Chapter 82

“Are you sure?” I asked Alax as we stood in the entryway of Climber’s Rest. It was the start of a new day. Following Alexandra’s mention of Damnation, which she refused to further detail, we split from Alax. The spear and shield user had his meeting with Jade, after all, and Lyn, Nyle, and me had enjoyed another evening relaxing, recounting the day, and trying not to put too much thought into Alexandra’s mysterious ways.

“Yeah,” Alax ran a hand through his hair. “Jade gave me a lot of helpful information on how to become a climber like her. She’s strength focused, of course, with holy and constitution as her other big stats. But either way, even with me focusing on constitution and faith, she gave me some tasks to complete this week.”

“And that means you can’t join us on our leveling climb?” I asked. “Did you want to join us for the Den Mother when we’re ready?” I’d discussed it with Lyn and Nyle. Both had agreed having Alax join the fight would be helpful. Considering the three of us weren’t keen on getting eaten again, having a dedicated tank would be nice.

“That’s right,” Alax sighed, “I’ll be spending the next few days helping with the Miner’s Guild across the third and fourth floors. It’ll give me a chance to level, though not as fast as you guys. The importance, according to Jade, was that I become familiar with the floors, and also gather a large number of ore and resources. She told me I need to donate roughly seventy-five percent of everything I acquire to the Cathedral, to ensure I can get the pieces of gear I need.” He sighed again. “She also said doing this by myself, would reflect better in the eyes of the Tower. Whatever that means.”

“If that’s what she said,” I replied, “then that’s what you need to do. I don’t think any of us will question advice coming from an A Rank Climber.” Nyle and Lyn nodded at my words.

“I’m just happy to have a path now to follow.” Alax said, a smile crossing his face. “These last few days, I’ve just been so… angry and lost. You helped me realize that. Now I’ve got a path, a goal. And on top of it, someone like Jade to guide me.” He held his hand out to me, and I shook it. “Thank you, Ash.”

“We’re all Climbers,” I said as he released my hand, “we should always help each other out and work together when we can. Don’t mention it.”

“I’ll never forgive myself for how I acted yesterday. But when I’m able, once I’m stronger, I’ll make sure to repay you for your kindness Ash. Someday.”

“Until then,” Nyle cut in, “poor Ash here is just going to have to take up his role of off-tank again.” Nyle patted me on the back. “Lucky you.”

Lyn, Nyle, and Alax all laughed at that.

“I really like how the three of you think me getting mauled and pummeled by monsters in the Tower is so funny.” I said, though it was hard to sound bitter.

“It’s just an incentive to make sure you get better at dodging.” Lyn said with a small giggle.

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“Rich talk coming from you,” I countered, “if Flint were here, I’m sure he’d be happy to give you another lesson in the importance of dodging as well.” Lyn’s smile disappeared quickly, causing my own smile to grow.

With the mood light, Alax bid his farewell, and walked towards the job board, likely to grab a listing from the Miner’s Guild. I couldn’t help but wonder if seventy-five percent was the correct rate to ensure you could acquire effective gear from the Cathedral. It seemed really high. Perhaps the number was based on the quality or value of the goods donated? The type? Another question I’d need answered. After today’s climb, I was definitely going to look through the Climber records held at the Cathedral.

“Do we want to try to find another member?” Nyle asked as we began to walk towards the large doors that led out of Climber’s Rest. “Or should we just stick to the three of us?”

“Another member or two wouldn’t hurt,” I began, looking from Lyn to Nyle, “but I don’t think it’s necessary right now. Besides, Ryker and Flint were pretty certain the three of us would be able to take on the Den Mother once we hit level 15 and improved our gear. And I trust them.”

“There’s also the matter of loot rarity and drops within the Tower.” Lyn added. “It’s been mentioned more than once that the harder a task, the better the chance at good loot.” She looked at Nyle, “which apparently is part of why your mentor is off soloing the dungeon.”

Nyle returned her nod. “Higher risk, higher reward.” He sighed, “though, it would have been nice for her to at least be here to tell me these things herself.”

“I’m sure she’ll be back sooner or later,” I commented. We stepped out of Climber’s Rest, and I noted a few Climbers were walking ahead of us, while others were milling about, waiting perhaps for their teammates, or just catching up with each other before the day began. There was about an hour to go before Dawn. We were leaving early simply to ensure we could get into the Tower quickly, to maximize our chances at gaining the essence we needed to climb from level 10, to level 15 today.

“Before, or after we’ve killed the Den Mother?” Nyle asked dejectedly. Sure, Eb had given him a lot of advice, as had Ryker. But I knew Nyle was sad he hadn’t gotten to see his mentor yet. How much had she changed in the year? What level was she, what was her build like? What type of gear did she have? All things that Nyle would have to be patient to find out. Luckily for him, we had just the thing planned today, to keep his mind occupied.

We’d done the math. We needed to kill 23 monsters on the third floor to reach level 12. Then we could technically gain 6 more essence from the level 6 monsters on the third floor, before we had to start killing fourth floor monsters. The fourth floor’s level 8 monsters could get us to level 14, and then, we’d have to kill the final mobs on the fifth, to hit level 15. Just hitting level 15, would mean we killed a total of 65 monsters today across those three floors. And, if we were being smart and heading back to level before climbing to each new floor, it meant we’d have a busy, busy day ahead of us.

Considering none of us had been to any of the higher floors, it also meant we’d be heading in with no firsthand experience amongst our group. No guides to lead us, no one to help us figure out our path, or show us ins and outs of the floor, like Quill had with the second. No. Today, it’d be like the Reaping all over. Only, compared to how we were, just three days ago, the feeling, our level of preparedness, felt like night and day. Lyn’s Dexterity was level 11, a huge boon for her. I had Claw and Fang at my disposal, and with my latest leveling had ensured the base damage of those daggers was an 8. And Nyle… well… he’d bought more potions.

Between the three of us, we were all stronger, more prepared, than any time we’d stepped foot within the Tower before. And, with no expectations on us, no non Climbers to worry about, we could focus purely on leveling.

I felt my smile grow as we began the walk towards the massive, faintly glowing white monolith that was the Tower. Today was going to be an amazing day.