Isaac pointed at this bloodstained shirt, "General Evan sent me". The young woman gave him a bored look and beckoned him closer. He approached the desk and before he could stop her she had pulled off his shirt and began poking and prodding his wound. "Looks like you lost a fight with a wolf". Isaac frowned, but the young girl simply laughed and continued to inspect the wound. "The cuts aren't too deep, though it looks like there are early signs of infection. You're lucky you got here when you did, infections are hard to treat, even for skilled healers". She moved over to the desk and wrote down some information on a piece of paper. "Take this and head through that door there," she pointed at a small wooden door, "take the first right and head into the room with the number 23 carved above the door. One of the healers will get to you when they can".

One of the house healers came by about an hour or so after Isaac had dozed off on one of the chairs inside the room. The man didn't speak much, but Isaac was fascinated at the healing techniques that the man used. He had read a bit about healing classes before and he knew that outside the Tower, most healers simply used magic to heal wounds. Healing magic simply sped up the natural recovery process of someone's body, but used the body's stamina as power. This was dangerous however, because if the healer wasn't careful they could just as easily kill someone by using up too much of the body's stamina while trying to heal a wound. In contrast, the man that healed Isaac didn't rely directly on healing abilities or spells. Instead, the man covered his chest in bandages soaked in some foul smelling liquid for half an hour, and then stitched his wounds closed before finally using healing magic to finish closing up the wound and remove the scars. Some would probably argue that it was a waste of time and effort, but Isaac could see why the Royal Family had chosen the Iteku healing house to care for their guards.

After the healer had finished, Isaac thanked him and walked out of the healing house. A man who had been sitting on the steps turned around and stood up as he heard Isaac approaching. The man had bright green eyes and chestnut colored hair. One of his arms lay in a sling. Obviously a soldier. Information.

Name: Ryan Stonewall

Race: Human

Level: 4

Class: Spearman

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

The man held out an arm, "Sir, my name is Ryan Stonewall, I was part of the guard sent to protect the group of Explorers that you helped rescue. General Shadowblade asked me to escort you to the Citymaster's residence". Isaac clasped the man's arm with his own. "I don't know about any of that. I spent the majority of that fight with my ass on the ground". Ryan laughed pleasantly, his tone becoming more comfortable, "well regardless, me and the boys owe you a beer or two, so make sure you collect".

The two walked for a little over half an hour, with Isaac asking Ryan questions about the town and the Tower. Aether had originally been built as an outpost to guard against roaming monsters that had been attacking neighboring villages. Due to it's close proximity to the Burned Wilds, which Isaac had learned was the name of the forest that he had first landed in, the outpost had grown in size. The Wilds were popular with hunters since the beasts that could be found there were some of the highest levels available on the first floor of the Tower. That meant good experience, and money. It didn't take long for the merchants to follow and set up shops in Aether. Over time, Aether had grown to its current size. Though it was still considered one of the smaller towns on the first floor, Aether had grown big enough for the Royal Family to send a detachment of Royal Guards to oversee the protection of the Citymaster.

They eventually reached a large two story house with multiple guards patrolling the front gate. Isaac didn't recognize any of the guards, but as they approached Ryan sent one of them to get General Evan. "It was good to meet you Isaac, make sure you come by the tavern later, Mary makes the best blackberry pie you've ever tasted and the beer is good enough". Isaac laughed and agreed to meet him and the rest of the guard later tonight, he was really looking forward to getting this meeting with the Citymaster over with so that he could get something to eat and then sleep the rest of the night. Mmm, damn, what I wouldn't give for a blackberry pie right about now. His stomach grumbled in agreement.

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Isaac watched as a group of guards led by General Shadowblade headed towards him. Evan grinned as he approached, "about time you got here lad, thought I was gonna have to listen to that damned fool of a man all by meself". Evan gestured Isaac to follow him. As Evan guided him through the house Isaac was amazed at the wealth on display. Silk adorned all of the windows and furniture, while suits of golden armor guarded different hallways. All kinds of weapons lined every room they passed. It all seemed so excessive. They eventually reached a large circular room filled with luxurious couches and seats. A group of five men and women were huddled near each other on the far side of the room engaged in what seemed to be an intense conversation.

The group looked up as they entered the room and Evan gave them a quick nod. One of the older men from the group walked over, cupped his hands and bowed in front of General Evan. "General, we didn't get the chance to thank you earlier for saving our lives. We are deeply sorry for the loss of one of your men". Several tense moments passed before the general sighed, "like I told the kid here earlier, death is cheap in the Tower, especially in our line of work. I just wish we could have saved all of you". The old man nodded, tears filling his eyes, he bowed his head again in respect and walked away.

Another thirty minutes passed before the creaking of doors woke Isaac from his tired daze. A young man in red robes stepped out as the doors opened, "the Citymaster will see you now". Evan growled, clearly upset about having been made to wait for so long. "About damn time! ... The Citymaster would do well to remember that we are only here at the request of the Royal Family. My men and I will not be treated with the same indifference that he is so well known for". The implied threat in Evan's voice was obvious: don't fuck with me. The red robed man seemed to shrink under the general's eyes, and he squeaked a reply that Isaac couldn't hear as he ushered them past the doors and into a new room.

The room that they entered was ... lavish. Half-naked women lay in beds or couches covered in golden silk. The jewlery they wore worth more than the entire village Isaac had grown up in. "Do you like what you see?", Isaac turned his head to see a short, middle-aged bald man wearing a ridiculous golden robe with red trimming seated on a chair that was obviously made to resemble a throne. Information.

Name: Zian Frostbourne

Race: Human

Level: 9

Class: Frost Mage

Role: Citymaster

Affiliation(s): Royal Family, Aether, Mages Guild

Isaac cupped his hands and bowed, "my apologies Citymaster Frostbourne, I was admiring your ... decor". Citymaster Zian raised an eyebrow, clearly suprised that Isaac knew his name. Oops, gotta be more careful about that. Luckily for him, General Evan decided to speak up at that moment. "Citymaster, the Explorer's and I are here to give our report regarding the dungeon that has appeared within the Burned Wilds". The Citymaster kept his eyes on Isaac for a moment longer before turning to face Evan. He gave a small wave, "continue."

The older man that had approached them earlier stepped forward as he cleared his throat. "Several days ago we had received word from a number of hunters that a new dungeon had spawned in the Wilds. As you are aware, dungeon spawns are not exactly common so the Explorers Guild put a team together to map it". The man clenched his fists as he continued speaking, "we found the dungeon exactly where the sightings had indicated it would be, but ..." he hesitated and looked over at General Evan who spoke up in his place, "when we approached the dungeon, we received a notification on our Tower Interfaces. The message warned us that entering the dungeon would result in all of our deaths. It ordered us to return to Aether and gather an army before trying to clear the dungeon".

As General Evan finished speaking, a screen appeared in front of Isaac.

The Tower has given you a Hero Trial!

An unknown dungeon has appeared on the first floor of the Tower inside the Burned Wilds. The Tower fears that there are mysterious and powerful forces behind its sudden appearance. If the dungeon remains open and uncontested, it is certain that the monsters it unleashes will wreak complete havoc across the first floor. The Tower wishes to destroy the dungeon and has called upon you to lead the forces that will be rallied against it.

Trial Difficulty: Unknown

Requirements:

1. Destroy the dungeon that threatens the first Floor of the Tower

Optional Requirements

1. Discover who or what raised the dungeon

Rewards

Vary depending on Trial completion