Ray stared at the man. Had he really just said what Ray thought—

Gritty: Earth to wingman. You learned anything from your little pet yet?

Ray: I did. And I have no idea if you can determine it’s true or not. But he says the kingdom of Everstead wants to go to the Third Floor.

Gritty: Wtf?

Ray: I’m guessing that means you can’t confirm it.

Gritty: That’s insane. They’re not even Denizens.

Kredevel: Yes, it will be impossible for them to reach the next Floor if they are not registered as Denizens under the System.

Ray: They… they are.

Gritty: What?

Ray: Actually, let me just double-check real quick.

As Ray turned his attention back to his captive, he reapplied the bees before their timer ran out. He used Primordial Gauge on the man again. Oh, yes. He had been right. The man’s status did indeed say Denizen right after his name.

Ray: Yeah. They really are Denizens.

Kredevel: Then it will be possible for them to ascend to the next Floor…

Gritty: I repeat—wtf? How are these people Denizens? We’ve been seeing signs they might not even be human in the first place. And now you’re telling me they can climb the Tower just like us?

Ray had no idea what to make of that. The whole kingdom of Everstead making a concerted push to rise to the Third Floor. That did sound insane.

Kredevel: They can only climb higher if they complete the Objectives set to them as Denizens. We know nothing of what these Objectives could be. That is our greatest drawback in understanding them.

Ray: Actually, hold on.

Once more, Ray turned to Holden.

“Hey,” Ray barked. The snap in his voice made the soldier flinch. “You want o go to the Third Floor as well?”

“I will go wherever my kingdom deems it right for me to go,” Holden said.

“Then you must know what you have to do to get to the Third Floor, right?”

His eyes narrowed, the bees moving to keep up with the change in his expression. “I know that I must complete the Objectives I have been set to be eligible to climb to the next Floor in this Tower.”

“Exactly. So now, you’re going to tell me exactly what those Objectives are.”

There was a panicked look in his eyes. Maybe he had been commanded to keep them all a secret, He would possibly be forfeiting his life, and worse, if he spilled the beans.

“My friend’s got someone just like you in her grasp,” Ray said. The lie was a sudden idea, but it ought to help. “If your Objectives aren’t similar to the other captive’s…”

Ray made a slicing motion across his neck. Apparently, the threat was universal because the soldier shook in fright a little. He ended up telling Ray the Objectives he supposedly had.

Ray: Alright, so, these are the Objectives our friend’s got—killing some Sylvans, killing some of the Infected, killing some monsters all over the Floor, defeating the plague just like me, climbing the ranks of his social ladder, and apparently killing a certain number of Denizens.

Gritty: Which I’m sure doesn’t include their own.

Ray: Right.

It made sense why they’d been targeting him then. They needed to kill the Denizens who had climbed up from different Floors, even from different Towers, to progress their System Objectives.

Of course, they couldn’t be too overt about it. Otherwise, they would end up alienating the Denizens and have another enemy on their hands, which they could hardly afford when their hands were full dealing with the Sylvans. That was why the other Denizens had been safe so far, more or less. Safe from the Everstead, at least.

Ray froze. Or had they been safe? Mary was dead. It could very well be that she had never faced the Floor Lord, had never managed to give up the Sylvan leader’s location. Or why else would the Everstead wait until Ray had drawn the Floor Lourd out to attack her?

It could very well be that Mary had been killed by the Everstead.

Ray turned to his captive. “Did you or your kingdom kill Mary Felds?”

He shook his head, once again a little panicked. Maybe because he knew there was no way to corroborate whether he was lying or not. “I didn’t. None of us did. I swear.”

Ray wasn’t satisfied, but he dropped it.

Gritty: Kredevel is right, Ray.

Ray: Wait, what? Weren’t you saying I was right a little while back?

Gritty: We need to kill these Everstead before they kill us.

Kredevel: Now more than ever is the time to act. We will rush through this Cliff Two and arrive at Cliff One before long. Fear not.

Ray once more cursed the fact that things weren’t as clear cut as they had been on the First Floor. There was no enemy threatening to kill him to his face that he could scrupulously retaliate against. Well, there had been, but Ray had already taken care of most of those “accidents”, as Cory had called them. The Everstead were nowhere near as bold as the Sylvans.

He sighed. Proof after proof after proof. Did he really need any more evidence to act against them? They had been abusive, had tried to get rid of him, had used him as bait for the Floor Lord.

Instead of being concerned if he was alright after the altercation with the Floor Lord, they had more or less discarded him like he was a useless tool now.

Ray faced the man covered in bees and still in his True Mana arm’s grasp. The soldier’s eyes widened at whatever he saw on his face. “I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit naive. I’ve been waiting and waiting for a clear sign.” He laughed. “It’s almost like I was waiting for a declaration of war or something. But that’s never going to happen, is it?”

Kredevel: What have you decided, Ray?

Ray ignored the message for the moment, focusing instead on the soldier before him. “You’re going to keep stalling, keep sneaking, keep pretending that we’re maintaining some kind of tenuous working relationship while you chip away at my sanity and my health. You’re going to wait until I’m broken, until I’ve lost everything except for my power.”

The man struggled in the grip of the True Mana arms, his eyes wide with fright as Ray approached. He had nowhere to go, though, nor could he do a thing. Ray had made sure to use Core Deconstruction to keep his captive calm.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Well, I’m done with your bullshit,” Ray said. “I’m done letting you and your little kingdom try to control my experience of the Second Floor. Now, I’m going to take back all control. I’m done. So are the Everstead.”

Ray took a deep breath to centre himself. It had felt good to get that off his chest.

Ray: I agree. We need to act.

Kredevel: Then we need a plan.

They did. Acting haphazardly without any proper direction was only going to get them all killed. Especially since they were outnumbered and, on average, outpowered by the military of the Everstead kingdom as well.

Nevertheless, they had advantages they could—had to—make use of.

Ray: First thing’s first. You guys need to get to Cliff One.

Kredevel: We are making good progress. Unfortunately, by the time we reach the spire, they will likely recover their strength and pose a far greater threat than they already do.

Ray: That’s why we’re changing tack.

Kredevel: We are?

Ray: I’m going to give you some directions and you’re going to head straight there. You’ve got all the Infected and the new Denizens up from the First Floor with you, right? Bring them all along. I know a way to get to Cliff One without needing to use the spire.

Ray explained the dungeon that the Floor Lord’s attack on him had inadvertently revealed. The one that had led him from Cliff Two to Cliff One.

Gritty: That’s devious, wingman.

Ray could hear the grin through Gritty’s words. He couldn’t hold back his smile either. It was tense, filled with anticipation of what was to come.

Of course, Kredevel and the rest of them couldn’t appear instantly. Ray had to wait for them to make a circuitous way across Cliff Two to the dungeon’s entrance, and then make their way through the dungeon itself.

He had made sure to tell them every little thing they would face there. Thankfully, since he had taken care of the Lostcallers, they’d have some less difficulty than otherwise.

As Ray waited for his allies to appear, he made sure to quiz the soldier about everything he could think up about Cliff One. Things like the layout of the castles, fortresses, and other defences and residences all over the area. He inquired about their military strength, about specific members to be wary of, and so on.

All the while, Ray had tasked Gritty to keep an eye on the movements of the Everstead as a whole. They weren’t suddenly moving against their enemies. They hadn’t decided to rush to Ray’s location beside the hole in the dungeon’s roof.

Still. Ray’s shoulders itched the longer he didn’t act. A part of him was screaming at him that he could have been fighting monsters and levelling up.

But no. This soldier and everything he could learn was more important. Vitally so.

It took about a day for Ray’s allies to appear at the end of the dungeon. They had ropes with them, thankfully, and with some creative skill usages from various people including Ray himself, they began to climb up to Cliff One.

Ray couldn’t help but wonder if he could have entered the dungeon through its back door, so to speak. That didn’t feel right. But there was no point in wondering.

His allies were here. Kredevel was here.

Ray grinned wide as he saw the Sylvan climb up. “It’s been ages, buddy.”

“In truth, it has actually been less time since you left the First Floor and we met up on the Second,” Kredevel said, matching Ray’s smile. “But I echo your sentiment. I am glad to see you again.”

Of course, the other Sylvans weren’t as friendly. They still remembered he had killed so many of their comrades back on the First Floor. They weren’t about to forgive and forget that easily. Ray wasn’t surprised. At least Kredevel had convinced them to not be openly antagonistic. That would shatter their chances of overcoming the Everstead.

The Infected came up next. They all kept themselves covered with large cloaks and shawls and the like. Ray didn’t recognize any of them. He couldn’t even see where the one Infected man he had met and helped was. Hopefully still alive.

There were a lot of them, though. And they were armed to boot. They bore shields and various weapons, along with bows and arrows. A strong fighting force, even with their skills sealed away.

Lastly came the new Denizens who had climbed up to the Second Floor.

Ray’s eyes widened. “No way. Joaquin? That you?”

The man with the thin moustache turned around and smiled. He looked the same as ever, wearing his strange white-and-gold half-robe, half-armour. His face was unmarred with dirt or any scratches, and his dark hair looked like he’d visited a salon instead of a dungeon.

“Ray!” he said. “Good to see you. I’ve been hearing a lot about your exploits on the Second Floor from everyone.”

Ray raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Well, maybe just from one fellow.” Joaquin laughed as he glanced at Kredevel, who was talking to a bunch of other Sylvans in the distance. “But regardless. You’ve been busy!”

“I have. Just trying to make sure I can get to the Third Floor. You know how it goes.”

“Yes. We’re on the doorstep of another little war.”

They took a little time to catch up. Joaquin said that he had more or less been forced to the Second Floor by Maya. He had thought to remain on the First Floor, but his healing skills weren’t necessary there any longer. They had things well in hand and there were other healers to boot.

So, Maya had seen fit to pester him to climb up to the Second Floor. She had coerced him by saying that there would surely be people who could use his powers more on the Second Floor.

And so, here he was.

“Huh,” Ray said. “I never took Maya to be the pushy type.”

“She wasn’t really…” Joaquin sighed. “Some people just need a little kick up their asses. It’s me. I’m some people.”

Ray laughed.

They waited some time until everyone had come up to Cliff One and had settled in. Then they conducted a little war council to set their plan going forward. They decided to keep things simple, though it still took half the night for them to be completely sure of all the details.

“What are you going to do with your captive?” Kredevel asked at the end, when everyone was leaving the little clearing they had decided to discuss on.

Ray started walking over to the Everstead soldier. “I think we’ve exhausted his usefulness.”

“Then he serves no other purpose.”

Kredevel’s voice was carefully even. Like there was more he could have said but he was keeping his mouth shut. Leaving the final decision up to Ray himself.

“He doesn’t,” Ray said.

“What are you going to do to me?” the man asked. He didn’t sound scared anymore. Just tired. Someone who had been through a lot more than he had signed up for.

Ray stepped up and used Core Deconstruction on the man one more time. The soldier barely flinched as the black-red lightning writhed across his body. “Kill you.”

“I see.”

“I appreciate the fact that you didn’t lie or try to trick us some other way. You haven’t even informed any of the Everstead about everything you’ve learned and seen here. I’d know if you had. It’s been very convenient, thank you. To show my appreciation, I’ll honour any last wishes you’ve got. So… got any? Last wishes, I mean.”

The man stared at Ray for a long while. The bees were gone. They had served their purpose, just as the man had.

“It was unlikely I’d have ever made it to the Third Floor,” the soldier, Holden, said. “There’s just not enough of you.”

“Have you always wanted to get to the Third Floor?” Ray asked. “You had other goals and wishes before the Tower. What about those?”

“Before the Tower…” The soldier’s eyes turned a little vacant. “I remember nothing before the Tower. Before…” He shook his head. “I have always wanted to get to the Third Floor. But there are others who deserve it more. No surprise that they will have it.”

“They will have it, you say?”

The man froze, like he had been caught out.

“What’s your last wish?” Ray asked.

Holden looked greatly relieved that Ray hadn’t started interrogating him again. “I want to be thrown off the Cliff, please.”

“…thrown off the Cliff?” Ray asked. “You sure?”

“That is my wish. My failures mean that I don’t deserve to desecrate Cliff One any longer. I must be punished. And since I will not be receiving the punishment from my people, you must do it instead.” He looked up, eyes determined. “If you would really honour my wish.”

Ray sighed. “Fine. If that’s what you want.”

He cast Soulstrike, then gripped the man’s head with the True Mana arms. With a squeeze, he crushed the man’s skull. Quick. Hopefully too quick to be painful.

[Enemy Defeated—Human]

Phalanx Linesman [Tier 3] Human: [Level 38] x1

Essence: +5,700

Knowledge: +3

True Mana Restored: +380

Essence to Level 42: 41,360/150,700

Knowledge to next Threshold: 2,202/2,500

Ignoring the notification, he dragged the man’s blood-railing corpse all the way to hole that led to the dungeon. Then he threw the lifeless body inside. That ought to count as Cliff Two.

He stood at the edge, unsure how he felt. It had been necessary. Maybe not exactly right, but needed all the same. If Ray hadn’t captured the fellow, he would have just killed Holden during the fight.

No real difference in the end. His life had been forfeit the moment he had decided to be Ray’s enemy.

But at what point had he gotten so cold? Even when the soldier infected by the Flesh Plague had asked him to kill her, he had hesitated. Hell, he had healed her instead. And yet, in this instance, he hadn’t hesitated to take the man’s life. In cold blood, it had to be said. It hadn’t been a furious, life-or-death fight.

Ray had killed Holden in cold blood.

He didn’t regret it. If time went back, he’d have repeated the same thing. It just didn’t sit right. Not the death itself. Just the fact it was necessary, and that he was prepared to do it.

“You should get some sleep.” Kredevel had come to join him. “There is little of the night left, but even that little would help greatly.”

Ray sighed. “You’re probably right. Ready for the big day tomorrow?”

Kredevel’s eyes looked distant. “I certainly hope so.”