“Well…at least it’s not more gnoblars” Kelford stood in front of a large gate built into the cavern walls. To see it below ground was incredulous, as the cavern was at least as wide as the one 2 rooms ago. Its titanic size covered at least a football field in length. The same giant stone bricks gave the wall an air of solidity unmatched by normal buildings. Kelford looked up only to feel slight vertigo at the cave's ceiling so far above.Blue runes lit the gate, reflecting off of the white stone. Stale air barely moved the dust that had seemingly laid here for years. A boulder big enough to collapse a house blocked the way. It was covered in the same dust that covered all of this place . The only sounds were his own voice and the shuffle of his boots against the stone.
TU.I had disappeared awhile ago but instead of monsters this room had provided a different sort of challenge.
Lift the Boulder
The golden words had given no other clues or words of advice to deal with the enormous rock, much to Kelford’s chagrin.
“ It’s insane how this place deals with challenges.” Was there a secret lesson in lifting a giant rock? Some kind of hidden technique or lesson from the people who had lived here? Or was the Tower just enjoying some good fashion laziness and decided that giant rocks were just as good a challenge as anything else. Kelford snickered as he explored the dusty gate. His spear had been safely placed in his inventory when he realized there were no monsters nearby but his hands ached to have a weapon in them. His heart beat just a little faster without a weapon being in his hands. Not helped by the previous conversation.
Thoughts of the ruins and T.U.I’s words still played in the background of his mind. The destruction that had befallen so many others who had failed the Tower’s test. Trillions had probably died because of this place and the Myriad Index. It was apparently in some attempt to save doomed worlds but with only one source of information there was no way to tell if that was true. Magic and monsters to test the world’s inhabitants in this place honestly seemed more like a game. A game that might be exciting to watch for bored godlike beings. It was a crazy theory but no crazier than what had been going on up until now.His heart began to pound painfully in his chest as the possibilities that this was some sick game pressed on his psyche. Kelford shook his head before resting it against the cool stone. He took a deep breath as he got a hold of himself. He could worry about the true nature of the Tower later. First, he needed to lift a big rock.
Pulling himself together he began examining the gate again.
“ Are those stairs?” Hidden beyond the glowing runes were stairs hidden in shadow. Kelford jogged towards them, going a few dozen yards before coming to their entrance. Stone stairs lead into the gate where smaller symbols cast a faint light.Reaching into his inventory, Kelford pulled out the Spear of Spirit Strikes before carefully stepping up the stairs. Each was slightly too high and definitely made for something much wider than he was. More glowing symbols lit the way as the stairs opened into a corridor. No windows, and what seemed to be stairs leading higher up were destroyed. He kept moving, the quiet of the cave now a dead silence. A ringing began to buzz, only setting Kelford more on edge. He continued, passing more destroyed furniture and rubble. Broken horns, and ripped furs were common amongst the trash that was mixed in with fallen stone and wood. His travels lead to a thick door that laid broken on the floor. The room beyond had some sort of contraption with two large wooden handles and a thick chain that wrapped around it.
“Is this some kind of mechanism that moves the gate?” It reminded Kelford of some of the fantasy gate controls he’d seen while watching movies. As he stepped past the doorway his eyes caught on a broken wooden sign. He held up the pieces as he placed them together feeling [Languages of the Mountain ] begin to translate the ancient words.
Yorik you Empty headed child, Stop forgetting to lock the gates!
The Mechanism is right There!
By the Mountain you are the worst….
The rest of the words were illegible. Beyond the sign was a wooden lever half the size of Kelfords body on the wall. He looked at the lever and then at the mechanism dominating the room. Much like the stairs, the lever was in the most shadowed part of the room. So out of the way it would be easy to miss.
“ So the trick is that even if you were able to lift the boulder by finding the
gate controls, you would die cause by the time you walked under it the boulder would fall on you?” Kelford had the distinct image of how that would end for him and shivered. [Languages of the Mountain] for the win!
“ And to think I only bought that skill to hear what a gnoblar gorger was saying to me” Kelford laughed to himself as he wrapped his arms around one of the giant hand holds. He pulled with all his might and he heard a giant thunk before he slowly was able to pull the mechanism round and round.His muscles strained under the strain but eventually with a lurch the mechanism stopped. Now wiping the sweat off his face Kelford pulled the lever hearing a series of metallic locks clicking into place. He smiled jogging back to the gate to see that the Boulder was now suspended inside the gateway. He strolled past it with only a slight glance upwards before finding himself on the other side.
“Well…That was honestly the easiest challenge so far” swiftly he began to make his way into the passage beyond stepping up the high incline. T.U.I manifested pushing back the encroaching darkness as he moved away from the gate.
“You seem in better spirits than when I left you,” She said.
Kelford shrugged, “ Well that challenge was a lot easier than the other challenges I’d been fight up until this point. Honestly, I would say the second floor was more difficult in totality.”
“Would you have preferred a harder challenge?”
“ I didn’t say that”
T.U.I shined slightly brighter, “ Then perhaps you are just not realizing just how talented you are.” Kelford stopped giving her a look.
“ All I had to do was pull on a giant gate mechanism to move a boulder. Really, the most difficult part was just how long I had to pull it. I’m sure most people have passed the room.”
“ That is false” T.U.I floated in front of him forcing Kelford to stop, “ Your ability to push yourself was being tested. Many participants are not pushing themselves nearly as hard or are used to the pain you have adapted to so easily.”
“Well the essence enhancements…”
“ Can only assist so far.Even your choice of [Languages of the Mountain] has
paid off.” T.U.I turned a slight orange, “ you should grant yourself some credit to yourself. Your drive to reach this far is admirable. You have reached the cusp of the third floor and deserve a modicum of respect.” She began to float off leaving him dumbfounded.
Kelford jogged forward before she floated too far ahead. Nothing was said as they continued forward, the steep floor now getting rockier and jagged. Kelford’s mind churned as he tried to figure out what to say as he went over the previous room's challenge. It hadn’t seemed so hard. Sure pulling had been hard but being killed was way worse in every regard. Pushing himself a little wasn’t too much.Perhaps T.U.I was just over stating his abilities to make him feel better.
“T.U.I how many people were able to get through the last challenge on the first try?”
“ 50% of challengers who made it this far were able to conquer the 2nd room on the 3rd floor on the first attempt. They were either unable to pass within the time limit or died to the boulder while walking under it.”
Kelford was in shock before the first words really registered, “ What do you mean time limit?”
“ That knowledge is restricted as I can not give hints to the challenges on the floors.” T.U.I’s tone was just a bit smug leaving Kelford confused for a moment.
“But you just said…”
“I am allowed to answer requests about the situations of other participants when discussing the progress of your civilization within the Tower section you are experiencing. Especially when said information can help motivate.”
It took Kelford a moment before he was able to read between the lines. T.U.I had just exploited a loophole.
“ Of course, thank you T.U.I” Kelford said.
“You are very welcome”
The silence was not decidedly less awkward now as they moved forward. Minutes passed with only the soft crunch of boots against stone when Kelford shivered. He didn’t think much of it at first until he realized what that meant. The temperature was changing. The dusty air was no longer stale but now had a hint of freshness. Pace quickening, Kelford pushed forward, heart pumping. He didn’t consider himself claustrophobic but the constant presence of stone above him had a way of grinding on his nerves. Just the idea of seeing the sun after so long…
“Good luck on your next challenge” T.U.I’s voice heralded the dark closing in again. Kelford stumbled before he caught himself, cursing all the while.
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“How many times do I have to rush into these situations before I learn the lesson!” He waited a few minutes allowing his eyes to adjust after he summoned his spear. There was some light source that was spilling into the tunnel from the room ahead. Stamping his excitement down, Kelford moved forward cautiously. The light grew in strength, just bright enough that he no longer had to step carefully. He entered the room to see a long, wide space with plenty of stalactites and jagged rocks across the ground. The ceiling was high enough to stack himself a few times over but what really caught his attention was the breeze. Cool air played with his clothing. Caressing his face like a lost lover. The cave entrance was shining and a slope reflected sunlight off its rocky surface.
Golden words played across Kelford’s eyes as he stared across to the exit.
Exit the Cave Without Dying
Spear in both hands Kelford stepped onto the jagged landscape. Nothing seemed amiss as he continued along, trying to keep his wits about him. He glanced down at the floor, if he fell his skin would be cut to ribbons by the jagged stones. He looked up trying to spot any surprises. There was nothing. Already he was a few feet away from the entrance and nothing had jumped out or even moved. If the challenge could just reveal itself he would feel way better about the entire room. He took a step and felt more than heard a click. He leaped back without thinking as his vision was filled with ice. It shot past him embedding itself in the wall. Kelford’s eyes were wide as he tried to replay what had just happened.
“Traps” His gaze narrowed in on the floor, “ this place is filled with traps”
There were no indicators, his eyes searched the floor where he had just stood and couldn't see any indication of the trigger. He looked up, seeing the long stretch of floor between him and freedom. He dismissed his spear and tried to think.
“ how am i going to get out of this?” His class wasn’t exactly suited to puzzling out traps, but it was good for smashing. He materialized his mace before smashing the place he had just walked with all his strength. Shards of rocks flew everywhere, cutting into his skin drawing a hiss from his throat. A crater now took the place of the floor, revealing nothing. No twisted metal or even a cleverly hidden gear. Kelford put his foot in the spot, ready to pull back at a moment's notice. Nothing happened .
Kelford sighed with relief, “ Well atleast I know that can work-” his words caught in his throat as symbols materialized beneath his feet.
Click
Kelford threw himself forward as another chunk of ice speared right for his heart. Pain burst through his thigh as he rolled along the ground ripping into his skin. His blood covered his eyes as he rolled to his feet clenching his jaw as agony ripped up his left leg. He furiously wiped at his eyes desperately trying to get the blood out of his eyes. He could feel the numbness of his [Ring of Minor Regeneration] pull at his stamina as the bleeding cuts began to close. He studiously refused to look at his leg as the numbness increased to worrying levels around the area. The glowing symbols faded and Kelford was once again left in the quiet. He was lucky he had dodged the first time, the second was a miracle. There was no way the traps were so close together, especially since he had just rolled a few feet without activating a single one.
“Or maybe that’s just my wishful thinking”
The cavern was just a couple dozen feet away. If he couldn’t get around the traps or even see where they hid… he’d just have to go through them. He somehow had kept a hold on his mace through his close miss with death. He swung it around before preparing himself. What was the use of preparing some complicated plan when there was clearly no way to get to plan around moving traps.
“I almost miss the gnoblars…” They at least were straight forward. Kelford hated traps and puzzles, in his life he had always tried to avoid escape rooms and even in his games he just preferred to activate the traps as they always seemed to be activated no matter the effort. The exit to the next floor was just out of his reach because of what could be there. Kelford stoked his rage, what he was about to do was all kinds of stupid.
“Screw this floor” Kelford waited just until the numbness around his leg began to fade then dashed for the exit.
Only 10 feet later another trap activated hurling another bolt of ice. Kelford leaped forward narrowly dodging it. Another this time from the right, He rolled ignoring the stones cutting into his back. Clicks were now rocking everywhere as the air grew icey teeth. Kelford rolled beneath one, narrowly ducked another before a giant boulder fell from the ceiling. Gritting his teeth Kelford leaped to the side using his free hand to prevent himself from falling. A shockwave passed through the ground as the boulder sent pieces of stone flying everywhere.
“Come on!” Kelford was thrown off his feet right on to another trap. Another stone dropped picking up speed and time seemed to slow.Pushing with all his strength Kelford got his feet under him and with a surge of strength swung his mace right at the descending stone!
Hard Smash
Metal met stone sending a vibration through the entirety of Kelford’s body. Metal screamed and warped as stone shattered . The mace broke as the stone slab shattered into pieces, bruising but not killing Kelford. Adrenaline burning through his veins Kelford sprinted forward tossing aside the remains of his weapon .He was so close to the entrance! Runes were lighting up every step sending ice bolts and falling stones to kill him. Kelford leaped, every ounce of [Enhanced Strength] pushed to its limit as he soared through the air. An ice bolt clipped him and he lost control. Flailing until he hit the hard ground, he rolled desperately waiting for more traps to spring. He came to a stop, a ball of torn clothing and bloody scratches. He covered himself with his arms hoping that was enough to survive the next trap coming his way.
Nothing came.
Slowly he peaked out from behind his bleeding arms to see daylight shining down upon him. He had made it. Numbness began to crawl up his arm as his healing began to start and Kelford collapsed against the floor. The cavern was filled with icey projectiles and giant slabs of stone broke the ground. Only a few feet separated him from the last trap, two stone hammers smashing from the ceiling.
“I hate traps, I really hate traps” Kelford groaned as he slowly pulled himself to a sitting position.
“ That was certainly one way of getting past the third floor Kelford” T.U.I’s voice echoed through his mind, the final signal that he had passed the room.
“ There’s been a lot going on and the traps were the final straw” Kelford rolled his shoulders, “ Besides I’m ready to get out of this dungeon. It's nice to feel the fresh air while I take a break.”
“If you say so” T.U.I materialized a paler shade of light than the sun. “ That was still most impressive”
“You can drop it, I’m sure many people have passed this floor by now”
“Not as many as you think”
Kelford rolled his eyes before looking back to the cave, “ I didn’t realize I could destroy my weapon”
“ Yes, it is possible to have any relic you own be destroyed during your climb”
Kelford nodded before pushing trying to push himself to his feet, his vision immediately doubled forcing him to sit down.
“What's…what's going on?” A wave of exhaustion washed over him, the remnant tiredness from the second floor coming back with a vengeance. T.U.I floated to him and Kelford felt strange, almost as if someone was staring into his soul.
“It seems that your body is being pushed to its limits with all the activity you have gone through. Despite the boosts from your class and being exposed to essence your healing has strained your body's reserves.”
“Well T.U.I what does that even-” Kelford’s stomach growled loudly.
“It means” T.U.I said, “ That you must replenish your body's energy stores. For organics it is either by absorbing enough essence or…eating”
Kelford’s cheeks grew hot, “ I thought I didn’t need to eat, that essence or the Tower was keeping me going”
“True to an extent, at your usual level of consumption essence took care of all your needs. Now with a [Heavy Warrior] class and your [Ring of Minor Regeneration] that is no longer the case”T.U.I’s said.
“So what, were you just not going to tell me about this?”
“ I wasn’t going to mention it until it became relevant”
“When would it become relevant?” Kelford covered his eyes, the exasperation not helping with his exasperation.
“...Now”
“ UUGGGHHH” Kelford couldn’t take it anymore, “ Let’s just drop it. Can I see the rewards for completing the third floor?
“ Of course, though I am confused on why you are frustrated, here are your rewards.”
Kelford couldn’t help but snicker as the golden orbs and words appeared.
Quest Complete!
The Third Floor
Description:
Complete the Third Floor
Reward:
30 Karma
New Quest!
The Fourth Floor
Description:
Complete the Fourth Floor!
Reward:
40 Karma
Enchanted Blade of Bleeding
Uncommon
Description:
Cuts from this blade bleed freely and are harder to heal.
Amulet of Minor Barkskin
Uncommon
Description:
Grants the wearer the skill [Minor Barksin] for 30 seconds.
Recharges every 3 hours
Amulet of Accuracy
Common
Description:
Increases the accuracy of a strike once every minute.
Looking over the options Kelford considered that [ Amulet of Minor Barkskin] to be the winner with little to no contest. The others may have some utility but he already had an uncommon weapon and the [Amulet of Accuracy] was not very useful. He had no trouble hitting any of the gnoblars up to now. The golden orbs flashed with light and in their place floated a wooden amulet with a leaf preserved in amber. Kelford grabbed it from the air, inspecting what the skill [Minor Barkskin] could do.
Minor Barkskin
Skill
Infuses the user with nature essence to grow bark like skin.
Grants resistance to slashing and piercing strikes
“Nice, just what I was looking for” He placed it around his neck feeling a connection forming with the relic. His vision wasn’t doubling anymore and he was able to pull himself up to his feet.
“ I look forward to seeing how you react to the next floor” T.U.I said as Kelford picked his way up the slope. The light was warm but the air was definitely colder than the caves. A faint mist covered the ground and Kelford could hear trees rustling above him.
“What do you mean? More traps or something? A new more inventive death trap?” Kelford climbed the last bit of the slope finally able to see the outside world.
“Nothing like that, just that this is where the Tower finally is able to open up it’s rooms”
Kelford’s mouth dropped open, as the true scale of the Tower revealed itself before his eyes.