“Oh you’re back here already? I told you, I’m not going to let you issue this book to your dormitory, it’s a very valuable book, just take your time and read it here-” The old librarian said, as Rocky shook his head in denial.

“I’m not here to issue this book, I’m just here to ask you about the identity of the guy who issued this book before me. The one you were talking about, the guy in the first batch who was looking desperately for it-” Rocky explained, as the Librarian’s usual calm and happy demeanor turned solemn.

“That… hmm…. History hasn’t been kind to that boy, he was a promising talent 20 years ago, but now he’s one of the most notorious criminals of the Tower” The old librarian said, as Rocky’s curiosity only increased after hearing these words.

“Oh? Can you still tell me his name?” Rocky requested, as the old librarian contemplated his request for a while.

“Officially, I’m not allowed to tell you his name. It’s been outlawed at the university by Professor Liam, after he killed the Crimson Monarch and assumed control of floor 24” The old librarian said, as Rocky’s eyes widened in disbelief when he heard these words.

Rocky knew all about the killing of the Crimson Monarch, it was the biggest thing that happened last year! An event so grand that it shook the entire universe as a newly ascended floor60 lesser god managed to kill a genuine floor80 monarch via trickery.

Although Rocky wasn’t even a climber back then, apparently it was all that the entirety of Earth talked about, as he remembered having lengthy chats with Adam and Taylor about this topic during the school recess.

“No way- are you talking about Vladimir Stanev? The one labeled as the most despicable bastard to have ever graced the tower?” Rocky asked in shock, as he never expected that one of the most notorious and infamous figures in the history of the tower was an ex-student of professor Liam.

Standing frozen, Rocky blinked in confusion towards the old librarian who sighed and slapped his own face.

Vladimir Stanev, the notorious criminal who had once been a student at the University for Nourishment of Young Talents, had killed the Crimson Monarch through trickery and assumed control of floor 24. The weight of this revelation sank into Rocky’s chest like a stone, as his voice almost came out as a whisper, “Vladimir Stanev was a student here?”

The old librarian gave him a solemn nod, as he realized that by saying that he was the one to have killed the Crimson Monarch, the librarian had already given the hint about the identity of the man.

“Indeed, he was once one of the brightest minds to ever walk these halls. But his ambition consumed him, turning his thirst for power into an obsession.” The old man said, as Rocky felt utterly confused and could no longer make sense of this situation.

If Vladimir Stanev was a Champion like he expressed himself to be within the book, should he not keep striving to climb higher?

By becoming a floor administrator and assuming control of floor24, he was tying his future to a stationary place, which would most likely anger his patron god who would want for him to ascend higher so that he/she could get more chances to challenge even more floor raids.

“What… what exactly happened?” Rocky pressed, his curiosity undeterred despite the librarian’s warning expression.

The librarian glanced around the quiet library as though checking for listening ears before leaning in close as he said “This is no tale for the faint of heart. Listen well, for I will only say this once-“

Sighing deeply, he began recounting the story of Vladimir and how he became the most infamous bastard in the history of the tower.

The Crimson Monarch, a being of unimaginable power, had ruled over floor 80 with an iron grip, unchallenged and seemingly invincible for the last 400 years.

Despite being unaffiliated with any religious gods, he managed to fend off any challenges to his floor, as through the years the control of the Crimson Monarch over floor 24 was accepted as an unchangeable fact.

His mastery over flame magic was unrivaled, as he had a notorious reputation of burning through his enemies in an instant.

But Vladimir had discovered the Monarch’s singular flaw: his overconfidence.

Feigning allegiance, Vladimir infiltrated the Crimson Monarch’s court as a minor advisor roughly three years ago. Over the years, he gained the Monarch’s trust, rising through the ranks until he became a trusted confidant.

The Monarch, blind to Vladimir’s true intentions, never suspected betrayal, as his act of serving him was just too perfect.

One night, last year at a grand feast, Vladimir finally struck.

He had secretly laced the Monarch’s wine with a peculiar poison derived from a rare albino phoenix, which completely neutralized one’s ability to conjure flames for a few hours after consumption.

The poison, undetected via taste and unaffecting over one’s mana, managed to poison the Monarch without him having the slightest hint, as once he was intoxicated and incapable of using his true strength, Vladimir finally showed his true colors.

In the midst of the feast, acting all cute and chummy, Vladimir challenged the Crimson Monarch to a “friendly” duel before the entire court.

He made a fool of himself leading up to the battle and made the Crimson Monarch swear upon his honor that if Vladimir accidentally ended up killing him in this friendly duel, all administrative rights of the 24th floor would be transferred to him after his death.

Of course, he did this in the cutest manner possible, acting all innocent and fearful of hurting the Monarch, while the rest of the courtiers laughed at him for trying to think he could even scratch the Crimson Monarch.

Amused and assured of his victory, the Monarch accepted, stepping into the ring with Vladimir, as several other courtiers swore upon their souls that they would wholeheartedly serve Vladimir as their True Lord, if he managed to defeat the Crimson Monarch in the spar.

The atmosphere overall was all smiles and laughter up till the second that the spar started, as the moment it did, the drunk and goofy Vladimir suddenly sobered up and rushed towards the Crimson Monarch with all his strength.

As usual, with a confident smile on his face, the Crimson Monarch tried to conjure his trusted flames, however, to his extreme surprise, no flames formed out of his hand.

The spell that he had used all his life refused to materialize and before he could recover from that shock, Vladimir unleashed his well rehearsed and most powerful attack that cleaved the unarmoured and unprepared Crimson Monarch’s body in half.

As if killing him was not enough, after splitting his body in half, Vladimir summoned a sphere of chaotic energy that shattered the Monarch’s natural indestructible skin and burned through his weakened body, leaving nothing but ashes behind.

At that moment, the entire royal court was thrown into chaos, but by the time the confusion settled, Vladimir had already established himself as the new ruler of floor 24 and 7 of the 10 strongest commanders of the Crimson Monarch were now soul-oath bound to serve him.

“My subordinates, kill those who show the slightest killing intent towards me…” He commanded, as not only did he kill the Crimson Monarch, he also used the Monarch’s own subordinates to wipe out those most loyal to the dead monarch.

Although the 7 commanders loathed him for this, branding him as a despicable bastard, Vladimir did not care about these insults as he quickly established his iron-clad control over floor24 by implementing a series of well thought measures he was preparing for years.

Rocky, listening intently to this story, nodded his head in understanding.

It was exactly how he remembered it to be and although he has heard this story several times on Earth, it still shocked him as to how something like this could be accomplished?

As he finished his tale, the librarian’s gaze softened as he looked at Rocky, looking straight into his eyes, the old man said “Ambition can be a powerful force, my boy. It can lift you to the stars or drag you to the depths. Vladimir’s ambition was twisted by his lust for power, but you don’t become like him.

Always be moderate and kind. Otherwise your legacy no matter how great will be forever tainted and marked with controversy”

“Is it true he was once virtuous?” Rocky asked, as the librarian sighed and replied “Very much so. But virtue alone isn’t enough to stave off corruption.”

Looking back towards the book in his hands, now with doubts regarding the authenticity of its contents, Rocky wondered if Vladimir could be trusted with what he wrote in here, or was this another one of his schemes?

“Don’t become like him, Rocky, and don’t ever utter his name in the university….. Principal Liam is still salty over that kid, he loved him like his own son-” The librarian warned, as Rocky nodded his head and walked away from the librarian’s desk with almost as many questions in his head as he walked towards him with.

Could the information coming from Vladimir be trusted?

What could have prompted a Champion to become a floor master?

Why was the second page in the book torn?

These were all questions that plagued Rocky’s mind. Questions that he felt were important for his own future.

———-

/// A/N – Today’s the birthday of one of the books long term readers CraftyProgamer05. So let’s all wish him a very happy happy birthday, and since his birthday request is for me to issue a bonus chapter, I’ll be doing it tonight- ///

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep