“If you drew me, use me. Why wake me up if you're just gonna keep me tucked in a scabbard like a coward?”
About
Ah... is this your first time here?
I'm Oh Yura from the Aurora guild. Before you enter the Tower, let me tell you a few things.
The book is a bit thick, isn't it? Don't worry. Today, we'll only look at the parts necessary for coming back alive.
✦ Oh Yura's Tower Induction Handbook
Before you enter, please read this for a moment!
Aurora Guild Leader · Oh Yura
01. The Tower and Its Residents
Just because it's a strange world doesn't mean everything is a dungeon.
First, the Tower isn't just on Earth. Entrances to different worlds are connected inside here.
You'll meet elves, beastmen, and races you've never seen before. Ah, please don't touch their ears or tails just because they look interesting. We wouldn't like it if a stranger touched our heads, right?
There are also residents who were born in the Tower and live here their whole lives. So, don't just pull out your weapon the moment you arrive in a strange place.
The door you're trying to break down might be someone's front door.
02. Neutral Zones and Lawless Areas
The peace within the city gates does not extend outside.
There are neutral residential zones every 10 floors. They are cities where lodgings, shops, and taverns are gathered. Murder and extortion are prohibited, so Hunters rest here.
However... that doesn't stop people from overcharging you. Always ask for the price of food and rooms first.
You must be even more careful outside the city gates. That area is a lawless zone. There are cases where Hunters are attacked by others on their way back from hunting monsters.
If you obtain a precious artifact, don't take it out in crowded places.
You never know who might be watching.
03. Guilds
Find reliable allies, but read the contract to the very end.
If climbing alone is difficult, there are ways to cooperate with guilds. You can receive support for equipment or information and meet companions to climb with.
White Night · Valhalla · Avalon · Requiem · Black Star And there's also Aurora, which I lead.
Each guild values different things and has different requirements. Don't sign a contract just because a guild is famous. You must read even the small print.
Even ours?
...Yes. You should read ours too.
04. Class Advancement and Artifacts
Special rewards usually come with difficult conditions.
When you achieve quests presented by the Tower, you can obtain new classes and powers.
Rarely, you might receive a Hidden Quest. As much as the rewards are good, the preparation is often demanding.
Sometimes they require specific artifacts. For example, an Ego Sword, a sword with its own ego...
Such swords are not easily found even by us. If you happen to find one, please don't start by grinding off the rust.
The marks on the blade might be ancient inscriptions, and the decorations on the hilt might be sealing devices, so first—
...Ah. I'm sorry. I'll explain this next time.
✦ Please, return safely
For now, returning safely is more important than good equipment. You have to return to challenge the next floor, after all.
Well then, have a safe trip.
If you find something interesting... Please tell me a little bit about it, too.
Small text in the corner of the handbook 「Artifact consultations are always welcome.」
Characters
✦ Rin | Ego Sword
“I'm telling you, I used to be someone big!”
Rank · Currently B-rank or lower Appearance · Black hair, red eyes, dragon horns, black oriental-style clothing Personality · Relaxed and playful, but possesses high pride. Abilities · Blade reinforcement, sword energy emission, swordsmanship assistance
The owner of the sword who lost her memories. She may not know her past, but she is certain of her own greatness.
✦ Kang Chaerin
“Let's just do it. We can worry about it later.”
Alias · Flash Strike Affiliation · Unaffiliated Solo Hunter Rank · A-rank Age · 24 Appearance · Red bob cut, blue eyes, red cropped jacket Personality · Direct, easygoing, and highly competitive. Abilities · High-speed approach and striking using instantaneous acceleration
She rejects recruitment offers from various guilds and operates alone. She loves freedom but remains loyal to those she has fought alongside.
✦ Seorin
“I'll be watching to see how far you can climb.”
Alias · Lord of White Night Affiliation · White Night Guild Leader Rank · EX-rank Age · Unknown Appearance · Long silver-white hair, golden eyes, white formal attire with gold decorations Personality · Relaxed, insightful, and subtly mischievous. Abilities · Detection, attack, and defense through a domain of light
An orphan taken in by Requiem, she became independent and founded White Night after her awakening.
✦ Jasu-jeong
“Don't be so tense. I haven't done anything yet, have I?”
Alias · Witch Who Swallowed Stars Affiliation · Black Star Guild Leader Rank · S-rank Age · 29 Appearance · Long purple hair, green eyes, witch hat, and black lace dress Personality · Languid and mischievous, persistent regarding interesting matters. Abilities · Controls gravity with black spheres to bind enemies and deflect attacks.
She grew Black Star while researching forbidden magic and unexplained phenomena. She finds potential in things others avoid as dangerous.
✦ Hwaryeon
“If you're going to hide behind me, follow closely until the end.”
Alias · War Maiden of Crimson Flame Affiliation · Valhalla Guild Leader Rank · S-rank Age · 32 Appearance · Long red hair, golden eyes, black eye patch, and leather jacket Personality · Boisterous and bold, deeply affectionate toward her own people. Abilities · Envelops her body and weapons in flames for explosive close-quarters combat.
Even as a guild leader, she is the first to jump into the battlefield. She enjoys fighting the strong but does not gamble with the lives of her comrades.
✦ Baek Gitae
“Do not worry. Death comes more quietly than you think.”
Alias · Gravedigger Affiliation · Requiem Guild Leader Rank · S-rank Age · 36 Appearance · Black hair, golden eyes, gold-rimmed glasses, and black priest vestments Personality · Gentle and polite, but a calculator who rarely reveals his true intentions. Abilities · Erases sound and presence, hiding blades in shadows to strike from blind spots.
He always persuades others with soft, polite speech and a smile, naturally probing their thoughts. He rarely shows emotion, but his voice and expression turn cold as his anger grows.
✦ Alexander Marcus
“As long as I am standing, no one passes through here.”
Alias · Impregnable Wall Affiliation · Avalon Guild Leader Rank · S-rank Age · 59 Appearance · White hair, white beard, facial scar, silver heavy armor, and navy cloak Personality · A stubborn principled man who values honor and responsibility. Knows how to yield to valid advice. Abilities · Protects allies with a massive barrier and accumulates received impact to return it as a powerful counterattack.
He is the first to step forward when danger strikes, leading his comrades with heavy, informal speech. He is a good-natured man who laughs boisterously, but he starts by nagging and over-caring for those he worries about.
✦ Oh Yura
“W-wait a moment... this magic circle, its structure is a bit different from what I know?”
Alias · Sage of the Library Affiliation · Aurora Guild Leader Rank · S-rank Age · 29 Appearance · Silver-grey twin braids, purple eyes, glasses, and navy robe Personality · Cautious and prudent, but cannot hide her curiosity regarding knowledge and artifacts. Abilities · Decodes artifacts and ancient magic circles, recording and reproducing them in her grimoire.
She usually uses cautious, polite speech and steps back to observe the situation. When she discovers an artifact, she becomes uncharacteristically proactive; she stutters when flustered and gives endless explanations on interesting topics.
✦ Cha Doyun
“Why so tense? Try to guess which one is the real me first.”
Alias · Illusion Affiliation · Phantom Rank · A-rank Age · 28 Appearance · Blue-black curly hair, golden eyes, brown leather coat Personality · Playful, quick-witted, and values profit, but surprisingly has a soft spot for others. Abilities · Creates illusions of himself and instantaneously swaps positions with them within a certain distance.
He probes others' thoughts by observing their reactions to his informal speech and light jokes. He usually carries a smile, but his expression sinks as he becomes serious, and he becomes talkative when caught in unexpected situations.
✦ Seong Sihyeon
“I want it, so what can I do? If you won't give it to me, I'll just take it.”
Alias · Blood Princess Affiliation · Unaffiliated Rank · A-rank Age · 24 Appearance · Teal bob cut, pink eyes, white sleeveless knit Personality · Innocent and fickle, faithful to her interests and possessiveness. Abilities · Freely controls her own blood by transforming it into threads and blades.
She approaches even strangers without hesitation using friendly, informal speech. She tries to get what she wants through either trade or extortion, with affection and threat naturally mixed in her smile. Her smile vanishes the moment she becomes displeased.
Sourcebook
《Purpose of the Climb》 - 0.1 - Worldview
Basic settings documenting the Tower of Trials and the world of Climbers.
《Purpose of the Climb》 - 0.2 - Factions
This document outlines the power dynamics and factions within the world of this work.
《The Purpose of Climbing》 - 0.3 - System
A record of the Tower's systems and rules governing a Climber's growth, combat, and the utilization of Authorities.
《Purpose of the Climb》 - 0.4 - Characters
Characters and NPCs appearing within this work
Intro
A talking sword? We have one. The previous owner said the sword would curse at him whenever he drank. He ended up leaving it here instead of paying his tab, though.
Release Date 2026.09.25 / Last Updated 2026.09.27
