out… different. It's not just about skill; it's about resilience, strategy, and sometimes, sheer willpower."

Asher nodded, her words only reinforcing his determination.

"Good," Yulia said, dismissing him. "You're free to go. And Asher?"

He paused at the door.

"Don't let that calm exterior of yours fool you into underestimating what lies ahead."

With a nod, Asher left the office, the weight of her words lingering as he prepared for what was to come. The Infinite Tower awaited, and with it, new challenges that would test not just his strength but his resolve to ascend beyond his current limits.

Asher walked through the quiet halls of the administration building, his mind racing with thoughts of the Infinite Tower and the challenges ahead. For the first time in a long while, he felt a strange combination of excitement and apprehension.

Stepping out into the courtyard, he spotted Catherine in the distance, her distinctive crimson hair glinting under the sunlight. She stood by a fountain, seemingly lost in thought, her figure exuding a calm yet commanding presence.

Asher made his way toward her. Catherine turned slightly, sensing his approach.

"Asher," she greeted, her tone neutral but her eyes searching his. "I suppose you've heard the news."

"I have," he replied. "You're free now, and so am I."

Catherine nodded, her expression unreadable. "It took long enough. Though I'm not sure if everyone here will be so forgiving."

"You don't need their forgiveness," Asher said firmly. "You've done nothing wrong."

A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Always so straightforward. But I appreciate it."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the sound of water from the fountain filling the air.

"What's your plan now?" she finally asked, breaking the quiet.

"The Infinite Tower," Asher said. "It's time for me to push myself further."

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "The Tower… That's a bold choice. Not many dare to tackle it seriously. Most just go for the rewards and leave once it gets too hard."

"I'm not most people," Asher replied, his voice steady.

Catherine smirked. "No, you're not. Just don't get yourself killed in there. It wouldn't do for the person who freed me to meet such an end."
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"I'll keep that in mind," Asher said, his lips curving into a faint smile.

Catherine's gaze softened slightly before she turned away. "Well, if you're heading there, you'd better be prepared. The Tower doesn't just test your strength; it tests everything—your resolve, your wit, even your ability to endure."

"I am prepared," Asher said simply.

"Good," she replied, starting to walk away. "Then I'll see you when you return—if you do."

Asher watched her leave, her presence still commanding even as she disappeared into the crowd.

Later that evening, Asher stood in his dorm room, gearing up for the journey. His equipment was meticulously checked: his blades, his armor, and a few potions for emergencies. Freya had offered to accompany him earlier, but he had politely declined. This was a challenge he wanted to face alone.

As he prepared to leave, he glanced at his reflection in the mirror.

"Time to check out this Tower," he muttered to himself. And begin to leave, the Tower entrance is in the Academy easily accessible by many.

The Academy grounds were quieter than usual as Asher made his way toward the Tower's portal hub. Night had fallen, casting a silver glow over the campus. Only a few students were about, their conversations hushed as they went about their routines.

Asher reached the portal hub—a vast, circular chamber carved from dark stone and lit by ethereal orbs hovering near the ceiling. At the center stood the shimmering gateway that connected to the Infinite Tower.

He wasn't alone. A small group of students lingered near the portal, some discussing strategies, others simply psyching themselves up for the climb. They noticed Asher as he approached, and whispers began to ripple through the group.

"Isn't that Asher Magnus?"

"He's the one who caused all that commotion with the dungeon inhabitant, right?"

"I heard he's insanely strong, but… he's only Platinum Rank, isn't he?"

Asher ignored the murmurs, his focus entirely on the portal.

"Hey!" a voice called out. A tall, muscular boy with spiky blue hair stepped forward, his arms crossed. His Golden Rank badge gleamed on his uniform. "You are finally challenging the Tower? Let's see what level you reach before giving up."

Asher met the boy's gaze without flinching. "We'll see."

The boy smirked. "Just don't cry for help when you're stuck on the lower floors."

Without another word, Asher stepped past him, the crowd parting to let him through. As he stood before the portal, a system notification appeared in his vision.

[Infinite Tower Entry Requirements Met]

[Rank: Platinum | Status: Approved]

[Would you like to enter? Y/N]

He took a deep breath and selected "Yes." The portal flared to life, its light enveloping him in an instant.

When the light faded, Asher found himself standing at the base of the Infinite Tower. The structure loomed above him, impossibly tall, its surface shimmering like liquid silver under a moonless sky. The air was thick with a sense of challenge, as if the Tower itself were alive and watching.

Before him, a translucent screen appeared, detailing the rules:

[Welcome to the Infinite Tower]

Objective: Survive and ascend.

Rewards: Granted every 10th floor.

Challenges: Increase in difficulty with each floor.

Note: Upon defeat, you will be expelled from the Tower.

The entrance to the first floor materialized—a massive door adorned with intricate runes. Asher approached, his hand brushing against the cold surface. The runes flared briefly before the door creaked open, revealing a shadowy corridor.

He stepped inside, the door closing behind him with a resounding thud. The first floor's challenge awaited.

The corridor led to a circular chamber bathed in dim light. Asher's footsteps echoed as he moved to the center. Suddenly, the room trembled, and a figure began to materialize before him—a towering golem made of jagged stone and glowing red crystals.

[Challenge: Defeat the Guardian]

[Floor 1 Guardian: Stone Warden]

The golem roared, its movements slow but deliberate as it raised a massive fist and slammed it into the ground. Asher leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the impact.

Drawing his blade, he assessed the creature's weak points. The red crystals embedded in its body seemed to pulse with energy. "Those must be its core," he muttered.

Asher darted forward, his movements swift and precise. The Stone Warden's massive frame made it slow but deceptively resilient. Each step the golem took shook the chamber, dust and debris falling from the ceiling.

Asher focused his attention on the glowing red crystals. They pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat, embedded deep within the golem's chest and arms.

CLANG!

The golem's stone fist slammed into the ground where Asher had just been. He used the opening to leap onto its arm, balancing expertly as it began to rise. With a flick of his wrist, his sword glimmered with energy as he slashed at one of the crystals.

CRACK!

The blade left a deep fissure in the crystal, and the golem roared, stumbling backward. Energy surged through its body as the damaged crystal began to flicker erratically.

[Critical Weakness Discovered!]

[Crystals act as the Guardian's Core. Destroy them to weaken and defeat the Guardian.]

The Absolute Appraisal flashed before his eyes, confirming his strategy.

The golem swung its arm wildly, trying to dislodge him, but Asher moved with calculated agility. He vaulted off its arm just as another crystal on its shoulder began to glow brighter.

"Looks like it's trying to compensate," Asher muttered. He landed gracefully and immediately rolled to avoid a sweeping kick that left a crater in the ground.

The battle continued with a rhythm of calculated attacks and precise dodges. Asher's strikes were relentless, each aimed at a core crystal. The golem grew more erratic as its energy waned, its movements slower and more disjointed.

Finally, Asher landed a decisive blow to the largest crystal in its chest.

CRACK! BOOM!

The crystal shattered into fragments, and the Stone Warden let out a deafening roar before collapsing. Its massive body crumbled into rubble, the energy within dissipating into glowing motes of light that floated upward.