With too much time on his hands and very limited range of activities, Arath had no choice but to push his body's limits and train new techniques. To say his escapade to the dungeon was irresponsible is to say nothing, although three days had passed already, he could still feel consequences of his actions. Ben and Anga avoided him at all costs not ready to be scolded for even the slightest of a reason, like a dirty stain in a corner of a room or talking to loudly.

"Where do you think you are keeping your weapons? Of all places you had to choose our room? Do you expect me to fly over it, or what? Put it somewhere where it doesn't threaten any lives, would you?" Arath was a walking cluster of irritation, his wound on the belly didn't allow him to get a good night's sleep which led to this kind of situations.

Luckily for them, it was a rare opportunity to his face outside kitchen, bathroom or his room as most of his time was spent on cultivation. Before he noticed, most of his skin on his torso was awakened, the incredible speed of his advancements would shut even the most talented noble's mouths and could be compared to Heroes'. The more thought he gave to this similarity, the more confusion entangled his mind. The events that took place during Awakening Ceremony, his newfound abilities such as the visions, the speed of cultivation - everything suggested him being one of the summoned but there was one problem. One piece of the puzzle that didn't fit. It was clear as day he wasn't summoned, he had spent his entire life in this world, the world of the Tower.

Because of injuries he had to almost completely relearn fighting. Before, he would use two weapons in order to get the most penetrative power and kill as quickly as possible but now it was close to impossible. That is why he decided to try something new - a shield. Altough it was rather small, it didn't require as much precision and flexibility from his arm, yet provided some defence. After training for few days to get used to it, he and Ben finally went back to the Tower, no matter what it would throw against them, they had a clear goal in mind. Clara was still lying unconcious and the future didn't seem bright for her, her skin was getting paler with every day that passed, and her pulse - weaker.

A crowd was gathered at the entrance and a strange silence entangled the space around the Tower. Everyone seemed to be anxiously waiting for something to happen, to see a miracle of some sort. Arath and Ben elbowed their way to the entance and tried to get in only to see Council's elementalists blocking the way, they wouldn't answer anybody's questions and just stood there motionlessly.

"Is it some big monster like the Face Eater again? What is going on?" Ben looked around trying to find some clue.

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"Heroes are taking down the boss of the second floor." A teenage boy with tattered clothes answered excitedly.

"Oh, that big fish?" Arath opened his mouth in surprise, the last time he met them, Heroes were on a similiar strength with him. 'I could not even imagine trying to run away from it, yet they are facing that monstrous creature with the intention of killing it. I've got to make up for it and train even harder.'

The two friends decided to join the crowd and wait until the fight was over, but to everyone's surprise it took longer than expected. After two hours of sitting and chatting people had to go back to normal activities leaving only a bunch of people still waiting for Heroes to come back. After seven hours, that seemed to them to be months, a group of young people from the other world with few exceptions such as strongest members of the Council's Guard and other elementalists that were considered to be at the pinnacle of what one can achieve or just helpers that carried equipment. They seemed to be exhausted, their steps were as heavy as if their feet were made of iron, their hands hanging on the sides with no strength left in them, and almost no one uttered a single word from the moment the etrance was opened to when the last person vanished in darkness of the First City. Only one person stayed behind to pass on the news.

"The monster has been defeated and from now on it is possible to enter the third level. I wish good luck to anyone who decides to help the Heroes in securing vital resources we need to keep our society alive, your help is greatly appreciated." He announced and left, ignoring any questions by just saying "If you wish to hear more details you may ask Council representative."

That kind of answer was more than enough to cause angry looks and enraged curses of those who were worried about their close ones who entered the Tower with the group. Few people that had been sitting in a circle for the entire time started to cry uncontrollably. Many others had terrified expressions on their faces and were looking for some comfort in arms of friends of family members.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Ben asked breaking the silence between him and Arath.

"We need to get more people, if there is one thing I have learned from Leafers it is that we are strong when we are together. And one thing is certain - we can't do anything without a Healer and an Ice Elemenetalist. I just hope we can find them before it is too late." His face went grim after saying the last sentence as he realised the seriousnes of the situation.

Most former Leafers were either taking a break from dungeoneering or created smaller groups that tried to continue climbing up the Tower. There were only few people Arath knew and trusted enough to team up with, one of them were Rym who he met thanks to Elizabeth but he hadn't seen him since the fight.

"How is Carl? Has he recovered already?" Arath wanted to resurrect his initial team as a core for the new one but had his dreams crushed almost immediately.

"From what I've heard he is fine but is now forced to help the rest of the Heroes in order to repay his debt to them." Ben answered.

"Debt?" Arath didn't really understand.

"Yeah, whenever they save someone's life they make that person work for them until they believe they have done enough."