"What's going on? What do you mean, the other side?" a brown haired man who appeared to be in his thirties asked, and from the puzzled looks Noah saw on a few other people's faces, he wasn't the only one confused.
Schmitt turned to gaze at the man, and nodded at him as if he were sympathizing with his befuddlement, "Ah, my dear friend, you see I happen to be an architect by trade. And from the moment I arrived, I have been trying to figure out a lay of the land. Now, let me ask you all a question," he turned to face the rest of the group, "How many of you can claim to have ventured deep northward, your curiosity getting the best of your prudence? Please, do raise your hands."
Noah took a moment to decide whether he'd reveal the truth or not, but having come this far it made little sense to jeapordize their collective expedition. To his surprise, only two other people raised their hands, both of them painted white under his lens.
Schmitt clapped his hands together at the sight and answered, "As I thought. You see, I suspect that most of our adventurous explorers are likely dead. The ones here are either survivors, lucky enough to retreat in time, or maybe a little of both. Anything you'd like to share about your experiences?"
"It felt plain wrong," answered a blonde woman who didn't appear to be a day older than 25, part of a group of three men and one woman other than her. "Like, it felt that if I took another step into the wilderness, I'd be executed right on the spot without ever knowing how," her voice coming close to wavering near the end.
"Pretty much what the girl said," chimed in an athletic middle aged man, with a grizzly beard and bushy moustache. "I don't think I would've survived a second under whatever monstrosity lurks in that place, and hell," the man widened both his hands out, "I ain't sure if we will survive now, even with all this firepower."
A tense silence gripped the group, which Noah, despite his best instincts, decided to break "I fought something. Barely got away with my life. The system called them [Goblin Rogue], and they're smarter than the average goblin. Blue skinned creatures, they wait for the perfect moment and then launch an ambush. A Rogue tried to get me from above, and it was only blind luck that saved me."
"I see," Schmitt said, falling deep in thought. "Thank you, young man. You have contributed immensely to our expedition. Now, if I may have everyone's attention please," he proceeded to pick up a sturdy branch from the ground, and began to draw a square on a barren patch of land.
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"Now, I happen to be an architect by trade, and thus logically my first step was to try and ascertain the lay of the land. Do you all not find it odd, that despite the system's claims that there were a thousand challengers in this god forsaken land, or 694 by the latest count, only 80 odd people came to heed our call. And we have yet to see even a glimpse of the floor's objective despite spending almost 22 hours on [Gridlocked]?"
"They're on the other side," one of the men painted deep crimson by Noah's Lens answered with a grunt.
"Precisely, my good sir. Now, once we have that piece of the puzzle, the rest is simple. Our objective lies in the center of the floor, guarded by enemies the likes of which we are yet to encounter, perhaps placed defensively along the way. Now, another thing I fear is that if we try to make an alliance and wait it out, the creatures will come for us instead. Thus, the logical answer is to launch a coordinated strike with the group on the other side, and hope for the best. Do not forget, ladies and gentlemen, that the one who clears the floor is also provided with rewards. For all we know, it could be the [Elixir of Life] we all covet, or perhaps, something even greater."
"Wait, how do we coordinate with the other side?" the burly man standing behind Schmitt asked.
"Ah, Khan, we have many worries but that happens to be the least of them. The first shot was a message, both to you all and those on the other side, telling them that there was a need to regroup. The second,which we will launch in two hours at daybreak, will indicate that we've set out for our destination. The third will be fired when we reach our destination, the [Goblin Lord]."
"Can't we just wait it out? I mean, we have the people for it," Noah asked the unspoken question, and many people looked at Schmitt questioningly.
"Good question, young man. You see, it is a matter of semantics. From my experience, winners and losers can be many things in life, but there is always a distinction. You see, the tower promises us progression to the next floor if we slay the goblin lord, but only automatic ascension if 50 percent of the challengers are eliminated. Automatic ascension to where, exactly? A death trap even worse than this one? Why set the trial at all, if the losers are treated as well as the victors? I'm sure that many of you came here not pursuing some grand quest but because there is strength in numbers, but you must understand that a coward's victory may lead to an even worse level of purgatory."
"I.... didn't think of it that way. You're right," Noah answered, but he was wondering if such a condition really existed. Did the Eternal Lion not tell him about this condition because he didn't want to pressure Noah? Or was their group leader thinking too much into it. He'd have to ask him at daybreak.
"Now, my friends, I suggest you make your preparations. If you feel that you are not up to the task, feel free to leave without any judgement. I am but one man, and I can be wrong. But I believe that each of you have your own reasons for taking the risk, and the trouble to come all the way to this alien wonderland, I believe that if you follow me, you will find what you are searching for."
The challengers looked around, discussed with their companions in hushed tones....
But not a single one retreated.