Next Level Novels & Stories

Chapter 12 Hannah's POV The transition to the 40th floor felt less like a promotion and more like being summoned to a high-security vault. While the 12th floor was a chaotic symphony of clicking keyboards and laughter, the executive level was silent, smelling of expensive air filtration and cold ambition. ​My new "workspace" was a glass-walled alcove directly outside Luke’s main office. It was a masterpiece of minimalist design—wood-and-black accents that matched the aesthetic I had always admired, but today, it felt like a cage.

Another day of studying done, another step closer to the end of finals. As we stepped outside, I spotted Alex’s car parked near the front of the school, right where he always waited for me. Just the sight of him made my heart skip a beat, and I couldn’t help but smile. “There’s my ride,” I said, turning to Jessica. “I’ll see you tomorrow for more studying?” She nodded, giving me a quick hug. “Yep. See you tomorrow, don't be late, so we can do some late minutes reading." I laughed softly, hugging her back. “Sure,no problem. See you tomorrow.”

Blake asked. “Fifth level, it’s tedious and tiring, but I’ve already crossed it to the fifth and about to cross into the sixth,” Jill replied a bit smugly. “Good, soon you will be Divine Sea. You can join us in the Inner World when you break into that level.” Blake said. “What? No. I have a job to do. It’s because you are home, and the situation of the end of the world is happening, and I’m not already at work.” Jill stated.

* * * [A/N] Thanks for reading. Billy has issues, but it looks like he’s Leveling Up in his own way. Who can guess what the plan is?

Veronica’s face turns a bright red, and she stammers, “A … Are you going to let her talk to me like this, Jesse?!” Jesse looks between the two of us before chewing on the bacon strip. “Maybe you should watch what you say. We were all Level Zeroes and Ones at some point.” Veronica’s face turns a mottled shade of purple, which I find intriguing, but what I find more interesting is Jesse’s statement. “What do you mean you were all Level Zeroes and Ones?” I study him. Jesse blinks. “You don’t know? Well,” he chews the crispy bacon, slowly, “each level can graduate to the next level.”

I looked at the violet tree I was building. "Is this the 'Real' world?" I asked the woman in the chair. "No," she whispered. "This is **Level 74**. And you're the only one who can 'Save-Game' before the power goes out."

After a soft peal of laughter, the woman gently placed her cup of tea down and leaned her back against the soft cushion. With her legs crossed, she smiled and continued, "I've mentioned about nature power to you. That's actually the main difference between a Level 8 and a Level 9. A level 8 was just a regular immoral host like you. They have abilities and items. But so what? Do you know? In front of a Level 9, even those indestructible barriers are nothing? Do you also know that no matter how high you raise your Curse Ability, while it would have a good effect on a Level 8, it's nothing but a stupid chanting before a Level 9?"

] [SOVEREIGN SPACE UPGRADE INITIALIZED: LEVEL 1 \rightarrow LEVEL 2. [UNLOCKED FEATURES: TEMPORAL ACCELERATION RATIO ENHANCED TO 5:1. BIOLOGICAL REPRODUCTION TIER 2 ACTIVATED. NATURAL ELEMENT MANIFESTATION: CRYS-TAL-LINE FRESHWATER STREAM INITIALIZED.]

There were also traps, which made it difficult to guard against. Judy could no longer withstand the pressure and broke out in cold sweat. “One step back for this one, and one step back for this one, right?” “One step back for this one, and one step back for this one, and then flip it beautifully.” “There are two traps in this level. First, add up the bridge, and then one step back for the flip.” “Beautiful. Very good. Continue.” A few people surrounded him and gave him advice. However, when they reached the twenty-first level, Willie stepped back and poured himself a cup of coffee.

“How long have you been here?” He shrugged. “Long enough, I'm supposed to be in zone 3 but something happened but instead of death we where placed back to start from zone 1 again.” I stared at the glowing walls, at the digital timer ticking down again. My head throbbed. My chest ached. “So what happens if we beat it?” I asked quietly. Nova looked at me, His smirk fading. “Then you move to the next level. But trust me, sweetheart each level’s worse than the last.”