When Hunter returned to the guild room, he no longer saw it as a ransacked space that had seen better days. He saw its potential. Closing the door behind him, he cut off the fresh trail of leeches that had leapt from the infernal puddle outside. With great satisfaction, he marched over to the shelf with the cupboard door he had recently fixed.

From his inventory, he removed a large copper pot that Aunty Mae had given him. His stomach grumbled at the sight, reminding him he hadn’t eaten in awhile. He pulled out the canteen of pig trotters stew.

“Hey Tower, did you miss me?” He nodded to the copper pot while opening the lid on the canteen. “I come bearing gifts.”

Tower: Welcome back, Hunter. I’m not sure what the correct answer is to your question. You were gone for 0.124 tradaka moments and have 0.109 tradaka moments or 34.25 Earth hours to complete the Refiner Gate. I was very busy during your absence and knew you would return. In that context, I did not miss you. Should I have?

Hunter laughed and wafted his hand over the open canteen, inhaling the savory smell, its contents still steaming. “It’s all right, Tower. There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s something my parents used to say when they had been apart, even if it was for a short time. My mother used to love smothering us in hugs and kisses…”

He fell into silence at the memory. “I wonder if Jo remembers that.” Hanging his head low, his heart ached more than the dull throb between his eyes. Placing a hand on the counter, Hunter took a breath and steadied himself.

Tower: I hope you obtained a healing elixir from Orcus because you do not look very well. Are you aware your nose is bleeding again? Also, your hair is rather messy.

Hunter dabbed his nose and his fingers came away streaked with blood.

Already?

His heart sank at the sight. He glanced at his health status.

[Health: 85/100]

The healing elixir hadn’t lasted half as long as he’d hoped. Hunter had built up resistance to some low-level poisons that he’d been exposed to on Death Island, but this...

This was something much more sinister.

His symptoms seemed consistent with a blood affliction, which usually occurred after a nasty bite from venomous creatures like vipers, recluse spiders, gila monsters and even those annoying little assassin bugs. But Hunter hadn’t been bitten. He’d know, given how damn painful that was.

His eyes drifted to the dying leech near the guild room door. Hunter would find the cause and the cure. Until then, he wouldn’t let his symptoms stop him from doing what needed to be done. Just like his sister, who was more than able to manage a disrupted core from Sylphid’s Corruption.

From his inventory, he took out one of the healing elixirs he’d received from Orcus. He held it high to show Tower and quickly took a swig. Warmth spread through him, taking the edge off the pounding headache. Dabbing his nose, it’d already stopped bleeding.

“That’s better.” He straightened, rubbing his brow, and swept his hair back from his face. Taking a linen cloth from his inventory, he wiped his nose clean. Raising a brow at the quickness of the healing elixir, he checked his full status to ensure his experience was true.

[Health: 100

Stamina: 5.0/10

Physical: 28

Mental: 28

Weapons Mastery: 21

Armor Mastery: 1]

That was a relief but Hunter knew he was far from cured. For that to happen, he’d have to find the source of what was poisoning him. Some poisons were so deadly that even the strongest of cultivators couldn’t build a resistance before succumbing to it.

A bath would also be heaven-sent, but it would have to wait. “Hey Tower, great news! I made progress with the Night Mare; she flew me back here, and would you believe I got two bottles of this healing elixir?” He patted the copper pot. “And I thought this might work as a sink with a few adjustments at my crafting table. What do you think?”

Tower: I’m glad to hear that the Night Mare no longer wants to kill you. That is a fine copper pot. Where did you get it? There are few merchants in Delphare that would sell such a high-grade item.

Hunter took a closer look at the shiny copper pot.

“Identify.”

[Chrysian Cauldron. Uncommon tier. Showcases exceptional durability and unparalleled resistance to all forms of corrosion, including magical, thereby enhancing its longevity and effectiveness in elixir making.

Hunter’s brows shot up.

Well, that was unexpected.

Hunter lifted the lid and looked into what, for all the worlds, looked like a simple copper pot. He wondered if Aunty Mae knew she had an indestructible cauldron in her kitchen all along.

He shook his head and dismissed the notification. Hunter doubted anyone knew, not even the pirates that stole it before trading it with Xuthos. Lyra had told him she was sickened by tyrants like him. They would soon pay for using their power and influence to take whatever they wanted.

Hunter wanted to be there when that happened.

His stomach grumbled again as he inhaled the aroma of Aunty Mae’s savory stew. He grabbed the cutlery his sister stole from Xuthos' pirated stash and took a sip.

It tasted really good.

If Aunty Mae had all the herbs and spices she needed, it would taste even better.

“I think another Spartan Sprint is in order.” He gulped another mouthful of the broth before pouring the rest into a bowl. As the stew filled his stomach, his unease grew at what he’d been putting off telling Tower.

“Failure isn’t an option. I have to complete the renovation tasks and finish off the last gate boss. Jo is in big trouble.”

Tower: I am so sorry to hear that. I wish there was something I could do to help outside.

Hunter smiled. “You already are. You’re helping me to help myself. I’m already catching up with others my age. Thanks to you and the time difference here, it won’t be long until I surpass them. Right now, can you help me plan my next Spartan Sprint?”

Tower agreed, and together they worked through a list of tasks and prioritized them. Satisfied with the list, Hunter planned to start with seated cultivation in the library to refill his core, priming it for his next breakthrough.

He was so close to becoming a Third Star Refiner.

Every time he cultivated, Hunter could feel the growing strain on his core, like he was pushing past its chi capacity. Exhaling and releasing the Earth Strider technique, he held off pressing himself further due to the unknown poison scouring his system.

The last thing he needed was a strained core. If he suffered chi deviation, he wouldn’t recover in time, if at all, to complete the Refiner Gate. He scratched his chin. His Wind affinity seemed as though it could still be enhanced without risking a strain.

“Tower, do you recommend any scrolls that focus on Wind chi techniques?”

Tower: As an initiate on the chi cultivation Path of Holly and Horse, I suggest reviewing the Wind Fall skill scroll. Your confident, quick thinking and connection to the wild makes you a perfect fit for Ranger class. With practice, the Wind Fall skill can be adapted for use as a ranged attack. It is ill advised to rely on Dust Storm technique as your sole ranged attack given its high chi cost at your current cultivation level. Mastery takes time but for you it should be a ‘breeze’ to complete.

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Hunter grinned. “Ha! Nice play on words Tower, but I think you mean ‘will be a breeze to complete’, given my Second Star Refiner abilities. Show me its contents.”

Tower: To save time, I am accessing my archives and sending you a copy of the Wind Fall skill scroll contents through our growing spiritual connection. If you wish to read the original, you will need to retrieve it from the library archives.

“Will I absorb the technique just as quickly if I read your copy?”

Tower: Yes, in theory, as I have never shared archived skills with anyone before.

That answer was good enough for Hunter.

If it didn’t work, he’d go fetch the original in the library. “Ready when you are Tower.”

A steady stream of words scrolled rapidly across his vision. The golden aura of each word faded as soon as Hunter absorbed their meaning. He smiled while memorizing the Wind Fall technique as if it were second nature.

[Basic Skill Scroll: Wind Fall. One technique with three levels of mastery to aid ranged attacks.

Mastery Level One: Breath of Wind. Use Wind chi to move lightweight objects.

The following two mastery levels are locked until level one is mastered.]

Once he’d practiced the Wind Fall technique, he hoped to improve his armor mastery, which was sadly lacking compared to physical, mental, and weapons mastery.

As he inspected his inventory, he eyed the Thracian sword and leather bracer he’d looted. His eagerness to trial them during a quick session in the training deck had distracted him from cultivation.

He inhaled and closed his eyes, reviewing the final tasks on his list like he always did with his inventory before entering the gates. Anything and everything to be prepared.

With a simple nod, he liked what he saw.

After weapons training, he’d run through a final sprint with Tower’s renovation task. A grin spread across his face. Then, he’d return to the Refiner Gate to grind more monster cores for Master Agathos and finally take on the final Shadow Boss with all her flaming fury.

Tower: If you plan to use the cultivating library, it often works best to actually cultivate.

“I am planning, Tower, but appreciate your insights.” Hunter sighed, shaking his head and focused on the wind technique. In a short amount of time, he’d flown through Wind Fall. It’d been simpler than learning the Earth Strider technique, but he assumed with his new knowledge of the path specific Divine scroll it was easier.

He stood and stretched. “What did you think of that?”

Tower: My apologies, First Initiate. Your confidence now outweighs my skepticism.

“May I never forget those words.” With his stamina restored, he popped his knuckles eager to check off the next thing on his list.

Entering the tutorial room after cultivation practice, Hunter ignored the full feeling in his core that begged for release. He couldn’t afford to break through right now. Instead, he gritted his teeth and selected the training deck from the tutorial menu.

The room transformed around him.

Hunter pulled out his new weapon and leather bracer with a grin. “Hey Tower, let’s push my armor stats to increase as much as possible. Don’t go easy, let the dummy attack me. I can handle it.” He raised the Thracian sword, and the single blade edge glinted like silver death.

Tower: You’ve come a long way from your barefoot warrior days. Your request is acceptable.

The floor in the training deck opened up to unleash the familiar sight of a straw hoplite. It barely rose to ground level before hurtling toward Hunter. Its sackcloth face, frozen in a flat expression, was at odds with the ruthless aura it exuded. It leapt skyward despite its hefty weight and size, wielding a long-handed mace aimed straight for Hunter’s head.

Chi surged through Hunter's body, a sensation as familiar as blood coursing through his veins. Instinct took over; he barely had to think. His reflexes were razor-sharp as he dodged the incoming strike, slipping under it with lightning speed.

In a swift and merciless counter, Hunter struck low and fast.

The blade swiped sideways, finding its mark with unerring accuracy. Hunter exploited the gap in the hoplite's armor with savage precision, causing its straw guts to spill on the floor.

The hoplite acted like it had barely been grazed.

It began circling, probing Hunter's defenses for weaknesses.

Hunter grinned, beckoning it closer. “Come on, straw man, don’t fall apart on me now.” Spinning the sword, he fell into a defensive stance, but his new weapon felt strange and less practical in his hand. While his knife-broom was far from perfect, he liked the longer reach it gave him.

He made slow, deliberate steps, ensuring he faced the straw hoplite at all times. Dancing with a light step, he thrust the sword, keeping a firm grip on the hilt to test the weapon’s weight and balance. Its clunkiness seemed off-center with the curve of the blade.

The straw man used it to its advantage, slamming the mace at Hunter’s chest. He back stepped and raised the sword, but the mace slid down, grazing his leather bracer. Taking a deep breath, he withdrew his mithril knife and pivoted, letting his sword drop to his waist.

In an instant, the mace swung through the air and Hunter lifted his forearm, grunting as he blocked the handle of the hoplite’s weapon. He lunged with his knife, its tip finding its way through an opening in the hoplite’s armor.

With no time to follow up with a strike of his sword, he returned it to his inventory ready to pivot. The straw man stumbled to the side, pulling free of the assault, but returned with a quick strike of its weapon at Hunter’s side.

Smiling, Hunter shifted his stance, prepared with a defensive block and counter attack. The hoplite succumbed to the quick maneuver, straw tumbling to the ground as its striking arm detached and the mace clanked on the ground.

With a giant leap, the one-armed straw hoplite held back its arm as though it were about to punch a brick wall.

Damn! This prick doesn’t know when to call it quits.

Hunter stepped to the side and struck his knife in the back of its neck as it landed, disappearing into a haze.

“Not bad. This armor was worth the upgrade; the sword, not so much my type of weapon.” Hunter returned the knife to his inventory and examined his stats once more.

[Health: 92/100

Stamina: 4.9/10

Physical: 29

Mental: 29

Weapons Mastery: 22

Armor Mastery: 3]

If he couldn’t use the Thracian sword, perhaps he could sell it for more healing elixirs until he discovered the source of his poison. He groaned, as the subtle hint of tension creased his forehead.

His health had already dropped a few points. Master Agathos mentioned an antidote or finding a way to purify the poison. Glancing back at his inventory, he withdrew the saber tooth pendant for further inspection.

[Saber tooth Pendant. Rare tier. A Divine gift from the gods, purification of poisoned liquids. Aether-based energy type.]

“If it’s Divine, then it must already be pre-loaded with aether energy.” Besides, how bad could cutting my finger with it be if it's a Divine gift?”

Tower: Just because it is a Divine gift doesn’t mean it is safe to use. If you power it with chi instead of aether, it could drain the life essence from your core. Unlike chi, you cannot replenish your life essence. Once it is gone, you die.

Hunter waved his hand. “So it’s not worth the risk, even if it can purify my blood? I may not have much longer to find a cure.” He rubbed his thumb across the tooth, its pointed tip sharper than a rose thorn. “Only one prick on the thumb might save my life.”

Tower: It is still not advised. Remember, I am not yet able to assist you should you lay dying on my stones. My recommendation is to stick with the tasks on your list.

A grim image of his lifeless body flashed through Hunter’s mind.

As much as it irked him, Tower was right. And if Jo was with him, she’d twist his ear for even considering such a reckless act. The pendant had a much better chance of working once he knew more about powering it with aether.

He just had to be patient.

“Yeah, dying is not on my list of things to do today.” Sighing, Hunter decided to return the saber tooth pendant to his inventory. As he did so, he pricked his finger. A bead of blood formed as he stowed the pendant and he wiped it away. “I’ll at least finish out the Spartan Sprint…”

Tower: I am confused. Why would you list ‘dying’ on your task list? It would be grossly counter productive.

Laughing made Hunter’s headache return, but he couldn’t help it. “I’m so sorry Tower. Sometimes my sense of humor takes a dark turn.” Another bead of blood formed where he’d pricked his finger. Hunter frowned and quickly wrapped a thin strip of silver cloth, tying a knot to bind the needle thin wound.

Tower: Thank you for clarifying. Humor comes in many forms and is a hard concept to grasp. My creators tried to explain, but after a few attempts, they gave up on me.

The last five words hit Hunter like a punch to the gut.

They gave up on me.

Tower never told Hunter what happened to the Architect and Stonemason, only that they were long dead. As much as he wanted to know what their fate was, now wasn’t the right time to ask.

Hunter also recalled that all the other initiates that ever entered the Refiner Gate died before completing it, and the god responsible for Tower’s creation saw him as a failure.

“They were foolish to give up on you so easily. I’d say they were too busy trying to please that god of yours. In case I haven’t made it clear before now. I’ll never give up on you Tower…not ever!”

No reply came from Tower.

Hunter didn’t mind. Perhaps his friend needed time to think. He stowed his weapon and returned to the guild room. Placing the lid back on the Chrysian Cauldron he put it back in his ring.

Suddenly, words scrolled across his vision.

Tower: Thank you Hunter.

“You’re welcome, Tower. Now I’m going to complete the sink renovation task. Can you do me a big favor while I’m busy going between the forge and my crafting table?

Tower: How may I assist you?

“If you’ve mined copper from the surrounding area, I need enough to forge a faucet as well as all the pipes needed to connect to the copper sink and your water supply mains in the guild room.”

Tower: The earth beneath me is rich in copper and tin. I will prepare the forge for your arrival along with enough mined copper to form one faucet, one water supply line that can change water temperature flowing through it using my elemental properties, and one U-bend for sink drainage.

Hunter rubbed his hands together. “Excellent! Let’s get started.”