While they continued their journey home, Diya wondered what type of soul card he wanted. Gaia wouldn't give him a choice, of course, but it didn’t stop him from dreaming. It wouldn’t be an elemental soul, that much he was sure of. Historically, only five climbers had reported having one. They were all influential figures. Diya believed there'd been more. However, given the power that accompanied elementals, they'd probably kept silent about it. Elemental-types were the only soul cards where the wielder got access to all three types of major functions: summons, spells, and augmentations.

Diya didn’t want a plant-type either. On the rarity scale, they were number three. They equally focused on summons and spells. Plant-types relied too heavily on the practitioner’s compatibility with his party, though. As much as he loved Alexander and Victoria, eventually, their goals would change. The twins aimed to bolster the family fortune and increase their standing amongst the nobility. Helping them would benefit Diya too, but it wasn’t what he wanted.

A beast-type like Lawrence’s soul card would be ideal for Diya. Ideally, he wanted a soul card that gave him stealth abilities, agility, and speed. Sneaking would help him avoid most fights or safely set up more complicated traps before luring creatures in for the kill. However, beast-types struggled to find cards with high enough compatibility to upgrade their soul cards.

Baba, better known as Sword Master Utpal Sen, hoped Diya would get a tool-type—the most common of all the types. He would be over the moon if Diya got a sword soul, as he and Neer did. Tool-types primarily focused on spells but occasionally came with summoning powers too. When upgrading, finding compatible cards was the easiest for them, making the category incredibly versatile. However, it didn’t change the fact that they were the weakest. Diya would settle for a cape or boots, though. He theorised that they would give him speed and mobility spells. Either would be better than a stupid sword, at least.

The ground floor’s sky was orange by the time they reached the floor's main hub at the titanic pillar's base. Diya could smell the sea air before exiting Gaia's Ark. The many teams entering the tower carried the odour in with them. He couldn’t wait to indulge in a hot soak and warm fish stew.

The party paused at the upgrade station so Lawrence could appraise his soul card. As always, the rune-covered monolith had a small group crowding around it. There was always someone or the other keen on learning about their new soul card. Faction representatives hung around them, too, keeping track of people visiting the rune-covered stone pillars. Years of training had taught them what to track to investigate an individual's card type and often figure out more. Diya had heard the more powerful noble houses invested heavily in scholars who studied the tower. If someone with potential appeared—or someone lucky enough to have a beast-type like Lawrence—they'd pursue the individuals with grand gestures and offers to recruit them.

Fortunately, the Boleyn family’s crest kept the vultures at bay. The representatives either had unsuitable soul card or none at all. It was the only reason why they could still access the ground floor. Diya spotted red faces and clenched jaws as they studied the snow-white canine following an obvious commoner.

When Lawrence manifested his soul card and pressed it against the upgrade station's flat surface, the runes came to life. They glowed with the same light that Lawrence’s tattoo had emitted when forming. Energy pulsed up and down the structure, and the sight sent shivers through Diya’s body. He couldn’t wait until it was his turn.

“She’s a snow wolf, and the card is named Hunter of the Tundra,” Lawrence declared a minute later. He kept his volume down so the faction scouts wouldn't hear him. “The card has three abilities: Tundra Lupis Companion, Night Eyes And Pointed Ears, and Canine Agility. I won't need the Beastial Senses, after all."

"You didn't deserve it anyway," Edgar grumbled. "The soul card is far too powerful. Gaia should've observed the entire hunt and not just rewarded the lucky fool that landed the killing blow."

"It could've been you if you didn't scream like your balls haven't dropped," Victoria said. "Quit the pettiness. Seriously. We'll all get our soul cards sooner or later. If you don't check your attitude, Gaia will give you junk, like those pathetic fools.” She nodded at the scouts, watching Lawrence and noting the runes they'd observed. “Then you'll end up scouting new prospects for father and eventually Alexander instead of climbing the tower." Her words drew a toothy growl from her younger brother. She ignored him and focused on Lawrence. "That's excellent, Lawrence! Father is going to increase your salary for sure now! I'll ensure it’s enough so your mother can retire. Does Rai have any snow or ice-based abilities?"

Lawrence nodded. "She has a weak frost aura that activates during battle, but it’s too weak to do much now. I don’t know how I’ll nurture her. I always expected to get a tool or plant soul. Never thought someone like me could get lucky enough for a beast.” He grinned, petting Rai. “Thought I’d be supporting or defending the party using spells and summons. Either way, I think I'll focus on upgrades which boost the augmentations first."

Alexander squeezed Edgar’s shoulder so hard, the younger Boleyn winced. Whatever the younger Boleyn had opened his mouth to share remained unsaid. “Birth and status don’t decide what soul you end up with. That’s the tower’s call. Akarai got the jump on you today because of our screw up. Not only did you survive, but you dodged his attacks all the way to the trap-site. Gaia has rewarded you for your bravery and skill, Lawrence. You deserve the beast soul and our apologies.”

Lawrence’s cheeks and ears reddened. “Thank you.” He looked between the two twins. “My lord and lady. My family and I owe all our good fortunes to you.”

Edgar huffed and marched away from the party towards the blue-light covered archway that marked the tower’s exit. The party waited a few minutes until he had disappeared from sight before following him.

A rush of cold sea air washed over Diya’s face as soon as he exited the tower. The structure had been the first thing he saw out of his window every morning for most of his life. For years, it had faded into the scenery and had become a natural part of his existence. Now, after his almost two years of delving, his respect for it had renewed. He took a moment standing at the doorway, staring up at the monolith.

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Walking the tower’s perimeter would take him an hour, but inside, no one had found the boundaries of the ground floor. Neer and several other climber’s theorised that Gaia’s Ark—the name etched all over the tower—didn’t really contain anything but transported climbers to other planes. That didn’t explain the cards, the never-ending monster population, or the supposedly strange residents, though.

Far above New Calcutta, close to where the tower met the sky, winged beasts flew. None of them had flown down to the city in Diya’s lifetime, but he had read they’d often travel to the neighbouring continents, showering them with terrifying creatures. Before their arrival, apparently, most of the world was at war. Now, defending their homes from monsters took priority. He wanted to see them up close someday, not from ground-level but within Gaia's Ark. He couldn’t wait to fill his notebooks with sketches of the tower’s many beasts.

Another party exiting Gaia’s Ark bumped into Diya, making him stagger forwards. Alexander caught him and ushered him off the entrance bridge into New Calcutta. Sunset coloured the sky crimson, and people filled the innermost ring. It wasn’t just the time of day. Diya was sure things never quieted in Climber’s Market. People entered and exited the tower no matter where the sun was in the sky. As a result, there were always businesses competing to buy the retrieved materials or sell goods to climbers.

Edgar was nowhere to be seen. He already had his share, so he didn’t bother taking part in the sale. Alexander took the lead, weaving his way through Climber’s Market. They ignored the merchant’s calling to them until they reached the section where every sign bore the East India Company’s mark.

McDowell’s Metal and Leatherworks displayed several family crests in its window. The Boleyn crest sat near the top of the list. Diya had accompanied Neer and Baba to the store more times than he could count.

“Welcome junior masters!” Gregory McDowell called in a thick Scottish accent when they entered the store. “How are we today?”

“Can’t complain, Gregory,” Alexander replied, putting on his best lordly smile. “Our Lawrence got his soul card today, so things are looking better for sure!”

“That’s excellent!” The Scotsman marched to Lawrence, clapped him on the back and shook his hand. Gregory’s left forearm bore a hammer tattoo. “That means yer not far behind. Now that ye have one soul card on board, ye can head deeper into the floor. Me guts say the four of ye are destined for great things. Just don’t forget ol' Gregory when you start climbing.”

“Nonsense. The McDowells have been outfitting the family and our subjects since before we were born. That will not change anytime soon. Am I right, Diya?”

“Baba won’t trust anyone else to outfit the people he trains,” Diya added. “You charge a bit much for my liking, but I get my eared chewed off if I bring up going elsewhere.”

“As you should.” Gregory laughed. “I’ve got to say, I’ve made less money off the four of you than anyone else.” He tugged on Lawrence’s breastplate. Metal segments covered the chest and back. “Everyone comes around for repairs or replacements after their first couple of hunts. You only come around to sell.”

“You can thank Diya for that,” Alexander said.

“Trappers are bad for business,” Gregory commented before the pair got down to haggling.

Diya was sure he could’ve gotten more for the pelt from an Indian or French merchant. They had better rates and didn’t shut down when haggling. Gregory gave them a fair price, though. The next time they came around for a new piece, pre-made or commission, they’d get reasonable rates in exchange.

After unloading all of their bulky loot, Lawrence left them with thirty-pounds in his pocket. The tower took his father while in service of another noble house, leaving behind one too many mouths to feed. Their former employers provided roof and board for six months after the death before turning them out.

The Boleyn household had taken the family in and given the two remaining adults work. Even though their work contracts covered shelter and food for the entire family, the pay didn't cover all of their needs. Alexander gave him a little extra. They'd deduct it from the rest of the earnings.

Once done, they visited a shop that specialised in card sales. Bestial Senses sold for sixty-three pounds—more than Akarai's pelt and femurs put together which had netted them fifty-five. Worried Edgar would make a fuss, Diya had kept shut about his solo finds. He pulled them out for the Boleyn twins.

"I'm sorry," Diya said. "I found them while exploring alone and wasn't sure what you wanted to do about it. Without Burst of Strength, Akarai would've probably won—"

"It's fine," Alexander said. "You did the right thing keeping shut until Edgar left. Lawrence probably wouldn't mind, but I don't want him to think we treat you differently."

"Which we do," Victoria said, chuckling. "You won those cards using no one's help but your own. They're yours for whatever you please."

"I appreciate that," Diya said. He returned Burst of Strength to his deck and sold one of his rope cards. It only got him a pound. He kept Climbing and Territorial Awareness for his reserve deck.

After completing the sale, they visited the man who'd put up Akarai's bounty. The old man grunted at the severed head and waved them in. Initially, Diya assumed that he had a bone to pick with the mad wolf—a dead son, daughter, niece, friend, or something similar. Instead, stuffed and monster skulls decorated the walls. Tools and materials for making them populated the benches around his home's entrance.

"Don't touch that!" He barked at Alexander when he poked a giant boar's snout. "You're filthy, and the buyer hasn't paid me yet."

"Sorry," Alexander said sheepishly, retreating behind his sister.

Even though the Boleyn house was among the weaker noble families in New Calcutta, their station still got them respect and pull around the city. Any other noble heir would've put the man in his place for using such a tone with him. However, Alexander hadn't yet learned to use his station to his benefit. Victoria occasionally did, but it was mostly to get the city's aggressive constabulary to behave. It was why Diya got along with the twins, despite his distaste for the otherwise corrupt aristocracy.

After inspecting the head. The man paid them fifty pounds, bringing their total haul for the hunt to one-hundred-and-sixty-eight pounds—minus the thirty given to Lawrence. Most teams sponsored by noble families would have to pay a significant chunk of their earnings to the house. Fortunately, Lord Boleyn didn't demand such payment from his children's party. Instead, he contributed nothing to the party's costs. He believed his children needed to make their own way—until the house needed their service, of course. When Alexander and Victoria made the mistake of requesting high-quality weapons from the Boleyn vault, their father burdened the party with Edgar. Diya still hadn't forgiven them for the mistake. However, thanks to the current dynamic, they all got an equal cut of the earnings.

Edgar had already received his pay as Wilderness Traversal. Dividing the hunt’s net earnings four ways, netted them each forty-two pounds. Since they'd given Diya Territorial Awareness, he only received forty, but didn't complain. The twins made enough allowances for him already. He returned to the Boleyn Compound with almost double Edgar's earnings and the thought put a smile on Diya's face.