Isaac's eyed widened as he read the description of Information Is King. He had poured over a number of encyclopedias that listed all kinds of known skills, perks and abilities, but he had never seen anything like it. He swiped away the rest of the notifications and glanced over at General Evan. Information. A screen prompt appeared as he finished his thought.

Name: Evan Shadowblade

Race: Human

Level: 6

Class: Spearman

Affiliation(s): Ascentarian Royal Guard (General), Aether

Huh, thats going to come in handy. In the distance he could begin to make out the entrance to Aether. Twin gates, 20 feet tall and made of thick wood, stood open. Getting close, I better finish this up. Attributes.

ATTRIBUTE SCREEN

You have 7 attribute points waiting to be assigned

Strength: 10

Constitution: 10

Agility: 15

Intelligence: 15

After a moment of deliberation, Isaac decided that it made the most sense to place enough points into agility to get his Tier 1 perk and then evenly distribute the remaining points between his strength and constitution. That would give him the most immediate boost in power and help him survive the upcoming trials.

Congratulations! You have reached Tier 1 in your Agility attribute.

By reaching Tier 1 in Agility you have been granted a random perk that embodies the attribute.

You have acquired a new perk!

Perk: Danced With A God (you are immune to all movement impairing effects)

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A sharp stab of pain from his chest made Isaac grumble as he read over his newest perk. Well that would have come in handy a couple of hours ago. He took one last look at his final attribute screen as they neared the gate.

ATTRIBUTE SCREEN

Strength: 11

Constitution: 11

Agility: 20

Intelligence: 15

The two guards posted in front of the gate saluted as we approached. "General Evan! It's good to see you sir. From the way that last group looked when they came in, we thought you were goners". The general returned the salute and forced a chuckle, "ay, twas nothing we couldn't handle lads! Buy me a round at the tavern tonight and I can tell you all about it! ..."

Isaac rolled his eyes as the young guards hung on every word Evan said. No doubt the general and his men would not go thirsty tonight. He took a moment to look for the Whisper that had brought them to the gates, but he was already gone. Isaac grimaced as his chest flared in pain again. The general must have noticed his discomfort because he waved the guards off and signaled for Isaac to follow him.

"We'll get that wound looked at and then head over to the Citymaster's residence. He'll want to hear my report and probably reward you for the part you played in keeping his group of Explorers alive". As they passed through the gates Isaac got his first good look at the town of Aether.

The town was a blur of activity. Wagons and carts filled with items or people and pulled by muscled horses flew down stone roads, while merchants peddled items from weapons and armor to potions, jewelry and books. Kids ran after each other while playing games. Groups of guards walked amongst the merchants and nodded as they past. Isaac couldn't help but stare in amazement. Who would have known that all of this could exist inside the Tower?

"Explorers?" Isaac asked as he continued to take in the town. "Ahh, I forget yer from the outside. Explorers are groups sent by Citymasters to explore sources of strong, dark mana". Evan shrugged. "We received a report a couple of days ago about a new dungeon that had popped up in the middle of that forest you found us at". Isaac turned his attention to the general. "Is that common? For a new dungeon to just ..." he snapped his fingers, "come into existence like that?" Evan's eyes narrowed and he looked up lost in thought.

After several moments, the general turned and stared into Isaac's eyes. "No. I mean it has happened before, but this dungeon was massive. I had to turn the whole team around the second we got a glimpse of it. Its mana stank of death".

They walked in silence until they reached a large stone building in the shape of a cathedral. "This here is the Iteku healing house. They are contracted by the Royal Family and heal Royal Guards for free. Just tell them I sent you and they'll take care of you". The general gave him a wink. "Someone will be here to escort you when yer done".

With that the general turned on his heel and walked off in the opposite direction. Isaac took a quick glance at his surroundings and then headed up the steps of the cathedral and inside. A young women in light blue robes was seated on a desk inside a small room. She had an emblem that looked like a circle with a bird in the middle stitched onto her left breast. Must be the symbol of the healing house.

The young woman looked up from the piles of paper that littered her desk. "Welcome to the Iteku healing house. How may we help you?"