“ Congratulations Kelford, you completed the First Floor! How are you feeling?” T.U.I appeared from his chest, glowing like a rising sun. It had been a few minutes after his completion of the first floor. His wild exaltation had stopped after he could not long ignore the stinging of his wounds from the first battle. He leaned against the wall trying and failing to ignore the wounds as best he could. The exhaustion from the fight and his usage of Hard Slash had mostly gone. The previous doubts of trying to climb the Tower were still there but now he felt he could make it to the 5th floor. Or try to at the very least.
“Thanks T.U.I'' Kelford pushed himself from the wall lifting the axe to his shoulder, “ So what’s next.” His body may ache but his spirit was undimmed.
“Well first is your quest rewards!” T.U.I said as golden words filled Kelford’s vision.
Quest Complete!
The First floor
Rewards:
10 Karma
“ I don’t know if that is super useful but I won’t turn down rewards!”
“Just wait, there's more where that came from Kelford!”
Quest
The Second Floor
Description:
Complete the Next Floor
Reward
20 Karma
“Alright now we're getting somewhere!” The reward wasn’t too bad but he still didn’t know where to spend his karma. Hopefully its usage would become apparent in time. There was one more prompt waiting for him, Keldord wasn’t entirely sure how he knew. He looked at T.U.I and she seemed to be giving him a look of expectation. Shrugging he indicated he was ready for whatever was about to come next. T.U.I flared with light and another orb materialized next to her. It was bigger, made of an almost metallic substance that glowed with a pale, harsh light.
Relic Orb
“ What is this?” Kelford took a step back, mostly out of caution. Only a few minutes had gone by since his fight and the adrenaline has still yet to leave him completely.
“This is your reward for completing the first floor,” T.U.I floated around the bigger orb, “ At the completion of every floor you will be able to get another of these rewards. These orbs represent a direct connection to the Myriad Indexes collection. Though you will lose them between your runs, each treasure will represent a powerful boon and potential path forward. Each choice is randomized between a grouping of common and uncommon items…”
“ With the rest of the rarities being rare, very rare, legendary, and mythic!” Kelford’s eyes narrowed, “ I was remembered that part”
“ Just checking “ T.U.I laughed, “ Now would you like to see what your options are?”
Kelford stepped up to the orb. It made no move as he approached it. He placed a hand upon it’s smooth surface only for it to flare in white light. He covered his eyes before seeing three miniature orbs floating in place of the first. These ones had descriptions .
Armored Cuirass of Momentum
Common
Description:
Basic Protection that has the following effect
Each attack has it’s impact stored in the armor
After 5 hit the wearer can have a empowered strike
(Can only hold up to uncommon level strikes)
Ring of Endurance
Common
Description:
A ring that makes your body more durable to attacks
Increases Toughness by 15%
Flame Enchanted Flamberge
Uncommon
Description:
A blade enchanted with the power of flames
Flame spells are slightly empowered
“Whoah, when you were talking about treasures you weren’t kidding” Kelford really couldn’t wrap his head around what he was seeing. The excitement was back, these were actual magic items! The thought just made the death trap slightly more enjoyable. He looked behind him at the corpses of the gnoblars. Not enjoyable enough to make him forget where he was but he’d take any win at this point.
“Yes, now these relics are always randomized. Currently you only have access to a small subset of the Myriad Indexes vaults. These common and uncommon relics are easily replicated by almost every civilization in one form or another.” T.U.I had slipped into lecture mode which drew a sigh from Kelford. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to know, just that it was interfering with the excitement of his first proper loot. Still it led to an important question.
“ Are these the highest rarity of items I have access to? “
“For now” T.U.I replied, “ Certain rooms and actions will allow you to gain access to higher rarity items. Unfortunately, I can not tell you more until you encounter such rooms”
“Well, I guess that leads back to my choice here. Any recommendations?” Kelford knew what he was going to pick, but perhaps T.U.I could make an argument for the other options.
“ I can not tell you what to choose but I can say that you wish to consider how your options synergize with your class skills. Higher rarities are usually more powerful but common items may lead you farther through the floors.”
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
“ That’s still not stopping me from choosing Flame Enchanted Flamberge” Kelford laughed as he chose the uncommon item.
“ I never tried to convince you otherwise”
T.U.I’s words faded into the background as Kelford focused on the relic orb rapidly expanding before dissipating into wisps of light. The other orbs disappeared leaving only the now floating sword behind. It was bronze and gold, with a long wavy blade that glowed orange. A rune glowed on the blade leaving a trail of fire as Kelford grasped the sword. He laid his axe against a wall as he inspected his relic. Each swing left trails of heat and he could feel an internal warmth even along the handle. Yet, never enough to burn him. He even touched the blade for a moment only to find that it was no hotter than a warm plate.
“ The enchantments on the blade make it so it’s wielder can not be harmed by it’s flames.” T.U.I said, “ If someone was to take the sword and take its connection things would be different”
“ What connection?” Kelford swung the sword a few more times, letting his class skills guide his movements.
“The next time you take a relic or even a class, try to pay attention to what happens when you touch it. Your essence will naturally be drawn to the weapon to claim it as your own”
Kelford nodded before stopping his impromptu practice. There were so many new ideas and facts to learn with the Tower and it’s many rules. It was only the beginning but there was already a mountain of information to crame in his brain. He spared a glance towards his axe. He’d just gotten it and now he was going to put it away. The Flame Enchanted Flamberge was just better than it in every way.
“ Can you show me how to place items in the inventory again T.U.I?” Kelford gestured at his axe, “ I can’t carry the axe while also using the Flamberge”
“Simply focus on the item you wish to place in your inventory before placing a hand upon it” Kelford followed T.U.I’s advice placing one hand upon the axe before it disappeared in a flash of light.
Inventory : 1/10
“ Well, no more waiting around then” Kelford rolled his shoulders before moving into the passage before him burning sword comfortably leaning against his shoulder.
Now Entering Floor 2 Room 1
It was much the same as the first passage he’d entered. The rocky passage had a distinct upwards tilt just gentle enough that Kelford barely felt the incline. A light showed in the distance causing him to slow down. Worse was the sound of high pitched voices speaking in a guttural language.The smell of burnt meat smacked into Kelford’s nostrils as he slowly crept closer to the next room. The room ahead was at least double the size of the last one, with refuse from the gnoblars squatting in the caves . As he stayed in the shadows watching the camp of pale creatures Kelford began to count them. 4 circled a campfire in the center, while 3 were sleeping along the far wall. The only source of light was the campfire leaving Kelford hidden from the monsters.
“ I could try to sneak up on the sleeping ones” He quickly shook that thought away. He wasn’t stealthy and nothing about his glowing new sword helped with his stealth capabilities. If he charged the gnoblars at the fire he could potentially kill them all and defend himself against the sleeping gnoblars. Hard Slash was a good skill to potentially end the fight quickly. The exhaustion may be a problem but he was feeling better after the last fight. Ending this one fast would potentially allow him to conserve his stamina.
“T.U.I you got any advice?” Kelford waited but heard no response. “ I’m going to have to ask how close she can be to monsters before she disappears.” This way he could get a better idea of how far away monsters were. It was a worry for later ,right now he had a room to clear. Spreading his legs, Kelford held his sword to his side. The gnoblars were arguing over something, some piece of meat from what Kelford could see, completely oblivious to the human preparing to take their lives. Kelford dashed forward, flaming wisps trailing behind him as he crossed the room in a flash. A gnoblar’s eyes bulged as it saw him burst from the darkness, screaming in its guttural language. The others turned too late to save themselves.
Hard Slash
Kelford’s blade was a horizontal blur of steel and flame, cutting down three gnoblars without even stopping . He almost lost his balance, losing precious seconds as he righted himself before having to kick the gnoblar he missed away. The adrenaline was kicking up a notch but his body felt like lead from the cost of Hard Slash. His kick left the gnoblar bruised but not dead. The others were waking up ,screaming in confusion. Kelford fought the panic down as he chased the gnoblar he kicked. If he could kill it now, he’d only have to deal with three instead of 4. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind then a projectile bounced off his blade. He turned to see another gnoblar with a sling screaming in rage at missing him. Kelford gritted his teeth, he’d missed that one in his assessment. Now he had a choice to make. Finish the gnoblar in front of him or rush the slinger. Golden letters appeared above the slingers head.
Gnoblar Slinger
Some lucky gnoblars develop a talent for ranged weaponry. This is not one of those lucky few.
Still in large numbers gnoblar slingers will bring down tough adversaries.
Kelford made his decision, spinning on the balls of his feet he ran for the slinger. It squawked as it noticed him tossing another sharp stone in it’s sling before throwing it right at his face. Kelford threw an arm up before hissing as a dull crack ran up his arm. Rage burning in his chest he slashed with his blade from the other side slashing the other gnoblar across the face. Another slash left it dead on the floor and Kelford whirled to confront the rest of the living gnoblars. Their knives glinted in the flickering fire light as the four creatures charged him. Kelford swung his much larger weapon forcing their charge to stall. Weapon Proficiency turned his blade into a blurs of steel as tried to catch the monsters to break apart their defense. It wasn’t working. Each gnoblar he pressured retreated as its compatriots tried to surround him . Kelford’s frustration and panic were building as he was forced to break off attack after attack. A stab of pain along his leg sent a growl from his lips as he backhanded the offending gnoblar. His momentary distraction let one slip behind him leading to another knick along his side. Fire danced along in the air as the offending gnoblar lost a hand for its troubles. Kelford followed up with a downward cut but his limbs were moving as if through molasse. The gnoblar jerked out of the way leaving Kelford exposed. The gnoblars jumped at the opportunity.
Bloody knives pulled away from flesh as Kelford finally fell to his knees. The gnoblars drew back in anticipation of another swing only to giggle when one didn’t come. They circled him watching to see if he had really given up. Kelford glared back as his chest heaved, his hands never leaving the flamberge. “Come on” Kelford thought, “ Come just a little closer” . The pain was blinding but the thought of death forced him to focus. He had one chance and he wasn’t going to blow it. One of the creatures was slowly getting into his blindspot while the others slowly grew closer. The one that had lost it’s arm was screaming in the background. Kelford waited, the drops of blood beneath him slowly growing into a pool.
It happened in a flash. Kelford’s mind drifted for a moment as blood loss and fear stretched his focus to the limit. A small splash brought him back to the present and the gnoblars in front of him leaped forward. In a moment, three monsters were charging him ready to take his life. Kelford’s life was hanging by a thread but he couldn’t help himself. He smiled. The gnoblars had fallen for his trap. Though his body ached, Kelford pushed it further, twisting until he made eye contact with the gnoblar behind him. It’s blade was only a few feet from his back, its eyes sparkling with glee. It’s eyes bulged as Kelford’s blade cut through it’s neck.
Hard Slash
The power of the skill spun Kelford all the way around without losing much of it’s force. The gnoblars couldn’t stop in time and the enchanted blade cut through flesh and bone like butter. They died screaming and burning. Kelford fell to both knees utterly exhausted. The gnoblars were dead but he could barely stand. His lungs and muscles burned from the effort of the fight but he wasn’t done yet. Pushing himself from the floor with a groan, Kelford climbed to his feet. One gnoblar wasn’t dead yet. The one that had lost it’s arm eyed him in a mixture of rage and fear. It seemed so life-like at that moment. Kelford hesitated as he locked eyes with the pathetic creature. He remembered the way the first death went, how the gnoblars enjoyed inflicting pain. The pity Kelford was developing died. He stabbed it through the chest watching the light leave it’s eyes. He waited a second before stumbling back towards the wall.
“ T.U.I are you here now?”
“Yes Kelford, all the gnoblars of this room are dead.” T.U.I’s cheerful voice broke what energy kept Kelford up.
“ I’m gonna take a quick break, just one hour tops. That shouldn’t be a problem right?”
“ No, that should be fine”
Kelford nodded with relief before collapsing against the wall and sliding to the floor. The stone was bumpy and uncomfortable. He fell asleep anyway.
Room 1 of Floor 2 Complete !