The World Beyond Reality

The Tower was unyielding in its lessons. By the time Minho stepped onto **Floor Five**, he had learned to move with precision, to read the flow of a fight, and to weigh risks against rewards. The wolves of Floor One had been his first teachers. Each subsequent floor had refined his instincts, teaching him to see patterns, anticipate danger, and strike only when the odds were undeniably in his favor. 

Now, standing at the edge of **Aurenhelm**, the sprawling NPC city that served as the battleground for this floor, Minho inhaled deeply, steadying himself. The crimson sky stretched overhead, casting the cobblestone streets in a blood-red glow. Shadows crept across the city, deepened by flickering lamplight, and every corner seemed to promise danger. 

Here, the rules were simple: 

- NPCs were worth points, depending on their rank. 

- Commoners gave five points, mercenaries fifteen, knights thirty, and so on, with nobles being the most valuable at one hundred points. 

- Rival players, however, were worth the most. 

The first team to collect a thousand points would ascend to Floor Six. Yet, in the Tower, victory often meant survival, and survival often meant eliminating the competition. 

---

Minho kept to the rooftops as he moved cautiously through the outskirts of the city. The vantage point gave him a clear view of the streets below, where NPC guards patrolled in precise formations. He had no intention of engaging them yet; observation was his first priority. 

A commotion in the distance caught his attention—a clash between two teams in the marketplace. Screams and the clang of steel echoed faintly through the air. Minho crouched low, scanning the area. He saw the victors dragging themselves away from the fight, their bodies bloodied but their loot bags heavier. 

Rushing into combat without a plan was reckless. Minho had no intention of following that path. 

---

The soft scuff of boots on stone made him freeze. Someone was approaching. His hand instinctively moved to his dagger, but he didn't draw it. Instead, he turned slowly, keeping his posture relaxed but ready. 

A young man stood a few feet away, dressed in light armor with a tunic underneath. His black hair was messy but clean, and his demeanor was calm, almost disarming. 

"Easy," the stranger said, holding up both hands. "I'm not here to fight." 

Minho didn't reply, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the newcomer. 

"My name's Jaehyun," the man continued. "Been watching you since Floor Four." 

"Watching me?" Minho's voice was low, cautious. 

Jaehyun nodded. "You're careful. I like that. Most players rush in and get themselves killed in their first big fight. But you? You think before you move. That's rare in the Tower." 

Minho studied him carefully, searching for any sign of deceit. "And what do you want from me?" 

Jaehyun smiled faintly. "I've got a team. We need a fifth member. Interested?" 

"Why me?" 

"Because you're careful," Jaehyun said simply. "And because teams win on this floor. Lone wolves don't." 

---

Minho followed Jaehyun to a small hideout tucked into the corner of a quiet district. Inside, three others waited. 

"That's Yuri," Jaehyun said, gesturing to a sharp-eyed woman leaning against the wall, adjusting the string of her crossbow. 

Yuri glanced at Minho briefly, her expression unreadable. "He looks green," she said flatly. 

"And careful," Jaehyun replied, a touch of humor in his tone. "Which is exactly what we need." 

The second was Seungho, a towering man with broad shoulders and a warm smile. His warhammer rested casually against the wall behind him. 

"Welcome to the team," Seungho said, extending a hand. "Don't mind Yuri. She's just suspicious of everyone." 

Lastly, there was Jiwoo, a quiet woman sitting cross-legged on the floor, sharpening her katana. Her gaze met Minho's briefly, and she nodded. 

Jaehyun addressed the group. "Alright, quick recap for the rookie. Floor Five is a hunting game. NPCs give points based on their rank. Commoners are worth five, mercenaries fifteen, knights thirty, and so on. Other players are worth even more. The first team to hit a thousand points moves on to Floor Six. Got it?" 

Minho nodded. 

"Our strategy is simple," Jaehyun continued. "We pick our targets carefully, avoid unnecessary fights, and don't engage other teams unless we have to. Clear?" 

A chorus of nods followed. 

---

The team moved out as dusk fell, the dim light making the city's shadows even more dangerous. Yuri took to the rooftops, her crossbow ready. Jaehyun led the group from the front, with Jiwoo and Seungho flanking him. Minho stayed near the rear, his eyes scanning constantly for signs of danger. 

"Two mercenaries by the fountain," Yuri's voice crackled softly through the communication link. 

"Fifteen points each," Jaehyun murmured. "Seungho, Jiwoo, take point. Yuri, provide cover. Minho, watch our flank." 

The group moved swiftly, their steps silent. 

Seungho struck first, his warhammer crashing into the nearest mercenary's shield with a resounding boom. The force of the blow sent the NPC stumbling backward, his defense shattered. Jiwoo followed up with a series of quick, precise strikes, her katana slicing through the second mercenary's armor. 

Yuri's bolt found its mark, dropping the first mercenary before he could recover. 

"Clear," she called softly. 

Minho scanned the area one last time, ensuring no other teams had noticed the commotion. Only when he was satisfied did he step out from his position. 

**Red Wolves: 30 Points** 

"Good start," Jaehyun said with a small smile. "Let's keep moving." 

---

As the night deepened, the group continued their hunt, their movements coordinated and deliberate. Each encounter was carefully planned: Seungho's brute force broke defenses, Jiwoo's precision finished the job, Yuri's bolts kept enemies at bay, and Minho covered their blind spots. 

When they came across a squad of knights patrolling a plaza, the tension in the group rose. 

"Knights," Yuri whispered. "Five of them. Thirty points each." 

"That's 150 points," Jaehyun said, his tone thoughtful. "But they're not going to go down easily." 

Minho stepped forward. "We don't need to fight all of them at once," he said. "There's an alley nearby that they pass through during their patrol. If we ambush them there, we can take them out one by one." 

Jaehyun raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "Smart. Let's do it." 

---

The ambush unfolded with surgical precision. Yuri's bolt struck the lead knight as he entered the alley, staggering him. Seungho and Jiwoo rushed in, their combined assault overwhelming the second knight before he could react. 

Minho waited for the third knight to step forward, then slipped into his blind spot. His dagger found the gap between the knight's helmet and breastplate, ending the fight quickly. 

The remaining knights tried to regroup, but the team's coordination was too much. Seungho's warhammer smashed through one knight's shield, while Jiwoo finished him off with a precise strike. The last knight turned to flee, only for Yuri's bolt to drop him mid-step. 

**Red Wolves: 180 Points** 

As the last knight fell, Jaehyun turned to Minho with a grin. "That plan was perfect. You're sharper than I thought." 

Minho didn't respond immediately. His eyes scanned the shadows, searching for signs of rival teams who might have been drawn by the commotion. Satisfied that they were alone, he nodded. 

"Let's move," he said quietly. 

The team melted back into the shadows, leaving the blood-stained alley behind. In the Tower, hesitation was death, and the next battle was always just around the corner.