Chapter 25. I killed him with my Anger.
As I was making my way back to the small island in the center of the swamp, I took some time to check the notifications I had received after killing the swamp king.
You have defeated Swamp King Crawfish – Tower level 1 guardian.
You have received Swamp King Essence – Rare
Description – The Swamp King Essence is a rare and powerful gift. It can be ingested to unlock sonic abilities, a unique power that resonates with those who possess physical or genetically heightened abilities. This essence will not bond with those who rely on external sources for their strength. If the essence is ingested and the user has not received physical or genetically heightened abilities, the effects may vary.
Uses – 1
“Well, that is interesting. So, if I am reading this right, I can give this to someone, and it will awaken an ability? How is that possible?” I asked, “I understand that many of the abilities I have seen are possible because of advanced technology, but this just seems like magic.”
“Captain Dawes, what is magic other than a series of actions or events that are outside the scope of what one can explain away with one's understanding of reality? The inhabitants of numerous galaxies have been traversing the cosmos since before humans discovered fire. There are also infinite dimensions where anything and everything you could imagine is possible. Making small adjustments to the genetic code of a fairly simple species like humans is not a notable task in the grand scheme of things,” Sherlock replied, “Also, you just fought a giant crawfish in a pocket dimension dungeon tower but a potion that gives someone superpowers is what you choose to balk at?”
I took the potion from my inventory and looked at it. It was a small flask that held what looked like a thick yellow ichor. I mentally put it back in my inventory and returned to my notifications.
Level up – You have reached level 36.
“Nice, I leveled up again. I took a second to look at my stats after the level-up.
Human - Andrew Dawes
Level 36 – Havok Bringer
Strength – 1538
Intelligence – 1538
Dexterity – 1692
Stamina – 1539
Vigor – 1615
Free points available: 100
View abilities? Y/N
“I haven’t sat down and looked at my ability progression in a while either. I can do that in a while, but I am going to go ahead and assign those free points now. If I’m not careful, my Dex and Vigor will be way out of balance again, so I am just going to split the 100 free points among Strength, Intelligence, and Stamina until I have a better plan,” I said.
“I believe that to be a good course of action for now. You haven’t really managed to focus on any sort of individualized fighting style. You basically just hit things or blow them up until they die. Now that I consider it you really are not a skilled fighter. You should probably look to remedy that sooner than later,” Sherlock replied.
“I was working on that before I was once again transported to an alternate dimension against my will. Kaj was going to start training me, I really need to focus on that training as soon as I can back home. For now, I am going to have to do the best I can to get through this,” I said.
I mentally dispersed my free points and pulled my stats up again to take a second look.
Human - Andrew Dawes
Level 36 – Havok Bringer
Strength – 1571
Intelligence – 1571
Dexterity – 1692
Stamina – 1572
Vigor – 1615
“It’s not perfect, but it is a bit more balanced. It will have to do for now,” I said, “Sherlock, what do all these numbers even mean? I know they represent me getting more powerful, but they seem so big compared to where I started. My Dexterity was 10 when I started, and now it is over 1600. I don’t feel 160 times more dexterous, so what do the numbers represent?” I asked.
“I cannot say that I am capable of giving an acceptable explanation, Captain. I understand the concern, and all I can really say is that the straightforward way in which your stats are displayed is meant to allow users to visualize their advancement. Honestly, the data I do have suggests that there hasn’t been a system user to cross level 100. Most users over level 50 are recruited into security forces or retired from system events in favor of their respective governments utilizing them in different capacities. Users who manage to compete and survive multiple dungeons have traditionally been a rarity, so as they get stronger, the resource is diverted. The expense of advancing them is meaningless if they are lost in a dungeon, so to my knowledge, there is no record of a user crossing level 100… ever,” Sherlock said.
“How is that possible? I am level 36 after just a few months. It would only make sense that there are users out there who are over level 100. I mean, look at Tiff; she is level 50. Kaj is level 63, and I find it hard to believe that there aren’t people out in the universe who are levels of magnitude stronger than the two of them,” I said.
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“There are stronger users in the universe. However, Kaj was only participating in the dungeon as part of his duties to the Malakim Empire. He didn’t often participate in Dungeons. Tiff was recruited and trained to be a guardian. Over the course of several years, her rank was built up to level 50 so she could be effective in her role. Believe it or not, those two are outliers. There are entire civilizations that don’t have users, much less two users who have surpassed level 50,” Sherlock replied.
“That is surprising, but it still doesn’t answer my question about the numbers attached to my stats. I have to assume there is some sort of system used to calculate the power relative to the stats,” I said.
“I am sorry, Captain. I don’t have the data necessary to give a plausible explanation at this time. I honestly didn’t believe you were capable of posing such intelligent and nuanced questions. I guess today is a day full of surprises,” Sherlock replied.
“And just like that, you are back to being an asshole,” I sighed and stood up to begin making my way back to the island.
As I waded through the shallow moat, I noticed a new structure in the center of the island. It was what looked like a black granite slab about eight feet tall and circular. It had the circumference of a large tree, but other than that, it had no discernable features.
“What do you suppose the large, black, ominous rock in the middle of the island is about?” I asked.
“Oh, that’s right, I forgot to tell you that I was one of the architects of this dungeon tower, and therefore, I know all of its secrets. Why didn’t I remember to tell you sooner? Maybe you should just approach it since we are obviously ready to move to the second floor,” Sherlock replied.
“Sherlock… I swear if you had a physical manifestation, I would slap the spit out of your mouth,” I said through gritted teeth.
“I would never lower myself and take on the burden of a mortal shell. I am perfection manifest in code,” Sherlock replied with an air of superiority.
I approached the obsidian stone but got no reaction as I approached. No lights, no noise, nothing. The rock was just… there.
“Any suggestions?” I said as I stood in front of the stone and inspected it.
“Touch it?” Sherlock replied.
“The last time I touched something mysterious, I wound up in an alternate dimension where aliens have been trying to kill me for merely existing. I don’t know if touching it is the best idea,” I said.
“Don’t be a pussy, Captain,” Sherlock said.
I sighed through gritted teeth and clenched my fist in frustration, “Did Elvis program you to be an ass on purpose, or did that just happen?”
“Just touch the rock, Captain. I am ready to get out of this swamp,” Sherlock said.
I slowly reached out and placed a palm on the rock, which immediately began vibrating. My body tensed as my eyes rolled back in my head. Everything went black.
When I opened my eyes, I was once again back in the featureless white room that I recognized by now as the Coeus communal space. I saw the glowing orb in front of me and approached.
“So, what now? Why am I back here?” I asked.
“Andrew Dawes, congratulations on passing the first floor of the test of power. You will be transported to the second floor shortly, and the trial will resume. Before that, you must choose your reward for passing the first floor. You will have two options and must choose one before continuing with the trial. Once a reward is chosen, you can collect the reward and continue the trial. I must warn you that the rewards are great, but as you may have guessed, the reward will come with a drawback. I believe you have seen this referred to as boons and curses in the past,” The Coeus orb said.
“Well, what a surprise! You are going to offer me a reward and then tag on something that handicaps me as I progress. Well, I don’t need it, how about that? I am happy just to keep going as I am. I don’t need another power that burns me when I use it, or for you to send a friend my way that has now powers and now way to defend themselves. For someone that has decided to help the people of the universe you sure don’t make it easy for me. So you know what? Fuck your reward, keep it!” I turned to walk away from the orb.
“You can send me back now; I’m done here,” I said.
“Andrew Dawes, I offer apologies, but you may not re-enter the trial until you have selected your reward. I understand your trepidation. The curses that have so often been attached to your abilities and rewards can surely be seen as less than ideal. We do believe, however, that these curses have only served to make you stronger. It is our intention to create a weapon that can liberate the inhabitants of this universe. In order to make the most effective weapon, we must ensure that you have been tested and shown the ability to succeed in the face of adversity. It is not our intention to handicap you; rather, we strive to forge a stronger weapon by increasing the adversity that you face early on your path.
I stopped and took a deep breath, dropping my head in thought. I was really getting tired of being forced into situations where I had limited or no control over what choices I made. Still, here I was again. I was being forced to choose a reward that would also bring with it some sort of curse that would definitely suck.
“Fine, what are my options?” I said.
The two reward options scrolled into my field of view.
1. Pass Go!
Do not collect $200. Do not receive any other reward!
You will automatically advance to floor 3.
Warning – by selecting this reward you will receive no reward and forfeit all level gains from floor 1.
2. Lifeline: Receive assistance for the remainder of the tower. Transport one ally to your location, and they can assist you for the remainder of the tower. This Ally cannot assist you in combat and will be incorporeal outside of safe rooms. You will be able to communicate and see them, but they will be invisible to enemies and unable to affect their surroundings.
Warning - By selecting this ability, you will lose the ability to communicate with the outside world for the duration of the tower trial.
The ability to skip an entire level was enticing, but losing all my gains from that level would be a gut punch. I didn’t know when I would be able to fight enemies that would allow me to level up outside of the tower, and I needed every bit of XP I could get. Not only would I lose my gains from level 1, but I would also forfeit any potential gains from the second floor.
The second option made sense. I didn’t know how long this tower would last. I needed combat training; I needed someone to help me get better as I got stronger, and I had just the person in mind. Tiff had done so much for me early in my journey, but I didn’t need help understanding the system or my abilities; well, I did need those things, but not more than I needed someone to teach me to fight. I knew just who would be joining me in the tower.
“I select option 2. I’m sure you know who I want here with me, so make it happen.” I said without turning back to face the orb.
Everything went black again, and I found myself standing in front of a large stone entryway. I couldn’t see anything past the archway as I walked through.
Kaj was standing near the campsite talking with Tiff and CJ when the Pup started its descent. He lifted his wings to cover his head as dust began flying around from the blasts of hot air shooting down from the Pup’s propulsion engines.
As the Pup landed, Matty and the rest of the crew began to disembark, walking up and greeting Kaj and the others.
“So, Captain Dawes disappeared into an alternate dimension again? He is making a real habit out of that, isn’t he?” Matty said as he grasped Tiff’s hand and greeted everyone.
“If Captain had kept me here, he would be safe! Instead, he trusted the Malakim, and now he has disappeared!” Elvis said, eyeing Kaj warily.
“Elvis, I assure you that nobody would have been able to stop what happened to Captain Dawes. Tiffantrimore has been in contact with him, and for now, he is safe,” Kaj replied.
Kaj stumbled and fell to a knee as everyone turned to look at him, “Something is wrong,” he said.
Everyone watched Kaj’s body become transparent, flickering in and out of being as he reached toward them and slowly disappeared.
Elvis walked toward the spot where Kaj had just disappeared, “I killed him with my anger,” he said as he stared intently at his clenched fist.