Classless Ascension

In front of the natural rocky bridge, there was a nightmare getting lectured by an overenthusiastic man. 

"Every ma—horse has the potential to be a great hero! But, how does one become such a legendary being? Easy, it all boils down to unearthing one's potential in the moments that count the most!" Josh preached. 

The nightmare on the receiving end of this speech was trying to figure out what Josh was talking about. It was much more interested in knowing how much longer it had to carry this annoying cockroach. But, the tirade was far from over…

"Today is one of these moments! Do you see this bridge? …Yes? Perfect, it means you have eyes! But, this path isn't as simple as it seems. It is not only a bridge but also a challenge. Would there be such a thing in the Tower just for decoration? Of course not!" 

Nightmare was at a loss. A bridge that wasn't a bridge? What was its master even rambling about? It patiently waited for it all to make sense. 

"Today is your time to shine! I believe in you: you will gallop through this no matter what awaits us! You will show the Tower how unbeatable we are! At my signal, run straight, fast and true! Also, do not gaze at the abyss either." Josh instructed. 

On that note, he mounted, making sure that the NPC was solidly secured. He then uttered. "Are you prepared? Ready, set…Go!!" Josh shouted with enthusiasm, the horse bolting forward as quickly as horsely possible. 

What kind of idiot would just charge on a bridge with an unknown sturdiness level? This one! Josh only hoped that it would hold and that their burst of speed would allow them to bypass any potential guardian. 

He could feel the wind pass near his body as they suddenly accelerated. A sense of exhilaration accompanied him as he felt so free. He was ready to face whatever horror would jump at them from the abyss. 

As they reached a quarter of the distance, he held his breath in anticipation as he warily watched the surroundings. 

As they reached the third of it, he steadied his grip on his spear. Control over his attacks would be more challenging while in movement. 

As they reached halfway, he prepared to activate his set items. He wouldn't get taken by surprise. 

As they crossed the bridge entirely, he felt as if the world itself was a lie. What the fuck?! How hadn't there been any danger at all?! Was the bridge purely cosmetic?! What kind of shitty Floor design was this! There went all the tension…

Nightmare was sneering as it kept thinking about that previous heroic speech. It was a good thing that it couldn't speak, or Josh would never hear the end of it! But, as the master, he couldn't just let such a mistake stop him, so he played a wise character. 

—Cough cough—

"This was a test run, quite like a fire drill. Now, if a situation like this ever happens again, run as fast as you just did. It is all going according to plan." Josh bullshitted through his teeth. 

On the one hand, Nightmare seemed to be believing him. On the other hand, what did Josh tricking a horse say about him? Ah, whatever. He turned his shame into vengeful energy as he annihilated the cockroaches that they soon encountered. 

The groups were beginning to be massive, approaching 200 individuals per encounter. Josh had to carefully navigate each combat, climbing atop the bodies of the mosnters to evade their attacks. 

It took him a long time, but he did manage to clear them all. Anyone else would have long become weary and too tired to fight, or even worse, died already. The passive devouring regeneration was saving him once more with the insane sustain. 

"Great job, Nightmare!" He praised. 

Thanks to his pet, he could afford to take his time to kill all the enemies relaxedly. Many said that dogs were a man's best friend but to Josh Nightmare was even better. 

They kept going, literally painting the rocky ground entirely blue. After a few hours of splashing blood all over, a colossal cockroach became visible over the horizon. Was a 40 meters tall cockroach threatening? Obviously! 

But Josh was already thinking of methods to defeat it. Most likely, its armor would be incredibly sturdy, given that it was a bug. Perhaps he could try and use its enormous size against it by remaining in its blind spot? 

Also, was it a good idea to fight it now? He was probably better off completing the mission first. However, he couldn't help but be taken aback by the NPC's reaction as it saw the monster. 

It began clamoring as it tried freeing itself from its bindings. Yet, the way it acted seemed strange. The friendly cockroach wasn't fearful but excited instead?! Josh carefully instructed Nightmare to head toward it slowly. 

As soon as they came close, Josh realized what was happening. The humongous creature was nothing more than a statue with insane details. It felt like a real cockroach, so real that it almost seemed like it would wake up any time— perhaps it really would. 

He freed the NPC, who instantly ran toward it, prostrating itself in front of it in a worship motion. Was this some pilgrimage?! Either way, he remained on guard, who knew what would happen next. 

That's when the NPC suddenly seemed to notice something as it began flailing its limbs once more. It was pointing at the middle of the statue. In its chest, there was a large cavity like the one where someone would fit a gem. 

"Let me guess…this used to be the safe zone, but it's no longer effective?" Josh gambled aloud. For the first time in forever on this Floor, it seemed like he was right. 

[Protect the allied cockroach until it is done praying!] 

Was he really supposed to protect it while it prayed?! Just the fact that there was a cockroach god was already shocking, but that the NPC would risk its life was even worse! Ridiculous! But, a mission was a mission. He could only harden his heart. 

But then, this happened: 

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

—SHRIEK!!!—

Oh god! Josh couldn't help but twitch as he heard the countless shrieks. How many cockroaches were now targeting them?!

This would be anything but pleasant….