The city of Thornhold was pulsating with a vibrancy that was more intense than the norm. A noticeable influx of people had flooded the first level of the city, with a significant number seeping into the second level. Thornhold's unique standing as the solitary urban centre for the denizens of the second floor meant that its growth was palpable and continuous. Its population ebbed and flowed in a ceaseless rhythm through the city's arteries – streets bustling with life, shops teeming with customers, and battlefields crowded with those seeking to enhance their power.
The process of navigating to the second floor had become a common knowledge, and an increasing number of individuals had started undertaking the requisite quests for the ascension. There was a transformative element in the city's dynamics that Alex had begun to value, a fact that had previously escaped his notice - the inherent magical properties of the Tower.
Everything flowed naturally in relation to language. Even if the elves or other humans weren’t moving their mouths in a way he should’ve expected. What he heard in the end was the English language and his mind ignored the rest. Any language spoke was transformed to be whatever the sounds needed to be.
As more people walked the streets Alex found himself in search of faster ways around the city and any shortcuts to the smaller shops that fewer people had found. Alex felt the knives strapped to his vest.
“I need to investigate changing up my gear. Not just with higher level stuff but the way I fight entirely. Being able to mix in lightning magic changes things and has given me more ways to take down an enemy. For now, though I’ll wear through my current dagger set and then investigate my options then.”
The option was intriguing to Alex. Right now, other than his cloak, which Rich didn’t know he had now, the main way to identify him was his dual knife fighting style and the fact that he didn’t move exactly like a ranger. While it would take some time to adjust from his current knife style, he knew he was already tending towards a single knife style because of the need to have one hand free for the use of his disruption spell. Though he could try and use his spell through the knife it would be inefficient, Alex considered. His mind wandered to other possible fighting styles and ways of using his current close-range style with current and future spells that he had in mind.
“I could lose the vest and go with dual short blades. They would give me the longer range I need at times and will transfer some moves. All while changing up the look. I don’t want to go full swordsman. I don’t have the strength for that, and people would note my peculiarities more than they probably do already. The one problem with short blades that I see now is that it is harder to drop or swap from two blades to one in case of a need to cast a spell. I suppose I could have some weapons custom made that will better channel lightning but that would add more expenses to something I’m not sure I can afford yet.”
Alex saw an alley up ahead and turned down it. He walked a few steps and then stopped. “You can come out of the shadows and introduce yourself stranger.”
A cryptic, unfamiliar male voice responded from the depths of obscurity. “I’m surprised you detected my presence. My stealth might be flawed, it seems.”
Alex, with his hands instinctively braced on his knife-laden vest, shot back. “You're yet to introduce yourself, and I'm not fond of an arrow pressing against my back.”
“I advise you to distance your hands from your blades, Alex,” the voice retorted. “Even though we haven’t formally met, it's my duty to know everything about you.”
The possibility of drawing a dagger from his arsenal flitted across Alex's mind, but he quickly dismissed it. Any move he made would surely be noted by this vigilant ranger. His apprehension grew further when he realized the stranger was a level 20, the most formidable non-native he had encountered. Slowly, he outstretched his hands and began to rotate. The archer's grip around his bow tightened, but no arrow took flight.
Eventually, Alex could finally 'see' his obscure follower. The man had been shadowing him for at least two city blocks. A formidable archer, as Alex had already deduced. The man's equipment bore the marks of expert craftsmanship, customized through the hands of one of the guilds, patterned to resemble military camouflage. The metallic pin affixed near his collar was something Alex didn't need his enhanced senses to identify.
“Government agent,” Alex stated flatly. “A mercenary.”
“Indeed. That's what some choose to label us. If you comply and accompany me back to Earth, it will simplify matters for both of us.”
Alex retorted, “That may be so, but you've yet to justify why I should follow you.”
“You are required for questioning regarding a man's mysterious death.”
“I’d rather not return to Earth at present. I have obligations to tend to here.”
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“Perhaps like your mortgage, credit card, and student loan debts? Be aware, if you refuse, less amicable individuals will be dispatched to retrieve you. Your testimony cannot be digitally recorded here so I need you to come with me, and it's likely you'll escape as soon as my back is turned.”
“True, as far as that goes. But, as an American, and with you seemingly British from your accent, do you possess the authority to detain me?”
“If legality is your concern, then the answer is yes. Regardless of the location, I am empowered to apprehend you for any global investigation you might be implicated in.”
“Evidently, things have changed on Earth since my last visit.”
“When, exactly, did you last set foot on Earth?” the man asked.
“Almost two months have passed since I've been to my apartment. But given you already know my name you must be aware of that fact.”
“I'm growing weary of your stalling.”
“Likewise, I'm tired of that arrow menacingly pointed at my chest,” Alex snapped back.
“To ensure that, you'll need to slowly undo your armor straps and drop your knife vest. And yes, the armor too.”
“Even the armor?”
“I cannot risk the potential of concealed weapons. Now, are you prepared to cooperate?”
Alex was stuck in his thoughts as the confrontation. “It is clear this guy is after me because of my actions with Angela. They are investigating me because I likely showed up out of the Tower around the same time and then was around Angela for a while. I don’t know if any camera were around in the area, but my powers knocked them out for a while afterwards. This guy is ready to kill me and though he hasn’t said it is treating me as a murderer. Even if that is accurate. I wish I had more information about who it was that I killed. Was he important or was he just some thug. Either way I think my general plan has been messed up. I was supposed to be on this floor quietly until my revenge. I was supposed to be reported dead. I guess I was for a week or so. I need to return to Earth and figure this out. Though on my own terms and not in cuffs in front of this guy. Let me start with playing around with some misconceptions and undocumented facts.” Thought Alex with a plan forming in his mind.
Alex pulsed his magic reaching out to the archer’s arm. With an ear-splitting crack, the arrow that had been aimed at him detonated against the cold, grey stone wall beside him. The power of the explosion sent fragments of the arrow and bits of stone flying in all directions. This unexpected incident was the direct result of Alex's magic, which had induced a sudden, involuntary twitch in the archer's arm just as he released the arrow. The shot veered off course, missing Alex entirely, hitting the wall instead of him.
Reacting instantly to the changed situation, Alex made a dash towards the archer. His fingers danced across his vest, deftly moving to draw something from it, all the while keeping his movements fluid, making sure he didn't lose his advantage. The man dropped his bow and fell to his knees. Alex slowed as he put his free hand on the man. He realized quickly what was going on through his mana vision.
What he saw through his mana vision shocked him. The man was shaking uncontrollably, every muscle in his body spasming violently. This was due to the residual magic energy that had spread throughout his body. It had initially been targeted at the archer's hand, meant only to incapacitate him temporarily, but the energy had inadvertently dispersed, affecting him in ways it was not supposed to.
The once robust archer was now convulsing, his body racked with spasms as the magical energy disrupted his body functions. It was as if a powerful electrical current was coursing through his body, causing havoc internally. Organs were distressed, body functions were being interrupted, turning the archer into a convulsing heap.
Alex laid the man’s head down his mind racing. “Shit. If I don’t do anything this guy is going to die and I suspect things are going to get even worse for me. This is just like when I used the attack on monsters except this time, I need to reverse the effect. Reverse the effect,” he said to himself.
"There's got to be a way to fix this using what I have," Alex muttered, determination lighting his eyes.
He knelt by the archer, his mind racing to find a solution. "Lightning and the human body... they're both electric, in a way. Both involve currents," Alex thought aloud, recalling the basics of human physiology he'd learnt in school. The heart, he remembered, worked on electrical impulses.
Alex extended his hand, placing it above the archer's heart. His fingers charged with the electricity he was becoming more adept at controlling. He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.
"Okay, Alex. Small pulses, like a heartbeat," he instructed himself, creating a visual in his mind. "Not too strong, just enough to kick-start the heart."
Closing his eyes, he focused, sending out a minuscule bolt of electricity, just a gentle push. The first beat was met with no response, the man's body remained frighteningly still. Not to be deterred, Alex sent out another pulse, this one slightly stronger. He did it once more
In the silence of the side street, the echo of a single heartbeat resonated, soft yet distinct. A slow sigh of relief escaped from Alex’s lips, but he was far from done.
"Alright, now to handle the rest of him," he said. His fingers moved away from the man's heart, shifting towards his head, the source of the nervous system.
With the utmost care, Alex sent tiny pulses of electricity through the archer's body, aiming to restart disrupted functions. The man's convulsions began to slow, then finally cease as the electricity managed to regulate his nervous system back to normal.
"Okay, I think... I think that did it," Alex murmured, collapsing back onto his heels, exhaustion creeping into his limbs. He watched as the man's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, a clear sign of his successful, albeit unconventional, lifesaving technique. “I’m not sure I want to be around when he wakes up. I do need to get back to Earth. But when I get there, I’m not sure what I’m going to do. As he said I no longer have any real ties to Earth anymore. After disappearing I haven’t returned to my apartment, pay for anything, or even keep up with the news. The only thing I have left there of note is some unresolved talks with Caleb. He probably assumes I am dead along with most other people now. And Angela. She has helped me out so much. I should check on her. If people are searching for me then they probably identified Angela as well. It is time for me to return to Earth.”