I Become the Strongest with Infinite Skills Level

Ethan remained silent after hearing the explanation from the man before him.

The tension around the destroyed front gate had not disappeared.

Blood still stained the dirt road outside the village, while the surviving guards kept their distance from him.

The man standing in front of Ethan slowly lowered his hand.

"My name is Varok," he said. "I am the current chief of this village."

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You expect me to believe you after what your people did to Gor City?"

"No," Varok replied calmly. "I only expect you to listen before making another mistake."

The atmosphere became quiet.

The three elders behind Varok still looked furious, especially after witnessing the deaths of the guards.

Even so, none of them dared to move recklessly after seeing Ethan's overwhelming strength.

Ethan slowly pulled his Bloodblade Ashura downward, though he did not sheath it completely.

"You said your tribe is divided into two factions," Ethan spoke.

Varok nodded. "The Telmarian Tribe has been split for decades. We simply hide it from outsiders."

"Why?"

"Because weakness invites destruction."

Varok turned around and gestured for Ethan to follow him.

"Come. We should discuss this somewhere quieter."

The surviving villagers hesitated to let Ethan enter, but none dared oppose Varok's order. Ethan walked through the village while receiving fearful stares from everyone around him.

Unlike the western village he destroyed earlier, this place truly felt different.

He saw several Telmarian merchants trading herbs, accessories, and woven fabrics from the Blood-Cursed Tribe. Some villagers even used tools made by the people of Gor City.

The hatred here was nowhere near as intense.

Varok brought Ethan into a large wooden building near the center of the village. Several elders entered alongside them before the doors were closed tightly.

"You may sit," Varok said.

"I prefer standing."

Varok smiled faintly. "Very well."

One of the elders slammed his fist onto the table.

"Village Chief, why are we speaking peacefully with him? He killed our guards!"

"And if we attack him recklessly, more people will die," Varok answered calmly.

The elder immediately fell silent. Varok then looked back at Ethan.

"The conservative faction believes the Blood-Cursed Tribe should disappear completely. They believe your people are dangerous and impure."

"And you disagree?" Ethan asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because we have traded with your people for generations."

Varok slowly sat down.

"The Blood-Cursed Tribe possesses unique herbs, minerals, and spiritual craftsmanship. Cooperation benefited both sides."

"Then why did the conservatives attack Gor City?"

Varok's expression darkened slightly.

"Because the balance inside the tribe has begun to collapse."

Ethan frowned.

Varok continued, "Years ago, both factions still respected one another's territory. The conservatives controlled the upper floors of this dungeon region, while we controlled the lower territory."

"But recently, they've become more aggressive."

"They believe the Telmarian Tribe should dominate every floor and remove all outsiders."

"That includes humans?"

"Yes."

Ethan narrowed his eyes again.

"So Gor City was only the beginning?"

Varok slowly nodded.

"The conservatives are preparing for war."

Silence filled the room.

Ethan finally understood why Gor City had been annihilated so brutally. This was no random massacre. It was part of something much larger.

"The faction that attacked Gor City…" Ethan asked coldly. "Who leads them?"

"A man named Kharvos."

"Is he strong?"

At that question, even the elders looked uneasy. Varok let out a long breath.

"Kharvos is the Floor Boss of the upper region."

Ethan's eyes sharpened instantly.

"So the progressive faction stays here because you lost control of the upper floors?"

"Yes."

"The conservatives forced us downward after years of conflict."

Varok looked directly into Ethan's eyes.

"If you truly seek revenge for Gor City, then the people responsible are not here."

"The conservative Telmarians live above us."

Ethan gripped the handle of Bloodblade Ashura tighter.

"Tell me where they are."

"The path to the upper floor lies north of this village. There is a massive stone gate protected by elite warriors."

"And beyond that?"

"The upper sanctuary of the Telmarian Tribe."

One of the elders suddenly spoke.

"You cannot simply charge in there alone. The upper faction possesses hundreds of warriors."

Ethan gave him a cold stare.

"I already slaughtered an entire village by myself."

The elder immediately shut his mouth.

Varok observed Ethan quietly for a moment before speaking again.

"You are strong. Stronger than I expected."

"But if you fight Kharvos carelessly, you will die."

"I don't care."

"You should."

Ethan remained silent. Varok slowly stood from his seat and approached him.

"Hatred alone will not defeat the upper faction."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"You should rest tonight and leave tomorrow morning."

Ethan frowned slightly.

"I don't need rest."

"Your body says otherwise."

Varok glanced toward Ethan's blood-covered clothes and several wounds hidden beneath them.

"You've fought continuously since arriving here."

"You may not realize it, but your breathing has become heavier."

Ethan stayed silent again. Truthfully, Varok was right.

Bloodflare Cataclysm consumed an enormous amount of stamina and mana.

Even though Ethan could still fight, continuing recklessly would only reduce his chances against the upper floor boss.

Varok walked back toward the table.

"You may stay in our village for one night."

"Why would you help me?"

"Because if Kharvos continues growing stronger, our faction will eventually be destroyed as well."

One of the elders looked shocked.

"Village Chief!"

Varok raised his hand.

"This is our best chance."

He turned back toward Ethan.

"You seek revenge."

"We seek survival."

"Our goals align."

The room fell silent once more.

Several moments later, Ethan finally moved his sword and attached it back onto his back.

"Fine," he answered shortly.

The tense atmosphere immediately loosened. Varok gave a small nod.

"A room will be prepared for you."

One of the guards escorted Ethan out of the building shortly afterward.

Though the villagers still looked afraid of him, none dared provoke him anymore.

Night slowly descended over the village.

Ethan sat alone inside a small wooden room prepared for him.

A candle flickered quietly near the window while the sounds of distant villagers echoed faintly outside.

He leaned against the wall, staring at Bloodblade Ashura resting beside him. His mind returned to Gor City.

The burning buildings. The piles of corpses. The screams.

Ethan slowly clenched his fist.

"Kharvos…"

That name had now become the center of everything. The true mastermind behind the massacre.

Ethan closed his eyes for several hours before eventually falling asleep.

***

The next morning.

The village was still covered in thin morning fog when Ethan stepped outside.

Several villagers secretly watched him from a distance. Unlike yesterday, however, their fear now mixed with curiosity.

Varok was already waiting near the front gate alongside several guards.

"You're leaving already?" Varok asked.

Ethan nodded once.

"The sooner I kill him, the better."

Varok handed him a rolled parchment map.

"This will guide you toward the upper sanctuary."

Ethan accepted it.

"There are three checkpoints before reaching the upper floor gate," Varok explained.

"The first and second are guarded by ordinary warriors."

"The third checkpoint contains elite guards loyal to Kharvos."

"And after that?"

Varok's expression became serious.

"You will reach the boss chamber."

Ethan smirked faintly.

"Good."

One of the elders stepped forward hesitantly.

"If you truly defeat Kharvos…"

"The conservative faction will collapse."

Ethan did not answer immediately. He simply looked toward the distant northern mountain path beyond the village.

The atmosphere there felt heavy. Oppressive. As if something monstrous waited above.

Varok crossed his arms.

"You still have time to reconsider."

Ethan finally began walking past them.

"I already made my decision the moment Gor City burned."

The wind blew across the village as Ethan continued forward without looking back. The guards silently moved aside to let him pass.

Step after step, Ethan left the Progressive Telmarian Village behind and headed toward the northern path leading upward.

Toward the upper floor. Toward the conservative faction.

Kharvos.

His killing intent quietly spread as he disappeared into the morning fog, beginning his journey to challenge the ruler of the upper floor.