The witch probably expected Karl to enter the [Danger Tower] normally and climb it floor by floor until reaching the final chamber.

That was how the zone was designed to be cleared.

He would go through the interior, face obstacles meant to drain his strength and patience, and eventually confront her at the top.

And if he did that, he would also have to face her third toy along the way.

Karl understood that perfectly.

And although he fully believed that he could still win in the end, he also knew something else just as clearly.

The battle against the witch herself would be close.

Dangerously close.

She was a [Zone Boss], a mythical-ranked existence empowered by the entire [Danger Zone].

Even with all his skills, items, and advantages, Karl couldn't say with certainty that the fight would be easy.

So if there was a way to tilt the balance, even slightly…

If there was a way to land a surprise attack…

Then that could change everything.

"Here we go," Karl mumbled to himself, a wide grin spreading across his face as he steadied his breathing.

And then—

Fwoosh!

With a powerful leap, he rushed straight toward the [Danger Tower].

[You seem really eager to climb~]

The witch's amused voice echoed in his mind as a panel appeared.

[Do not fret, human~ There is nothing in the tower except I and my ultimate toy~]

[Simply climb the stairs, and let us meet.]

Karl didn't respond.

Instead, at that exact moment—

Fwoosh!

He ignored the entrance gate entirely and veered sharply toward the tower's outer wall.

[Huh, what are you doing…?]

The confusion in the witch's voice was obvious.

Fwish!

Spider-like spikes erupted from the soles of Karl's [Dweller Boots], biting into the stone as he propelled himself upward.

His body surged forward, momentum carrying him higher as he began climbing the tower from the outside.

While he climbed, Karl counted silently in his head.

Seconds mattered.

If he felt that he wouldn't make it to the top in time, he would have to abort.

If he misjudged even slightly, he could end up falling straight down.

[Are you… trying to climb up my tower?]

"That's what you said I could do, right?" Karl replied with a grin, half-joking as he continued upward.

But his tone clearly didn't amuse her.

Because suddenly—

Bam!

Dark vines erupted violently from the tower's walls, bursting out directly in front of him.

Slam! Slam!

They struck like spears, trying to pierce his body and knock him away from the surface.

But Karl didn't slow down.

The [All-Powerful Magic Barrier] absorbed most of the impact, cracks forming but holding firm as he continued climbing.

[Alright.]

The witch's voice lost its playful tone entirely.

[Die, then.]

She had wanted a proper battle. A fair confrontation. But Karl was refusing to play along.

And so—

ROOOOAR!

For the third time since entering the [Danger Zone], Karl heard a massive roar.

This one was far louder than the previous two. The sound shook the air itself.

A massive shadow appeared above him, blotting out part of the sky.

Karl glanced upward.

At the top of the tower, a gigantic form leaned forward, its head peeking over the edge as it locked its gaze onto him.

'The first toy was the [Danger Orc], then the [Danger Gorilla]… and the third is…'

The panel appeared immediately.

---

[Danger Wyvern (Level 50)]

[Rank: Legendary (Unique Boss)]

[HP: 3,000,000]

---

A massive crimson wyvern stared down at Karl, its dragon-like head tilting slightly as it opened its mouth.

Wyverns were considered the weakest of the dragon-type monsters.

They stood at the bottom of that evolutionary chain.

Above them were drakes. Then lindworms. And finally, true dragons.

Actual dragons were legendary beings, monsters capable of destroying entire countries on their own.

Every real dragon in [Gods Ascension] was a calamity-level existence.

Compared to that, wyverns were inferior. But inferior didn't mean weak.

Karl hadn't expected to encounter one here. Wyverns usually appeared later in the game, not this early.

Seeing one guarding the top of the [Danger Tower] was strange.

But then again, this was the witch's ultimate toy.

The [Danger Wyvern] scraped its claws against the stone at the top of the tower, spreading its wings as it prepared to attack.

Its chest expanded. Karl could already feel the heat building.

But by then… He was already too close to the top.

'I'll tank it.'

Danger Flames!

A torrent of crimson fire poured downward, engulfing Karl completely.

The flames roared around him, scorching the stone walls and filling the air with heat.

But the [All-Powerful Magic Barrier] held.

Its durability was monstrous, absorbing the attack without shattering.

Karl pushed through the flames, his body still moving upward.

He had noticed something earlier.

Near the top of the tower, there were window-like openings carved into the stone.

That had been his plan from the start.

Enter through there. Avoid the interior entirely.

Was it worth the risk he was taking right now? Probably not.

But backing out wasn't an option anymore.

Ding!

[10 seconds have passed, "Wall Dweller" will stop.]

The notification appeared just as Karl reached the top.

His time was up. So he acted instantly.

With a powerful leap, he launched himself upward and clung to one of the openings near the top of the tower.

Fwoosh!

The [Danger Wyvern] slashed downward with its claws, narrowly missing him.

Karl twisted his body and slipped inside the opening.

Ding!

[You have entered the "Danger Tower's Top"]

The interior was a decently sized chamber. Bookshelves lined the walls.

Desks were scattered across the floor, covered in scrolls, notes, and strange magical tools.

It looked exactly like what it was. A witch's workspace.

"You truly came here—"

The [Blooming Witch] stood inside the chamber, her eyes wide with shock.

But before she could finish her sentence—

Karl had already raised his staff.

Blazing Meteor! Storm of Lightning! Permafrost Crystals!

The spells detonated instantly.

The witch reacted quickly, summoning a barrier around herself.

But—

BOOM!

The impact of the [Blazing Meteor] was overwhelming.

Her barrier shattered instantly, fragments of magic exploding outward as the force sent her flying backward.

She slammed into one of her desks, wood splintering as it broke apart.

-428,880!

Zap!Bam!

-275,280! -40,000! -40,000!

The lightning and crystals struck her moments later.

The [Blooming Witch] spat blood as she was hit, her body skidding across the floor.

Karl's expression didn't change. He simply stared at her status panel.

---

[Blooming Witch (Level 50)]

[Rank: Legendary (Zone Boss)]

[HP: 2,195,840/3,300,000]

---

She had lost over a third of her health in a single surprise attack.

Since she was an NPC, even if Karl killed her, she could revive as long as she still had lives remaining.

But that didn't matter. His goal wasn't permanence. It was victory.

"Annoying mage," the witch groaned as she forced herself back to her feet.

Her staff glowed ominously in her hand.

"I'll show you—"

She slammed her staff against the ground. Then she shouted.

"Come to me, my ultimate toy!"

And the moment she said that—

Fwoosh…

Karl heard a sound coming from above.

Then—

BOOM!

The ceiling shattered.

Stone and debris rained down as a massive figure crashed into the chamber.

The [Danger Wyvern] landed heavily inside, its wings scraping against the broken walls as it positioned itself beside its master.

"I planned to make you fight the wyvern in the previous room," the witch announced coldly, "But you ruined everything, and now… you have started an impossible battle."

"Damn," Karl muttered.

If he had taken the normal route, he would have fought the [Danger Wyvern] and the [Blooming Witch] separately.

One after the other.

But now… They were both standing in front of him. At the same time.

And yet—

A wide grin spread across Karl's face.

"I guess that'll just make things easier," he said calmly, "Two for one."

He tightened his grip on his staff. No matter how strong they were.

No matter how impossible this was supposed to be. Karl was ready.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.