The group composed of Marshmallow, Samantheye, OK Damage, and Goat Horse entered in the Tower of Metal Moose, and the atmosphere overwhelmed them with its intensity. The walls were a mesh of gray stone and shiny metal plates. Deep engravings depicted intertwined trees and gears, or streams flowing alongside conveyor belts.

It was as if every corner of the tower was trying to tell the story of a forgotten era, where nature and machine coexisted in a strange symbiosis. Dim lights, seemingly floating in the air without any apparent source, cast soft shadows along the corridors, making them appear almost alive.

The Goat Horse stepped forward faster than the others. He looked around and launched into an enthusiastic comment. "These walls seem alive! Have you noticed these engravings?"

Everyone ignored him, and the Goat Horse was a bit taken aback. But he couldn't really blame anyone. They were in a place undeniably dangerous, and everyone was on high alert.

However, as they proceeded, they felt increasingly enveloped by an eerie calm. No enemies in sight, just doors wide open welcoming them. It was Samantheye who broke the silence with a chilling realization. "We're late. The Novgovians have already been through here."

Samantheye's words hit hard, forcing everyone to stop and think. Marshmallow, with a furrowed brow, voiced his confusion. "It doesn't make sense. We got here as soon as the biomachines stopped being a threat. How could they have gotten ahead of us?"

Dam and the Goat Horse, almost in sync, nodded in agreement, sharing the confusion.

Sam remained silent for a moment, then with a decisive voice, she shared her hypothesis. "Either they found another way in, or they have the strength to plow through a herd of biomachines and carve out a path. But the first option seems more plausible to me. The Survivor Game started less than a week ago, and the player levels are still all relatively low. And even for their leader, an A Rank, it would have been a herculean task to cross the battlefield amid the biomachines."

There was no other choice. They had to hurry; the Novgovians were probably already at the top. As soon as Samantheye took off, her acceleration was astonishing, and she was fast as the wind. Every movement was precise, almost mechanical, as she zigzagged through the debris with superhuman efficiency.

Dam, despite his considerable agility as a B Rank, struggled to keep up with Samantheye's pace. His three tails waved frantically in a desperate attempt to balance his run. Between gasps for air, he threw a jab at her. "Hey, Sam! Did you forget to turn off autopilot? Even a Novgovian with wings couldn't keep up with you!"

Samantheye didn't even turn around, her focus was entirely on the goal: the top of the tower. "We'll talk about speed when we have the Prismatronic Core."

Marshmallow, realizing he could never match Samantheye's speed on his own, turned to the Goat Horse with an urgent request. "Goat Horse, it's time to give it your all. We can't afford to fall behind now!"

The Goat Horse nodded, and with an almost instant transformation, took on his equine form mid-stride. Marshmallow leaped onto his back, clinging tightly as the equine charged forward at full speed, managing to match the pace of the two B Ranks.

Meanwhile, Dam didn't miss the chance to express his annoyance at Samantheye's icy demeanor. "At this rate, you'll become a legend, Sam. The Ice Queen of the Tower of Metal Moose. Too bad ice tends to melt," he said, his tone hiding a shade of resentment mixed with involuntary admiration.

Sam, maintaining her steady pace, replied without turning back. "Instead of thinking about legends, focus on the Prismatronic Core."

Dam shot her a look of displeasure. "What's the rush, Sam? You like to burn through stages?"

"Damn it, Dam, enough talking!" For the first time, Samantheye gave him a look, but it was a furious one. "The Novgovians aren't just sitting around. We can't let them have the Prismatronic Core." Sam's tone was sharp. Most likely, if she had the time, she would have stopped and punched Dam. But the urgency was too great.

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Dam grasped the seriousness in Sam's words and his expression grew more solemn, finally understanding what was at stake. "Got it, Sam. Let's go." It was time to drop the jokes. After all, in this Survivor Game, they couldn't forget that it wasn't just their lives at stake, but also the fate of the Wyolands.

At that point, everyone fell silent. The group's focus had intensified. As the tower unfolded before them, with its puzzles already solved and its defenses already neutralized by the Novgovians, the group quickened their pace even more. The race to the Prismatronic Core was a battle against time, with each floor passed bringing them closer to their enemy.

With every step they took, the air became more charged, almost electric. The very structure of the tower seemed to grow more intricate and imposing as they neared the summit, and as soon as the group reached the last floor, a sense of eeriness enveloped them. The door leading to the Prismatronic Core room was wide open as if inviting anyone to approach.

But they didn't go through. They hid behind the last imposing door because what they feared was there. The group of Novgovians was inside the Prismatronic Core room.

"Same guys as last time," Sam whispered with a piercing look toward the interior. "Dam, I don't think you know them. That big guy over there is their leader, and we need to be cautious of him. He's an A Rank. Then there's that scrawny guy with a scepter and light armor. That's the strategist, still up to his tricks."

The atmosphere filled with a familiar tension as they watched. The Leader, as imposing as they remembered, commanded the area with undeniable authority. The Strategist, by his side, was lost in his calculations in front of the Prismatronic Core, focused and busy as ever.

The sight of the Prismatronic Core triggered something in them. It was wrapped in an impenetrable barrier and was a complex crystal sphere, illuminated from within by a light that changed color from blue to red to green in a steady rhythm. Surrounded by slowly rotating metallic rings, it seemed to almost float in the center of the room. Moreover, intricate engravings covered its surface, emitting a soft glow that reflected on the surrounding walls, creating a hypnotic effect.

It was clear that this object was not just a concentration of energy, but the very heart of the tower.

"Hey, see that?" Dam pointed at the pulsing light that enveloped the Core. "They can't get inside. There must be a code or something they don't have. Or maybe there's something they're missing."

A smile flickered on Sam's lips. "Then we're still in time. Guys, we have a chance. We need to move, and fast."

In the shadow, just behind the last imposing door, Sam turned to the group with urgency. "Listen up, everyone," she said, drawing Dam's attention in particular. "The Leader and the Strategist are our main targets. One can shoot explosive rays, and the other has paralyzing abilities. But there's more you need to know, Dam."

Dam, focused and ready, nodded to encourage her to continue.

"Besides them," Samantheye continued, "we have a group of lower-level Novgovians, all D and E Rank. They're not as strong as the Leader or the Strategist, but in numbers, they can become a serious threat."

Dam appeared surprised; he hadn't considered the possibility of facing so many lesser opponents. "So, it's not just the two big guns we have to deal with," he reflected aloud, absorbing the information.

"Exactly," Samantheye confirmed. "Our first objective will be to neutralize these lower-ranked Novgovians as quickly as possible. We can't let their quantity make up for their quality."

The group exchanged a look full of understanding and determination, aware of the danger they were about to face but ready to act bravely. Samantheye turned to the others, her steely gaze masking the pulsating adrenaline.

"Okay, guys, it's time. Marsh, Goat Horse, you two create chaos. Take out the small fries as fast as you can. Dam and I will handle the heavy hitters until you're done," Samantheye said with a calm but commanding voice.

Dam nodded, his expression serious yet his eyes sparkled with excitement for the impending clash. "Leave it to me, Sam."

The Goat Horse, now in his equine form, let out a low, decisive neigh, as if to underscore his agreement and readiness for battle.

Marshmallow, wielding his Titan Hammer, looked at Sam and said with a tone of friendly challenge, "Don't hog all the fun, okay? I want my share of the action!"

Sam, for once, allowed a thin, almost imperceptible smile to show. "Don't worry, Marsh. There'll be plenty of fun for everyone. Now, let's go!"

With one last look of complicity, the group readied themselves to spring into action. The air around them was electric, charged with the anticipation of a confrontation that could define the course of their destinies in the Survivor Game.

"On my signal," Sam whispered, and at that moment, the rest of the world seemed to vanish, leaving only them, their enemies, and the battle about to unfold.