“New Regulations?” Bohr mused, his expression twisted in distaste as if he were testing the very words, “A gradual selection?”
“For each Level,” Alex chimed in, pausing to lick a wound on his paw, “I’m curious about the consequences of defeat.”
“We’ll learn as we proceed,” Nami declared, shaking off the fragments of broken armor. She glanced at me, “Are you heading to the Waiting Area?”
“Yes,” I replied, rising to my feet. A sharp jolt of pain shot up from my heels, and I instinctively looked down, only to see a thin layer of rubber clinging to my bare skin.
Cursing under my breath, I sighed. “Damn.”
After downing an elixir, I tilted my head back, inhaling the scent of intrigue. Oh, how I wished I could peer into the minds of these high-ranking entities.
At this very moment, trials of veteran fighters were likely unfolding, trials and tribulations converging towards this 36th Floor. The path was imbued with a fervent longing to escape the confines of the arena.
Three converging lines of creatures stretched toward the skyscraper, the collective voices merging into a cacophony of reluctance and fear. Perhaps the spate of recent deaths had roused dormant instincts within these bloodthirsty entities.
They didn’t allow me immediate passage, but after navigating a couple of meters and nearly half an hour of trekking, I managed to reach the main building’s entrance.
The decor remained unchanged, a familiar façade that had weathered the rare bouts of clashes. Only the distracted employees roamed, the very semblance of normalcy concealing inner turmoil.
“Impressive, the Infernal Legion image still holds strong.” Reid remarked.
As before, a mere façade, concealing unresolved internal conflicts.
How many of us have made it through? With any luck, the trials we’ve undergone will fortify us against rival Alliances.
Once at the first station, I claimed the victorious Spiritual Stones.
At the second, I scheduled Boss fights, determining the deadlines.
On the third, I secured lodgings within the residential area and booked a week-long session in a training chamber.
Bidding farewell to my companions, I made my way to the chosen building. While it lacked the allure of a hot spring, a wooden tub brimming with steaming water offered a degree of relaxation, albeit a modest one, that soothed the mind.
The healing water enveloped my body, imbuing me with a comforting energy.
Drawing The Slayer of Sanctity from my inventory, I turned it over in my hand, noting new intricacies that seemed to beckon me to the slaughter, to unearth as much vile impurity as possible. My hand tingled after minutes of wielding the blade, and as the wind’s response echoed through the air, I felt an intense urge for a full-fledged battle against someone from the light faction.
Narrowing my eyes in thought, I ruminated on my dear allies.
Inhaling the dense steam, I summoned Spectral Familiars, dispersing them in different directions to search for any potential survivors from the Infernal Legion Alliance.
Unfortunately, I could not locate half of them. I suspected this was likely due to intricate seals in the new anomalous zones. Opting to check on Uchi, I found him also on the Second level, within the Green Zone.
Data on those I had been tracking for a while was sparse at best. Still, I gleaned a few secrets here and there, hoping that these fragments of knowledge would someday prove invaluable. With a sigh, I severed the connection between us, compelled by unforeseen developments to adjust my plans.
The weariness that gripped me demanded rest.
Yawning, I changed into fresh clothes and made my way toward the venerable turtle.
Once a paradise in my eyes, this place now seemed to hold far less allure. Funny how we often yearn for something new even as we appreciate the present.
Passing through the visible maroon barrier, I gazed longingly at the Forest of Nightmares, then down at the novice battleground. A sense of humility settled over me as I listened to the echoes of battles still raging within the expansive territory.
Nostalgia coursed through me as I traversed the path to the Green Zone, observing long-familiar sights from fresh perspectives. The small auction room I once frequented, where I acquired a wild fruit and significantly upgraded the Iron Stomach, came into view.
Soon, stalls began to dot the path, occupied by creatures sitting on carpets as they hawked Elixirs and various materials. Amidst the bustling crowd of buyers and sellers, I eventually spotted the figure I was seeking.
Uchi stood with his back to me, his nearly round shell concealing the rear of his master’s head. A three-fingered hand reached for several Recovery Elixirs, swiftly followed by the clinking of Spiritual Stones.
“General of the Hell Battalion, are you also gearing up for battle?”
“Oh, come now, First Counselor, I’m just taking a stroll.”
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“Is that so?” Uchi turned to face me, a grandfatherly smile curving his lips, his closed eyes adorned with wrinkles at their corners. Those eyelids might be a ruse, I speculated, to hide eerie hollows.
“Of course,” I affirmed.
His smile broadened even further as he returned his attention to the display case brimming with assorted bottles:
“You should stock up on Elixirs for the near future; their availability might soon dwindle.”
I trailed my fingers along the surface of a pink liquid-filled bottle before leaning in and tapping Uchi’s shell:
“How about this: I’ll offer you an even more potent Elixir that not only boosts health but also restores energy to its original state?”
“Is such an elixir truly on the market?” The elder was now hanging on my every word.
“Not yet, but you know me, I’m well-acquainted with some significant suppliers.” In those initial days, my relationship with the Alliance was strained, nearly non-existent with most, but during that time, it was this amiable, peculiar old man who extended a helping hand.
After procuring a few more Elixirs, Uchi drifted away from the counter and motioned weakly toward a nearby diner.
Seated on a rigid chair, I sipped on a bowl of murky soup flecked with mushrooms and vegetables.
Meanwhile, Uchi tore into a piece of fried meat, his sharp fangs making a distinct crunching sound. As I drank my soup, he wiped his lips with a snowy-white napkin before exhaling a sigh.
“Roxy and Krohn didn’t make it. They fell victim to a trap at the Crossroads,” he revealed.
“On my end, Sam is gone, and there’s uncertainty about Yuna and maybe Drak,” I shared somberly, staring into the ceramic bowl. The half-baked creeper pieces tasted as unappetizing as they always did.
In a realm where vegetarians were a rarity, such dishes were hard to avoid.
“I see. And what’s the progress on the main task?” Eyeless sockets gazed at me.
“I found clues both at the Descent and Survival Crossroads. Human forces are likely involved in this scheme. They seem determined to curtail the number of creatures ascending to the 36th floor, no matter the cost.” I curled my lips in frustration, the clattering of empty dishes punctuating my irritation.
“Foolish humans. Some prefer not to leave such a place. Like a powerful dragon in the sea, they incite fear in the fish, who dare not navigate the treacherous waters,” Uchi remarked.
As he spoke, I handed him the System Elixirs I had offered. Rising from the table, I leaned in closer, casually dropping a phrase.
“I hope the Elder is open to shifting winds.”
His eyebrows lifted in surprise, and his predatory grin resurfaced. “It’s about time.”
---
For days on end, I immersed myself in training, absorbing Spirit Stones one by one.
[Updating Participant parameters 137:
Race: Dark Elf.
Rank: 10.
Power: 32 100 (+7 000).
Dexterity: 30 900 (+7 000).
Endurance: 33 000 (+9 500).
Magic resistance: 25 500 (+6 900).
Cursed Welfare: 2.
Mana perception: 28 150 (+6 950).
Intelligence: 31 960 (+9 500).
Мental strength: 30 300 (+6 900).
Regeneration: 25 800 (+7 500).
Alliance: The Infernal Legion.
Rank: General of the Third Battalion.
Skills:
Spectral Familiars (Level 17), Spirit Weapons (Level 26), Poison Arrows (Level 24), Shadow Steps (Level 28), Shield Of Light (Level 8), Breath Hypnosis (Level 17), Steel Claws (Level 21), General Armor (Level. 17), Aura Enhancement (Level 9).]
[Participant 137, you also used half of the accumulated experience to enhance the following skills:
Sound Attack (Level 10).
Melee (Level 16).
Dragon Scales (Level 26).
Bone Mountains (Ur. 15).
Fiery Threads Of The Abyss (Ur. 24).
Ignition (Level 23)]
Three distinct silhouettes converged within my mind, each uniquely different from the others. Their amalgamated skills formed a tapestry illuminated by a vibrant crimson hue, signifying their rise in level.
Combat experience was a delicate subject. The Mother Source scrutinized my combat data and skill selections, culminating in an issuance of total points earned. Meanwhile, survival points were awarded for ad hoc missions and battles across designated sectors of the Arena. The skills I employed during these encounters accrued these points. A distinct scenario unfolded when considering the preservation of these points or their independent allocation. Such decisions were strictly overseen by the system. Perhaps in the future, greater autonomy in this regard would be granted, but for now, I submitted a request to reallocate points for currently inactive skills.
[Participant 137, exit time.]
Opening my eyes, I exhaled a stream of fiery breath and pressed my back against the cool iron wall. All this time, I had deliberately restrained the growth of my abilities to avoid drawing attention before embarking on the campaign, yet it seemed this concealment might prove unfeasible.
---
The Fourth Floor Of The First Level.
An hour’s struggle culminated in the defeat of the formidable Boss. Its regeneration rate had notably accelerated, and its attacks had intensified. Splintering its skull with well-aimed Poisonous Arrows, I watched the once-mighty creature kneel, its breath ragged, until it finally dissipated into a cascade of black particles.
“VICTORY CLAIMED BY KAI THERON!”
---
Fifth Floor Of The First Level.
Gazing at the prone dragon, a surge of energy pulsed through me.
Suppressing the inclination to trigger my armor’s transformation, I met the silver-scaled tail’s assault with my sword.
Maledictus Incendio.
The ebony pupils reflected wisdom and anticipation.
“I will exert every ounce of my strength to liberate you.”
“Thank you.”
With a resounding roar, the Dragon unleashed a final barrage of scorching magma before succumbing to the lethal blow dealt by a Spiritual Weapon, the strike finding its mark deep within the creature’s heart.
Amidst the cheers of the onlookers, I merely grunted, my glove catching the ashen remnants.
For three long years, this dragon had stood as my sole confidant. Our conversations were often punctuated by its final breath.
The emotions stirred by such conflicting feelings were somewhat amusing, yet also profoundly disheartening.
The heartfelt Oath had long since been broken (after Transformation), yet its decision to lend me support continued to kindle the vestiges of warmth within my soul. Just for a fleeting moment, permit me to reciprocate the kindness shown to me.
“Kai Theron, number 6,541, has completed the First Level. You are proceeding to the Intersection of the Second Level. Prepare yourself.”