"Every floor is a new trial, but the Tower... it never plays fair."
Arrival in the Town of the 30th Floor
Instead of heading straight up to the 32nd floor, Liam was walking through the heavily populated town of the 30th floor. The streets were paved with stones and crowded with merchants, blacksmiths, and adventurers from many south corners of the Tower.
Nyx's shadow flickered beside him. "Why are we here, Master? Shouldn't we be going up?"
Liam smirked faintly. "I got preparations to make, Nyx. The Tower is getting clever. Next time, I won't let it catch me off guard."
Trading Golden Tokens
Liam rambled toward a towering marble shop: The Golden Exchange. A broad, robust man behind the counter eyed Liam suspiciously as he placed his five Golden Tokens on the counter.
The eyes of the merchant lit up, then he quickly straightened himself. "Each Golden Token trades for 10,000 gold. That's... 50,000 gold total."
Liam nodded, collecting the heavy pouch of gold with satisfaction. Remembering the 31st Floor, he said, "It's only not from crowning the rightful heir but also from slaying the Harbinger of Ruin. The Tower must have recognized it."
He clenched the pouch. Time now for an upgrade.
The Blacksmith's Forge
The blacksmith's shop smelled of sweat, molten iron, and burning coal from the walls lined with weapons, but Liam wanted something custom made.
"Build me a full set of warrior gear-light, yet durable. And one for my companion here," Liam said, gesturing to the dark silhouette of Nyx.
The blacksmith glanced questioningly at Nyx, but said nothing. "For twenty thousand gold, I can craft you something fit for a king's bodyguard."
Liam dropped the gold without flinching. Hours passed and, as the sun shone, Liam stepped out, his new equipment shimmering:
Flexibility-speed blacksteel armor inscribed with magical runes.
A tailored longsword, which has a blade imprinted with faint mystical runes that buzz faintly with energy.
Nyx received sleek shadow-forged armor that allowed his ethereal form to shift and harden while in the fight.
Nyx purred in approval. "I feel... mighty, Master."Liam grinned. "You'll need it."
Seeking Knowledge at The Guild
Liam's Duke was the Adventurer's Guild, the den for the masses - the hall where players gather making rumors and clinking mugs of ale. He had heard several things that decided success or doom in this place.
"Information about 32nd floor," said Liam while placing the gold to the counter.
The guild receptionist looked at him before directing him to a cloaked figure bent over at a corner of the room. "He is the one to see."
Liam approached the figure and said, "Tell me about the next floor."
He half looked up through his hood to reveal a weathered face. "500 gold."
Liam growled in annoyance but pocketed the coins.
The player leaned forward, whispering, "Only magic can save you."
Liam's jaw tightened. "And that's it?"
The player grinned. "You paid for words, not answers."Liam turned and the feud boiled, eyeing the player who stood unmoved. "Magic? I'm a warrior damn it."
Tower Store and Auction
That night, Liam sat in a restless room, then opened the Tower Store with its number of items and skills, hoping there was something useful. Then an auction popped up.
Item: Rune Script of Magic Language.
Description: Learn the ancient magic language to learn spell- casting. Progress slow unless you are a magician. Current Bid: 5,000 gold.
Liam hesitated. "Magic could be the key. If the floors get harder, I need every edge." Nyx frowned. "Master, you are no mage. This will not be easy for you."
"I don't mind." Liam made his offer. When the auction drew to a close, he had won the script at 10,000 gold.
Learning Magic the Hard Way
The next morning, Liam unfurled the Rune Script and, marvelously, its symbols glimmered weakly at him. Through the form of chanting the words, he sat there for hours muttering exactly that and being at one with it, however... nothing.
The ink didn't respond. The runes didn't glow.
Liam slapped the table angrily, yelling, "Damn it! It shouldn't be this easy."
Nyx observed in silence. "Magic may not be something you force," she added. "Understand it like the blade."
Liam sighed and said, letting the script aside, "Maybe time will pass. In the meantime, we keep going."
Arrival to the 32nd Floor
Weirdly, as he stepped into the light, he felt drawn when Liam reached the 32nd floor. He was frozen by his heart, however, as soon as his vision became clearer.
He was back.
The ruin of the kingdom which he had saved at the 31st level stretched in front of him.
There was smoke rising. For the utter destruction of buildings, the streets were almost deserted with the faint cries of the needy and injured.
Nyx's voice trembled. "Master... What happened here?" A cold notification chimed in Liam's mind:
Tower Notification:
"The Kingdom is on the brink of doom. You have 7 days to save it."
Liam clenched his fists; fear pooled in his chest. "It was supposed to be over. What am I doing back here?
Nyx whispered, "The Tower does not easily let go of his games."
Liam cast a glance at the ruined kingdom. "Fine. If I saved it once, I will save it again. But this time..." He looked at the smoky horizon. "I will destroy whoever caused this."
To be continued...