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Summoner's Rolodex : The Tower of Trials (LitRPG/Tower Climb/Progression)
Chapter 21 - The Four Horsemen of the Fourth Floor

Chapter 21 - The Four Horsemen of the Fourth Floor

As Bob and Snowball continued to venture through the massive forest, he was taken aback when he stumbled upon another Goblin. This one looked different from the only other goblin he had encountered before. The goblin was dirty, gaunt, and wore soiled rags. But what caught Bob's attention the most was the sign the goblin was holding that read, "The end is near." Bob couldn't quite understand what the goblin meant by this, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that something ominous was brewing in the forest. He cautiously approached the goblin, wondering what it had to say.

As Bob approached the goblin, it began to speak in a raspy voice, "You shouldn't be here, human. The forest is cursed, and the end is near. Leave while you still can."

Bob was puzzled by the goblin's warning, but he knew he had to find out more. He asked the goblin what it meant by the end, but the goblin only cackled in response. Bob realized that the goblin wasn't going to reveal anything more, so he decided to continue on his journey. As he walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that the goblin's warning might hold some truth to it. He wondered what could be causing such unrest in the forest and resolved to keep his guard up as he continued to explore.

As Bob walked deeper into the forest, he noticed that the trees had started to wither and die, and the air around him felt heavy and suffocating. He could hear strange whispers and eerie sounds that seemed to be coming from all around him. He felt as though something was watching him, but he couldn't see anything.

As Bob looked up, he noticed the sky darkening and the winds growing still. The air around him grew heavy and stale, making it hard to breathe. He felt as though time was slowing down as if the world around him was coming to a halt. The once vibrant forest became eerily quiet, and the only sound he could hear was the beating of his own heart. Bob stood there, transfixed by the strange stillness that surrounded him, unsure of what was happening or what was to come. It was as if the world had stopped turning, and he was the only one left behind.

Bob's mind raced with thoughts, trying to make sense of the sudden stillness that had enveloped him. He wondered if a storm was brewing or if something even more ominous was on the horizon. As he looked around, he noticed the lack of ambient noise and absolute silence of the forest that once teemed with life. Bob felt frozen, unable to move or take action. It was as if he was waiting for some kind of signal, a sign that would tell him what to do next.

As time continued to slow down, Bob felt himself becoming increasingly anxious. He tried to take deep breaths, but the air around him was so thick and stale that it was hard to get any fresh air into his lungs. He felt his heart beating faster, and his palms becoming sweaty. He knew that he needed to do something, to take control of the situation, but he couldn't quite figure out what that something was.

Bob's thoughts and his current struggle were interrupted by a system message. The world went dark and all Bob could see was empty blackness. Then the system message filled his eyes, breaking the pure dark that encompassed all of his vision.

*SYSTEM WARNING*

*SYSTEM WARNING*

*SYSTEM WARNING*

*Behold, a time of great strife and turmoil is nigh, for the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse draw near. Each shall ride forth on a mighty steed, bringing with them destruction and chaos. Hear now their ominous portents:*

*The First Horseman rides a white horse, and with him comes the stench of death and disease. He shall release his deadly plagues upon the world, and none shall be safe from his contagion. The young and the old, the strong and the weak, all shall fall before his power, and the world shall be consumed by his terrible pestilence.*

*The Second Horseman rides a red horse, and with him comes the roar of battle and the clash of steel. He shall sow the seeds of conflict and ignite the flames of war, and no nation shall be spared his wrath. Brother shall turn against brother, and the world shall be plunged into a bloody maelstrom of violence.*

*The Third Horseman rides a black horse, and with him comes the shadow of hunger and want. He shall lay waste to the fields and bring barrenness to the earth, and none shall be able to escape his grasp. The rich shall grow poor, and the poor shall starve, and the land shall be laid low by his cruel touch.*

*The Fourth Horseman rides a pale horse, and with him comes the chill of the grave and the shadow of eternity. He shall claim the souls of the living and the dead, and none shall be able to escape his final embrace. The end of all things shall come with his arrival, and the world shall be plunged into eternal darkness.*

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*Thus does the prophecy foretell the coming of the Four Horsemen, and woe betides those who shall stand in their path.*

Ugh, What? Seriously? Just going to drop something that heavy on me and expect me to not panic? How am I supposed to prepare for some mysterious beings known as the Horsemen of Apocalypse? You're killing me here System! UGH!

*Ok, well that was a warning that was set up to automatically be displayed upon certain conditions being met. It looks like those conditions have been met. You should run. Or hide. Honestly do whatever you want, just get yourself right with whatever higher power you believe in because you have almost no chance to survive an encounter of this magnitude. I can't say anymore, I am under certain restrictions. I wish I could be of more assistance because I can assure you, that you are DEFINITELY going to need it.*

Ok, that didn't answer anything. You get back here and give me more information. I don't want to die in this damn Tower.

Bob had been standing in the forest for what seemed like hours, the darkness in the sky had been suffocating, and the silence was deafening. He had never experienced anything like it before, and he had no idea what had caused it. But then, slowly but surely, the darkness began to clear.

The winds picked up, and the air became fresh again. Bob took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. It seemed as if time had returned to normal as the sounds of life returned to the forest. Birds began to chirp, leaves rustled in the wind, and the distant sound of running water could be heard. Bob's heart rate began to slow down, and he felt a sense of calm wash over him. He needed to come up with a plan.

Bob wandered aimlessly through the woods, lost in thought about how to deal with the arrival of the Four Horsemen. He had been walking for hours and was starting to feel tired and hungry. Just as he was about to give up and head back home, he stumbled upon a Goblin Village. At first, Bob was startled by the sight of the goblins, but he soon realized that they were not interested in him.

They were busy going about their daily business, tending to their gardens and livestock. Bob noticed that the village seemed to be very organized and well-maintained. As he walked further into the village, Bob noticed a church in the distance. He figured this would be a good place to start as he wasn't a religious man. He made his way over to the church and peered inside.

To his surprise, he saw that the church was filled with goblins who were deep in prayer. Bob was amazed by what he saw. He had thought of goblins as evil creatures because of his experience with Gentlman Gary, but here they were, devoutly worshiping their god. He watched as the goblins prayed and sang hymns, their voices rising up to the heavens.

As he stood there, Bob couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him. He had been so consumed by his own problems that he had forgotten how beautiful the world around him was. The sight of the goblins in prayer reminded him of the importance some placed on faith and spirituality.

Bob spent the next few hours in the village, talking to the goblins and learning about their way of life. He discovered that they were peaceful beings who lived in harmony with nature. They grew their own food and tended to their own animals, and they took great pride in their work. Bob looked upon them with admiration, he could appreciate a good hardworking fellow.

Bob walked through the winding paths of the Goblin village, his eyes darting around at the unfamiliar sights and sounds. He was on a mission to gather information about the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse and had been directed to the village's Priest as the resident expert on the subject.

As he approached the small hut where the Priest resided, he could hear the sound of chanting coming from within. Bob took a deep breath and knocked on the door, which swung open to reveal the dimly lit interior of the hut. The Priest sat on a mat in the center of the room, surrounded by flickering candles and various arcane symbols etched into the walls.

"Ah, Be welcome, Human," the Priest said, his voice deep and gravelly. "What brings you to our humble village?"

"I'm here to learn about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," Bob said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I was told that you could help me."

The Priest nodded sagely. "Ah, yes. The Four Horsemen. They are harbingers of destruction, sent by God to bring about the end of days. Which of the Horsemen do you wish to learn about?"

"All of them, if you don't mind,"

"Very well, human. Let us begin with the First Horseman: Pestilence."

As the Priest launched into an explanation of the various plagues and diseases that Pestilence had wrought upon the world, Bob found himself growing increasingly uneasy. The thought of such widespread destruction was almost too much to bear.

"And then there is the Second Horseman: War," the Priest continued, gesturing with a gnarled hand. "His armies will ravage the land for centuries, leaving nothing but death and despair in their wake."

Bob felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. "And what about the other two Horsemen?"

"Ah, yes," the Priest said, his eyes narrowing. "Famine and Death. They are no less fearsome than the first two. Famine will cause the crops to wither and the rivers to dry up, leaving nothing for the people to eat. And Death...well, you can imagine what he brings."

Bob shuddered. "I think I've heard enough."

As he stood to leave, however, the door burst open with a loud crash. A Goblin stumbled in, covered in sores and screaming in pain.

"Father!" the Goblin cried. "The village...we're all sick! It came on so suddenly, spreading like wildfire through the village!"

The Priest sprang into action, directing the sick Goblin to a nearby bed and sending word throughout the village for everyone to be quarantined. Bob watched in horror as the village was plunged into chaos, the once-lively streets now empty and silent.

As he made his way out of the village, Bob couldn't help but think about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Had they truly arrived, in the form of this sudden and devastating illness? And if so, was there anything that he could do to stop them? Bob wasn't sure, but he knew that if this truly was the First Horseman, Pestilence, then he was in serious trouble.