The partnership with the Dwarven Kingdom had solidified CODE’s position as the most influential guild on the second floor. Their marketplace became the central hub for trade, and Eternal Bite Plus was selling faster than they could produce it. With their exclusive access to legendary equipment, no other guild could match their quality or power. But success, as always, came with complications.
Rumors of K’s influence began spreading like wildfire through the player base. Players reported strange encounters—glitches that left cryptic messages or brief sightings of the symbol representing K etched into the walls of dungeons. Some players even claimed to have heard a voice, deep and ominous, offering them vague warnings or riddles. It was clear that K wasn’t just some distant figure anymore; he was active, his presence growing stronger.
Alex knew that K was watching CODE closely. The rise of the guild was undeniable, and with the alliance they had formed with the Dwarven King, their power had reached new heights. But Alex couldn’t shake the feeling that K was waiting for something—waiting for them to make a move, or perhaps preparing for something bigger. The third floor loomed in his mind, a place that held even more mystery and danger.
“We can’t let K’s influence go unchecked,” Alex said, pacing the room as he, Betsy, and Eira met to discuss their next move.
Betsy leaned against the table, arms crossed. “We don’t even know what he is, Alex. He’s not just some player or NPC. He’s… different.”
“He’s been in the background for too long,” Eira added. “If these rumors are true, he’s already got players working for him. There’s talk of some guilds aligning themselves with his symbols, even some of the noble NPCs are beginning to reference him.”
“That’s what worries me,” Alex said, rubbing his temples. “We’ve been building our strength through trade and economics, but K seems to be playing a different game. We need to know more.”
“We can’t go in blind,” Betsy agreed. “We need more information. We can’t afford to get caught off guard.”
Alex nodded. “We need to send someone to gather intel. Someone who can move quietly.”
“I’ll go,” Rogan said, stepping into the room. The rogue had proven himself invaluable since joining CODE, and his skill in gathering information had already uncovered several plots against them. “I’ve heard the whispers. I can move through the underworld and the places K’s influence is spreading. I’ll get us the information we need.”
Alex hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Do it. But be careful. If K is really behind all of this, he’s more dangerous than any guild we’ve faced so far.”
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Rogan moved through the shadows of Ironclad City, his cloak blending into the dark alleys as he listened for any signs of K’s influence. The rumors were everywhere now—players talking in hushed voices about strange messages appearing on their screens, guild leaders discussing the symbols they had seen carved into dungeon walls. The deeper Rogan dug, the clearer it became that K was more than just a figure of legend. He was real, and his reach extended far beyond what anyone had imagined.
It wasn’t long before Rogan found his way to a small tavern hidden deep within the city, a place where only the most clandestine deals were made. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of smoke and spilled ale, and the patrons were a mix of players and NPCs, all of them looking over their shoulders, wary of being overheard.
Rogan moved to the back of the tavern, where a hooded figure sat alone at a corner table. The figure’s face was obscured, but Rogan had already picked up enough information to know that this was the person he was looking for—a player who had supposedly made contact with K himself.
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“You’re the one who’s been asking about K,” the figure said, their voice low and gravelly.
Rogan slid into the seat across from the figure. “I want to know what you know.”
The figure chuckled softly. “Everyone wants to know about K. But not everyone’s ready for the truth.”
Rogan leaned in, his eyes narrowing. “Try me.”
The figure was silent for a moment before speaking again. “K isn’t like the rest of us. He’s not a player, and he’s not an NPC. He’s… something else. Some say he was a player once, a long time ago, but he found a way to break the system. Now he controls it.”
Rogan frowned. “What do you mean, ‘controls it’?”
The figure shifted in their seat, glancing around the room before continuing. “K has found a way to manipulate the game itself. He’s not bound by the same rules we are. He can alter things—change the code, control the outcomes. And he’s building something. Something on the higher floors.”
“The third floor?” Rogan asked.
“Higher than that,” the figure replied. “But the third floor is where he’s making his next move. He’s got agents there, players and NPCs who serve him. They’re preparing for something big.”
“What’s the endgame?” Rogan asked.
The figure shook their head. “No one knows. Some say he’s trying to take full control of the game, turn it into something… different. Others think he’s preparing for a war—something outside of the game.”
Rogan leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. If what this figure said was true, then K wasn’t just a threat—they were dealing with something that could change the entire game. The third floor was clearly where K’s next move would take place, and if CODE wasn’t prepared, they could be caught in the middle of it.
“Thanks for the information,” Rogan said, standing up.
“Be careful,” the figure warned. “K doesn’t like people prying into his business. If he finds out you’re looking for him, he’ll come for you.”
Rogan left the tavern, his mind spinning with the new information. He had to get back to Alex and the others. They needed to prepare for whatever was coming next.
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Back at CODE headquarters, Alex was deep in thought when Rogan returned with his report.
“So, K is real,” Alex said, pacing the room. “And he’s more powerful than we thought.”
“He’s not just powerful,” Rogan replied. “He’s got control over the game. He’s manipulating things, and he’s got agents working for him on the third floor.”
Betsy crossed her arms, her face tense. “What’s his goal?”
“We don’t know yet,” Rogan admitted. “But whatever it is, it’s big. And it’s going to happen soon.”
Alex stopped pacing, turning to face the group. “We need to be ready. We’re heading to the third floor soon, and we need to make sure we’re strong enough to face whatever K has planned.”
Betsy nodded. “We’ve built a strong foundation here on the second floor, but the third floor is a whole different game. We need to level up fast, and we need to secure more alliances before we make the move.”
“We’ve already got the Dwarves on our side,” Alex said. “But we’re going to need more than that. We need to expand our reach beyond the Dwarven Kingdom. There are other cities on the second floor, other factions we can ally with.”
Drax, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. “We’ve got the strength. And if K’s making his move on the third floor, we’ll be there to stop him.”
“Then it’s settled,” Alex said, his voice resolute. “We prepare for the third floor. We strengthen our alliances, gather more resources, and level up. When the time comes, we’ll be ready to face K—and whatever else he’s got waiting for us.”
The tension in the room was palpable, but there was also a sense of determination. CODE had risen from nothing to become the most powerful guild on the second floor, and now they were preparing for their greatest challenge yet.
The third floor loomed ahead, filled with mystery and danger. But Alex knew one thing for sure: whatever K had planned, they were going to stop him.
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The next few weeks were spent in preparation. CODE continued to expand its trade routes, making alliances with other cities and factions across the second floor. They leveled up, pushing themselves to their limits in dungeons and battles, all while keeping a close eye on K’s growing influence.
Alex could feel the pressure building. The third floor was close, and with it came the next stage of their journey. But even as they prepared for the unknown, one thing was clear: the real battle was only just beginning.