The stench hit him like a wall, forcing him to wake. It was an unbearable combination of tar, rotten eggs, burnt cooking oil, and something else—no, many somethings he couldn't quite place, but it gnawed at his senses. His nostrils were beginning to feel oily, and his skin felt prickly as if it were starting to burn. Every fiber of his being was screaming, urging him to remove himself from where he was.
With a groan, he forced his eyes open, but the world remained dark. Not only was he groggy, but he also had a dark substance obscuring his vision. Foregoing his sight, he used the wall as support to stand. Every inch of his entire body felt off, as if they hadn’t been moved for years. Slowly, using his hands as navigation, he made his way to the door and opened it.
----------
There was a sole attendant waiting in the hallway. The first thing they noticed was the smell, by the time they heard the slight door creak, they were already moving. With a snap of their fingers, a slew of attendants rushed toward the now opened room. The stench was heavy, lingering in the air, but their only response was to lift their arms, pressing the sleeves of their robes tightly against their noses as they began to clean.
The first attendant, completely unfazed by the smell as if used to it, made his way to the groggy man who kept trying to stand. With a practiced motion, he helped the man stand, holding him by the help and positioning himself under his arm. The man didn’t even seem to notice what was happening.
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First came the blast of high-pressure water, slamming into him like a relentless wave. It was so intense that it made him want to fall to his already weak knees, making them buckle, but something stopped him from faltering, holding him upright. Then, hands worked swiftly to strip away all of his soaked clothing. And finally, before he could even process what was happening, he was thrown into a freezing tub of water, almost the size of a small pool.
Surfacing with a loud gasp, the bone-chilling water jolting him fully awake. Across the room, an attendant— robes and hair dripping wet—silently slid the wooden doors shut. Just before they closed completely, the attendant gave a small bow, then disappeared behind the sealed door.
Glancing around the room, Eric saw that is was almost completely empty. Near the sliding doors that the attendant had just closed, were a couple of towels on some hangers and beside them was a small wooden table. The only other feature was the tub he was currently floating in. It was deep enough that his feet weren’t touching the bottom, and cold enough that it forced him awake, but not so cold that it was unbearable.
Turning his sight to the water, he realized that small thin trails of black ooze were drifting away from him.
“Dammit!” he exclaimed, quickly glancing around. “How am I still dirty? The water almost crushed me!”
His eyes landed on what appeared to be a bar of soap, resting by the edge of the tub. It was completely odorless, but as he rubbed it over his arm, more of the black ooze seeped from his pores. It wasn’t much, it was likely just the residue left behind after the high-pressure shower. With a grimace, he scrubbed the bar across his entire body, carefully watching as the ooze stopped flowing.
Once clean, he pulled himself out of the water, but just as soon as he was out, he felt pressure beginning to build in his mouth and nose. After basically vomiting his insides, purging the ooze, into the pool, he felt…new.
“What is this?” he muttered as he clenched his fists, feeling an unmatched strength surge through his muscles. Pouring strength into his legs, the sensation was the same. “This isn’t me… is it?”
His hands were slightly bigger, his muscles were far more defined, and he felt an endless well of energy deep within him. He took a breath—his breathing was cleaner. That wasn’t even the best part.
Lifting his hand, he covered one eye, seeing only out of the other, then he did the same for the other eye. Both worked. Both could see. Both were there. Missing one eye hadn’t caused him as much trouble as he thought it would, he adapted relatively quickly, but he still missed having it.
For a moment, he glanced back at the water. The ooze was completely gone, replaced by the same bone-chilling, crystal-clear water he’d been thrown into.
Must be designed specifically for this, he thought. Is evolution the body cleansing thing that happens in cultivation novels? It can’t be, at least it can’t only be that. Because if it was, why would it be called evolution?
A sound came from the door. Whipping his head around as fast as he could, his enhanced stats making it far faster than even he thought possible, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. However, there was something different, on top of the previously empty table, were the clothes he had been wearing previously, now completely clean, as if they had never been touched by that foul smelling substance at all.
Having dried and clothed himself, Eric paused for a moment. Using the feeling of his clothes as a point of comparison, he further understood the changes that had occurred to him. His clothes, once a comfortable fit, now felt different.
The shirt was tighter, pressing tighter against his arms and chest. The pants were shorter, the bottom of his ankles peeking from underneath, and his shoes were uncomfortable, pressing on his slightly larger feet.
Cementing the changes that he had gone through, his heart raced with excitement. His curiosity couldn’t be contained anymore. Taking a deep breath, he brought up his status, ready to confirm his new stats.
Eric Aguilar Rank E
Level 20
Class: Heritage Vessel
Subclass: Battle Adept
Experience 0/264,600
Mana 220/220
Stats
Vitality 55
Endurance 291
Strength 77
Dexterity 43
Constitution 328
Agility 41
Perception 41
Charisma 24
Intelligence 33
Wisdom 32
Stat Points 0
Skill points 1
Skills + Concepts –
Titles + Magic –
Credits 65481
“Subclass? Was that even an option?” Eric asked, trying to remember what he had seen in that weird space. Curiously, Mental Focus couldn’t help him, as it seemed unable to access those memories. “I don’t think it was… Wait, does it have something to do with those weird visions I had near the end? I only got the stats for Heritage Vessel.” He paused, taking a moment to ponder his situation. “Is this a good thing or not?”
Then he noticed it, another sense that allowed him to feel what was within him. “Cultivation sense!” he exclaimed in surprise.
Wasting no time, he got down, crossed his legs, closed his eyes and began to feel around with his newly acquired sense. It was instinctual, almost as easy and natural as breathing was. Activating Mana Insight, he began comparing what he could see through both senses.
Almost immediately, he noticed the differences between the two. His cultivation sense was within his core and severely blocked channels. While Mana Insight remained outside, not even capable of noticing the channels and taking great effort to notice the energy nodes.
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Without him realizing it, he was falling deeper and deeper into meditation. Before long, he found himself once more before his Star Map. Not questioning what had occurred and how it occurred, he marveled at the sight that unfolded before him.
As he observed it, he realized that it was different. It hadn’t been long since he had seen it, so the fact that it was different was obvious. The number of larger stars that were connected to his core had increased, but some of them were dimmer, and others appeared to be completely turned off.
At the center, two of the largest, if not the largest stars stood side by side. One shone brightly, connected were some smaller stars shinning at their own maximum capacity, he didn’t know how he knew, but he was certain that those smaller ones were complete. The other, however, was completely dark, as if waiting to be lit. Whatever the difference meant was beyond him, he wasn’t even sure if the difference mattered.
That’s when he noticed the difference between what he saw in the cultivation manual and what he was seeing now. The in the manual the Star Map had an origin point and everything branched upward, but in reality, it was different. The origin point was his core, and it branched everywhere, upward, downward and sideways.
“If it really is like a skill—"
A soft knock came from the door, disrupting his concentration and bringing him back to reality.
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Following the attendant through the hallway that the bathroom connected to, Eric somehow made his way back to the entrance. Shaking his head in confusion and not knowing how he exited through the same hallway that he entered, he decided not to question how that happened and continued walking.
Just as he nodded casually at the clerk at the counter, readying himself to leave, the loud sound of something tapping or hitting the counter forcefully, stopped him in his tracks. Eric turned to face the clerk.
“Yes?” Eric asked, keeping his tone polite since he was now far more aware of the difference between the two in terms of power.
The clerk made small adjustments in his bearing, almost imperceptible ones. “You have yet to pay,” the clerk said with a smile.
“I thought I paid when I came in,” Eric replied, confusing in his tone. “Did I imagine that?” he added, doubting his own memories.
“That was merely the entrance fee,” the clerk said, explaining with a smile that never faltered. He glanced at something behind the counter. “You’ve also incurred charges for... let’s see... six weeks of basic cultivation room usage.” He paused, then continued with the same smile, if a pit more piercing. “That brings the total to sixty thousand credits. Add cleaning and bath usage, and that comes to sixty-seven thousand.”
As soon as he heard the full amount, Eric knew that he didn’t have enough credits to pay in full. And that wasn’t all. Six weeks? What the hell happened to the time? he thought, but before he could even begin to formulate an answer, a booming voice came from behind him.
“Here you go,” Ondal said, with his booming voice. “A tip for the inconvenience,” he added, with a small but still loud laugh that filled the room. Turning to face Eric, he gestured for him to follow. “Come on.”
----------
The fresh air—if that’s what you could call the air that was in space city floating amidst the stars—felt different to Eric now. Inside the pagoda, he tried his best to stick to formality, but he didn’t have to do such a thing here. He wanted to run and rush forward, let himself run wild, bringing his body to the limits.
Turning his head to Ondal, enjoying the fact that he no longer had to incline his head as much as he did before. The difference between their heights was still there but had lessened. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Eric spoke.
“How did you know where I was?” Eric asked, facing forward. He ultimately decided that walking with your turned at such an angle while no longer as much of an inconvenience, it was still an inconvenience that he preferred to avoid.
“An unevolved mortal entered an undead cultivation pagoda, it would have been harder to miss you,” Ondal said, as he fidgeted with a ring he had on his large pinky. “Come on. We don’t you to be late, the tower’s almost here,” he added, his voice conveying a calm urgency.
Eric picked up the pace, struggling to keep up with Ondal who only appeared to be walking with his long legs. “And you just happened to get there at the exact moment I got out?” he asked, his voice calm despite his speed.
“We just called in a favor from one of the attendants,” Ondal said, stopping. He brought out some books from the ring on his pinky fingers and handed them to Eric, followed by some flasks, a couple weapons and a single vial of that black substance they had gotten from that odd store all those weeks ago. “The library is open now, so its full, but Ta’ir told me to give you all this.”
“What are they?” Eric asked, putting the things into his storage ring.
Ondal shrugged. A shrug that conveyed the fact that he knew what everything was, but he didn’t want to tell. “We’re here,” he said, cutting the topic short.
It was then that Eric realized where they were. Though no one was crowding the place, he noticed that everyone in the nearby shops and along the streets had their eyes fixed on the massive empty platform in the center of the square. Beyond it, he could see the Nexus near the System store.
“Wait here,” Eric said, allowing no time for questions.
Carefully maneuvering through the small crowds spread sporadically, he quickly arrived before the three pillars: the store, the Nexus, and the gate. Walking toward the Nexus, he confirmed that the countdown was nowhere to be seen. Interacting with the Nexus pillar, a window emerged before him.
Eric Aguilar
Hubs:
Solace Level 8
Selecting the only hub available to him, a familiar window appeared.
Solace Level 8
Store
Management!
Credits 1,847,197
Eric barely reacted to the high level or the large sum of credits. He navigated quickly to the dungeon menu.
Training grounds
Rank F
Experience 15/2000
Dungeon points 374
Then he opened the upgrades shop.
Add floor: Cost: 20 DP.
Add monster: Cost: 2 – 50 DP (dependent on monster tier).
Add floor reward. Cost: 10 - unlimited (dependent on reward).
Add floor reward (+1 random stat): 50 DP.
Add floor reward (100 credits): 10 DP.
Slight dungeon enhancement (mana recovery): Increases the speed at which the dungeon regenerates its own mana. Cost: 35 DP.
Slight dungeon enhancement (mana storage): Increases dungeon’s mana storage. Cost: 7 DP.
Dungeon core: Solidifies mana. Increases storage by an extraordinary amount. Speeds up mana recovery by an extraordinary amount. Can be destroyed. Cost: 100 DP.
Eric felt someone approach him, the person walked in front of him, resting against the pillar, it was Ondal. Feeling that something was fast approaching, Eric began to quickly spend his dungeon points as fast as possible.
Purchasing the Dungeon core first, he heard the familiar tone that accompanied a congratulatory message. Ignoring it, the window before him, now a blueprint, asked for the location.
Shifting his gaze toward the floor rewards, Eric heard words of disapproval.
Sucking his teeth in, Ondal began to speak. “That’s not going to do much for you, being a Breaker and all.”
“What do you mean?” Eric asked, his finger lingering above the “+1 random stat” option.
Ondal shrugged. “If you want specifics, you’re going to have to wait until after you finish the tower. The only thing that Ta’ir explained to me, was that the only way for your title to have full effect, was for the dungeon to be incredibly powerful.”
“But back on—” Eric began.
“I don’t know what to tell you, that’s what Ta’ir said,” Ondal interrupted, a firmness in his voice. “Now hurry up.”
Realizing he wouldn’t get more answers, Eric returned his focus to the dungeon menu. Removing his finger from where it was, he instead opened what was essentially the dungeon map editor. He rearranged it to more accurately fit the image he had in his mind, but he did so without removing anything except the stairs, making it one floor and keeping all the food.
Quickly, he spent the rest of his points. The final screen before him displayed:
Training grounds
Rank E
Experience 22/10000
Dungeon points 7
As if reading him, Ondal grabbed Eric and ran toward the platform, stopping in front of the only stairs there. Then he put Eric down.
“Now what?” Eric asked, looking at the empty platform.
“3… 2… 1!” Ondal exclaimed.
Before them—and everybody watching—a giant tower appeared. A tower so incredibly huge, that the top was completely cut off, instead entering what seemed to be a portal that gave no clue as to where it led.
Just like the Frontier itself, the Tower was an incredible mismatch of styles and technology. The ground floor reminded Eric of Roman architecture with its white columns. Above it, a mix of pagoda styles, Roman again, prehistoric elements, sleek futuristic designs, and even floors made entirely of elements like flame or water rose skyward, each floor different from the last.
With a booming voice and as it was his job, Ondal announced to the watching crowd, “Welcome to the Tower of Revelation!”
----------
Open Invitation to the Tournament of the Strong!
You have been cordially invited by The Blades to participate in the Tournament of the Strong.
The top contenders will be awarded a Frontier Access Ticket, granting direct entry to the Frontier. Upon arrival, you will be personally hosted by The Blades themselves.
First place will have a portal directly installed in their chosen location, providing unparalleled convenience and access.
Top Ten Ranked individuals need not apply—your ticket has already been earned through the System.
This invitation is extended only to those whose desire for battle outweighs their sense of caution.
Accept the Invitation: Yes/No
The four friends observed the same window that had appeared before each of them, only days before.
“The only one who that has to participate is Marcus,” Anna said, dismissing the window. “But…” she began, raising her index finger, “that portal could be incredibly useful.”
“Agreed,” Stella said with a nod.
“So, we’re all going?” Anna asked, briefly glancing at all three.
“I’m not a combat class, but I trust you to get the job done,” Marcus said, nudging Stella on the side.
Alex only nodded at the exchange, remaining silent.
“I guess that answers that,” Anna said, standing to her feet.
Alex narrowed his eyes. Something about this didn’t sit right with him. Something about the invitation, about who was issuing it, seemed directed at someone specific—or maybe more than one person.
“Blades,” he whispered inaudibly, his gaze drifting to Anna.
Suddenly, a powerful glow entered through the office’s windows. The brightness was so intense that it cast sharp beams of light across the room, catching everyone’s attention. Marcus was the first to rush to the window, his eyes widening at the sight.
Outside, the dungeon was once again covered in a dense web of magic circles, similar to when Eric had upgraded it before, but this time, the glow was far more intense, the symbols more intricate.
Without missing a beat, Marcus hurried to Stella’s desk and took out a notebook and pen, determined to grasp everything that appeared before him.
“Eric…” The name escaped Stella’s lips, carrying a mix of emotions. Sorrow for his absence, but also happiness. The upgrade—it could only mean one thing: Eric was alive.