Three days passed since Alex and Angela returned to Thornhold. Alex continued to level and broke into level 19 while Angela pushed closer to level 15. Angela’s experimentations continued as she got to work on the new battery prototype in between making an excess of armor and weapons. Together they walked down one of the main thoroughfares of Thornhold.
“I’ve decided on a magic,” said Alex. “Though the pendant is nowhere near filled up, I’ve made a decision. I will choose telekinesis.”
“That is assuming that the pendant will give you a choice,” said Angela. “What made you choose telekinesis for now?”
“It is useful, and I already have a rather destructive power even if I can’t use it that much as one. Telekinesis would also slot it well with my current utility uses I have for magic. Though its synergistic possibilities are probably pretty low. Most types of magic that aren’t also destructive attack magics aren’t very synergistic with lightning.”
“That does make some sense. Even if it isn’t a direct destructive magic Adrian showed how it could be used for destruction by brute force throwing stuff around until it broke. I’m sure if you could gain its power that you would mold it to your uses quite well.”
“I will try. How are you settling into this new floor? New city,” asked Alex.
“The transition has been abrupt in part because of Adrian’s attack. I’ve had to move all my stuff quickly onto the second floor. I did visit once because I had to collect a few things. It is still pretty barren. The town has definitely shrunk. I’m not sure if it will be the same. Most people from what I can tell are travelers and wanderers. People are more interested in travelling through the town than staying in it. The people who had started to settle in Elize have moved to Gavros. It is close, safe, and has more people and amenities.”
“That is a shame. I wish we could do more but I’m not sure what I could do. We stopped the threat and helped many people, but the effects were felt still. If I were in their position I would probably move as well. Even if the town isn’t likely to be attacked again. The fact that it was attacked once is enough for most people.”
"Indeed," Angela agreed, her gaze distant. "It's a harsh reality of this world. Safety and stability are paramount. It's not just about the physical threat, but the psychological impact as well. People need to feel secure in their homes."
Alex nodded, understanding her point. "I suppose it's something we'll have to keep in mind as we continue to navigate through this world. We can't always prevent every disaster, but we can strive to minimize the damage and help rebuild."
"Speaking of rebuilding," Angela said, changing the subject, "how's your progress with the pendant? Have you managed to fill it up any further?"
Alex shook his head. "Not yet. It's a slow process, and I'm still figuring out the best way to feed it I guess. But I'm hopeful. If I can master telekinesis, it could open up a lot of possibilities for us. I suspect that it is in its nature to better feed on sentient souls than monster souls. I’ll keep working on it though. Even if it is slow. Adrian was able to get it to work and the system seems to recognize it as a working item."
“I guess you will have to continue to rely on your lightning magic for a while longer.”
“I just want it to work properly. My status is stuck with that singular spell and my only hope is to add other magics to that list until I have a way to reliably get lightning either from storms or from a crafted battery.”
“I am sure that you will find something. Even if there is little to be done except build a battery the pendant proves that there are items that can manipulate your status. Even if I or other people can’t craft it right now. It is possible that it could be crafted in the future on other floors or with other loot items.”
Their walking pace slowed as they entered the northern center of the city. The cobblestone streets of the town square were bustling with activity as Alex and Angela made their way through the crowd. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation, a palpable energy that seemed to ripple through the throng of people. The sun was high in the sky, casting long shadows that danced across the square. The sound of chatter filled the air, a cacophony of voices that echoed off the stone buildings surrounding the square. Alex tried to make out why people were stopped.
In the distance, a man stood on a platform, his voice carrying over the crowd. He was dressed in the traditional garb of the Seekers guild, a long, flowing robe adorned with intricate patterns. His voice was strong and clear, echoing across the square as he relayed his message.
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"Friends, we have fought through the undead horde and found a new city," he proclaimed, his voice filled with pride. "In doing so, we have unlocked the next floor of the Tower. I encourage you all to check the city teleporters. We have worked with the IronClad Defenders and entered the third floor, and it is glorious. While we are here in part to gloat, we would like to announce something else we learned on the third floor. We would highly recommend that you enter the third floor in the next two weeks or else you will miss something very valuable that may not return to the Tower for a year or more. We would prefer that as many climbers as possible join and show off their skills on the third floor."
A murmur swept through the crowd, a wave of excitement that seemed to electrify the air. People began to discuss amongst themselves, their voices a mix of disbelief and awe. The news was monumental.
Alex felt a surge of adrenaline. The next floor of the Tower had been unlocked. This was a significant achievement, a testament to the strength and resilience of their guilds. He turned to Angela, his eyes wide with excitement. "I need to confirm this," he said, his voice filled with determination.
He made his way through the crowd, his heart pounding in his chest. The news had sent a shockwave through the city, a ripple of excitement that was impossible to ignore. As he approached the teleporters, he could see the confirmation on the faces of those around him. The next floor had indeed been unlocked. Still, we went into the building and stood in front of the teleporters. When he reached out his hand Alex felt the list fill his mind. At the bottom of the list were the Earth exits each of which were grayed out. He took a step back letting others see it for themselves.
When he returned to the crowd outside the realizations had swept through the crowd like a wave, a collective gasp that echoed through the square. The Seekers and the Ironclad Defenders had done it. They had fought through the undead horde and found a new city. They had unlocked the next floor of the Tower. Some ran to tell others and some Seeker members were no doubt spreading word to the first-floor cities as well.
Alex considered what it meant as he walked back. He turned back to Angela "It's true," he said with certainty. "The next floor has been unlocked. Rich and Eric are on the third floor.” Alex’s heart thrummed in his chest. The next floor had opened and so had new opportunities. They were now on a timetable if the Seeker’s guild member was to be believed. The Tower would be in a frenzy now.
“What do you think he means by limited time occurrence?” asked Angela.
Alex paused for a moment considering. “When the Tower first opened cities were thrown at the wolves and all manner of other first floor creatures. It encouraged me and many others to slay the creatures as quickly as possible and to slay as many as possible. The rewards, though I have been able to confirm with others was a change in powers and starting place within the Tower, for me that meant that the traditional lightning mage path was altered to have only one spell and power that could be used in infinitely many ways. I didn’t really know it at the time but the change to my path gave me more flexibility with my magic.
“The Tower seems to be once again encouraging the first groups of people entering the next floor. Whether that encouragement is through better loot, the native people offering better pricing for things. We will just have to go there to find out.”
“The way they have described it whatever the incentive is must involve a lot of people. Or the rewards must improve by having more participants. If it was just better loot and so on then they would want to keep it to themselves for as long as possible,” said Angela. “We also may want to return to Earth for a bit. People will no doubt record and report on the creatures that are brought from the third floor.”
“You can go do that if you would like,” said Alex. “but I doubt care for what the third floor has at the moment. While it is important I need to get to the third floor. You do to. I need to get to level 20 and see if I can accelerate my plans to get into the third floor. Many people will be going out as soon as possible and we could join one of their groups. Based on what the Seekers attempted and succeeded in I am sure there will be a few large raiding parties going out and we should be able to join them. How are your requirements for the next floor and do you think you can follow me up in a week or so?”
“I think so,” Angela said unsure of herself, “I will have to increase my time in the forge a bit and I would have to have a consistent stream of materials to work with. If I can get to level 17 and then build the new battery prototype I should have a low enough failure rate and crafting experience to enter the third floor at the same time as you.”
“I have been working with some excess Tower Points for a while now and if spending them now means we can enter the third floor before their two-week deadline then it will be worth it. Spend the points on the resource you will need in between my hunts. If you can work on a change of gear for me that would be beneficial. These knives are dulling and if I am to face level 25 foes I will need an upgrade. Don’t forget to upgrade your own crafting equipment as well. You will want to get that failure rate down as quickly and as much as possible so that your XP and Tower Points can increase.”
Alex took her hand and transferred over 5000 of his current stash of Tower Points for her to work with. Her eyes widened realizing the amount of points that she now had to work with.
“This is so much. I can do a lot with this amount with this and with you subsidizing some additional materials. What are you going to do now?” asked Angela.
“I need to find us a raiding team. I’ll find one we can join and once I’ve secured a spot I’m going to return to the battlefield beyond the wall. Even if there isn’t a storm I need to be out there collecting resources for you and leveling up.”
“Then let’s get to work,” responded Angela.