“Another new climber in arrival. Name,” said a voice as soon as Alex entered the second floor. He looked around quickly realizing that the person speaking was a dwarf in full battle armor. On his side was a sword and a satchel. “Name?”

“Oh, right. I’m Alex,” he answered realizing that there was a question directed at himself.

“Welcome to the second floor. This is the south entrance and the one everyone new uses. Go register yourself at the north entrance portal and use it in the future. For now, you must pay the first-time entry fee.”

“A fee? How much is that?” asked Alex. “I wasn’t aware of there being a fee for entering.”

“It is part of the process. Because you are new of course you aren’t aware of it. It pays for some of the facilities and areas in the city. The second floor isn’t like the first floor. Tower expects you to be more independent and able to handle yourself. And don’t give me that look. Just pay it and ask someone else your questions about the floor. Otherwise, turn around and head back down.”

“I’ll pay for it. Just point me in the direction of the other entrance,” said Alex with a grumble as he handed over the points.

“Take a right out of this building and head down the main road. It will be well-marked and probably busy though, at this time of night, it may be fine.”

“Thanks.” Alex walked through the hallway out into the city. The old building opened into the wider city.

In the hushed tranquillity of the night, Thornhold exuded an aura of the ancient world. It was a city carved from stone, every inch echoing with the whispers of countless tales. The canvas of the night sky stretched above, studded with stars that cast a dim luminescence over the cityscape.

The buildings, reminiscent of Gothic architecture, bore an air of grandeur. High pointed arches and intricate stone carvings adorned their facades, with stained glass windows reflecting the faint starlight. Alex found them an interesting contrast to Gavros, the city which he had come from. These structures around him looked and felt older. More traveled and used.

The city streets, paved with worn cobblestones, meandered between these architectural marvels. The faint echoes of the city's day-time vibrancy were now replaced with a serene stillness, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of the wind.

And dominating the cityscape was the colossal tower, a castle in its own right. Its high walls, adorned with battlements and turrets, rose majestically against the backdrop of the night. Thornhold's tower was the city's heart, pulsating with a life force that subtly hummed in the quiet night. Alex recognized it as the city hall which held his first destination.

Thornold's gothic allure took center stage. The city was a living testament to the past, yet with an ever-present pulse of the present. For the newcomer, it was an invitation to delve into the annals of the city, to learn and to add to its eternal tale. Around the city center were a few adventurers loitering around. Alex hurried his pace and promised himself that he would take a proper look around in the morning.

He took the time to check his status while he entered the city hall.

<<<>>>

Name: Alex

Path: Magic (Sub-Path: Lightning)

Rating: G

Level: 15 (32%)

Abilities (1/1):

Manipulate Electricity [F]

Tower Points: 740

<<<>>>

The sole alteration in his status was reflected in his accumulated Tower Points. Alex took a moment to survey his surroundings, absorbing the new reality that enveloped him. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he found himself in the company of individuals who were significantly more advanced than him, their levels surpassing his by at least three, and in some instances, even by five.

In the initial month of his journey on the first floor, Alex had indeed observed the presence of higher-level individuals around him. However, the sheer intensity of the power that now radiated from those in his vicinity was a sensation he had not previously experienced. The warriors who surrounded him were not mere mortals; they were akin to forces of nature, their strength and prowess palpable in the air around them.

Taking a deep breath, Alex took a step forward, swiftly activating the teleportation beacon. However, he refrained from selecting a destination to return to. As he stepped back, he noticed an addition and a modification in his list of beacons. Now, the list included two new entries: Thornhold (South) and Thornhold (North). With a final glance at the teleporter, Alex turned around and began his journey toward the door.

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As he exited into the main lobby, he noticed a group of adventurers casually loitering around. Their badges caught his eye, the insignia indicating their affiliation with the blacksmith’s guild. A memory flashed in Alex's mind, a conversation with Caleb where he had shared some insights about this group and their activities.

Despite his lingering skepticism towards human crafters, particularly when it came to entrusting them with the construction of a battery, Alex acknowledged that they could potentially serve as a valuable source of information. He still harbored reservations, but he also recognized the importance of learning from those around him, even if their craft was not his own. “Hello,” he said introducing himself slowly. “I’m looking for information or where I can find information. I just got onto this floor. If you can help me?”

One of the guild members stepped forward. “You are not part of a guild. That is interesting.” Alex cringed realizing the man was now taking a good look at his face. He did not want anyone to recognize him. For a moment he considered tapping into his magic. The power swirled within himself, but he dropped it. “You have come at the right time rogue. I will only give you this piece of information. The undead come out in full force at night. Do not fight them now if you value your life. Let the guards up on the castle walls defend unless you can attack at range. In the morning the gats will open for all, and you will be able to enter and leave freely. If you want more information you will have to pay or find someone else.”

The man waved him away and it was clear to Alex that the man and the others were not interested in speaking any further.

As Alex wandered through the complex streets, he took in all the information around him, paying close attention to the unique features of his surroundings. He was on a mission to find a cozy inn for the night. He was starting to feel tired from the day's activities, and he was becoming more and more curious about what lay beyond the city's borders.

His path took him near one of the walls of Thornhold city. The 50-foot-tall walls stood with guards that Alex first took for statues due to their unmoving nature. The closer he looked Alex realized that there was some movement of the guards, and the walls were marked by long cracks and chips. Some spots had clear markings of repair while others looked worn down bringing even more of an ancient look to the city.

As he navigated the labyrinthine streets of Thornhold, he was drawn to a quaint inn nestled between two towering stone buildings. The sign hanging above the door depicted a frothy mug of ale, and the warm glow from the windows promised a respite from the chill of the evening.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Alex stepped into the inn. The interior was cozy, filled with the low murmur of conversation and the scent of roasting meat. Behind the counter, a burly dwarf with a grizzled beard was busy pouring drinks. Alex approached him.

"Evening," Alex greeted, his voice carrying a hint of weariness. "I've got a few questions if you've got the time."

The innkeeper looked him over, a calculating glint in his eyes. "It's 500 Tower Points for a room and the privilege of asking questions," he replied, his tone gruff but not unkind.

Alex considered this for a moment, his gaze drifting to the key rack behind the counter. Alex checked his point total and worried for a moment as he considered how much he would have in a minute. He was running low on point and would need to gather more soon. It made him glad that he hadn’t spent money on a generator yet and had kept up some amount of points in stock. "Deal."

The innkeeper nodded, accepting the payment. He handed over a key, its metal was worn and smooth from countless hands. "Room seven, upstairs. Now, what's your question?"

"How much can an average climber earn per day on the second floor?" Alex asked, his curiosity piqued by the economy of this new floor.

The innkeeper leaned back, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Depends on the climber's skill, but on average, I'd say about 450 to 500 Tower Points."

Alex nodded, storing away the information. His expression turned serious as he posed his next question. "What can you tell me about the undead outside the city?"

"What do you want to know?" the innkeeper retorted.

"How aggressive are they? How strong are they near the city? How far do I need to travel to find a good hunting spot? I'm new here."

"That's clear enough. But let me ask you something. Have you been to the city walls?"

"I passed by them on my way here. Why do you ask?"

"They're not just for show. They keep the undead out. Climb to the top sometime and look down. In the early morning, a path is cleared for the gates to open, and you can choose to venture out and face the undead. But come nightfall, they swarm back to the gates and walls. You won't have to go far."

"And how do people travel between cities?" Alex asked, curious about the whereabouts of other communities on the second floor.

The innkeeper laughed. "There are no other cities. Thornhold is all we have. The rest are nothing but ruins, overrun by the undead and uninhabitable."

Alex blinked in surprise. "No other cities? Then how does Thornhold survive?"

The innkeeper shrugged. His expression nonchalant. "We get shipments from the lower floors. Adventurers heading out also bring back what they can. It creates a valuable market for materials. That's part of the reason why prices are inflated on the second floor."

Alex absorbed this information, his mind whirling with the implications. The economy of Thornhold had a delicate balance, reliant on the bravery of adventurers and the resources of the lower floors. It was a system that worked, but it was also one that was vulnerable to disruption.

He had one more question, one that had been nagging at him since he arrived. "What's the best way to earn Tower Points on this floor?" he asked, his gaze steady on the innkeeper.

The dwarf chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "That's the million Tower Point question, isn't it? It depends on your skills and your willingness to risk your neck. Some folks make a living hunting the undead, others trade goods, and some take on jobs from the guilds. But if you're looking for a quick way to earn points, I'd start by taking risks. It is the only way you are going to escape this floor."

"And do you know how I can leave this floor?" asked Alex while not expecting an answer.

"That is something anyone can tell you. Go to the shops and ask for maps of the surrounding area or make one yourself. Explore the noted areas and search for one of the ruined cities. There you can take the city's teleporter up to the third level. That of course makes it sound so simple. To get there of course you'll have to fight your way through thousands of undead and survive overnight because there are few ways to get to one of the cities before night falls."

“Is there a good way to survive overnight?” Alex asked cautiously.

“You will have to figure that out yourself,” responded the innkeeper.