Chapter 41

By the time we got back to Ryker, the Farmers had completed their tasks for the day. They’d milked all the cows, collected all the eggs from the angry feathered birds called chickens, and harvested all the crops. Which meant all that was left when we arrived was the wholesale slaughter of the animals to take to the various other guilds and exchange for animal materials, meat, and so on.

“There are a total of a hundred cows out here,” Ryker began, motioning as he spoke. All around us, the creatures munched lazily on grass, oblivious to the fate that awaited them. “About two hundred chickens, and then a variety of other random wilderness you can kill for materials.” He had all twelve of the Climbers on the job around him.

“And we’re killing them all?” One of my fellow Climbers asked.

“As many as you can,” Ryker said with a smile. “We’ve got two hours to go before Dusk. Normally the guild asks our help to kill the creatures, and then they get the resources. But for today, because of my assistance, you get to keep what you kill.” He smirked as he looked at me. “So I’d recommend you all take them out as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Nyle elbowed my side, a grin plastered on his face. I looked down at my scimitar. The short sword had not been the right weapon for killing the cow in a single blow. But the scimitar, well, its sharp, deadly, curved blade was much better suited for the task. And if it didn’t work, a dagger to the skull was generally pretty lethal.

“I’ll head back with the farmers while you guys go about your task,” Ryker continued. “Once all the farmers are accounted for at the guild, you’ll receive a mental notification that the job has been completed. Alex will have your rewards at Climber’s Rest when you are done.”

One of the Climbers rose a hand. “Excuse me, sir.” He said hesitantly.

“Ryker’s fine,” Ryker responded, “as Climbers, we are all equals.”

“How come I can’t level up?” A few others murmured in agreement. Ryker sighed heavily.

“I swear, these things should be covered.” He shook his head, and then plastered a smile on his face.

“You can only consume Tower Essence in certain locations. I’m not sure why, so don’t ask. It’s just how the Tower works. Those places are the Cathedral, which is where you would have leveled up yesterday after the Reaping. If you wish to level up within the Tower, you need to be at a special altar. These altars are located next to the floor portals on certain floors. The first one you’ll be able to access, in time, will be at the portal that opens up directly past the Boss Area on the fifth floor.”

He looked about and added. “Which means, if you’re not certain you can kill the fifth-floor boss, and have Tower Essence on you, you need to level up. It may take you more time to get back, but trust me, that time is still less than it would take you to get the Essence back. One of the first rules all Climbers need to learn to be successful… Efficiency is key. Don’t throw away time, and Essence,” his gaze turned towards me, “simply because you were impatient, greedy, or plain old being stupid.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I felt my face grow flush. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lyn look away, equally embarrassed. Nyle, on the other hand, was fighting back his laughter.

“Now then,” Ryker scanned the crowd of new Climbers, “are there any other questions before I leave you all to your killing spree?”

Another hand went up. Ryker nodded in at the individual.

“How should we be assigning our points when we level?” The Climber, a female with short, spiky hair, asked. I think her name was Kale.

“That, depends entirely on you.” Ryker said. “There’s no right or wrong way to level. Early on, you’re still discovering what it means to be a Climber, and you’re exposed to a ton of different situations. All of those experiences, will help you grow into your ideal version of yourself. Over time, you’ll find the pattern of your stats, and figure out what path you want to live by.”

“So, there’s not a wrong way to level?” Kale asked.

“I mean…there are definitely less logical ways.” Ryker said. “If you know you dislike using magic, then skill points you assign to holy or arcane are just wasted. And if you don’t plan to use large, heavy weapons, or weapons that require a lot of strength, your strength stat is less important compared to dexterity.” He shrugged, making his obsidian plate shift and clank. “I’m built mostly with strength and constitution. But I’m a front-line tank.” He motioned towards Flint, who was shooting arrows into the sky, and then catching them on the top of his bow as they fell. “Flint’s focus is purely on dexterity. He can’t take a hit for shit, but he’s deadly with a bow and crazy fast when he needs to be.”

“When do we start to notice differences from our stats?” A third person asked. We all perked up at this question. I’d seen my numbers go up with the levels, but honestly, didn’t feel any different.

“The biggest change comes when you’ve put 10 points into a skill. Someone with an 11 in their strength, will be twice as strong as someone with a 1 in their strength. Someone with a 21 in their strength, will be three times as strong as someone with a 1 in strength.” He looked about, “if you have certain skills or items later on, as well, you’ll be able to notice changes after smaller increases. There are items that will let you see the HP of creatures you’re battling, and every stat point of growth will ever so slightly affect your damage output, or resistance. It’s just, harder to notice if you’re not using those items.”

I felt myself flinch as he’d finished his explanation. He’d said there wasn’t a wrong way to level, but I couldn’t help but feel I’d messed up. Lyn had been dumping all of her stat points into Dexterity. Meaning she’d hit 11 in Dex the moment she reached level 10. I’d split all 4 of my current skill points across strength, dexterity, constitution, and arcane. Even if I focused completely on one skill now, I wouldn’t see the same drastic change until I reached level 13. Shit.

Nyle’s hand went up next, while I was having my internal crisis.

“Is it viable to go straight magic?” He asked. “Or would you advise against it?”

Ryker gave him a kind smile. “Thinking about going full mage then Nyle?” he asked.

“I was,” Nyle said with a nod, “if it is an option.”

“It is,” Ryker said. He glanced at Lyn and me. “And with your little team as is, it’s not a bad choice.” He rubbed his chin with a gauntleted hand. “I’ll introduce you to my clan’s mage tonight, once everything’s done. He’ll be able to fill you in on all things magic much better than I can.”

“Thank you.” Nyle said, excitement clear in his voice. More hands shot up, but Ryker laughed and shook his head.

“Find me at Climber’s Rest later,” he said, “or Flint, or one of my other clan members. You all have a lot of farm animals to deal with, and your time is running out.”

And with that, he shooed us all away in different directions, while he and Flint lead the group of farmers away.

“Let’s go Ash,” Lyn nudged me as I watched Ryker leave. “I’ve heard you’ve got a special relationship with the cows, and I’m dying to see it in person.”

I shot Nyle a look, and he grinned from ear to ear.