Ethan stood still, the cool shadows of the Dark Tower swallowing every shred of warmth around him. He couldn't help it—his fingers twitched on the hilt of his sword even though he knew better than to start swinging it here.
A hush fell over the circular chamber, lit only by floating violet flames that cast a shifting glow on obsidian pillars. He could feel dozens of eyes on him—robed figures, whispering in voices that seemed half-human, half-hissing shadows.
Then, in the middle of the room, the Tower Master tilted her head and let a small smirk creep across her lips.
"Ah… a man, after such a long time, who wishes to become one of my disciples." Her voice was a sweet poison, both silky and sharp. She slowly stood from her dark throne, and a wave of thick black mana exploded outward.
The entire chamber pulsed like a living thing. Torches guttered and shadows twisted along the walls, taking strange shapes.
And then—
Whoosh.
The Tower Master simply vanished.
Ethan's heart skipped a beat. "H-Hey—where the hell—"
Suddenly, she was right in front of him. No footsteps. No sound. One instant she was across the room, the next she was so close he could smell the cool scent of night flowers and ozone radiating from her robes.
Her slender finger hooked under Ethan's chin, tilting his face up until his gray eyes met hers—twin pools of swirling violet flame.
"Ohh… you're trembling." She let out a low chuckle. "Cute."
Ethan gulped so hard it sounded like a snapping twig. "I-I'm not trembling… it's… the floor. Vibrating.
A dangerous light danced in her eyes. "Tell me something, little one… why do I sense something else from you?" She leaned closer, whispering against his ear. "Your aura… it's not purely dark. There's something… knightly about it."
Cold sweat dripped down Ethan's spine. Shit shit shit.
He gave a small, desperate laugh. "Uh… no-no… maybe you're just… mistaken. I'm pure darkness. Totally… you know… blackness and… evil vibes."
She stared at him, silent and deadly. Then, with a small flick of her cloak, she withdrew her hand and stepped back. "Perhaps I am. Or perhaps not."
Ethan let out the breath he'd been holding. He was about three seconds away from pissing himself.
"Very well." Her voice echoed in the chamber as she strode back to her obsidian throne, skirts swirling like ink in water. She sat, folding one leg over the other. "If you wish to become my disciple… you shall prove yourself worthy."
Ethan blinked. "Prove myself… how?"
She lifted a single finger and black sparks crackled around it.
"Two tasks," she purred. "Complete them… and I shall welcome you into the Dark Tower.
A scroll appeared in shimmering black glyphs before Ethan's eyes, floating like a hologram
[Dark Tower Initiation Tasks]
[Task 1: Defeat an Undead Creature chosen by the Tower Master.]
[Task 2: Clear the Lich's Dungeon… alone.]
Ethan's jaw hit the metaphorical floor.
"What. The. Actual. FUCK?!"
The Tower Master's lips curled into a smile as sharp as a dagger. "Problem, little knight?"
"I mean—" Ethan sputtered, pointing at the holographic scroll, "—fight a goddamn undead monster, okay fine, but a Lich's Dungeon?! Alone?! At my level? Lady, I'll die before the skeletons even say hi!"
Her violet eyes glittered. "Then do not die."
"THAT'S YOUR FUCKING ADVICE?!"
She arched a delicate brow. "Yes. And bow when you leave, or I shall melt your tongue."
Ethan clenched his fists, teeth grinding so hard it was a miracle he didn't crack a molar. But deep inside, a spark of determination flickered. This was it. The next step in his plan. Hybrid class or bust.
He dropped to one knee, pressing his palm to the cold black tiles. "I accept."
For a moment, silence reigned. And then the Tower Master let out a soft, almost delighted laugh.
"Interesting…" she murmured. "Finally… an adventurer with the spine to face the darkness. Ethan Graves… I shall be watching you closely."
Her voice lingered in the air even after she dissolved into a swirl of black mist, vanishing from her throne.
Ethan exhaled shakily, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Holy fuck… she's terrifying."
He straightened up, staring at the new objectives blazing red in his system window.
'Seriously… why can't shit ever be easy for me…?' he thought
Still, as he glanced back toward the giant chamber doors, there was the smallest hint of a grin on his lips. This was why he'd come here. To be more than a loser. To be an Overlord
Moments Later…
Ethan made his way through the spiraling corridors of the Dark Tower, the floors etched with runes that pulsed faint purple light under his boots. Sinister whispers slithered along the walls, carrying fragments of forgotten incantations.
Finally, he reached a tall set of double doors carved with grotesque skeletal figures. An iron placard hung above it: "Training Hall."
He hesitated, hand hovering over the door handle. "Okay… let's see just how screwed I am."
He pushed inside—and froze.
The entire training chamber was circular, lined with shadow-clad mages who observed silently from the stands. The air felt heavy, each breath thick like syrup
In the center of the arena stood a creature.
Towering at least eight feet tall, its bones were blackened and spiked. Wisps of necrotic flame burned in the sockets where eyes should be. Its ribcage gaped open, stuffed with writhing black tentacles. Rusted iron chains dangled from its skeletal arms, rattling as it shifted its weight.
The system chimed ominously:
[Initiation Task: Undead Duel Initiated]
[Opponent: Grimfang Revenant (Undead Elite)]
[Level: 42]
[Affinities: Shadow, Rot, Fear]
[Special Abilities: Soul Drain, Bone Shards, Terror Roar]
Ethan's jaw fell open as he stared at the monster. His brain short-circuited.
"WHAT. THE. FUCK?! I have to fight THAT?!"
The Grimfang Revenant let out a deep, echoing roar. Dark flames spouted from its jaws, and the chains began to slither like living snakes across the stone floor.
Ethan raised his sword slowly, legs trembling so hard they almost gave out. "Okay… okay… I'm so fucked."
The gathered mages leaned forward in eerie silence, eager to watch the bloodbath.
Ethan clenched his teeth. "Fuck it. Let's go."
And with that, he charged.