“ Congratulations once again on your success Kelford” T.U.I’s said as Kelford laid against the dark stone of the 3rd floor. “ Though I must say that I would not have recommended your approach to testing your class.”
“ I had to do it T.U.I. Had to see just how far I could push this new class.” Kelford laid his head back as he blinked the blood out of his left eye. The pain was pushing to the forefront as the adrenaline fell away. Bruises, small cuts , and what were probably a few cracked bones began to scream for his attention as Kelford took a moment to breathe before looking back to T.U.I.
“ Besides, I learned something new. The gnoblar gorger was actually willing and able to talk. Just like the gnoblars at the beginning of the 5th, better yet it turned into an ogre! Gnoblars are just ogre kids or something. Maybe it's a stage of development or whatever .More importantly the meat from the 3rd has something special about it if they were able to get to such an evolution!” Kelford leaned forward, excitement burning in his eyes, “ I just need to know why I wasn’t able to tell or get any benefits myself” .
Kelford had been running the beginning levels of the Tower enough times that he had gotten a decent stockpile of many of the different items on the floors. Especially the mystery meat on the 2nd. He’d tried eating it a few times, cooking to his specifications, only to throw up. He’d kept gathering them out of habit but was unsure if they were even useful. Until now.
“You still do not have the appropriate permission levels Kelford” T.U.I said, “ Besides you should pick your relic before we continue this conversation. Your wounds will take some time to heal and perhaps there will be a relic that will speed your recovery.”
Kelford nodded, the first room he had picked after the 2nd floor was a relic room. Despite the pain he’d pushed through enough pain to know that he would heal decently well after a few hours and some food. Essence seemed to make him hardier especially when he had an enhanced attribute skill. Something to do with essence flowing through his body according to T.U.I but Kelford hadn’t fully understood the logistics behind that. Besides, it was still too early to waste a potentially powerful relic on a healing room. Doubly so when he was aiming to leave this part of the Tower.
In the room's center the Relic Orb flared and Kelford got his options.
Congratulations!
You have the option of Unlocking a Relic subvault
Free Unlock: Uncommon
100 Karma: Rare
1000 Karma: Very Rare
10000 Karma: Legendary
100000 Karma: Mythic
Available Karma: 4780
He had been saving the funds for awhile but everytime he considered getting a Very Rare relic he kept looking up to the Legendary relic cost.
“ Just a little under half way there”
Still he needed something to push his power higher and uncommon items were just not gonna cut it if he was going to fight a Ogre Youngling sometime in the future. Yet he still needed something to help him with his current run.
“ A compromise it is”
Unlock a Rare Relic Sub Vault for 100 Karma?
Y/N?
“ Yes”
The orb burst into light, this time all of them were a vibrant purple.
Corrupt
Drain
Endure
“ I see we’re a little on brand for the shadow theme this time around.” Kelford laughed as he stared at his options
“ It seems that your choices are indeed influenced by your class this time around. Whether this is fortune or something else I am unsure…” T.U.I floated to his side, light dimm which Kelford had learned was when she was thinking deeply. “ Though the Tower has been known to have class choices that influence the subvaults offered.”
Kelford shrugged but her confusion did disquite him slightly. The idea of something being wrong reminded him of the immensity of the situation he was in.Someone else could think of that, whether this was all some sick game played by the Myriad Index or something else, he couldn’t control what was going on. He shook his head and refocused on what he could control.
His options seemed straight forward but decidedly not within the theme of this world. Corrupt was the first option out. His Radiance of the Black Sun was a good skill that let him subvert his opponents and Darkness was essentially blinding them. Drain and Endure were more interesting, almost purely because of his current fighting style. Drain would most definitely assist with his healing since he seemed to get hurt in his major fights while perhaps damaging his enemies. With tough creatures like the Ram from the 4th , any relic that assisted with damaging them while healing himself would be useful. Endure seemed to lean more towards granting an item that helped resist or tank damage. For Monsters like the Sabertooths that would be undeniably important to keep his insides inside. It wasn’t like he couldn’t get new relics eventually but after seeing how some relics seemed to assist with each other to a better build.. It felt as if these choices would start to become important as they represented his options in future Relic Rooms .
“ Any helpful advice T.U.I? I’m considering both Endure and Drain for essentially their ability to help me survive fights.Though I can’t decide which would be better.”
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“ Consider what you currently have and what you currently are missing. Thinking of the future is fine Kelford but you also have to consider your current situation. “
Kelford thought on it for a second, the pain was still there but pushed to the side as he retreated into himself as he thought on the matter. “ I have ways to weaken foes with Darkness and Radiance , I also have a boost in my lethality with Empowered Strike and my Enhanced Strength “ Kelford continued to think T.U.I quiet as he put the pieces together not only for this choice but perhaps how he wanted to choose for the rest of the floors.
“ With Furs of The Warlord I get some resistance to enemies that are scared of me which mostly only works for enemies that are weaker like the basic gnoblars. Amulet of Storing helps with my essence capacity issues. Issues that are already strained with Darkness and Empowered Strike . There are plenty of ways to heal but I don’t need them if I never get hurt. Especially as I’m fighting up close. If I get tougher I won’t need to heal as much. Unless Drain is more about draining other forms of energy such as essence. Which I can’t store for long!” Kelford opened his eyes decision made, “ Thanks T.U.I”
“ Always here to help Kelford!”
You have Chosen:
Endure
Congratulations!
You have gained access to a
Sub Vault of Endure!
3 Common Relics
2 Uncommon Relics
and 1 Rare Relic
Are Now Accessible!
Ring of Shadow Flesh
Rare
Description:
Many creatures that inhabit the dark places of the universe rely on trickery and their incorporeal natures. Others rely on the unique constitutions of those that have been touched by true darkness. Grants skill:
[ Shadow Flesh ]
The ring was black and seemed to squirm as Kelford reached for it. It was firm to the touch much to his relief. He placed it on his right finger as he felt essence rush up his arm and through his body. Blessing of the Black Sun let him see the changes running through his body as his skin took on a slightly darker tone before fading back to its normal brown. The pain from his cuts seemed to dull slightly as he pulled up the skill the ring had granted him.
Shadow Flesh
Description:
Your Flesh is infused with shadow essence resisting 30% of non-essence enforced strikes and 5% of essence enforced strikes. Shadow Essence stores and bodily functions are enhanced slightly scaling off of constitution.
Kelford felt a slight pull on the surrounding essence as his body seemed to consume more of the purple essence around him than usual. Nothing strong enough to make an appreciable difference during a fight but just enough to make him feel slightly better on his feet. His wounds didn’t hurt as bad and the dark of the special room seemed almost inviting.
“ Pretty good and it helps my essence stores which aren’t that big without my amulet.”
“ It certainly helps Kelford, resistance can only help and I am sure this will be a good baseline for your future growth.” T.U.I said as Kelford admired his new ring. “More so I have queried the Myriad Index and all I can say is that some of the rooms hold secrets that may assist with your growth later.”
“ Like a resource I’m not high enough level to access or utilize yet?”
“ More so that you may not have the skills or relics necessary.”
Kelford shook his head as he considered, “ So have I been missing these secrets constantly? I know I've been gathering some of the gnoblars dinner but is there anything else I've been missing? Why haven’t you mentioned these secrets before?”
T.U.I dimmed as she said somewhat sadly ,” You do not have the permission levels to access that information. I can tell you that not every room has a secret but that is the most I can tell you.”
Kelford sighed before closing his eyes as the frustration almost sent his thoughts spiraling. It was better not to rage at the permission levels the Tower set on it’s information. That led to thoughts about the situation he was in and the insanity of his situation. The deaths, the silence …
“ Well you might as well tell me what information you can about how the fight went.” Kelford said as he opened his eyes , “ always room to improve right?”
T.U.I grew brighter as she began to speak, banishing the thoughts Kelford’s mind had brought up. He wouldn’t rest for too much longer but after passing the Second flood for the final time… he needed a moment.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
The Third floor went by quickly. The traps having stopped being a problem for Kelford many runs ago. Though a boon came in handy he hadn’t thought would help him.
Boon of the Black Sun
As he crossed the final threshold to the 4th he gazed back into the dark cavern and its untripped traps. The swirls of essence, light blue as they flowed from the hidden runes where the traps laid. It hadn’t occurred to him that the traps could be seen if one had the ability to see essence. It made him wonder why he hadn’t noticed before.
“Maybe you had to see the particular essence type? “
Regardless it was a useful observation he’d have to keep in mind moving forward. His Amulet of Storing was full and his internal essence thrummed within him as he entered the 4th floor.
Fresh air filled his lungs as the familiar river and mountains filled his vision. A cold wind blew from the east filling Kelford’s ears with the sound of rustling trees. The difference that halted his steps was the rainbow of essence that filled the landscape. Within the caves the essence was dominated by vibrant purple with occasional browns. Here, it was a myriad wonder that flowed into and out of each other. A wonder of magic that he alone enjoyed.A man lost within the memory of this dead world. Kelford picked his way down the mountain path as he pushed for the next room. Usually, he would camp here. Enjoying the sunshine as much as he could before he was banished miles underground. On this occasion he was just too excited as he was only one floor away from the 5th. Much more if he didn’t waste time here he could potentially out run the storm. It became so freezing that a few runs ended with him suffering from the swiftly dropping temperature when he dallied too long.
The sound of the river yielded to the sounds of the forest as Kelford picked up the pace to a light jog. The light beaming through the trees gave the forest path a peaceful quality that hid the Sabertooths beneath. Kelford cared little as he tried to keep a good pace as the minutes rolled by. Essence rolled past him as he ran deeper and deeper. Even while jogging Kelford kept his head on a swivel as his eyes pierced through the forest gloom. 10 minutes after he started jogging his quarry finally decided to introduce itself.
From the gloom a large shadow burst in all it’s violent glory. Teeth and claw glint in the light as the Sabertooth Youngling pounces with almost no warning. Kelford falls into a roll only being clipped by one of the claws before he pulls his sword from his Inventory. Pulling on what shadow essence there is around him he puts his entire body into a devastating downward slash.
Empowered Strike
The cat’s roar is swiftly cut off as he separates it’s head from it’s shoulders. With a breath Kelford deposits the corpse in his Inventory before pushing forward again. Checking his shoulder he saw that the Youngling hadn’t even broken through his Furs of The Warlord .
“ T.U.I was right,” Kelford muttered, “ Armor relics are very important, its a wonder I’d survived up till now.” Usually Kelford would walk out of this floor with at least some wounds but at this rate he might be able to push past without a scratch. Sword still in hand Kelford increased his pace as a large cabin came into sight. Several Sabertooths that had been lounging outside jumped to their feet already growling. Kelford pulled on the shadow essence around him and raced towards the creatures.
Darkness
Empowered Strike
Shadow burst to life covering the cabin and sending the Sabertooths into a roaring rage. They sprinted forward and in their blindness ran right into Kelford’s empowered blade. In moments the forest went silent as the well of shadow dispersed. Kelford deposited his blade into the Inventory alongside the new corpses before entering the cabin. Not a scratch on him.