John returned to the main hall, Lyra’s imposing figure following close behind. As they entered, the three girls turned, their eyes widening in unison at the sight of the draconic woman. Lyra’s presence filled the room, an aura of quiet power radiating from her. John smiled, a touch of pride in his expression. “Let me introduce you to Lyra,” he said, gesturing towards her. “She’s joining our group. Once we recruit another member, she’ll be part of the full team, but until then, she’ll be helping you train.” He paused, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “By the way,” he added, anticipating their unspoken question, “she would have been the guardian you faced had you reached the 40th floor. And yes,” he confirmed, seeing the apprehension in their eyes, “she’s significantly stronger than the three of you combined. Please don’t let that intimidate you.” He then adopted a firmer tone. “There’s a crucial rule for everyone in our group: under no circumstances are you to fight each other. If you want to spar or train against someone, we’ll arrange suitable sparring partners. The goal is to avoid internal conflict. Fighting amongst yourselves will only breed rivalries and impede your progress. Working together, supporting each other, will foster a cooperative mindset and ultimately lead to faster and more significant growth.”


    “With that settled,” John said, turning to Max, his voice firm and decisive, “begin setting up training. Arrange sparring matches as necessary, and ensure Lyra receives a crow companion.” He then turned back to the group, his expression neutral, though a sudden wave of exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. He fought it back, focusing on the task at hand. I haven’t slept properly in days, he thought, his mind feeling foggy and slow. I need to rest before facing the 50th floor. If I’m going to face whatever’s waiting for me there, I need to be at my best. A flicker of curiosity, quickly replaced by a sense of foreboding, crossed his features. Besides, he thought, the name echoing in his mind like a distant bell, someone said I had an appointment with ‘Mr. Somebody’… a name that suddenly feels far more significant than it did before. John sought the quiet solitude of a training room, desperate for the oblivion of sleep. He lay down, the world quickly fading as exhaustion claimed him. But the descent into slumber was abruptly halted. A distinct presence materialized in the room, jarring him back to full awareness. There was no mistaking it; he knew, with a chilling certainty that bypassed all logic, who stood before him: Mr. Somebody. The promised conversation had begun.


    “So, let me tell you why I ‘saved the serpent’ directly,” John began, his gaze meeting Mr. Somebody’s with a firmness that felt strangely familiar, as if he were arguing with a part of himself. “It wasn’t just about preventing her slow decline, though that was a factor. It was about… potential. I saw something more in her, something beyond her current form. A possibility for something greater.” He paused, a flicker of something akin to recognition crossing his features, though he couldn’t place it. “You talk about time unfolding, about waiting to see what happens. But I believe in shaping that time, in seizing the moment. I don''t believe in simply letting things be.” He met Mr. Somebody’s gaze again, his tone becoming more insistent. “You say this will benefit me. Perhaps. But that’s not my primary concern. It’s about helping others reach their full potential, just as I helped her. Just as I intend to help my friends.” He paused, a subtle shift in his posture, as if unconsciously mirroring some long-forgotten stance. “That’s why I’m doing this. That’s why I’m here. And when I clear the 60th floor,” he finished, his voice gaining a newfound strength, “I expect that choice you promised. I expect what I’m owed.” Mr. Somebody’s gaze held John’s for a long moment, a flicker of something that might have been… understanding… crossing his features before he simply smiled and nodded. John, feeling a strange sense of connection to this enigmatic figure, yet also a lingering unease, slowly drifted off to sleep.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    John woke feeling refreshed, the deep sleep having scoured the lingering fog from his mind. He’d almost forgotten that even with his growing strength, mental acuity was paramount, and rest was an integral part of maintaining it. Downtime was essential. He rose, intending to check on the girls before ascending to the 50th floor. Before leaving, he reached for a beast core. This one was noticeably larger and more potent than any he’d consumed before. As he ate it, however, the familiar rush of energy that typically flooded his system simply… ceased. It was as if the power had been drawn into a vacuum, leaving no trace. A wave of disorientation washed over him. He examined the remnants of the core, but they appeared perfectly normal. Then, a subtle shift in his awareness drew his attention inward. The energy hadn’t vanished; it had been drawn into his bones, settling deep within his skeletal structure as a faint, pervasive warmth. He didn’t understand the process, but an instinctive sense told him it was beneficial—a profound, cellular strengthening. He decided to trust his body’s innate wisdom and filed the strange occurrence away for later consideration. Satisfied, he headed out to check on the girls before venturing to the 50th floor.


    As John entered the main hall, he glanced around, a familiar sight of emptiness greeting him. A crow landed lightly before him, the transformation into Max almost instantaneous. “Where are they?” John asked, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Training rooms,” Max replied, a matching smile in her voice. “Lyra’s putting them through their paces.” “Perfect,” John said. “Then I’ll leave them to it. Anything I should be aware of before I head up?” Max shook her head, her expression confident. “Nothing you need to worry about.” “Excellent,” John said, nodding. “I trust you. I’ll be back before you know it.” And with a faint shimmer of displaced air, he vanished.