With the system's store page open, Asher found himself at a crossroads, contemplating his next strategic purchase. His guardian had laid claim to most of the valuables he had amassed thus far, leaving Asher with the realization that it was time to invest in himself. He couldn't remain ill-equipped indefinitely.
Determined to make a wise choice, Asher applied a thoughtful filter to his options: "Necromancer only, equipment only, costing less than 700 points." Despite having the option to acquire classless items and skills like the provoke skill, he remained steadfast in his identity as both a necromancer by class and by heart.
With a sense of purpose, he delved into the available inventory, scouring for anything that might prove beneficial in terms of equipment, determined to enhance his abilities and carve a path toward self-reliance.
Asher thought about his choices, a bit puzzled. "Well, there are some good necromancer items here, but they seem to be more for people who can summon a bunch of minions at once. Like this one," he said, pointing to an item. "It gives you a speed and attack boost if you have five summons nearby. But that won't help me since I can only summon one minion." He sighed and kept looking for something that would be more useful to him.
The filter displayed the cheapest items first. As he scrolled through the list, he found nothing that seemed particularly worthwhile. However, he continued to scroll, determined to explore every possibility.
Finally, he reached the very bottom of the list, where the last item was priced at a hefty 700 points. Asher stared at it, his curiosity piqued, wondering what this expensive item had to offer that might make it worth the investment.
His eyes widened as he examined the item at the bottom of the list. "This is... quite useful!" Asher exclaimed, a spark of excitement in his voice. It seemed he had stumbled upon something that had the potential to help him in his advancement.
https://i.imgur.com/WLWjOxM.png [https://i.imgur.com/WLWjOxM.png]
As Asher read through the ring's description, a sense of hesitation crept over him. The item did indeed seem useful, but its steep price made him question its worth. Comparing it to the Spikeguard Shield he had previously purchased for 180 points, the cost of this rare item was nearly four times higher.
His eyes lingered on the "Corrupted" modifier, and he couldn't help but speculate that it might come with a curse or some form of trade-off, a classic case of "great power at a price." However, the limitation regarding the summon capacity didn't concern him much since he typically only summoned one minion.
What truly weighed on his mind was the damage transfer aspect. While the ring appeared to be an excellent defensive choice for him, it came with a significant drawback. Any damage taken would be redirected to his summon, putting it at greater risk. If they both happened to be hit by a powerful area of effect attack, not only would his minion endure its own damage, but it would also bear the brunt of Asher's, increasing the chances of its demise when not wearing the ring might have prevented such a fate.
Asher couldn't deny the potential benefits of the item, but the risk involved gave him pause. He had a difficult decision to make, one that could significantly impact his effectiveness in combat.
"It's not worth it. If my guardian kicks the bucket because of my slip-up, I'd be in a perilous spot, stranded on the higher floors with no guardian backup. It's like playing a high-stakes game of D&D and trust me, there's no respawn button in this tower."
The 'Fourth Floor' is about to open! Please prepare yourself to face the fourth part of the trial.
"Well, I guess I have to save my points for now. It might be a good idea. I can buy better stuff when I've got more points saved up."
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Transporting Asher Gray to the fourth floor!
ALERT! Modification to the fourth trial's original design has been put in place! Reason - Defeat of the 5th-floor boss encounter before reaching the 5th floor.
"Huh?!"
Difficulty has increased by a small margin! New trial generated! Best of luck!
Asher's head began to spin, and his vision blurred, causing him to feel dizzy and disoriented, a feeling he had experienced for a fourth time already. The world around him had suddenly shifted. As he struggled to regain his senses, he realized that something was different.
Gradually, his surroundings came into focus, and he found himself inside a dimly lit cave. The only source of light was the soft, silvery glow of moonlight filtering in through a narrow opening in the cave's ceiling. This new environment was a stark contrast to the familiar Woodland Forest he had been in just moments before.
The cave's walls were rough and uneven, composed of weathered rock formations that jutted out. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, their pointed tips reaching menacingly toward the floor. The air was cool and carried a musty, earthy scent.
In the distance, Asher could hear the faint drip of water, suggesting the presence of an underground stream. As he cautiously took in his surroundings, his surprise and confusion deepened. He had been transported to an entirely new and mysterious location, far removed from the familiar landscapes of the Woodland Forest.
Asher furrowed his brow, perplexed by the recent alert. "Wait, what was that alert about? They changed the initial design because... the 5th-floor boss was defeated? Does this mean that defeating the Savage Woodland Bear ahead of schedule altered the course of my journey through the tower? It specifically mentioned the 5th floor, so if I hadn't taken it down, would I have faced two extra trials in the forest, with the 5th one being a boss battle?
Trial's Objective: Reach the end of the pathway. Time Limit: None
Failure from completing the trial - Closure to further floors
Reward for completing the trial - Random Miscellaneous item
"A pathway? Well, it looks like the only way to go is straight ahead. I'm curious about the kinds of enemies I might encounter in this place."
Asher cautiously took a step forward within the cave. Each passing step, he began to notice something unsettling. The cave's interior seemed to be cloaked in an ever-increasing number of webs.
At first, the webs were sporadic, stretching across crevices and corners. Yet, as he ventured deeper into the cave, their presence became more pronounced. Thin, glistening strands crisscrossed the rocky walls, forming intricate and extensive networks. The more he walked, the denser the webbing became, like a labyrinth spun by an unseen weaver.
His sense of unease grew as he realized that this cave was not as abandoned as it initially appeared. The webs suggested the presence of a hidden, arachnid inhabitant, and Asher was quickly welcomed by one of it inhabitants.
"Huh? What's this sticky liquid?" As Asher continued his journey through the cave pathway, a gooey substance suddenly plopped onto his shoulder, drenching his pajamas. Intrigued yet cautious, he gazed upward, only to be taken aback by the unexpected sight that met his eyes.
https://i.imgur.com/KCISWHi.png [https://i.imgur.com/KCISWHi.png]
Above Asher, was a menacing spider clinging to the cave's ceiling. Its ebony exoskeleton shimmered, adorned with large glistening red eyes that fixated on him. The spider's spindly legs bristled with sensitivity, and its sharp mandibles twitched in eerie anticipation.
"H-Hello...!"
From a hidden crevice in the cave's ceiling, a second spider descended, its eerie, eyes fixed on Asher. Then, another and another, until a relentless swarm of arachnids emerged. Panic seizing him,
"Uh, hey there, little guys. I didn't realize this was your hangout. Don't suppose we could, you know, talk this out?"
"..."
"You're right, that was a weird thing to say. Well... I'll be on my way. Goodbye then!"
Asher fled in terror, the relentless descent of the spiders driving him deeper into the cave, fear coursing through his veins with every step as the relentless group rushed at him.